Canberrans in Anzac Day Tribute

Christophe Bush (ACT/AIS), Stephen Domenici (ACT/AIS), Jason Geria (ACT/AIS), Alexander Meibusch (ACT/AIS), are all in Turkey for the Australia/Turkey inaugural Anzac Day football match. This year it's the Under 17's taking part.

CANAKKALE, TURKEY
23 April 2009

The Australia U17 men's football team, the Qantas Joeys, are preparing for the inaugural Australia-Turkey Friendly Football matches to coincide with Anzac Day with two of Australia’s brightest young stars are preparing for the biggest games of their careers.

The game, to be played in Canakkale – near Gallipoli – takes on special significance for Australian strikers Kerem Bulut and Ersin Kaya, both of whom are of Turkish descent.

Both sets of parents were born in Turkey, before emigrating to Australia, where Bulut and Kaya were born and learned to play football.

“It’s the biggest game of my career and it’s pretty emotional,’’ said Melbourne-born Mustafa Animi.

“It’s special, playing the country of my background and it’s exciting for me and my family.’’

With the Qantas Joeys games either side of Anzac Day, the players will attend the Lone Pine commemorative service in Gallipoli on Saturday, while Football Federation Australia CEO, Ben Buckley, and most of the team officials will attend the Dawn Service.

Before departing for Europe, the Joeys visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra where they were given further education about the events which led to the landing on Gallipoli in 1915.

Bulut, who is set to play in attack with Kaya, said it helped the team gain a greater appreciation for Anzac Day.

“We learnt more about the history and what went on between both countries and that’s why this game is so sentimental for us,’’ Sydney-born Bulut said.

“With all the events surrounding the match, it’s exciting for us and it should be a good game and hopefully a lot of the Australians who are coming here for Anzac Day can turn up and support us.

“It’s a good hit out for both teams, because they’re still involved in the European qualifiers so they will be taking the game very seriously.’’

Buckley said that the annual event is important in helping build long term relationships with Turkey.

“But it is also important for us as individuals, whether Australian or Turkish."

Qantas Joeys coach, Jan Versleijen, has told the teams they have a responsibility not only to perform well, but to be the face of Australian football.

“They are representing the country so it’s a good experience for them for when they start playing at a higher level.’’

Almost 10,000 Australians are expected to visit Gallipoli this year.

These historic matches are the first of what will be an annual event, which will see friendly football matches played in either Turkey or Australia in alternating years between designated men's and women's national teams. Australia will host the event in 2010.

The dates for this new annual football event were specifically selected to coincide with Anzac Day (25 April) for Australia and National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (23 April) for Turkey.

The annual football event has the strong support of both the Australian and Turkish governments with Australia 's Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith and NSW Premier, Nathan Rees, attending one of the matches.

ENDS

Match Details – Turkey U16 v Qantas Joeys
* Game 1: Friday 24 April 2009
Canakkale Stadium, Canakkale
2.00pm local (9.00pm AEST)

* Game 2: Sunday 26 April 2009
Canakkale Stadium, Canakkale
2.00pm local (9.00pm AEST)

Squad
Marc Warren and Brendan Hamill have been withdrawn from the original 25-man squad. The squad comprises:

Christophe Bush (ACT/AIS), Stephen Domenici (ACT/AIS), Jason Geria (ACT/AIS), Alexander Meibusch (ACT/AIS), Mustafa Amini (NSW/AIS), Kerem Bulut (NSW/AIS), Kevin Davison (NSW/AIS), Patrick Dixon (NSW/AIS), Samuel Gallaway (NSW/AIS), Robert Kolak (NSW/AIS), Aaron Lennox (NSW/AIS), Jared Lum (NSW/AIS), John Martinoski (NSW/AIS), Aaron Peterson (NSW/AIS), Daniel Petkovski (NSW/AIS), Nikola Stanojevic (NSW/AIS), Lawrence Thomas (NSW/AIS), Curtis Good (VIC/AIS), Ersin Kaya (VIC/AIS), Damir Lokvancic (VIC/AIS), Eli Babalj (WA/AIS), Scott Mellish (WA/AIS), Trent Sainsbury (WA/AIS)
Bonita Mersiades

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Joeys disaster in Tashkent

Ok so it's no big deal Australia lost to the UAE in the Quarter Final of the Under 16Asian Cup in Tashkent. Everythings in Tashkent these days!

But what is a big deal is it means the Joeys won't go to the World Cup Under 17 next year. The FFA don't say so in their release but I'm pretty sure that's the deal.

Don't think we missed a World Cup in Oceania...but then we never had to play in Tashkent.

Feel for the lads, a goal in injury time knocked them out, plus some AFC dealings ensured their opponents were changed at the last minute.



The Qantas Joeys have been knocked out of the AFC U16 Championships after falling to the United Arab Emirates 3-2 in the quarter finals of the tournament in Tashkent overnight.

Only hours before kick-off, Yemen, who had topped group D, were disqualified from the tournament for fielding an overage player. The decision meant that instead of facing Japan the Qantas Joeys had to face the United Arab Emirates, in their quarter final match.

With the scores locked at 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes, and the match looking destined to go to extra time, Abdulla Mohammad’s scored for the UAE in the first minute of injury time to give his team the victory.

The UAE took the lead after 7 minutes into the match when a cross found Fahad Salam unmarked who made no mistake from close range to beat Qantas Joeys goalkeeper Robert Kolac.

The Qantas Joeys had a number of opportunities to equalise in the first half, but were denied by saves from the UAE goalkeeper Eesa Abbas and the cross-bar on one occasion.

Ben Kantarovski equalised for Qantas Joeys early in the second half finishing off a cross from Marc Warren.

Trent Sainsbury gave the Qantas Joeys the lead in the 57th minute when he capitalised on a Brendan Hamill flick on from a Jared Lum free kick.

Fahad Salem notched his second goal of the game in the 64th minute to level the scores when the Qantas Joeys failed to clear the ball from inside the box.

Then in the first minute of injury time, UAE striker Abdulla Mohammad headed home the winner after Ahmed Al Balooshi hit the bar following a Fahed Salem free-kick.

After the match, Qantas Joeys Martyn Crook was obviously disappointed with the result.

"We had plenty of opportunities in the first-half and we should have scored them so we got punished for that.

"After we took a 2-1 lead we had a chance to score a third goal from a one-on-one situation but we didn't. We were punished quickly for that as UAE leveled the scores.

"UAE played well although the last two days were hard for them," he added.

"Their players showed a great fighting spirit and they were really good on the break with quick counter-attacks.

"We were really vulnerable from crosses. The crosses have cost us the match and UAE players took full advantage from these mistakes,” concluded Crook.

-ends

Match Details:
Qantas Joeys 2 (Ben Kantarovski 48’, Trent Sainsbury 57’)
United Arab Emirates 3 (Fahad Salim 7’/64’, Abdulla Muhammad 90+1’)
Sunday 12 October 2008
MHSK Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Referee: Minoru Tojo (Japan)
Assistant Referees: Yosef Mirza Rustom (Saudi Arabia) & Manh Long Pham (Vietnam)
Fourth Official: Mukthar Al Yarimi (Yemen)
Crowd: 500

Qantas Joeys line-up: Robert Kolac (gk), Chahine Noujaim, Marc Warren, Brendan Hamill (C), Jared Lum, Ben Kantarovski, Nikola Stanojevic, Kamal Ibrahim, Chris Bush, Trent Sainsbury, Stephen Domenici (Danai Gapare 83’).

Substitutes Not Used: Zac Tubbs (gk), Nathan Farrell, Teddy Yabio, Colin Wright, Cameron Edwards, Aaron Lennox (gk), Mark Perrone, Dimitrios Petratos.

