The Joeys have arrived in France as they prepare for some invaluable international experience ahead of October’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.
The Aussie U-17 side will play matches against the USA and France next week as well as the Stade Rennais Youth Team in Limoges.
Football Federation Australia’s Technical Director Peter de Roo said the European tour had to be organised quickly and was crucial to the squad's developement following this month’s FIFA U-17 World Cup draw.
"Originally we had a tour planned to Argentina. We had committed to play the AFA U-17 team twice and possibly Uruguay or Chile,” said de Roo.
“After the draw the Argentinians weren't too keen on playing us anymore because we were drawn in the same group for the U-17 World Cup.
"That meant that we had to act quickly and change our plans. That was how this tour to France came about.
“We are going to play a local team and after that we will start the tournament and play against France, the USA and Ligue One club, Stade Rennais’ Youth Team.”
De Roo, who helps take charge of Australia’s Centre of Excellence program in Canberra, went on to say the matches would help determine the squad Australia took to Chile in six weeks time.
"For us this tour is all about finalising our squad for the World Cup,” he said.
“The European based players will be here together with the full time FFA CoE squad and some Australian based players who are not part of the full-time Program.
“We will also use our time here off course to work on our playing style and test ourselves against the European Champions and a strong USA team.
"We all look forward to the World Cup and the opportunity to test ourselves against the best teams in the world; as far as we are concerned October cannot come quick enough.”
Australia begins its FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile campaign against Germany on October 18, before taking on Mexico, and finishing with Argentina.
All of the Joeys’ group stage matches will be at the Estadio Municipal Nelson Oyarzún Arenas, Chillán, 400km south of Santiago.
Joeys European Match Details
2 September: Australia v USA @ 3pm (Stade Beaublanc)
4 September: Australia v Stade Rennais Youth Team @ 3pm (Stade Beaublanc)
6 September: Australia v France @ 7pm (Stade Beaublanc)
* local kick-off times
All matches will be played at Parc Sports News De Beaublanc Stadium, Limoges France.
Joeys Squad for France International Friendlies:
Panos Armenakas (Udinese Calcio, Italy)
Daniel Arzani (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Jackson Bandiera (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Joe Caletti (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Nicholas D'Agostino (Brisbane Roar FC)
Henry Davies (FFA Centre of Excellence)
James Delianov (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Lucas Derrick (Melbourne Victory FC)
Charlie Devereux (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Jamie Dimitroff (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Duro Dragicevic (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Perry Fotakopoulos (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Josh Hope (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Cameron Joice (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Danny Kim (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Josh Laws (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)
Daniel Maskin (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Gian Mendez (unattached)
Brandon Osipov (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Nicholas Panetta (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Kosta Petratos (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Aaron Reardon (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Jamal Reiners (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Kye Rowles (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Jonathan Vakirtzis (Melbourne Victory FC)
Malcolm Ward (FFA Centre of Excellence)
Pierce Waring (Melbourne Victory FC)