Australia U-23 Selection to play four friendlies in Spain

Football Australia today confirmed that a selection of potential Olyroos and men’s national team players of the future will assemble in Spain throughout the forthcoming FIFA window as Australia’s preparations for Tokyo 2020 continue. 

The selection of players will be guided by Seoul 1988 Olympian and current Young Socceroos Head Coach, Gary van Egmond, as well as National Technical Director and Joeys Head Coach, Trevor Morgan, in Marbella. 

Van Egmond and Morgan will have the opportunity to assess the squad in training and matches against a diverse set of opponents and provide recommendations to Olyroos Head Coach, Graham Arnold, who will be with the Socceroos in the Middle East, ahead of Australia’s final squad selection for Tokyo 2020.

While in Marbella Australia’s selection will play four friendlies, three of which will be contested against nations that have also qualified for the men’s football tournament at Tokyo 2020. 

On June 2 Australia will play Republic of Ireland’s U-21 men’s national team, ahead of international friendlies against fellow Tokyo 2020 qualified nations Saudi Arabia (Group D) on June 5, Romania (Group B) on June 8, and Mexico (Group A) on June 12 local time.

The Olyroos’ final squad selection for Tokyo 2020 is due to be announced in late June, before the squad assembles in Japan for a training camp in early July.

Australia will return to the men’s football tournament at the Olympic Games for the first time since Beijing 2008 this year. Tokyo 2020 also marks the first time that Australia will be represented in both men’s and women’s football since Athens 2004. 

Australia’s squad for the matches in Marbella is listed below. Further players will be added to the assembly. Updates to the squad – as well as match broadcast or stream details – will be advised in due course.

Four current A-League players – Connor O’Toole, Luka Prso, Ramy Najjarine, and Dylan Ryan – have been made available by their A-League clubs to participate in the window. Football Australia acknowledges Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory for their support of the Olyroos’ preparations for Tokyo 2020.  


Australia U-23 Selection | May-June 2021 FIFA Window | Marbella, Spain 

Name

Club, Country

Panos ARMENAKAS

SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium

Daniel ARZANI

AGF Aarhus, Denmark

Jacob CHAPMAN (Gk)

Huddersfield Town AFC, England

Gabriel CLEUR

Virtus Entella, Italy

Tyrese FRANCOIS

Fulham FC, England

Doni GRDIC

HNK Sibenik, Croatia

Jordan HOLMES (Gk)

Ebbsfleet United, England

John IREDALE

SC Paderborn 07, Germany

Jacob ITALIANO

Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany

Deni JURIC

HNK Sibenik, Croatia

Anthony KALIK

HNK Gorica, Croatia

Ashley MAYNARD-BREWER (Gk)

Charlton Athletic, England

Ramy NAJJARINE

Newcastle Jets, Australia

Connor O’TOOLE

Newcastle Jets, Australia

Con OUZOUNIDIS

Everton FC, England

Nicholas PENNINGTON

Olbia Calcio 1905, Italy

Kristian POPOVIC

NK Rudes, Croatia

Luka PRSO

Newcastle Jets, Australia

Jay RICH-BAGHUELOU

Crystal Palace FC, England

Dylan RYAN

Melbourne Victory, Australia

Ryan TEAGUE

FC Famalicao, Portugal

Marc TOKICH

Mjallby AIF, Sweden

Caleb WATTS

Southampton FC, England


Match 1: Australia v Republic of Ireland (U-21)
Date: Wednesday, 2 June 2021
Venue: Marbella Football Centre, Marbella, Spain
Kick-off: 1:00pm local; 9:00pm AEST

Match 2: Australia v Saudi Arabia 
Date: Saturday, 5 June 2021
Venue: Estadio Municipal, Marbella, Spain
Kick-off: 2:00pm local; 10pm AEST

Match 3: Australia v Romania 
Date: Tuesday, 8 June 2021
Venue: Estadio Municipal, Marbella, Spain
Kick-off: 1:00pm local; 9:00pm AEST

Match 4: Australia v Mexico
Date: Saturday, 12 June 2021
Venue: Estadio Municipal, Marbella, Spain
Kick-off: 8:00pm local; 4:00am AEST Sunday, 13 June 

Men’s Football Tournament – Tokyo 2020 – Group C 

Match 1: Argentina v Australia 

Date: Thursday, 22 July 2021
Venue: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan
Kick-off: 7:30pm local; 8:30pm AEST 

Match 2: Australia v Spain 
Date: Sunday, 25 July 2021 
Venue: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan
Kick-off: 7:30pm local; 8:30pm AEST

Match 3: Australia v Egypt 
Date: Wednesday, 28 July 2021
Venue: Miyagi Stadium, Rifu, Japan
Kick-off: 8:00pm local; 9:00pm AEST