Okon selects Young Socceroos squad

[Stuckey]

Following this training camp, and as part of their preparations for the AFC U-19 Championships, the Qantas Young Socceroos will represent Australia at the AFC U-22 Qualification Tournament which will be held in Indonesia in July of this year.

The Qantas Young Socceroos will then compete at the AFC U-19 Championships in the UAE in November, which will also serve as the qualifiers for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup which will be held in Turkey next June/ July.
Qantas Young Socceroos Squad for Brisbane Training Camp

Name Club
Terry Antonis Sydney FC
Jake Barker-Daish Adelaide United
Josh Brillante Newcastle Jets
Corey Brown Brisbane Roar
Reece Caira Uncontracted
Connor Chapman Newcastle Jets
Mitch Cooper Newcastle Jets
James Donachie Brisbane Roar
Jack Duncan (gk) Newcastle Jets
Giancarlo Gallifuoco Tottenham Hotspur, England
Ben Garuccio AIS
Nicholas Fitzgerald Brisbane Roar
Jason Geria Brisbane Roar
Curtis Good Melbourne Heart
Jesse Makarounas Perth Glory
Nick Munro (gk) Croydon Kings, SA (SA State League)
Brandon O’Neill Perth Glory
Yianni Perkatis Blacktown City, NSW (NSW Premier League)
Daniel Petkovski Sydney FC
Anthony Proia Brisbane Roar
Adam Taggart Newcastle Jets
David Vrankovic Bonnyrigg White Eagles, (NSW Premier League)
Riley Woodcock Perth Glory

Great to see a few AU players in the squad. Ben Garuccio trained with AU at the start of the season I wonder if they are keen to have a look at him again? Or maybe Reece Caira uncontracted after leaving Aston Villa! Make the move AU!

[Stuckey]

Actually having a little look to see who Reece Caira is I found this from 2009. I'm surprised he's in the squad considering his old man said they would rather play for England, Ireland or Italy!

ASTON VILLA are taking on world football chiefs to fight for the right to play a 16-year-old schoolboy. Reece Caira has been BANNED from playing for the Premiership club after a row over red tape.

The Australian FA have refused to let him join Villa because they say his parents only moved so he could pursue his football career. Yet BOTH his parents have British passports and work in the Midlands and they insist they moved back to the UK for work reasons.

http://www.people.co.uk/archive/sport/2 ... -21323969/

[Stuckey]

Paul Okon’s Young Socceroos squad have received a reminder of the work that lies ahead following a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brisbane Strikers in a friendly match at Perry Park on Wednesday night.

The match formed part of a training camp for the representative squad who will embark on a qualifying tournament in Indonesia next month to begin the long process of qualifying for the 2013 Under-20 World Cup in Turkey.

http://www.thefootballsack.com/2012/06/ ... ll+Sack%29

So again our junior sides dominate possesion but break down in the final third and can't score. This appears to becoming an epidemic for Australian football. When are we going to coach our kids how to attack and score not just hold on to the ball? Very worrying!

[Stuckey]

Adelaide United FC midfielder Jake Barker-Daish if off to Indonesia for the AFC U-22 Qualification Tournament next month after he was named in the Qantas Young Socceroos (Australian U-20) squad.

Barker-Daish, who signed a two year deal with the Reds back in April, was selected in a 23-player squad by Qantas Young Socceroos Coach Paul Okon to compete in the tournament, which is being used as a lead up to the AFC U-19 Championships in the UAE in November.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/ade ... quad/47877

Great news for Jake. Nick Munro from the NYL squad makes the side as well. Surely he'll be picked up by another side soon if he isn't pick up by AUFC?

[Stuckey]

Young socceroos just beat Indonesia 1-0. Everyone is celebrating on twitter but shouldn't have this been a easy win? Sure it was in Indonesia but they are only the 153rd rank nation in the world.

[EdDog]

I think they're grateful they finally scored a damn goal.

[Stuckey]

I think they're grateful they finally scored a damn goal.

You're thinking of the Olyroos but most Aussies squads have that problem!


Here's some highlights of the match. Looks like a back to the walls job for us. Not a lot to get excited about IMO but this was in front of 45,000 people so maybe Indo had a bit of help from the crowd.

[Stuckey]

The Qantas Young Socceroos have defeated Macau 3-2 in their second match of the AFC U-22 Championship Qualifiers in Pekanbaru.

Qantas Young Socceroos Head Coach Paul Okon made ten changes to the line-up from the team that played Indonesia in the opening match with Jake Barker-Daish the only player to start both matches. James Donachie was handed the captain’s armband.

The afternoon match kicked off in oppressive conditions with extremely high humidity and a very bumpy pitch.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/new ... acau/48034

I didn't realise at first but most of the squad is actually from our U17 WC squad. So most of our U22 squad is 18 or so!
Even so 3-2 v Macau isn't exactly great! Still it is a warm up and Paulo is trying different things. Hopefully he settles on an 11 soon and we see some good football!