Young Socceroos chosen for this weeks Weifang Cup

Football in Asia just never stops!

Release from the FFA

Australia’s next generation of stars will play their first international matches later this week when the Qantas Young Socceroos compete in the 2007 Weifang Cup in China against some of Asia’s heavyweights.

The six-team tournament will see Australia pitted against host-nation China, Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan and top Chinese club Shandong Luneng during the eight-day tournament which commences on Friday.

The long road towards the 2009 FIFA World Youth Cup will commence in October with the first stage of qualifying to be followed next year by the AFC U-19 Championship.

“The experience the players will gain will be invaluable in regards the playing conditions and also in facing a variety of opponents,” said Qantas Young Socceroos Coach Steve O’Connor.

“The tournament will be quite challenging given the conditions and also the quality of opposition and there will be little time to acclimatise before the matches.”

“This will be the start of a long road ahead for the team and it will be a chance for players to impress and stamp their mark ahead of the first stage of qualifying.”

The 20-strong squad features mainly players based at the Australian Institute of Sports though three are currently contracted to Hyundai A-League clubs in Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, Adelaide United midfielder Matthew Mullen and Queensland Roar striker Tahj Minniecon. Striker and Newcastle Jets trainee Jason Hoffman is also included in the squad.

The Qantas Young Socceroos squad to compete in the Weifang Cup, July 27 – August 4, is:

Luke DeVere, Dane Milovanovic, James Holland, Ante Cicak, Daniel Mullen, James Brown, Richard Greer, Tahj Minniecon (AIS/Queensland Roar), Jerrad Tyson, Bonel Obradovic, Milos Lujic, Sebastian Ryall, Andrew Redmayne (AIS/Central Coast Mariners), Matthew Mullen (AIS/Adelaide United), Alex Sunasky, Matthew Theodore, Isaka Cernak-Okanya, Matthew Jurman, Matthew Harper, Jason Hoffman (uncontracted)
* All players AIS-based unless stated otherwise

Australia v Uzbekistan
Friday 27 July, 9.30am (11.30am AEST)

Australia v Iran
Sunday 29 July, 4pm (6pm AEST)

Australia v China
Tuesday 31 July, 4pm (6pm AEST)

Australia v Shandong Luneng
Thursday 2 August, 9am (11am AEST)

Australia v South Korea
Saturday 4 August, 9am (11am AEST)
All matches to be played in Weifang