Olyroos boss Aurelio Vidmar has named his 23-man squad for January’s AFC Under-23 Championship in Doha, selecting no less than 12 A-League players.
Melbourne Victory will be the hardest club hit by selection for the tournament that runs from 14 through 30 January, losing five players: Thomas Deng, Connor Pain, Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Scott Galloway and Jason Geria.
Brisbane Roar are set to lose three players, with attackers Brandon Borello and Jamie Maclaren selected as well as defender James Donachie.
Two Sydney FC players were selected in the form of Alex Gersbach and Andrew Hoole.
A further two A-League players were selected including in-form Melbourne City youngster Stefan Mauk and Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Paul Izzo.
Vidmar said the squad was a reflection of the A-League’s ever-growing quality and congratulated head coaches for fast-tracking the development of young players.
“We have put together an exciting squad … (it) illustrates the strength of the Hyundai A-League and its position as a true pathway for national team footballers,” Vidmar said.
“The squad contains 12 players from our National Competition and the A-League clubs and coaches should be congratulated for the part they play in developing these players.”
A number of Socceroos also feature in the squad. On-loan Dundee United striker Adam Taggart is included, so too former Newcastle team mate Josh Brillante as well as Lazio midfielder Chris Ikonomidis and Roda’s Danny De Silva.
The Olyroos will commence a seven-day training camp in Dubai before opening the tournament in Qatar against UAE on 14 January. The top three teams in the tournament will qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
FULL OLYROOS SQUAD
Mustafa Amini (Randers, Denmark)
Terry Antonis (PAOK, Greece)
Brandon Borello (Brisbane Roar)
Josh Brillante (Como Calcio, Italy)
Cameron Burgess (Fulham, England)
Danny De Silva (Roda, Netherlands)
Thomas Deng (Melbourne Victory)
James Donachie (Brisbane Roar)
Jack Duncan (Randers, Denmark)
Ryan Edwards (Patrick Thistle, Scotland)
Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Melbourne Victory)
Scott Galloway (Melbourne Victory)
Jason Geria (Melbourne Victory)
Alex Gersbach (Sydney FC)
Andrew Hoole (Sydney FC)
Chris Ikonomidis (Lazio, Italy)
Paul Izzo (Central Coast Mariners)
Aaron Lennox (Kilmarnock, Scotland)
Jamie Maclaren (Brisbane Roar)
Stefan Mauk (Melbourne City)
Connor Pain (Melbourne Victory)
Adam Taggart (Dundee United, Scotland)
Steven Ugarkovic (N/A)
OLYROOS MATCH DETAILS
Australia vs UAE
14 January 2016
Grand Hamad Stadium
7.30pm (3.30am 15 January AEDT)
Vietnam vs Australia
17 January 2016
Grand Hamad Stadium
4.30pm (12.30am 18 January AEDT)
Jordan vs Australia
20 January 2016
Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium
7.30pm (3.30am 15 January AEDT)
Finals
Possible quarter final – 23 January 2016
Possible semi final – 26 January 2016
Possible third/fourth playoff – 29 January 2016
Possible Final – 30 January 2016
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