Football Federation Australia (FFA) today advised of updates to both its Caltex Socceroos and Australia U-23 National Team squads for the November FIFA window.
For the Caltex Socceroos, attacker Mathew Leckie will miss Australia’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifier against Jordan on Thursday (local time), and will instead remain in Germany with his newborn son.
The Leckie family welcomed their son into the world on Monday, however with Australia’s match against Jordan now just two sleeps away, the decision has been made not to rush Leckie to the Middle East.
Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold said: “Mathew was willing to come to Jordan but when we considered the travel, recovery and the preparatory period prior to the match, we made the decision not to rush him here.
"I think it is important that Mathew and his family enjoy this special period in their lives together.”
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Meanwhile, Central Coast Mariners defender Kye Rowles has been added to Australia’s U-23 squad for the team’s three friendly matches in Chongqing, China. Rowles will arrive in China on Tuesday.
Moreover, Australia’s U-23 match schedule in China has been altered.
Australia will still play DPR Korea, Lithuania, and hosts China PR in Chongqing, however the friendly tournament organisers have modified the match schedule.
The new match schedule is presented below.
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Match Schedule | Australia U-23 National Team Squad | November 2019 FIFA Window | Chongqing, China
China U-23 v Australia U-23
Date: Friday, 15 November 2019
Venue: Chongqing City Dazu District Sports Centre Stadium
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local); 10.30pm (AEDT)
Australia U-23 v DPR Korea U-23
Date: Sunday, 17 November 2019
Venue: Chongqing City Dazu District Sports Centre Stadium
Kick-off: 4.00pm (local); 7.00pm (AEDT)
Australia U-23 v Lithuania U-23
Date: Tuesday, 19 November 2019
Venue: Chongqing City Dazu District Sports Centre Stadium
Kick-off: 4.00pm (local); 10.00pm (AEDT)
*Potential live stream information for matches to be confirmed
