Antonis headlines strong Olyroos squad

Sydney FC midfielder Terry Antonis, a member of Australia's 2015 AFC Asian Cup-winning team, was one of 11 A-League players selected by Australia U-23 coach Aurelio Vidmar in a strong squad to contest the AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers in Chinese Taipei this month.

Sydney FC star Terry Antonis is bound for Greece. (AAP) Source: AAP

Vidmar has also called up 12 players from overseas clubs for matches in Group F against Hong Kong (27 March), Chinese Taipei (29 March) and Myanmar (31 March) in Kaohsiung City.

The squad includes 2014 FIFA World Cup striker Adam Taggart, Liverpool FC’s Brad Smith and Empoli midfielder Josh Brillante.

“It’s exciting to start the qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games and we’ve put together a squad that has some good international experience and showing good form at club level, both in Australia and throughout Europe,” Vidmar said.

“The bulk of the squad played in the friendlies late last year when we defeated Korea Republic and drew with Brazil and we have been able to add some experienced firepower in Terry Antonis, Josh Brillante, Adam Taggart, Brad Smith, and Daniel De Silva to that group.”

Australia U-23 squad:

Name	Club/Country
Mustafa AMINI	Borussia Dortmund, Germany
Terry ANTONIS	Sydney FC, Australia
Josh BRILLANTE	Empoli, Italy
Corey BROWN	Brisbane Roar, Australia
Cameron BURGESS	Ross County, Scotland
Daniel DE SILVA	Perth Glory, Australia
James DONACHIE	Brisbane Roar, Australia
Jack DUNCAN (gk)	Perth Glory, Australia
Ryan EDWARDS	Reading FC, England
Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO	Swansea FC, England
Scott GALLOWAY	Melbourne Victory, Australia
Jason GERIA	Melbourne Victory, Australia
John HALL (gk)	Adelaide United, Australia
Andrew HOOLE	Newcastle Jets, Australia
Jackson IRVINE	Ross County, Scotland
Aaron LENNOX (gk)	Queens Park Rangers, England
Jamie MACLAREN	Perth Glory, Australia
Connor PAIN	Melbourne Victory, Australia
Brad SMITH	Liverpool, England
Adam TAGGART	Fulham FC, England
Steven UGARKOVIC	NK Osijek, Croatia
Ryan WILLIAMS	Fulham FC, England
Kwame YEBOAH	Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany

Vidmar claimed his team will look to play the same style as the senior team, as Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou looks to implement a national team philosophy across the age divisions.

“An important part of the changes that have been driven by Ange include aligning the structures of all the National teams to enable players to make a smooth transition through the age groups,” Vidmar said.

“The players will operate under the same conditions and structures as the Socceroos so they understand what is required to play international football, which will help in our endeavours to qualify for the Olympic Games but also assist with their development as footballers.”

Group F Match Schedule:

Date	Match	Venue	Kick-Off Local	Kick-Off AEDT
27 March 2015	Australia v Hong Kong	National Stadium, Kaohsiung City	4:00pm	7:00pm
27 March 2015	Myanmar v Chinese Taipei	National Stadium, Kaohsiung City	7:00pm	10:00pm
29 March 2015	Hong Kong v Myanmar	National Stadium, Kaohsiung City	4:00pm	7:00pm
29 March 2015	Chinese Taipei v Australia	National Stadium, Kaohsiung City	7:00pm	10:00pm
31 March 2015	Australia v Myanmar	National Stadium, Kaohsiung City	4:00pm	7:00pm
31 March 2015	Chinese Taipei v Hong Kong	National Stadium, Kaohsiung City	7:00pm	10:00pm

The AFC U-23 Championship, which will be played in Qatar in 2016, also doubles as the qualification tournament for the 2016 Olympic Games. The top three ranked teams from the AFC U-23 Championship qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games Football Tournament.

To progress to the AFC U-23 Championship, the Olyroos need to finish top of Group F in Chinese Taipei or be one of the best five second placed teams.