Euro-based stars to start for Olyroos

Brad Smith from Liverpool, Mustafa Amini of Borussia Dortmund and Empoli’s Josh Brillante have been named in the Olyroos’ starting XI for Friday night’s opening AFC Under-23 Championship qualifiers clash against Hong Kong in Chinese Taipei.

The starting XI is: Duncan, Geria, Donachie, Irvine, Smith, Brillante, Edwards, Amini, Williams, Pain, Maclaren.

The Olyroos take on Chinese Taipei in two days finishing with Myanmar on March 31.

To progress to the AFC U-23 Championship, the Olyroos need to finish top of Group F in Chinese Taipei or be one of the best five second place teams.

The AFC U-23 Championship, which will be played in Qatar in January 2016, also doubles as the qualification tournament for the 2016 Olympic Games.