A-Leagues duo added to Olyroos squad for Asian Cup on eve of tournament

Isuzu UTE A-League duo Lucas Mauragis and Keegan Jelacic have been called into the 23-player Subway Olyroos squad set to compete in the 2024 U23 Asian Cup in Qatar.

Melbourne City loanee Marco Tilio has been ruled out of the tournament with a quad injury; he’s replaced by Brisbane Roar’s Jelacic, while Jets full-back Lucas Mauragis comes in for former Adelaide United midfielder Louis D’Arrigo who has been made unavailable by his Polish club Lechia Gdansk.

Mauragis and Jelacic join a strong Olyroos squad featuring fellow Isuzu UTE A-League players Jake Hollman (Macarthur FC), Nicolas Milanovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Lachlan Brook (Western Sydney Wanderers), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory), Ryan Teague (Melbourne Victory), Jordi Valadon (Melbourne Victory), Patrick Beach (Melbourne City), Callum Talbot (Melbourne City), Cameroon Cook (Perth Glory), Jordan Courtney-Perkins (Sydney FC), Jake Girdwood-Reich (Sydney FC), Jacob Farrell (Central Coast Mariners), Alou Kuol (Central Coast Mariners) and Mark Natta (Newcastle Jets).

The Olyroos began assembling in doha for the tournament on April 8, ahead of three Group A games against Jordan (April 15), Indonesia (April 18) and Qatar (April 21).

A top-three finish in the 16-nation tournament would secure the Olyroos a berth at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with the fourth-best finisher set to play an AFC-CAF play-off match for the final qualification place.

Olyroos head coach Tony Vidmar explained the two changes to his squad as he welcomed both Mauragis and Jelacic into the camp.

“We had been in discussions with Lechia for some time about Louis’ availability for this tournament, unfortunately they’ve decided that he’s required to remain in Poland,” Vidmar said.

“We understand and respect the position of the club, and I’ve made my frustration at the timing of this tournament, and its impact on player availability known for several months.

“That being said, it’s certainly disappointing to have things change like this at the last minute, when all our preparation had been done on the proviso Louis would be available.

“I’m very happy for Lucas, he’s been excellent for us over the last 12 months and this call up is a great reward for that.”

Subway Olyroos Squad – AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024

NAMECLUBJUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB
Patrick BEACH (Gk)Melbourne City FCGlenmore Park FC / Football New South Wales
Lachlan BROOKWestern Sydney Wanderers FCGawler Eagles FC / Football South Australia
Cameron COOK (Gk)Perth Glory FCVikings FC (Football Northern Territory)
Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINSSydney FCNewmarket SFC / Football Queensland
Jacob FARRELLCentral Coast Mariners FCWyoming FC / Football New South Wales
Jake GIRDWOOD-REICHSydney FCSydney Olympic FC / Football New South Wales
Steven HALL (Gk)Brighton Hove & Albion FC (Youth)Para Hills Knights SC / Football South Australia
Jake HOLLMANMacarthur FCSeaforth FC / Football New South Wales
Jacob ITALIANOBorussia Monchengladbach IIInglewood United FC / Football West
Keegan JELACICBrisbane Roar FCRochedale Rovers FC / Football Queensland
Alou KUOLCentral Coast Mariners FCGoulburn Valley Suns FC / Football Victoria
Garang KUOLFC VolendamShepparton SC / Football Victoria
Lucas MAURAGISNewcastle Jets FCMerimbula Grasshoppers FC / Football New South Wales
Nicolas MILANOVICWestern Sydney Wanderers FCSydney United 58 FC / Football New South Wales
Mark NATTANewcastle Jets FCSutherland Sharks FC / Football New South Wales
Alexandar POPOVICGwangju FCAdelaide Comets FC / Football South Australia
Adrian SEGECICFC DordrechtLidcombe Waratah Junior SC / Football New South Wales
Callum TALBOTMelbourne City FCGymea United FC / Football NSW
Ryan TEAGUEMelbourne Victory FCMaroubra United FC / Football New South Wales
Mohamed TOUREParis FC (loan)Croydon Kings / Football South Australia
Jordi VALADONMelbourne Victory FCGlen Eira FC / Football Victoria
Nishan VELUPILLAYMelbourne Victory FCEndeavour United SC / Football Victoria
Rhys YOULLEYKVC WesterloMarconi Stallions FC / Football New South Wales