Yellows Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil


QANTAS JOEYS SQUAD
AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
4-18 October 2008

Eli Babalj (WA), Chris Bush (ACTAS), Julius Davies (WA), Stephen Domenici (ACTAS), Cameron Edwards (WA), Petar Franjic (VIS), Nathan Farrell (SASI), Danai Gapare (ACTAS), Brendan Hamill (NSWIS), Kamal Ibrahim (VIS), Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), Robert Kolac (NSWIS), Aaron Lennox (NSWIS), Jared Lum (NSWIS), Chahine Noujaim (SASI), Mark Perrone (SASI), Dimitrios Petratos (NSWIS), Trent Sainsbury (WA), Nikola Stanojevic (NSWIS), Nicholas Tubbs (QAS), Marc Warren (NSWIS), Bailey Wright (VIS) and Teddy Yabio (VIS).


AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
OFFCIAL MATCH SCHEDULE - FINALS

Quarter Finals

#DateMatchVenue
QF112 Oct 2008 IR Iran2:0 SyriaPakhtakor Stadium16:00
QF212 Oct 2008 Korea Republic 3:0 UzbekistanPakhtakor Stadium20:00
QF312 Oct 2008 Australia 2:3 United Arab EmiratesMHSK Stadium14:00
QF412 Oct 2008 Japan 2:0 Saudi ArabiaMHSK Stadium18:00


Semi Finals

#DateMatchVenue
SF115 Oct 2008 Winner QF1 vs. Winner QF3Pakhtakor Stadium15:00
SF215 Oct 2008 Winner QF2 vs. Winner QF4Pakhtakor Stadium19:00


Final

#DateMatchVenue
F18 Oct 2008 Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2Pakhtakor Stadium16:00

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Canberrans shine in Tashkent.

Chris Bush (Goulburn) Danai Gapare and Stephen Domenici (2 goals) all played a part in the Australian Under 16 first game in their attempt to qualify for the Under 17 World Cup.

Australia 3 Saudi Arabia 1: Details below

Tashkent
Monday 6 October 2008

The Qantas Joeys have begun their AFC U16 Championships campaign with a 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in Uzbekistan overnight.

A first half double from Stephen Domenici helped set up the win with captain Brendan Hamill securing the result early in the second half with a well taken volley from inside the penalty box.

The Qantas Joeys opened the scoring in the 14th minute when goalkeeper Robert Kolac kicked long to find Eli Babalj deep in the opposition half. Babalj then flicked on to Domenici who neatly finished his one-on-one opportunity against the Saudi goalkeeper.

Domenici added his second on the half hour mark when he received the ball on halfway, on the left side, and attacked, beating two defenders and placing his stinging shot inside the near-post from inside the box.

Shortly after the start of the second half, a Jared Lum corner found Trent Sainsbury who flicked on to Brendan Hamill inside the box. Hamill controlled with his chest and then volleyed his shot into the bottom right corner of the goal to give his team a three goal lead.

Faisal Al Ghamdi scored a consolation goal for Saudi Arabia late in the match, but the Qantas Joeys had done enough to take all three points.

Qantas Joeys Head Coach Martyn Crook was pleased with his team’s opening match performance.

"It’s important to get off to a good start in any tournament especially against good opposition, a great result.

"A win against China will guarantee a quarter final appearance and closer to a place at the 2009 FIFA U17 World Cup.

“We will do a recovery session now and focus on this match,” concluded Crook.

In the other group C match, China PR defeated Turkmenistan 2-1. The Qantas Joeys will meet China PR in the their second group match on Tuesday 7 October (Kick-off 4pm UZT).


Match Details:
Saudi Arabia 1 (Faisal Al Ghamdi 83’)
Qantas Joeys 3 (Stephen Domenici 14’/30’, Brendan Hamill 49’)
Sunday 5 October 2008
Pakhtakor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Referee: Valentin Kovalenko (Uzbekistan)
Assistant Referees: Viktor Serazitidinov (Uzbekistan) & Joonmo Jang (Korea Republic)
Fourth Official: Minoru Tojo (Japan)
Crowd: 3,500

Qantas Joeys line-up: Robert Kolac, Chahine Noujaim, Petar Franjic, Brendan Hamill (C), Trent Sainsbury (Nathan Farrell 61’), Kamal Ibrahim, Jared Lum, Chris Bush, Nikola Stanojevic, Stephen Domenici (Cameron Edwards 70’), Eli Babalj (Danai Gapare 70’).

Substitutes Not Used: Teddy Yabio, Colin Wright, Aaron Lennox, Mark Perrone, Dimitrios Petratos.

Yellows Cards: Nathan Farrell 62’

Red Cards: Nil


QANTAS JOEYS SQUAD
AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
4-18 October 2008

Eli Babalj (WA), Chris Bush (ACTAS), Julius Davies (WA), Stephen Domenici (ACTAS), Cameron Edwards (WA), Petar Franjic (VIS), Nathan Farrell (SASI), Danai Gapare (ACTAS), Brendan Hamill (NSWIS), Kamal Ibrahim (VIS), Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), Robert Kolac (NSWIS), Aaron Lennox (NSWIS), Jared Lum (NSWIS), Chahine Noujaim (SASI), Mark Perrone (SASI), Dimitrios Petratos (NSWIS), Trent Sainsbury (WA), Nikola Stanojevic (NSWIS), Nicholas Tubbs (QAS), Marc Warren (NSWIS), Bailey Wright (VIS) and Teddy Yabio (VIS).


AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008
OFFCIAL MATCH SCHEDULE

Group A: BAHRAIN, I.R. IRAN, SINGAPORE, UZBEKISTAN

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
14 Oct 2008 I.R. IRAN 2:0 BAHRAINPakhtakor Stadium20:00
24 Oct 2008 SINGAPORE 0:7 UZBEKISTANPakhtakor Stadium16:00
96 Oct 2008 BAHRAIN vs. SINGAPOREPakhtakor Stadium20:00
106 Oct 2008 UZBEKISTAN vs. I.R. IRANPakhtakor Stadium16:00
178 Oct 2008 I.R. IRAN vs. SINGAPOREMHSK Stadium15:00
198 Oct 2008 UZBEKISTAN vs. BAHRAINPakhtakor Stadium15:00


Group B: INDIA, INDONESIA, KOREA REPUBLIC, SYRIA

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
34 Oct 2008 SYRIA 2:1 INDONESIAMHSK Stadium18:00
44 Oct 2008 KOREA REPUBLIC 5:2 INDIAMHSK Stadium14:00
116 Oct 2008 INDONESIA vs. KOREA REPUBLICMHSK Stadium14:00
126 Oct 2008 INDIA vs. SYRIAMHSK Stadium18:00
188 Oct 2008 SYRIA vs. KOREA REPUBLICPakhtakor Stadium19:00
208 Oct 2008 INDIA vs. INDONESIAMHSK Stadium19:00


Group C: AUSTRALIA, CHINA P.R., SAUDI ARABIA, TURKMENISTAN

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
55 Oct 2008 CHINA P.R. 2:1 TURKMENISTANPakhtakor Stadium16:00
65 Oct 2008 SAUDI ARABIA 1:3 AUSTRALIAPakhtakor Stadium20:00
137 Oct 2008 TURKMENISTAN vs. SAUDI ARABIAPakhtakor Stadium20:00
147 Oct 2008 AUSTRALIA vs. CHINA P.R.Pakhtakor Stadium16:00
219 Oct 2008 CHINA P.R. vs. SAUDI ARABIAPakhtakor Stadium15:00
239 Oct 2008 AUSTRALIA vs. TURKMENISTANMHSK Stadium15:00


Group D: JAPAN, MALAYSIA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, YEMEN

#DateMatchVenueKick-Off
75 Oct 2008 JAPAN 4:0 MALAYSIAMHSK Stadium14:00
85 Oct 2008 YEMEN 1:1 UNITED ARAB EMIRATESMHSK Stadium18:00
157 Oct 2008 MALAYSIA vs. YEMENMHSK Stadium14:00
167 Oct 2008 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES vs. JAPANMHSK Stadium18:00
229 Oct 2008 JAPAN vs. YEMENPakhtakor Stadium19:00
249 Oct 2008 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES vs. MALAYSIA

...

