The Joeys have settled into their base in Vietnam, ready to tackle next week’s qualifiers for the 2016 AFC Under-16 Championships.
The Aussies youngsters are in Group J, and will take on Guam (Wednesday), Myanmar (Friday) and the host nation Vietnam in Hanoi (next Sunday).
The tournament is the qualification phase for next year’s AFC Under-16 championships, where the youngsters will then try to reach the FIFA 2017 Under-17 World Cup, which will be held in India.
To keep that quest alive the Joeys need to win their group or be one of the four best runners-up from the 11 different groups.
“The first step towards U17 World Cup 2017 starts right here. We need to win this tournament to be sure of qualification for the AFC U16 Championships next year,” Technical Director Peter de Roo said.
“This is not an easy task because these tournaments are always played in very difficult conditions, against teams that will do everything to try to stop our rhythm and momentum.
“That is why we went to the AFF U16 Tournament last month to prepare our players for those circumstance and teach them to do everything that is in our hands to keep the game flowing and don't get frustrated.
“As long as we stay focused on the way we want to play and the things that are in our control, regardless of anything else that happens around us that we cannot influence and we can at the same time move the ball around at a good tempo, we will be fine.”
The Joeys squad for the Vietnam:Nathan Prince (FFV NTC), Dylan Pierias (Melbourne City FC), Marco Krantis (FFSA NTC), Mersim Memeti (Melbourne City FC), Joel King (FNSWI), Luke Bodnar (Perth Glory), Jaidon Selden (Perth Glory), Andony Martis (FNSWI), Mirza Muratovic (Sydney United 58 FC), Lachlan Brook (FFSA NTC), Ahmed Sweedan (FNSWI), Nicholas Suman (FNSWI), Patrick Scibilio (FNSWI), Dylan Ryan (FNSWI) Adrian Valenti (Marconi FC), Ryan Yates (FFSA NTC), Jacob Italiano (Perth Glory), Jacob Botic (FNSW/Sydney United 58 FC), Mark Moric (Sydney United 58 FC), Rahmat Akbari (Brisbane Roar FC/QAS), Eduardo Castaneda (FFT NTC), Andrew Visciglio (FFV NTC), Ramy Najjarine (FNSWI)