The familiar Sky Blue jersey of Sydney FC was swapped for Green and Gold on Monday by five of Sydney’s young players, with a talented quintet of rising stars joining the Qantas Young Socceroos in camp, ahead of the team’s tour of Argentina.
The familiar Sky Blue jersey of Sydney FC was swapped for Green and Gold on Monday by five of Sydney-s young players, with a talented quintet of rising stars joining the Qantas Young Socceroos in camp, ahead of the team-s tour of Argentina.
First-team foursome, Matthew Juman, Kofi Danning, Antony Golec and Chris Payne entered camp in Sydney this-morning, along with Youth League defender, Sam Munro. The group is part of the touring party that will travel to Argentina this week to continue Australia-s build up to this year-s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
“It-s great. I-ve never been to South America before and I hope it will be a good experience,” said 18-year old attacker, Kofi Danning. “I-ve always wanted to go there (Argentina), the passion they have for football is unbelievable. It will be amazing to see what it-s like over there and I-m looking forward to it.”
Danning carries good form into the camp, having scored the winner for Sydney FC in Sunday night-s friendly against Sydney Olympic and he-s excited about his second overseas tour with the Under 20 team.
“I-ve always wanted to represent Australia in football and to get this opportunity is an amazing thing. I-m really looking forward to being a big part of the side,” Danning added.
For young Sydney striker, Chris Payne, the trip will be his first opportunity to impress national selectors on the international stage.
“When I first got the call I didn-t really know what to think – it-s another step ahead and it is very exciting” explained Payne. “I-m just hoping to go away and perform well while I-m in camp. Getting this call-up is a massive confidence boost leading into the season.”
The Qantas Young Socceroos will compete in the Copa Ciudad de Rosario in Argentina and will play games against Uruguay, the USA, and Argentinean youth team, C.A. Tiro Federal.
Sydney midfielder, Rhyan Grant was unavailable for the touring party due to a minor thigh strain but Head Coach, Jan Versleijen has named a strong team of twenty that includes sixteen players from the Hyundai A-League and National Youth League, and four from overseas clubs.
The Under 20 side will continue its two day camp in Sydney this week before departing for South America on Wednesday.
The full Qantas Young Socceroos squad is as follows:
Luke Brattan (Brisbane Roar)
Isaka Cernak Okanya (Brisbane Roar)
Alex Cisak (Leicester City, UK)
Peter Cvetanovski (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany)
Kofi Danning (Sydney FC)
Luke DeVere (Brisbane Roar)
Nathan Elasi (Melbourne Victory)
Antony Golec (Sydney FC)
Jason Hoffman (Newcastle Jets)
Matthew Jurman (Sydney FC)
Osama Malik (North Queensland Fury)
Tahj Minniecon (Gold Coast United)
Aaron Mooy (Bolton Wanderers, UK)
Sam Munro (Sydney FC)
Jason Naidovski (Newcastle Jets)
Mitch Nichols (Brisbane Roar)
Chris Payne (Sydney FC)
Andrew Redmayne (Central Coast Mariners)
Nikola Stanojevic (AIS)
Rocco Visconte (Hearts FC, Scotland)
