Fourteen young Hyundai A-League players are set for the experience of a lifetime after being named in Qantas Young Socceroos Head Coach Jan Versleijen’s team for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
The squad leaves next Monday for a training camp in Cyprus ahead of the tournament which begins on September 24. Australia has drawn Brazil, Costa Rica and the Czech Republic in its group.
Players from the Hyundai A-League make up the majority of the squad, with rising Sydney FC star Kofi Danning among several regulars to feature, along with Adelaide’s Daniel Mullen, Brisbane’s Luke DeVere, Mitch Nichols and Tommy Oar, Gold Coast’s Tahj Minniecon and Newcastle trio Jason Hoffman, Sean Rooney and Ben Kantarovski.
The other Hyundai A-League players in the final 21 are Central Coast goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, Sydney FC trio Rhyan Grant, Matthew Jurman and Sam Munro as well as Melbourne Victory striker Nathan Elasi.
Young Socceroos Head Coach Jan Versleijen said the squad announcement was the culmination of over a year’s hard work in preparation for the tournament.
“We had the opportunity to have a good look at all eligible players during our campaign which began almost 16 months ago,” Versleijen said.
“We have experienced a variety of opposition in different conditions and locations which has helped in the development of the players.”
“Our recent tours to Europe and South America have also given us valuable experience against the similar type of opposition that we will face at the World Cup.”
“We have selected the best available players in this age group based on experience and recent playing history.”
The Young Socceroos will be based in the northern Egyptian city of Port Said during the first phase of the tournament. The team will also have a warm-up camp in Cyprus with matches against Trinidad and Tobago, the USA and England.
“I can speak on behalf of the whole team that we are very excited to compete at the highest level against the best in the world,” Versleijen said.
“For any player to represent their country at a World Cup is a special experience and they can make their career if they perform well.”
Qantas Young Socceroos Squad:
1. Andrew Redmayne (gk) (Central Coast Mariners), 2. Daniel Mullen (Adelaide United), 3. Luke DeVere (Brisbane Roar), 4. Ryan McGowan (Hearts FC, Scotland), 5. Matthew Jurman (Sydney FC), 6. James Holland (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands), 7. Tahj Minniecon (Gold Coast United), 8. Aaron Mooy (Bolton Wanderers, England), 9. Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets), 10. Mitch Nichols (Brisbane Roar), 11. Thomas Oar (Brisbane Roar), 12. Nathan Elasi (Melbourne Victory), 13. Chris Herd (Aston Villa, England), 14. Kofi Danning (Sydney FC), 15. Sam Munro (Sydney FC), 16. Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), 17. Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), 18. Dean Bouzanis (gk) (Liverpool FC, England), 19. Sean Rooney (Newcastle Jets), 20. Sam Gallagher (Manly United), 21. Alex Cisak (gk) (Leicester City, England)
Qantas Young Socceroos Schedule:
27 September: Australia v Czech Republic
30 September: Australia v Costa Rica
3 October: Australia v Brazil
