Gombau names Australia Under-23 squad for training camp

The Australian Under 23 squad will assemble in Sydney from 14-19 May 2017 for a training camp in preparation for the AFC Under 23 Championship China 2018 qualifying matches to be held in July in Myanmar.

Olyroos mentor Josep Gombau Source: Getty Images Europe

The majority of the 24 players selected for the camp by Australian Under 23 Men’s National Team Head Coach Josep Gombau are currently at Hyundai A-League clubs, with the additional three being overseas-based trio Thomas Deng, Thomas Glover and Jordan Holmes. 

Glover and Holmes are amongst four goalkeepers who will attend the camp along with Adelaide United pair Paul Izzo and Daniel Margush.

The announced squad is a big departure from the previous development and youth identification camp in Spain during March.

That training camp comprised entirely of European players, with the exception of Newcastle Jet's defender Nicholas Cowburn, who will also feature in the Sydney camp.

Gombau will use the training camp to decide on the makeup of his final squad for July’s qualifiers, saying this group would form the nucleus of the team that travels to Myanmar.

“I am happy with this squad because most of the 24 players we have picked for this camp have been getting game time in the Hyundai A-League and a number of them have been playing in the first eleven which is important,” said Gombau.

“The majority of the squad that we take to the qualifiers in July will come from this group of players so the training camp will be a valuable time to work together on the style, the philosophy and our tactical movements.”

“Following this camp we’ll also have ten days to bring the squad together before the tournament so I am confident we can do a good job once we get there.”

To qualify for next year’s AFC U-23 Championship, Australia needs to top its group or be one of the best five second placed teams of the ten qualifying groups.

Australia's Group F opponents will be Myanmar, Singapore and Brunei.