Leijer named captain for Saudi clash

Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer will captain the Qantas Under 23s for the first time tonight as Australia meet Group D leaders Saudi Arabia tonight in Dammam.

Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer will captain the Qantas Under 23s for the first time tonight as Australia meet Group D leaders Saudi Arabia tonight in Dammam.

The 21-year-old Leijer will take the place of regular skipper Mark Milligan who returned to Australia over the weekend with a back complaint. Leijer, winner of the 2007 Hyundai A-League Rising Star award has previously represented the Qantas Young Socceroos and Qantas Joeys at World Championship level in 2005 and 2003 respectively.

Coach Rob Baan has named his starting XI for tonight-s match with striker James Troisi of English Premier League club Newcastle United set to make his debut for Australia. Newcastle Jets midfielder Stuart Musialik returns to the side after a shoulder injury with Nikolai Topor-Stanley also taking his place in the team after suffering from a foot complaint.

The Australian line-up against Saudi Arabia is: Danny Vukovic (gk), Ruben Zadkovich, Adrian Leijer, Ben Griffin, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Stuart Musialik, Kristian Sarkies, Leigh Broxham, Bruce Djite, Mark Bridge, James Troisi.

Substitutes: Adam D-Apuzzo, Dario Vidosic, Nathan Burns, Peter Eleftherakis, Troy Hearfield, Vince Lia, Tando Velaphi (gk)

The match will commence at 3.30am AEST.

Australia currently lie one point behind Group D leaders Saudi Arabia despite winning 2-0 against the same opponent a fortnight ago. With three of the six rounds played Saudi Arabia are on 6 points, Australia on five with Iran and Jordan both on two points.

Australia will play their final home group match at Adelaide-s Hindmarsh Stadium on May 16 against Iran.

The top two teams will progress to the third and final stage of qualifying, where 12 nations will be split into three groups.

The third stage will be held from August 22 - November 21, with only the three group winners representing Asia at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Fixtures:-

Round 2 - Match Day 1 - (Away) Wednesday 28 February 2007 Iran v Australia 0-0 Tehran

Round 2 - Match Day 2 - (Home) Wednesday 14 March 2007 Australia v Jordan 1-1 Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Round 2 - Match Day 3 - (Home) Wednesday 28 March 2007 Australia v Saudi Arabia 2-0 Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Round 2 - Match Day 4 - (Away) Wednesday 18 April 2007 Saudi Arabia v Australia Prince Mohammad bin Fahad Stadium, Dammam

Round 2 - Match Day 5 - (Home) Wednesday 16 May 2007 Australia v Iran Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Round 2 - Match Day 6 - (Away) Wednesday 6 June 2007 Jordan v Australia Amman International Stadium, Amman

Click on the following link for more information on the Qantas Under 23s, including player profiles:

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/default.aspx?s=aus_mensu23s