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Aussies back to Tashkent

Asia. Football is teaching me all about the Asian cities and countries. If it's Tashkent it must be Uzbekistan and THREE Canberrans, including Goulburns favourite player Chris Bush are included in the Australian Under 16 side. FFA Release below.

Qantas Joeys Head Coach Martyn Crook has selected a 23 player squad to compete at the upcoming AFC U16 Championships which will be held in Uzbekistan from 4-18 October 2008.



“We have been working hard for the past 18 months to prepare for this tournament and our performances at the ASEAN Cup and recent European tour have been promising,’ said Crook.



“This tournament is extremely important for us as it serves as the qualifier for FIFA U17 World Cup.



“We have very good information on our opposition and a quality group of players.



“On this basis, I am confident that we can do the job in Tashkent,” concluded Crook.



The Qantas Joeys qualified for the tournament last year. Earlier this year, the Qantas Joeys won the ASEAN Football Federation Under 16 Youth Championships in a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Bahrain.



The Qantas Joeys are drawn in Group C of the Championships alongside China PR, Saudi Arabia and Turkmenistan.



They play their play their first match of the tournament against Saudi Arabia on Sunday 5 October (kick-off 01.00am AEST Monday 6 October), and then face China PR on Tuesday 7 October (kick-ff 9:00pm AEST) before their final group match against Turkmenistan on Thursday 9 October (kick-off 10.00pm AEST).



The top two teams from each group then advance to the quarter finals on Sunday 12 October, with the winners progressing to the semi-finals which will be held on Wednesday 15 October. The final will be played on Saturday 18 October.



The venue for the Qantas Joeys first two matches will be the Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent which is the same venue that recently saw the Qantas Socceroos defeat Uzbekistan 0-1 in their 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier match.



The winner, runners-up, third-placed and fourth placed team in the competition will qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup 2009 which will be held Nigeria in October.



The Qantas Joeys will depart Australia on Wednesday and will play a friendly match against host nation Uzbekistan on 28 September as part of their preparations for the AFC U16 Youth Championships.



ENDS



The Qantas Joeys will be departing Sydney International Airport on Wednesday 24 September (check-in 5:30am). Any media interested in interviewing or filming squad members should contact Adam Mark on 0409 390340 by 5.00pm Tuesday 23 September.


QANTAS JOEYS SQUAD


AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008

4-18 October 2008



Eli Babalj (WA), Chris Bush (ACTAS), Julius Davies (WA), Stephen Domenici (ACTAS), Cameron Edwards (WA), Petar Franjic (VIS), Nathan Farrell (SASI), Danai Gapare (ACTAS), Brendan Hamill (NSWIS), Kamal Ibrahim (VIS), Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), Robert Kolac (NSWIS), Aaron Lennox (NSWIS), Jared Lum (NSWIS), Chahine Noujaim (SASI), Mark Perrone (SASI), Dimitrios Petratos (NSWIS), Trent Sainsbury (WA), Nikola Stanojevic (NSWIS), Nicholas Tubbs (QAS), Marc Warren (NSWIS), Bailey Wright (VIS) and Teddy Yabio (VIS).





AFC U16 CHAMPIONSHIPS - UZBEKISTAN 2008

OFFCIAL MATCH SCHEDULE



Group A: BAHRAIN, I.R. IRAN, SINGAPORE, UZBEKISTAN



#
Date
Match
Venue
Kick-Off

1
4 Oct 2008
I.R. IRAN vs. BAHRAIN
Pakhtakor Stadium
20:00

2
4 Oct 2008
SINGAPORE vs. UZBEKISTAN
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00

9
6 Oct 2008
BAHRAIN vs. SINGAPORE
Pakhtakor Stadium
20:00

10
6 Oct 2008
UZBEKISTAN vs. I.R. IRAN
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00

17
8 Oct 2008
I.R. IRAN vs. SINGAPORE
MHSK Stadium
15:00

19
8 Oct 2008
UZBEKISTAN vs. BAHRAIN
Pakhtakor Stadium
15:00




Group B: INDIA, INDONESIA, KOREA REPUBLIC, SYRIA



#
Date
Match
Venue
Kick-Off

3
4 Oct 2008
SYRIA vs. INDONESIA
MHSK Stadium
18:00

4
4 Oct 2008
KOREA REPUBLIC vs. INDIA
MHSK Stadium
14:00

11
6 Oct 2008
INDONESIA vs. KOREA REPUBLIC
MHSK Stadium
14:00

12
6 Oct 2008
INDIA vs. SYRIA
MHSK Stadium
18:00

18
8 Oct 2008
SYRIA vs. KOREA REPUBLIC
Pakhtakor Stadium
19:00

20
8 Oct 2008
INDIA vs. INDONESIA
MHSK Stadium
19:00




Group C: AUSTRALIA, CHINA P.R., SAUDI ARABIA, TURKMENISTAN



#
Date
Match
Venue
Kick-Off

5
5 Oct 2008
CHINA P.R. vs. TURKMENISTAN
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00

6
5 Oct 2008
SAUDI ARABIA vs. AUSTRALIA
Pakhtakor Stadium
20:00

13
7 Oct 2008
TURKMENISTAN vs. SAUDI ARABIA
Pakhtakor Stadium
20:00

14
7 Oct 2008
AUSTRALIA vs. CHINA P.R.
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00

21
9 Oct 2008
CHINA P.R. vs. SAUDI ARABIA
Pakhtakor Stadium
15:00

23
9 Oct 2008
AUSTRALIA

vs. TURKMENISTAN MHSK Stadium
15:00




Group D: JAPAN, MALAYSIA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, YEMEN



#
Date
Match
Venue
Kick-Off

7
5 Oct 2008
JAPAN vs. MALAYSIA
MHSK Stadium
14:00

8
5 Oct 2008
YEMEN vs. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
MHSK Stadium
18:00

15
7 Oct 2008
MALAYSIA vs. YEMEN
MHSK Stadium
14:00

16
7 Oct 2008
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES vs. JAPAN
MHSK Stadium
18:00

22
9 Oct 2008
JAPAN vs. YEMEN
Pakhtakor Stadium
19:00

24
9 Oct 2008
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES vs. MALAYSIA
MHSK Stadium
19:00




Quarter Finals



#
Date
Match
Venue


QF1
12 Oct 2008
Winner Group A vs. Runner Up Group B
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00

QF2
12 Oct 2008
Winner Group B vs. Runner Up Group A
Pakhtakor Stadium
20:00

QF3
12 Oct 2008
Winner Group C vs. Runner Up Group D
MHSK Stadium
14:00

QF4
12 Oct 2008
Winner Group D vs. Runner Up Group C
MHSK Stadium
18:00




Semi Finals



#
Date
Match
Venue


SF1
15 Oct 2008
Winner QF1 vs. Winner QF3
Pakhtakor Stadium
15:00

SF2
15 Oct 2008
Winner QF2 vs. Winner QF4
Pakhtakor Stadium
19:00




Final



#
Date
Match
Venue


F
18 Oct 2008
Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2
Pakhtakor Stadium
16:00

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Two ACT boys make Joeys

Chris Bush and Ben Harrington have been selected to represent Australia Under 16.

The Australian Under 16 Football Team leave Australia on Wednesday to participate in an Asean Football Federation Youth Championship in Jakarta from 9-19 July.

Coach Martyn Crook, has named 18 players to take part in the five team tournament which also includes Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore and host nation, Indonesia.

"This is an important part of our preparation for the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Under 16 Championships, and gives me a good opportunity to see the boys in action in conditions different from those they're used to at home," Crook said.

The AFC Under 16 Championships will be held in Uzbekistan in October.

