Young Socceroos off to Vietnam.

Another week another Aussie team off to Asia.

Interesting to me is the make-up of this squad. Everton, Hearts and Reading provide Aussie players for this squad.

It's mainly AIS players but only a couple, Sebastian Ryall and James Holland, have made an impression on the A-League at this stage.

Full details from the FFA follow

The Qantas Young Socceroos (Australia U-20) will begin the long road towards the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup next week when the first stage of Asian qualifying commences in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Australia have been placed into Group G in the preliminary qualifying competition alongside Korea Republic, Indonesia, Guam and host-nation Vietnam. The top-two teams from each of seven preliminary stage groups will advance to the Asian finals in 2008 along with the best third-placed team. Hosts Saudi Arabia qualify automatically for the finals which will be held from November 1-16, 2008.

The 20-man squad is largely comprised of Australian Institute of Sport players but also features a number of players with Hyundai A-League experience, and also four players currently based in the United Kingdom. Notable local selections include Melbourne Victory defender Sebastian Ryall, Queensland Roar striker Tahj Minniecon, Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, Adelaide United midfielder Matthew Mullen and Newcastle Jets duo Jason Hoffman and James Holland.

The UK contingent consists of Everton goalkeeper Michael McEntagert, Reading and former Mariners’ midfielder Oliver Bozanic, plus Ryan McGowan and Rocky Visconte of Scottish club Hearts.

“The initial concern will be acclimatising as soon as possible, and we have six days to do so prior to the first match,” said Qantas Young Socceroos coach Steve O’Connor. “As always it will be difficult conditions but that is something we simply have to deal with.”

“The opposition will be most challenging and we are going to have to work very hard and be on top of our game if we are to progress to next year’s AFC U-19 Championship.

“The preparation has been reasonably good though we have a few injury concerns amongst the group with a few players carrying some niggles.”

The current generation of Qantas Young Socceroos commenced their international campaign in August by winning the six-team Weifang Cup in China.

The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup will be held in Egypt.

The Qantas Young Socceroos squad to compete in Vietnam is:

Peter Cvetanovski, Luke DeVere, Marko Jesic, Daniel Mullen, Milos Lujic, Matthew Theodore, Isaka Cernak-Okanya, Matthew Jurman, (all AIS), Tahj Minniecon (AIS/Queensland Roar), Sebastian Ryall (Melbourne Victory), Andrew Redmayne (AIS/Central Coast Mariners), Matthew Mullen (AIS/Adelaide United), Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (AIS/Newcastle Jets), Nathan Elasi (Marconi Stallions), Glen Trifiro (uncontracted), Michael McEntagert (Everton, England), Ryan McGowan (Hearts, Scotland), Rocky Visconte (Hearts, Scotland), Oliver Bozanic (Reading, England)
* All players AIS-based unless stated otherwise


Australia v Indonesia
Tuesday 6 November

Australia v Vietnam
Thursday 8 November

Australia v Guam
Saturday 10 November

Australia v Korea Republic
Wednesday 14 November
All matches to be played at Thanh Long SC, Ho Chi Minh City