Technical Director of the FFA Centre of Excellence at the AIS Peter de Roo says the Joeys participation at this week’s Nike International Friendlies and Development Academy Winter Showcase is vital preparation for next year’s U-17 FIFA World Cup in Chile.
Tony Vidmar’s youngsters flew from Sydney today bound for Florida. There they will take on Brazil, England and host nation the USA over three group games starting Saturday (AEDT).
While beating some of the world’s leading nations is a huge carrot for the Joeys, de Roo is adamant it won’t come at the cost of jeopardizing the team’s philosophy.
“Football is ultimately about winning games. We want to win but never at the expense of how we want to play,” de Roo told www.socceroos.com.au
“If we play how we want to then I’m sure the results will come with that. We’re not going to America to grind out results, that’s not what we’re about.
“We’re about playing football to help us win and also developing players for the (Hyundai) A-League and also future internationals (for the Socceroos). And that’s what I think we have in this group.”
Asked what the he hoped the team would get out of these three tough matches, de Roo said: “International experience at the top level is what these boys need.
“That’s why we jumped at the opportunity. This is great international exposure and we’ll be able to see where we’re at and then have 10 months to see where we can improve and what we can work on before the World Cup (in Chile).”
Australian fans will be able to watch every single minute of the Joeys’ three matches, with every game of the five-day tournament shown live on www.ussoccer.com.
*Note there is a 16-hour time difference between Florida and AEDT.
JOEYS ROSTER FOR NIKE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES NOV 28-DEC 2 AT LAKEWOOD RANCH, FLA
|
Nº |
|
Player Name (Last, First) |
Position |
Date of Birth |
Club |
|
2 |
Ward, Malcolm |
Defender |
26/08/99 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
3 |
Davies, Henry |
Defender |
05/04/99 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
5 |
Speth, Zac |
Defender |
29/01/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
6 |
Caletti, Joe |
Midfielder |
14/09/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
7 |
Maskin, Daniel |
Midfielder |
06/02/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
8 |
Arzani, Daniel |
Midfielder |
04/01/99 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
9 |
Armenakas, Panos |
Midfielder |
05/08/98 |
Udinese Calcio S.p.A. (Italy) |
|
|
10 |
Dimitroff, Jamie |
Midfielder |
11/07/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
11 |
Kekeris, Peter |
Attacker |
07/05/99 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
12 |
Osipov, Brandon |
GK |
05/08/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
13 |
Verbi, Christian |
Defender |
02/07/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
14 |
Monahan-Vaiika, Solomon |
Defender |
05/02/99 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
15 |
Bandiera, Jackson |
Defender |
16/04/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
16 |
Kim, Danny |
Defender |
28/05/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
17 |
Panetta, Nicholas |
Midfielder |
22/04/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
18 |
Delianov, James |
GK |
20/10/99 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
20 |
Fotakopoulos, Perry |
Defender |
06/09/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
22 |
Joice, Cameron |
Attacker |
21/09/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
23 |
Petratos, Kosta |
Attacker |
01/03/98 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
24 |
Tokich, Marc |
Midfielder |
12/05/99 |
FFA Centre of Excellence |
|
|
Staff |
Position |
|
Tony Vidmar |
Head Coach |
|
Peter de Roo |
Technical Director |
|
Ufuk Talay |
Assistant Coach |
|
Fernando vaz Alves |
Goalkeeper Coach |
|
Aidan Brown |
Team Manager |
|
Deane Stephens |
Physiotherapist |
|
Vince Cosentini |
Soft Tissue Therapist |
2014 Nike International Friendlies Schedule
All games live on ussoccer.comFriday, Nov. 28
Australia vs. Brazil, 3 p.m. ET
USA vs. England, 6 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 30
Brazil vs. England, 3 p.m. ET
USA vs. Australia, 6 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Dec. 2
England vs. Australia, 3 p.m. ET
USA vs. Brazil, 6 p.m. ET