"It is also the first time this group of players has played in a tournament against players of their own age. Past tournaments have been against older players, so this will be a very good test of just how we're doing at this age group."

"Being able to benchmark our performance at the age group is particularly important as this age group includes the players who will form the core of the Qantas Socceroos in 2018."

Crook said there is one debutant amongst the group, striker Kerem Bulut from NSW. THe full squad is:

KeremBulut strikerNSW
Christopher Bush midfielderACT
Million Butshiire strikerWA
JosephCosta midfielderSA
NathanFarrell defenderSA
PetarFranjic defenderVIC
Brendan Hamill defenderNSW
BenjaminHarrington midfielderACT
Kamal Ibrahim midfielderVIC
BenjaminKantarovski midfielderNSW
RobertKolakgoalkeeperNSW
JaredLum midfielderNSW
ChahineNoujaim fullbackSA
TrentSainsbury defenderWA
NikolaStanojevic strikerNSW
LawrenceThomas goalkeeperNSW
MarcWarren left backNSW
TedrosYabio midfielderVIC


The tournament schedule will see the Qantas Joeys play four matches in six days with finals to be held on 19 July. The Qantas Joeys will continue their preparation for the Under 16 AFC Championships with club-based tournaments in the Netherlands and Germany in August.

ENDS

NOTE: The Qantas Joeys depart Sydney for Jakarta on QF41 on 2 July 2008. Media interested in photo or interview opportunities should contact Adam Mark on 0409 390 340 for further details.

MATCH SCHEDULE
Asean Football Federation Under 16 Youth Championship
Lebak Bulus Stadium, Jakarta
9 July
Australia v Bahrain
Singapore v Malaysia
Indonesia BYE
11 July
Bahrain v Singapore
Indonesia v Australia
Malaysia BYE
13 July
Australia v Malaysia
Indonesia v Bahrain
Singapore BYE
15 July
Singapore v Australia
Malaysia v Indonesia
Bahrain BYE
17 July
Malaysia v Bahrain
Indonesia v Singapore
Australia BYE
19 July
3 v 4
1 v 2

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2018 World Cup side

Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman, Frank Lowy AC, today met with the young men who will carry the hopes of Australian football for the next decade.

Well some of them! These things change. Danai Gapare from Canberra was there. Well done Danai. But I'm sure Chris Bush and one or two others will be pushing hard.

And no pressure on our young fella's hey Frank!

WISHING AND HOPING - THE FACES OF 2018



Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman, Frank Lowy AC, today met with the young men who will carry the hopes of Australian football for the next decade.

The Australian Under 17 team – known as the Qantas Joeys – met with the team as they assembled in Sydney to watch their senior counterparts, the Qantas Socceroos, play an international friendly match against Ghana on Friday night.

“This is our football future,” Mr Lowy said.

“These young men are the faces of 2018 who will be the core of the team that fills our field of dreams in our bid to host and play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.”

Mr Lowy said that he wants players around Australia, who have aspirations to be a footballer, to be committed to the Australian cause for 2018 and beyond.

“There is no greater honour than representing your country.

“Australia provides you with education, both academic and sporting, and I think it’s only fair that young people with sporting ability should choose with pride to play for Australia whether you are born here or come as a migrant or refugee.”

Mr Lowy said that he was delighted the Qantas Joeys reflected the diversity of the Australian population, comprising players from all over Australia and including some who had come to Australia as refugees and migrants.

He encouraged all of them to work hard at school and at football.

“Dreams do come true if you’re prepared to work hard.”

“Our bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is not a dry run,” he said.

“We want to host, play in and win the World Cup in 2018.”

ENDS
Profiles of the current Qantas Joeys are attached. The coach is Martyn Crook and assistant coach is Jean Paul de Marigny.



Qantas Joeys Profiles

Jared Lum (NSW)
Date of Birth: 19 July 1992
Place of Birth: Sydney
Height: 174
Weight: 64
Current Club : Sydney Wanderers
Junior Clubs: Winston Hills Bears (NSW), Hills Brumbies (NSW), Northern Spirit (NSW), Blacktown City Demons (NSW), Sydney Wanderers (NSW)
Institutes & Academies: NSW Institute of Sport
Playing Position: Midfielder
Qantas Joeys Appearances: 4
Debut Match: v Japan (L3-0), Friendly, Japan, August 2007
Last Match: v Malaysia (W2-0), AFC Qualifying, Singapore, October 2007

George Klappas (NSW)
Date of Birth: 17 Jan 1992
Place of Birth: Sydney
Height: 187
Weight: 75
Current Club: NSW Institute of Sport
Junior Clubs: Sydney Olympic (NSW), St George (NSW), Blacktown City (NSW)
Institutes & Academies: NSW Institute of Sport
Playing Position: Defender

Brendon Hamill (NSW)
Date of Birth: 18 Sep 1992
Place of Birth: Sydney
Height: 177
Weight: 68
Current Club: Sydney Wanderers (NSW)
Junior Clubs: Chipping Norton (NSW), Marconi (NSW), Parramatta Eagles (NSW), Sydney Wanderers (NSW)
Institutes & Academies: NSW Institute of Sport
Playing Position: Midfielder
Qantas Joeys Appearances: 3
Goals: 1
Debut Match: v Japan (L3-0), Friendly, Nagoya (JPN), August 2007
Last Match: v Korea Republic (W3-0), Friendly, Nagoya (JPN), August 2007


Marc Warren (NSW)
Date of Birth: 11 Feb 1992
Place of Birth: Sutherland (NSW)
Height: 172
Weight: 68
Current Club: Sutherland Sharks (NSW)
Junior Clubs: Menai Hawks (NSW), Sutherland (NSW)
Institutes & Academies: NSW Institute of Sport
Playing Position: Defender
Qantas Joeys Appearances : 4
Goals : 2
Debut Match: v Japan (L3-0), Friendly, Nagoya (JPN), August 2007
Last Match: v Malaysia (W2-0), AFC Qualifying, Singapore, October 2007


Lawrence Thomas (NSW)
Date of Birth: 9 May 1992
Place of Birth: Sydney
Height: 185
Weight: 85
Current Club: NSW Institute of Sport
Junior Clubs: Marconi, Bankstown, Blacktown
Institutes & Academies: NSW Institute of Sport
Playing Position: Goalkeeper

Robert Kolak (NSW)
Date of Birth: 23 Jan 1992
Place of Birth: Fairfield (NSW)
Height: 190
Weight: 72
Current Club: Sydney United (NSW)
Junior Clubs: Prairiewood United (NSW), Canley Heights (NSW), AC United (NSW), Sydney United Youth (NSW)
Institutes & Academies: NSW Institute of Sport
Playing Position: Goalkeeper

Anthony Perri (NSW)
Date of Birth : 14 Jan 1992
Place of Birth: Sydney
Height: 164
Weight: 68
Current Club: NSW Institute of Sport
Junior Clubs: Blacktown, St George, Oatley RSL
Institutes & Academies: NSW Institute of Sport

Niko Stanojevic (NSW)
Date of Birth : 25 Jun 1992
Place of Birth: Serbia
Height: 173
Weight: 68
Current Club: Bankstown City Lions (NSW)
Junior Clubs: White City (NSW), Croydon (NSW), Blue Eagles (NSW), Parramatta Eagles (NSW), Bankstown City Lions (NSW)
Institutes & Academies: NSW Institute of Sport
Playing Position: Striker
Qantas Joeys Appearances : 4
Debut Match: v Japan (L3-0), Friendly, Nagoya (JPN), August 2007
Last Match : v Malaysia (W2-0), AFC Qualifying, Singapore, October 2007

Phillip Lamin (QLD)
Date of Birth: 9 Oct 1992
Place of Birth: Sierra Leone
Height: 156
Weight: 56
Current Club: QAS
Junior Clubs: The Gap, Mitchelton, Rochedale
Institutes & Academies: QAS
Playing Position: Striker

