 |
|
|
Farina names Aussie aquad to face Turks
With the disadvantage of a great number of top tier players unavailable for selection, Frank Farina has selected a fresh squad as he prepares the Socceroos for the OFC World Cup qualifiers later this month.
Before these important matches however Farina's men will face Turkey in what is a mouthwatering couple of exhibition matches for Australian fans. It's the first time in two and a half years since Australia have played infront of their home crowd and the prospect of playing the 8th team in the world and third place at the 2002 World Cup is a huge opportunity for fans of the game.
The lucky cities are Melbourne and Sydney as the Socceroos take on the Turkish on May 21st at Sydney's Aussie Stadium before travelling up south to Melbourne's Telstra Dome to clash once more on May 24th.
Aside from the ASA organising a high quality opponent to travel to Australia, the timing is pefect as it is less then a week prior to Australia's campaign to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Germany 2006. Australia will take on fellow heavyweights New Zealand in the opening "main event" clash at Hindmarsh Stadium.
“Opportunities like this don’t come along too often so I’m issuing them a challenge to perform well and show what they can do at international level”, Farina said. “The two matches against Turkey will be an enormous test for us. Turkey are one of the best nations in world soccer and this will certainly show where we are at on the world stage.” (http://www.socceraustralia.com.au)
In a break through for the local scene, four now former NSL players (due to the league folding to allow the new APL to start) have been named in the squad to play Turkey. Simon Colosimo, Ahmad Elrich, Jade North and Ante Milicic all named for the matches. Elrich and Colosimo sure picks for the OFC qualifiers that follow.
Australia's squad for the two matches against Turkey are:
Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy)
Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel, Switzerland)
Simon Colosimo (Parramatta Power, Australia)
Ahmad Elrich (Parramatta Power, Australia)
Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Vince Grella (Empoli, Italy)
Zeljko Kalac (Perugia, Italy)
Patrick Kisnorbo (Heart of Midlothian, Scotland)
Steve Laybutt (Excelsior Mouscron, Belgium)
Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham City, England)
Adrian Madaschi (Partick Thistle, Scotland)
Ante Milicic (Pahang, Malaysia)
Jade North (Perth Glory, Australia)
Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England)
Josip Skoko (Genclerbirligi, Turkey)
Mile Sterjovski (Lille, France)
Danny Tiatto (Manchester City, England)
Tony Vidmar (Cardiff City, Wales)
Max Vieri (Napoli, Italy)
David Zdrilic (Aberdeen, Scotland)
13 May, 2004 |
