South Melbourne FC

The Blue and White Forever

Young Socceroos Prepare For Crucial Qualifier

Young Socceroos Prepare For Crucial Qualifier

Wednesday, 18 December 2002 12:00 AM

A surprise victory over Australia’s cross Tasman rivals has seen Fiji, a footballing minnow nation top Group B and set up a two-legged affair with the Young Socceroos beginning with a clash this Saturday afternoon at Bob Jane Stadium.

An aggregate victory over Fiji and Australia will qualify for the Under 20 Youth World Cup being held the United Arab Emirates from 25 March – 16 April 2003. Australia who easily accounted for their Group A is currently residing in Melbourne in preparation for the crucial encounter.

A young Socceroo victory will definitely cap off what has been a successful week for Australian Soccer with FIFA announcing that Oceania will have direct qualification to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Former Back-to-Back South Melbourne Championship coach and current Young Socceroo coach, Ange Postecoglou with the assistance of Victorian Institute of Sport coach Ernie Merrick, is carrying out his training sessions at a familiar Bob Jane Stadium. His squad has been training quite well and is looking forward to clash against Fiji.

“Training has been good. We didn’t have the proper training facilities in Vanuatu but the boys have been working hard throughout the campaign. The players are keen to get stuck into the next two matches”, says Postecoglou.

South Melbourne has three youngsters in the squad, Murdocca, Lia and Baird who are all fighting for a spot in Saturday’s squad. All three players took part in the qualifiers with Vince Lia scoring in the second match against Papa New Guinea.

“The South Melbourne boys are going well. They all played a part in the group matches and will definitely play a role at some stage of the two qualifying matches against Fiji. I am very happy with them”, says the Young Socceroo coach.

Don’t forget to watch Australia’s brightest stars as the Young Socceroos take on Fiji this Saturday at Bob Jane Stadium. The squad will immediately travel to Fiji for the second leg, which will be played on Monday 23 December. Kick off for Saturday’s first leg at home is at 1.30 PM.

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