Phil arrived in Australia 5 years ago as a refugee from Sierra Leone

Danai Gapare (ACT)
Date of Birth : 25 Feb 1992
Place of Birth : Zimbabwe
Height : 165
Weight : 65
Current Club: ACT Academy of Sport
Junior Clubs: West Point Grey SC (ACT), Woden Valley (ACT), Capital Football Youth (ACT)
Institutes & Academies: ACT Academy of Sport
Playing Position: Striker
Qantas Joeys Appearances : 3
Debut Match: v Japan (L3-0), Friendly, Nagoya (JPN), August 2007
Last Match: v Korea Republic (W3-0), Friendly, Nagoya (JPN), August 2007


Tedros Yabio (VIC)
Date of Birth : 14 Dec 1992
Place of Birth : Sudan
Height : 175
Weight : 65
Junior Clubs: Enfield (SA), Croydon (SA), Olympic (SA), Adelaide City (SA)
Institutes & Academies: Victorian Institute of Sport
Playing Position: Striker
Qantas Joeys Appearances: 4
Debut Match: v Japan (L3-0), Friendly, Nagoya (JPN), August 2007
Last Match: v Malaysia (W2-0), AFC Qualifying, Singapore, October 2007

Tedros arrived in Australia 13 years ago as a refugee from Ethiopia


Kamal Ibrahim (VIC)
Date of Birth: 26 Jul 1992
Place of Birth: Ethiopia
Height: 172
Weight: 61
Current Club: Victorian Institute of Sport
Previous Clubs: Altona East (VIC)
Junior Clubs: PDRE Melbourne (VIC), Altona East (VIC)
Institutes & Academies: Victorian Institute of Sport
Playing Position: Midfielder
Qantas Joeys Appearances : 4
Goals : 1
Debut Match: v Japan (L3-0), Friendly, Nagoya (JPN), August 2007
Last Match: v Malaysia (W2-0), AFC Qualifying, Singapore, October 2007

Kamal arrived in Australia 5 years ago as a refugee from Ethiopia

Million Butshiire (WA)
Date of Birth: 19 Jan 1992
Place of Birth: Goma (Congo)
Weight: 78
Current Club: FW National Training Centre
Previous Clubs: Perth Italia (WA)
Junior Clubs: Perth Italia (WA)
Institutes & Academies: Football West National Training Centre
Playing Position: Striker

Million arrived in Australia 4 years ago as a refugee from the Congo

Julius Davies (WA)
Date of Birth : 30 Sep 1992
Place of Birth: Liberia
Height: 158
Weight: 58
Current Club: FW Training Centre
Junior Clubs: Inglewood United
Institutes & Academies: FW Training Centre
Playing Position: Midfielder

Julius arrived in Australia 4 years ago as a refugee from Liberia

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Joeys get tough World Cup draw...maybe!

It's going to be tough for Chris Bush. But the boy from Goulburn will see us through.

FFA Release below
QANTAS JOEYS DEALT TOUGH WORLD CUP QUALIFYING PATH

QANTAS JOEYS DEALT TOUGH WORLD CUP QUALIFYING PATH



The Qantas Joeys face a tough path to the 2009 U-17 World Cup following the Asian qualifying draw overnight, with Australia grouped alongside Saudi Arabia and China - both two-time Asian Champions - and Turkmenistan.

The 16-nation AFC U-16 Championship will be held in Uzbekistan from October 4-19 with the top four nations to qualify for next year's World Cup in Nigeria.

"This would undoubtedly be the toughest group on paper but the most difficult thing is that we don't yet know the relative strengths of most of the teams,” said Australian coach Martyn Crook who attended the draw in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent.

"Both Saudi Arabia and China have twice previously been crowned Asian champions and have a strong record at this level.

"Turkmenistan are a neighbouring country to the hosts and will to some degree be experienced with the conditions.

"The opening match of the campaign against Saudi Arabia will be crucial."

Australia have a strong record at youth level and were runners-up at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1999.


AFC U-16 Championship - Group C Fixtures:

Australia v Saudi Arabia
Sunday 5 October

Australia v China
Tuesday 7 October

Australia v Turkmenistan
Thursday 9 October

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Joeys in Singapore: Represents diversity of Australian culture

Thanks to Singapore based football writer Paul Goodwin who sent through this report from yesterdays 2008 Lion City Cup media conference. The Joeys are involved in the tournament which starts today.



Group A with Singapore B’s new Japanese coach Masanaga Kageyama and coaches from Australia (Martyn Crook), the United Arab Emirates and Chinese Taipei.

Paul's report below.


The theme of most of the coaches attending the 2008 Lion City Cup media conference on Sunday was the opportunity the tournament gave them to assess the pool of talent among their players born late enough to be eligible for the next FIFA Under -17 World Cup and the Asian Cup for Under 16s in Uzbekistan in October, which forms the last qualifying stage for the teams in next year’s FIFA event.

The draw for that tournament takes place on April 1.

In some cases teams entered in the Lion City Cup have brought with them players who will not be eligible for these two events and who will be looking to the next stage for their slightly older players, Asian Under-19 and Under-20 Finals and, beyond that, the next Olympics in 2012.

Singapore, for instance will have two teams competing in the Lion City Cup, an A team and a B Team, which is the younger of the two sides, and is being coached by Singapore’s latest recruit to the coaching ranks, the Japanese-born Masanaga Kageyama who will be assisted by Abdul

Singapore’s A team, coached by Salim Moin, will have its sights set on winning the Singapore-hosted Lion City Cup which begins on Monday and has been divided into two groups.

Singapore B has to contend with Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Chinese Taipei in Group A, while Singapore A is in Group B and faces opposition from Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Thailand.

The two Group A games on Monday are at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, while the Group B fixtures are being staged at the Singapore Sports School.

In Group A Australia follows up its earlier tours of Japan and Singapore last year by competing against Singapore B, the UAE and Chinese Taipei.

Australia’s coach, Martyn Crook, explained that his team was learning how tough it was to play in Asia now after so many years competing in Oceania.

“Unfortunately one of our best players, the A League-contracted Ben Kantarovski, has been ruled out through injury, but the Lion City Cup is, to us, preparation along the way to the FIFA Under-17s next year and before that the AFC Under-16s qualifiers in Uzbekistan.

Crook also said that the Australian squad reflected the diversity of Australian culture these days and included three African refugees among its many players of multicultural background.

“Our young players have another chance with this tournament to adapt to the different climates that we will encounter in Asia.

“The refugee programme is very active in bringing forward the natural abilities of these athletes and they, like everyone else in the squad, will gain a lot from being in Singapore for this event.”

The UAE has a large and diverse official party accompanying the mainly Emirates-born coaching staff, with a German, two Moroccans and a Syrian with them in Singapore.

They are expected to do well in this group.

Chinese Taipei has a Brazilian coach, Villabor Levi, but he and his boys have been together for only three weeks.

Said the coach, who has three other Brazilians assisting him,

“Soccer is not big in Taiwan, it’s not famous at all, but we are looking forward to playing here.”

Singapore B has a more serious mission.

The youthful Masanaga Kageyama took over the team only recently and he thanked the FAS for giving him the opportunity to coach them.

“It is a chance for me to assess the players, in this Lion City Cup,” he said.

“I expect them to show their fighting spirit with this chance to play other national teams at this level.

A good performance from the Singapore B team will auger well for the Asian Finals in October, in which Australia, Uzbekistan and most of these other national sides will be in competition

Uzbekistan looks the testing material in Group B, even though, as hosts, they have had more of a saloon passage to the Asian Under 16 Finals in Tashkent in October.

“Mainly we are coming here to prepare for the Asian championships in Tashkent in October,” said their coach, Russian-born Robert Gay.

“We would like to check our abilities against these other teams and increase our level of experience at international tournaments.

