Football Australia today announced changes to its Australia U23 men’s national team selection for forthcoming international friendlies to be held in Marbella, Spain.
Unfortunately, European-based attackers Deni Juric and Jacob Italiano have both been ruled out of the squad due to injury. The duo have been replaced by Rangers FC midfielder Murray Miller, and Marlee Francois from Bristol City FC. Marlee Francois is the younger brother of fellow squad member Tyrese Francois, who recently made his Premier League debut for Fulham FC.
Additionally, Perth Glory FC marksman Nicholas D’Agostino will link up with the squad in Spain over the coming days. D’Agostino scored three goals for Australia at the AFC U23 Championship in Thailand in January 2020, including the goal that ultimately sealed Australia’s ticket to Tokyo against Uzbekistan, and has been granted the blessing of his A-League club, Perth Glory, to travel to Europe to pursue his Olympic dream.
Australia’s U23 selection in Spain is being mentored by Seoul 1988 Olympian and current Young Socceroos Head Coach, Gary van Egmond, as well as National Technical Director and Joeys Head Coach, Trevor Morgan.
Over the next 12 days van Egmond and Morgan will have the opportunity to assess the squad in training and matches against a diverse set of opponents and provide recommendations to Olyroos Head Coach, Graham Arnold, who is with the Socceroos in the Middle East, ahead of Australia’s final squad selection for Tokyo 2020.
While in Marbella Australia’s selection will play four friendlies, three of which will be contested against nations that have also qualified for the men’s football tournament at Tokyo 2020.
Tomorrow evening (AEST) Australia will play Republic of Ireland’s U21 men’s national team, ahead of international friendlies against fellow Tokyo 2020 qualified nations Saudi Arabia (Group D) on June 5, Romania (Group B) on June 8, and Mexico (Group A) on June 12 local time.
All four matches will be available via live stream on the official Socceroos website and the My Football YouTube channel.
MORE DETAILS: How to watch the Australia U-23's Marbella friendly matches
The Olyroos’ final squad selection for Tokyo 2020 is due to be announced in late June, before the squad assembles in Japan for a training camp in early July.
Australia will return to the men’s football tournament at the Olympic Games for the first time since Beijing 2008 this year. Tokyo 2020 also marks the first time that Australia will be represented in both men’s and women’s football since Athens 2004.
Australia U23 Selection | May-June 2021 FIFA Window | Marbella, Spain
|
Name |
Club, Country |
|
Panos ARMENAKAS |
SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium |
|
Daniel ARZANI |
AGF Aarhus, Denmark |
|
Jacob CHAPMAN (Gk) |
Huddersfield Town AFC, England |
|
Gabriel CLEUR |
Virtus Entella, Italy |
|
Nicholas D’AGOSTINO |
Perth Glory FC, Australia |
|
Marlee FRANCOIS |
Bristol City, England |
|
Tyrese FRANCOIS |
Fulham FC, England |
|
Doni GRDIC |
HNK Sibenik, Croatia |
|
Jordan HOLMES (Gk) |
Ebbsfleet United, England |
|
John IREDALE |
SC Paderborn 07, Germany |
|
Anthony KALIK |
HNK Gorica, Croatia |
|
Ashley MAYNARD-BREWER (Gk) |
Charlton Athletic, England |
|
Murray MILLER |
Rangers FC, Scotland |
|
Ramy NAJJARINE |
Newcastle Jets, Australia |
|
Connor O’TOOLE |
Newcastle Jets, Australia |
|
Con OUZOUNIDIS |
Everton FC, England |
|
Nicholas PENNINGTON |
Olbia Calcio 1905, Italy |
|
Kristian POPOVIC |
NK Rudes, Croatia |
|
Luka PRSO |
Newcastle Jets, Australia |
|
Jay RICH-BAGHUELOU |
Crystal Palace FC, England |
|
Dylan RYAN |
Melbourne Victory, Australia |
|
Ryan TEAGUE |
FC Famalicao, Portugal |
|
Marc TOKICH |
Mjallby AIF, Sweden |
|
Caleb WATTS |
Southampton FC, England |
Match 1: Australia v Republic of Ireland (U21)
Date: Wednesday, 2 June 2021
Venue: Marbella Football Centre, Marbella, Spain
Kick-off: 1:00pm local; 9:00pm AEST
Live Stream: www.socceroos.com.au, MyFootball YouTube Channel.
Match 2: Australia U23 v Saudi Arabia U23
Date: Saturday, 5 June 2021
Venue: Estadio Municipal, Marbella, Spain
Kick-off: 2:00pm local; 10pm AEST
Live Stream: www.socceroos.com.au, MyFootball YouTube Channel.
Match 3: Australia U23 v Romania U23
Date: Tuesday, 8 June 2021
Venue: Estadio Municipal, Marbella, Spain
Kick-off: 8:00pm local; 4:00am AEST Wednesday, 9 June
Live Stream: www.socceroos.com.au, MyFootball YouTube Channel.
Match 4: Australia U23 v Mexico U23
Date: Saturday, 12 June 2021
Venue: Estadio Municipal, Marbella, Spain
Kick-off: 8:00pm local; 4:00am AEST Sunday, 13 June
Live Stream: www.socceroos.com.au, MyFootball YouTube Channel.
Men’s Football Tournament – Tokyo 2020 – Group C
Match 1: Argentina v Australia
Date: Thursday, 22 July 2021
Venue: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan
Kick-off: 7:30pm local; 8:30pm AEST
Broadcast: Seven Network
Match 2: Australia v Spain
Date: Sunday, 25 July 2021
Venue: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan
Kick-off: 7:30pm local; 8:30pm AEST
Broadcast: Seven Network
Match 3: Australia v Egypt
Date: Wednesday, 28 July 2021
Venue: Miyagi Stadium, Rifu, Japan
Kick-off: 8:00pm local; 9:00pm AEST
Broadcast: Seven Network
