Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar has named a bolstered squad ahead of two matches against Turkey U21 and FYROM U21 in September.
The matches scheduled in Istanbul and Skopje are in preparation for January’s Olympic Games qualifiers and the AFC U23 Championships in Doha next year.
“These two matches against quality strong opposition are an important part of our preparations leading into next January,” Vidmar said.
“It will be a difficult challenge for us, with the players in the squad at various stages of preparation ranging from being in season, in pre-season or in some cases uncontracted, but we are confident that these issues will be resolved by October.
“There are a number of new faces included as well and this will be their chance to see if they can fit into the playing group.
“There are only a limited number of opportunities left for the players to claim a place in the final squad before we head to Doha in January and these matches will be a critical part of that process.
Present will be recent PAOK FC signing Terry Antonis, who made the switch from Sydney FC in the off-season, and Chris Ikonomidis, who is about to embark on his first full-season on Serie A club SS Lazio’s senior list.
The matches will feature on 4 September against Turkey U21, and September 7 against FYROM U21.
Squad:
Jack Duncan (Randers FC, Denmark), Jason Geria (Melbourne Victory FC), Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Swansea FC, England), James Donachie (Brisbane Roar FC), Milos Degenek (1860 Munich, Germany), Joshua Brillante (Empoli, Italy), Andrew Hoole (Sydney FC), Ryan Edwards (uncontracted), Jamie Maclaren (Brisbane Roar FC), Mustafa Amini (Randers FC, Denmark), Connor Pain (Melbourne Victory FC), John Hall (Adelaide United FC), Brandon Borrello (Brisbane Roar FC), Terry Antonis (PAOK FC, Greece), Scott Galloway (Melbourne Victory FC), Steven Ugarkovic (NK Osijek, Croatia), Daniel De Silva (Roda JC Kerkrade, Netherlands), Paul Izzo (Central Coast Mariners FC), Cameron Burgess (Fulham FC, England), Riley Woodcock (Sydney FC), Chris Ikonomidis (SS Lazio, Italy), Adam Taggart (Fulham FC, England), Brad Smith (uncontracted).
Source: SBS/FFA