Later, joking with the media, he said both he and his assistant had birthdays to celebrate during the tournament and that also made it special for them.

Just don’t expect any of the other teams to hand you any birthday presents mate!

Vietnam coach Nguyen Quang Hai candidly admitted that he and his touring party was keen to gain more information on other players in other teams.

He also revealed that one of the best players in the age group, Truong Van Thanh, was injured and had been ruled out of the event.

“We are coming here to do our best to achieve something and to unearth some new talent,” he said.

The Thailand team had only been together for two weeks according to their head of delegation, Chaichok Poom Puang, speaking on behalf of head coach Thanis Areesngarkul

Singapore A coach, Salim Moin, explained that most of his players had been together for around four years and was drawn either from the Singapore Sports school or the Centres of Excellence schemes.

“Unfortunately, since the last tournament finished in August, the players had not trained for about five months when they came together in camp in January.

“We are taking the Lion City Cup very seriously and there is a lot of pressure on us to perform,” he went on.

“We respect all teams and win or lose we are here to learn and we are looking towards the 2009 AFC Championships after this as players are not eligible for the FIFA tournament next year.

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Joey's in Singapore

Goulburn's Chris Bush, who is part of the ACTAS squad, will fly the flag for the region when the Joey's take part in an Under 16 tournament in Singapore this week.

These lads not only have a full program as they aim for the World Cup next year in Chile, they will also be the first Australian Joey's side to benefit from the new Youth League pathway.

Keep an eye on the names in the FFA Release below

QANTAS JOEYS LOOK TOWARDS WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS


The Qantas Joeys will next week commence preparations in earnest for October's FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifiers by participating in the eight-nation Lion City Cup Championship in Singapore.

The tournament has become one of the region’s most prestigious international youth competitions since its inception in 1977.

Australia have been drawn into Group A alongside the United Arab Emirates, Chinese Taipei and Singapore B, while the other group will feature Singapore A, Vietnam, Uzbekistan and Thailand, with the two group winners to meet in the final.

The last international matches for the Qantas Joeys, also in Singapore, were last October's preliminary qualification matches for this year's AFC U-16 Championship to be held in Uzbekistan, October 4-19.

The top four teams in the 2008 AFC U-16 Championship will qualify for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in Nigeria.

"This tournament will be a great opportunity to blend the team together and also compete against different styles of football, but against similar opposition to that which we fill face in the qualifiers," said coach Martyn Crook.

"The tournament which will also be a further step in our preparation towards October, is likely to be quite challenging as we will compete against some good opposition and also against players one year older in some instances."

Fixtures:
Australia V Chinese Taipei
10 March, Choa Chu Kang Stadium

Australia V United Arab Emirates
12 March, Jalan Besar Stadium
Australia V Singapore B
13 March, Jalan Besar Stadium

Finals -
15 March, Jalan Besar Stadium
Winner Group A v Winner Group B,
Runner-up Group A v Runner-up Group B
Grp A 2nd runners-up v Grp B 2nd runners-up
Grp A 3rd runners-up v Grp B 3rd runners-up

The Qantas Joeys squad for the Lion City Cup Championship is:
Eli Babalj (WA), Chris Bush (ACT), Million Butshiire (WA), Nathan Farrell (SA), Petar Franjic (VIC), Brendan Hamill (NSW), Kamal Ibrahim (VIC), James Jeggo (VIC), Robert Kolak (NSW), Jared Lum (NSW), Mitchell Mallia (NSW), Joel Miller (SA), Chahine Noujaim (SA), Trent Sainsbury (WA), Nikola Stanojevic (NSW), Nick Tubbs (QLD), Marc Warren (NSW), Tedros Yabio (VIC)

A notable absentee through injury is Ben Kantarovski who recently became the youngest player to sign for a Hyundai A-League club when he joined the Newcastle Jets.

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Chris Bush on Joey's duty.

Goulburn and ACTAS player Chris Bush has again been selected for the Australia Under 17 side, the Joeys.

The Joey's have been invited to play in the 22nd Lion City Cup which is being hosted by the Singapore Football Association.

Eight countries will be participating in the tournament and Australia have been grouped with Chinese Taipei, United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

Chris will fly out with the Joey's to Singapore on Friday 7th March where they will have a two day pre- tournament camp before playing Chinese Taipei in there first
match. They are due back in Australia on the 17th March.

Excellent work Chris.

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Joeys off to Uzbekistan for Asian Cup.

Australian Under 16 team will play in the AFC U-16 Championships in Uzbekistan, October 2008.

Top four go to the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in 2009

KUALA LUMPUR 14.01.2008: Uzbekistan will host the AFC U-16 Championship 2008 finals after a successful bid by the central Asian nation, the AFC announced here on Monday.



Sixteen (16) teams will be taking part in the competition where they will be divided by a draw to four groups of four each. The draw for the finals will be held in Tashkent on April 1, 2008 while the finals will be held at Army and Jar Stadiums in the Uzbek capital from October 4-19, 2008.



The last edition of AFC U-16 Championship 2006 (formal known as AFC U-17 Championship) was held in Singapore with Japan emerged champion defeating DPR Korea in the final while Tajikistan took third place ahead of Syria.



This is the second time ever Uzbekistan will host an AFC competition after successfully hosting AFC Futsal Championship 2006.



Twelve (12) teams have qualified so far to the AFC Under-16 Championship. They are as follows:



India (Group C), Syria, Yemen (Group A), Iran, Bahrain (Group B), Uzbekistan (Group D), China, Singapore (Group E), Japan, Indonesia (Group F), Australia (Group G) and Korea Republic (Group H).



Top four teams in AFC U-16 Championship Uzbekistan 2008 will qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup 2009.

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How many 2005 Joey's are making their mark?

Here is the list of Joeys from the 2005 World Cup.

Interesting to see how many have gone on, or are going on to make a name for themselves in Australia or overseas.

Guess it's interesting to see how selection in the Under 17's Joey's side is not a guarantee to future playing success.


No Michael Zullo(?), but Robbie Kruse, Kaz Patafta, Scott Jamieson, Matthew Spiranovic, Leigh Broxham and others.

1 Alex Vrteski GK 28.09.1988 Sorrento
2 Jamie Cumming DF 19.08.1988 Victorian Institute of Sport
3 David D'Apuzzo DF 05.09.1988 Blacktown City Demons
4 Wade Oostendorp DF 20.04.1988 Sydney FC
5 Matthew Spiranovic DF 27.06.1988 Victorian Institute of Sport
6 Matthew Mullen MF 24.02.1989 South Australian Sports Institute
7 Joel Allwright MF 04.03.1988 South Australian Sports Institute
8 Robbie Kruse FW 05.10.1988 Queensland Academy of Sport
9¹ – – – –
10 Kaz Patafta MF 25.10.1988 Australian Institute of Sport
11 Daniel Miller FW 29.01.1988 Preston Lions
12 Daniel Ireland GK 20.01.1989 New South Wales Institute of Sport
13 Jason Trifiro MF 03.06.1988 Westfields Sports High School
14 Nathan Burns FW 07.05.1988 Westfields Sports High School
15 Blake Charity DF 27.02.1988 Queensland Academy of Sport
16 Scott Jamieson MF 13.10.1988 Bolton Wanderers
17 Leigh Broxham MF 13.01.1988 Victorian Institute of Sport
18 Shanon Lancini GK 05.08.1988 Queensland Academy of Sport
19 Matthew Park MF 22.04.1988 Victorian Institute of Sport
20 Brendan Maroney MF 06.05.1988 Blacktown City Demons

Standby players were : Tayfun Buyukoppru (NSW), Scott Gannon (SA), Jason Naidovski (NSW), Ben Vidaic (NSW), Daniel Visevic (Vic), Scott Weidenbach (SA).

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Chris Bush wins Australian sports rookie award

Chris Bush is from Goulburn in NSw, but plays in Canberra with the ACTAS side. He's also a member of the Joey's.

