16 Australian-based and four players from overseas clubs were named in the squad
Young Socceroos coach Paul Okon has added some fresh blood to the 20-man squad that will travel to Spain for the COTIF International Football tournament.
16-Australian based players and four from overseas clubs have been selected by Okon with only Anthony Bouzanis and Hagi Gligor retaining their places following a sub-par performance at the recent FIFA under-20 World Cup in Turkey.
The 41-year-old is starting his preparations in earnest for the 2015 qualification campaign after seeing his side exit at the group stages earlier this summer and is eager to examine some new faces before it gets underway.
“This is the first stage of a new campaign with a new playing group,” he told Four Four Two.
“We had originally planned to have a training camp prior to the tournament to have a look at a larger group of overseas based players to possibly have included in this squad, but due to a number injuries he have had to postpone that camp until later in the year.
“This (COTIF) Tournament is a very good one with four tough matches which include Spain and Mexico.
“This will be our first opportunity to develop our playing style and test ourselves against quality opposition.”
Australia will go up against Qatar, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Spain in L’Alcudia between August 12-21 in the 30th edition of the COTIF Tournament.
Young Socceroos squad in full:
Anthony Bouzanis, James Baldacchino, Nicholas Cowburn, Christopher Cristaldo, Matthew Davies, Ben Garuccio, Christopher Ikonomidis, Rafa Jimenez, Hagi Gligor, Awer Mabil, Peter Makrillos, Stefan Mauk, Jacob Melling, Dylan Murnane, Christopher Naumoff, Peter Skapetis, Nicholas Olsen, Mitchell Oxborrow, Luke Radonich, Riley Woodcock.
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