Jets winger called into Australian U23 squad

Football Federation Australia (FFA) can advise that Newcastle Jets attacker Joseph Champness will replace Western Sydney Wanderers FC forward Jaushua Sotirio in Ante Milicic’s 23-player squad for the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China.

Sotirio has returned to Australia to receive treatment on an injury at his Club.

Champness will join Milicic’s squad in Kunshan, China on Wednesday.

Joe Champness
Joe Champness in action for the Jets.

Australia will play its first match at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship against Syria on Thursday 11 January 2018.

Further matches in Group D will be played against Vietnam on Sunday 14 January 2018, and Korea Republic on Wednesday 17 January 2018.

All three of Australia’s Group D matches at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China will be broadcast LIVE, EXCLUSIVE, and ad-break free during play on FOX SPORTS.

Australia will require a top two finish in Group D to advance to the Quarter Finals of the continental competition.

Australia’s results at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship will impact the team’s seeding for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship, which will double as the qualification tournament for the 2020 Summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo, Japan.

Australia U23 v Syria U23
Thursday 11 January 2018
Kunshan Stadium, Kunshan
Kick-off: 4pm (local); 7pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Second half LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 501 following ‘Just For Kicks’

Vietnam U23 v Australia U23
Sunday 14 January 2018
Kunshan Stadium, Kunshan
Kick-off: 4pm (local); 7pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Full match LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 506

Korea Republic U23 v Australia U23
Wednesday 17 January 2018
Kunshan Stadium, Kunshan
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local); 10.30pm (AEDT)
Broadcast: Full match LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS 501