1,000 young people from 65 different sports and Chris beat them all!

In a talented sports nation that is no mean feat!

Congratulations to Chris.

Read the full Capital Football media release from Chris Gottaas below.

ACTAS' Christopher Bush Honoured with Rebel Sport Award
Capital Football would like to congratulate the ACT Academy of Sports' Christopher Bush following the announcement of his latest honour as the 2007 Rebel Sport Rookies Talent ID Program recipient.

With a more than a thousand high quality applicants ranging from 65 different sports, the programs ambassadors Liz Ellis, Kostya Tszyu and Rebel Sport Group Managing Director, Mr Stephen Heath have chosen Bush as one of seven well deserved winners.

Whilst playing with an U14’s squad Bush was invited to train and play with the ACT Academy of Sport U20 Premier Pathway League and was recently selected to join the Australian U17 Joeys Team to tour Japan a couple months ago.

Christopher Bush will again be playing on the international stage when he lines up as the only ACT representative in the Qantas Joeys qualifying campaign for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The Qantas Joeys will travel to Singapore for the first stage of qualifying where they will face Malaysia, DPR Korea and East Timor with two of the four teams to progress to next year’s AFC U-16 Championship. The top ranked teams in the AFC Championship will then represent Asia at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Keep your eyes and ears out for Christopher Bush as a very bright prospect for the future of Australian football.

Congratulations to Christopher Bush from the Capital Football family!

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Chris Bush selected in Joeys Squad

AUSTRALIAN YOUNGSTERS TAKE FIRST STEPS TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Australia’s latest crop of talented young footballers will commence their competitive international football careers next week when the Qantas Joeys (Australia U-17) open their qualifying campaign for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Goulburns Chris Bush is the only Capital Football representative in the squad.



Australia will travel to Singapore for the first stage of qualifying where they will face Malaysia, DPR Korea and East Timor with two of the four teams to progress to next year’s AFC U-16 Championship. The top ranked teams in the AFC Championship will then represent Asia at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Coach Martyn Crook has selected a 20-strong squad with players having represented their States or Territories at last week’s National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour.

“Our main focus for now is obviously to qualify for next year’s AFC championship and then have the opportunity to build a strong group of players that can be developed into future stars,” said Crook.

“The first match against Malaysia will be absolutely crucial and we will have to acclimatize quickly especially given Malaysia will likely be quite familiar with the conditions.”

The current generation of Qantas Joeys played their first international matches in August when they finished fifth at the Toyota International Youth Football Championship in Japan.

Meanwhile, the Qantas Young Socceroos (Australia U-20) will commence their qualifying campaign in Vietnam next month for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.


The Qantas Joeys squad is:
Eli Babalj (State - WA), Chris Bush (ACT), Million Butshiire (WA), Cameron Edwards (WA), Nick Fitzgerald (NSW), Petar Franjic (VIC), Brendan Hamill (NSW), Kamal Ibrahim (VIC), Ben Kantarovski (NSW), George Klappas (NSW), Robert Kolak (NSW), Jared Lum (NSW), Mitchell Mallia (NSW), Joel Miller (SA), Chahine Noujaim (SA), Trent Sainsbury (WA), Nikola Stanojevic (NSW), Nick Tubbs (QLD), Marc Warren (NSW), Tedros Yabio (VIC)

Qantas Joeys Fixtures:
Thu 11 Oct Training Match v COE U16 Combined Team, Jalan Besar Stadium, 7.30pm kick off local time

Mon 15 Oct v Singapore U15, Singapore Sports School, 7.30pm kick off local time
Wed 17 Oct Australia v Malaysia, Jalan Besar Stadium, 7pm kick off local time

Fri 19 Oct v DPR Korea, Jalan Besar Stadium, 5pm kick off local time

Sun 21 Oct v East Timor, Jalan Besar Stadium, 5pm kick off local time



Australia will travel to Singapore for the first stage of qualifying where they will face Malaysia, DPR Korea and East Timor with two of the four teams to progress to next year’s AFC U-16 Championship. The top ranked teams in the AFC Championship will then represent Asia at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Coach Martyn Crook has selected a 20-strong squad with players having represented their States or Territories at last week’s National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour.

“Our main focus for now is obviously to qualify for next year’s AFC championship and then have the opportunity to build a strong group of players that can be developed into future stars,” said Crook.

“The first match against Malaysia will be absolutely crucial and we will have to acclimatize quickly especially given Malaysia will likely be quite familiar with the conditions.”

The current generation of Qantas Joeys played their first international matches in August when they finished fifth at the Toyota International Youth Football Championship in Japan.

Meanwhile, the Qantas Young Socceroos (Australia U-20) will commence their qualifying campaign in Vietnam next month for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.


The Qantas Joeys squad is:
Eli Babalj (State - WA), Chris Bush (ACT), Million Butshiire (WA), Cameron Edwards (WA), Nick Fitzgerald (NSW), Petar Franjic (VIC), Brendan Hamill (NSW), Kamal Ibrahim (VIC), Ben Kantarovski (NSW), George Klappas (NSW), Robert Kolak (NSW), Jared Lum (NSW), Mitchell Mallia (NSW), Joel Miller (SA), Chahine Noujaim (SA), Trent Sainsbury (WA), Nikola Stanojevic (NSW), Nick Tubbs (QLD), Marc Warren (NSW), Tedros Yabio (VIC)

Qantas Joeys Fixtures:
Thu 11 Oct Training Match v COE U16 Combined Team, Jalan Besar Stadium, 7.30pm kick off local time

Mon 15 Oct v Singapore U15, Singapore Sports School, 7.30pm kick off local time
Wed 17 Oct Australia v Malaysia, Jalan Besar Stadium, 7pm kick off local time

Fri 19 Oct v DPR Korea, Jalan Besar Stadium, 5pm kick off local time

Sun 21 Oct v East Timor, Jalan Besar Stadium, 5pm kick off local time

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ACT Under 15 Boys off to Nationals

Left to Right, Top: John Mitchell (Coach U15); Jack Pettit; Andrew Gibson; Louie Pochi; Zac Smedley; Stephen Domenici; Josip Jadric; Alex Meibusch; Marco Perinovic; Tom Rogic; Declan Poon; Jack Kaye; Karen Martin; Bottom: Phillipe Bernabo; Adrian Diaz; Christopher Bush; Joe Caruso; Ben Harrington; Danai Gapare; John Colley; William Campbell

Chris Gottaas writes.

The ACT boy’s under 15’s preparing for the 2007 National Youth Football Championships in Coffs Harbour this weekend.

The team will feature four Australian representatives with Christopher Bush, Ben Harrington, Danai Gapare and Stephen Domenici all suiting up for the Joeys earlier this year. Along with the internationals, the team is made up of Capital Football Academy players and ACTAS scholarship holders creating a strong and skilful squad.


The ACT will come up against Football West (WA), NSW Metro, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland Metro in Group A with the top two to proceed to the semi finals with the rest of the group playing off for final standings.

In the 2006 Championships this ACT squad finished in 5th as the ACT Under fourteen representatives.

According to Capital Football’s Technical Director Ian Shaw the results aren’t the be all and end all.

“We’re very pleased with the squad and its strength will certainly turn a few heads in Coffs next week but having said that we don’t base our success on whether we return home as the national champions, it all depends on who handles the situation best on the day. We’re just hoping to mix it with the best and play some good football,” Shaw said.

Eamonn adds: From this week's championship the Joey's Under 17 squad for the first round of Asian qualifiers will be named.

The qualifiers are in Singapore in October.

Australia will play Norht Korea, Malaysia and East Timor in the group stage.
2007 Under 15’s ACT Squad:



GK – PETTIT, Jack
9 – GAPARE, Danai

2 – DIAZ, Adrian
10 – ROGIC, Tom

3 – CARUSO, Joseph
11 – DOMENICI, Stephen

4 – BUSH, Christopher
12 – POON, Declan

5 – GIBSON, Andrew
13 – MEIBUSCH, Alex

6 – POCHI, Louie
14 – SMEDLEY, Zac

7 – HARRINGTON, Ben
15 – CAMPBELL, William

8 – JADRIC, Josip
16 (GK) – KAYE, Jack

Coach: MITCHELL, John
Manager: MARTIN, Karen

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Australian Joey: Chris Bush clocks up the miles.

Australian Under 17 Joey Chris Bush talks to his Capital Football Coach John Mitchell after arriving back from the recent Youth International tournament in Japan.

Chris follows in the tradition of many ACT Joey stars. He plays in a centre midfield role not unlike predecessors Ned Zelic, Carl Valeri, and Kaz Patafta.

Chris is committed to his football. And he needs to be.

He travels from Goulburn to Canberra at least 4 times each week for training and games.

Chris scored a penalty in the penalty shoot in the first game against a Japanese College side.

Chris started all three games for the Joeys in the tournament proper.

Are you aware of the guys who have gone before?

"Yes, I know of them, but don't know them personally. I love to play professionally and play in Europe," said Chris.

"The international level is faster, players think quicker play faster. At first it was daunting, a bit scary, but you got to learn how to play more, use your body more physically and it got better as we played more games."

What do you feel you need to work on to play at that level?

"I suppose I need to physically use my body better. The players were bigger and strong. You have no time on the ball. It's all one touch, so I need to keep working on that."

Chris goes to Trinity Catholic College in Goulburn and travels straight after school three nights a week for training in Canberra.

"It makes it worth it when stuff like this happens."

"I want to stay in the Joeys, go to the Qualifiers (in October, in Singapore) and then to the World Cup, hopefully.

"It was an eye opener playing in a huge stadium in Japan, We had a few thousand at some games, that was the biggest crowd I've ever played in front of."

"We got to hold the kids hands when we walked out like they do on TV. We sang the National Anthem, it felt good really professional.

"I felt proud to be playing for my country."

The players were well supported.

"We had five or six support staff. They warmed us up properly, monitored our fluids and body weights each session. They made us drink, kept us hydrated and looked after us really well.

Who are your role models in Australian football.

"Harry Kewell, I really like him."

"I like to head overseas and make a lot of money."

After ten years in Australia please Chris so we can watch you in the A-League.

"Sure!"

Interestingly all the boys this week are focused on getting overseas. Fair enough. It may take another ten years of the A-League before young guys look to Australia as their first destination.

Still fantastic to see the young guys aiming high and at this rate the number of Aussies in the English Premiership this year(14), may well continue to rise as the ACT talent pool starts to emerge.

Good luck Chris, hopefully the journey to Canberra this week will be a little easier as you dream of your next Joey's adventure.

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Meet Australian Joey Danai Gapare

Danai Gapare on the left, with his Joey team mates, Ben Harrington, Chris Bush, Steven Domenici and Capital Football Coach John Mitchell

Australian Joey Danai Gapare talks to Football in the Capital.

Danai is a winger with pace and skill. He has travelled to many countries including Scotland and Zimbabwe, but he found Japan very different.

"It was really hot, very different culture and different language. It was good to see how the country was," said Danai.

Danai played against Japan, USA (full game) and against Korea.

Did you score?

"No, I set up Stevie (Domenici) twice." smiled Danai.

Did you tell him after?

"Yeah,"

Often?

"Yeah often," he laughed.

Danai admires Thierry Henry and would love to play professionally.

Danai attends Deakin High, in Canberra. And his goals are clear.

"I want to stay in the squad and go to the (World Cup) qualifiers in Singapore in October."

He found the attention of being a Joey interesting to say the least.

"We were asked to sign stuff. A lot of stuff."

Like what?

"Shirts, scarves, books"

How did that feel?

"It felt sick, really sick," laughed Danai.

Here's hoping it's the start of many autograph moments for Danai and his Joey mates.

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Meet Australian Joey Stephen Domenici

Stephen Domenici is far right. From the left Danai Gapare, Ben Harrington, Chris Bush and Capital Football Coach John Mitchell.

Stephen Domenici talks to Football in the Capital.

Stephen enjoyed staying in two hotels in two different cities in Japan.

"We didn't have much free time. It was packed in. We went for breakfast in the morning, a bit of recovery, training, video analysis, and training in the afternoon." said Stephen.

First time for video analysis?

"No, we usually do it with the ACT."

What about the playing training schedule.

"It was pretty hard, took a lot of energy out of us especially as it was so hot."

So you weren't there for a holiday?

"No," replied Stephen, "It was training training and more training. It was really good, I love it."

"I'd love to play professionally for Arsenal."

Stephen attends Daramalan College in Canberra. He played in an all ACTAS, Joey's wing attack with his ACT mate Danai Gapare on the right wing.

How did it feel to play with four Capital Football boys in the Australian national team?

"Fantastic, got your friends. Met lots of other guys. Hopefully we can all stay in the squad, make the World Cup.

"First game I played half a game against a school team. I played against Japan, Korea and Japan."

Anything else to report.

"The girls in Japan were really good! Especially the American girls which came to our hoel one time!"

At this point the parents standing nearby started to listen a little more attentively.

But Steve like most young lads quickly let the interview with a nod and a smile!

Good luck Steve.

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Australian Joey Ben Harrington is aiming high

Ben greeted by his family at Canberra Airport after playing for Australia in Japan

Ben spoke to Football in the Capital after a long flight back from Japan.

Ben plays left or right midfield and was called into the squad as a late replacement for an injured team-mate.

"I was delighted to get the call. I felt bad for the guy who missed out but I was delighted to get the chance," said Ben.

Ben has been overseas to play football before, with his club Belwest to Fiji, but this was as step up.

"The fields were better, the quality of team-mates was better, it was much quicker."

Ben came on against Japan, USA and started against Korea.

"It felt really good to start. Japan was really hot, but we got used to it."

Ben is a Liverpool fan, who admires Harry Kewell.

"I'd like to play in England, and represent Australia at a World Cup."

A Kaleen High student Ben hasn't had chance to talk to his school mates since he got called up.

Where next Ben?

"Hopefully get to go to the U16 tournament in Singapore in October."

More time off school?

"Not sure, hopefully!"

Ben took some time out from the game recently. Like many young people sometimes you just need a break. Fortunately his Coach John Mitchell welcomed him back with open arms when he decided to return.

We look forward to following Ben's football journey wherever it takes him.

Whatever happens Ben like his team-mates can say they played for Australia.

How many of us ever get to say that?

Well done Ben.

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Joey's from Canberra: Our future Socceroos?

Canberra's Australian Under 17 Representatives.

From the left: Danai Gapare, Ben Harrington, Chris Bush, Capital Football Coach John Mitchell, and Steven Domenici.


Chris Bush (Goulburn) Danai Gapare, Stephen Domenici, and Ben Harrington all arrived back in Canberra this morning fresh from the Australian Under 17 Youth international tournament in Japan.

Every footballers dream surely!

And when you think who has gone before them. KazPatafta, Shaun Ontong, Carl Valeri, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Ned Zelic and Matthew Kemp to name a few from Canberra alone.

Where will these guys end up?

For now the enthusiasm and joy could be seen by all.

Four boys from John Mitchell's Capital Football representative squad, and Milan Milanovic's ACTAS side is a massive achievement for the Coaches, and football in Canberra.

Well done to the Coaches.

I'll have interviews with each of the boys during the week as they discuss football, dreams, Japan and female fans in Japan!

And a footnote:

And perhaps we should be adding Alex Meibush to that list of future stars. Alex was selected in the original thirty players. Although he wasn't picked to go this time, he can't be too far out of the picture. Let's hope he makes the next trip in October to Singapore.

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