Loading...

Nieuwenhof named in Australian U-23 Men to commence Paris 2024 Olympics™ Qualification

Wanderer Calem Nieuwenhof has been named in the Australian U-23 men’s national football team set to commence their Paris 2024 Olympics™ qualification preparations this month.

Comprising of fifteen footballers from the Isuzu UTE A-League Men competition and nine overseas-based players, this is Tony Vidmar’s first squad since being appointed Subway Olyroos’ Head Coach, with the camp to be held at the Australian Institute of Sport European Training Centre located in Gavirate, Varese in Northern Italy.

The Subway Olyroos have an important seven months ahead, with the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Qualifiers scheduled for 4 – 12 September 2023, and if the team progresses, the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ in early 2024 (dates to be confirmed by AFC) which double as Paris 2024 Olympics™ qualifiers.

“We have selected an exciting squad of 24-players for this camp in Italy, which is reward for their strong performances in the A-League Men’s competition and their respective club sides overseas,” explained Vidmar.

“As a squad, we only have a small window of time to prepare for our AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, with this camp being one of only two we will have prior to September. So, this time at the Australian Institute of Sport European Training Centre will be an important opportunity for the players we’ve not seen for some time to impress the coaching staff for future selection,” said Vidmar.

As part of the nine-day camp, the Subway Olyroos will play two friendly matches against quality opposition in the form of the Switzerland U-21 national team in Bellinzona, Switzerland on Friday, 24 March (7.00pm local time) and Serie B outfit, Como 1907 (venue TBC) on Monday, 27 March (3.00pm local).

“Holding this camp in Europe has provided us with the opportunity to organise two matches against top-level competition, which we need when you consider it’s almost nine months since the Olyroos last played together,” said Vidmar.

“Being able to give all players the chance to test themselves against quality teams is important leading into the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in September and the AFC U-23 Asian Cup early next year, which double as Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifiers,” concluded Vidmar.

The Subway Olyroos will come together again from 2 – 18 June, when they contest the Maurice Revello Tournament 2023 in Aix-en-Provence, France. This event features twelve U-23 national men’s teams from five Confederations, where it’s expected that Australia will play at least four matches across the 16-days, providing ideal tournament preparation ahead of the September qualifiers.

The draw for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ qualifiers is set to take place in May.

Subway Olyroos’ Squad l Italy Training Camp l 20 – 28 March 2023

NAMEPOSITIONCURRENT CLUB (as at 7 March ’23)JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB
AQUILINA, ThomasDefenderNewcastle Jets FCMount Annan Mustangs FC (Football NSW)
BILOKAPIC, NicholasGoalkeeperHuddersfield Town AFC, EnglandSydney United 58 FC (Football NSW)
BOTIC, NoahForwardWestern United FCHurstville ZFC (Football NSW)
BROOK, LachlanForwardCrew Alexandra FC, EnglandGawler Eagles FC (Football South Australia)
COOK, CameronGoalkeeperPerth Glory FCVikings FC (Football Northern Territory)
COURTNEY-PERKINS, JordanDefenderBrisbane Roar FCNewmarket SFC (Football Queensland)
D’ARRIGO, LouisMidfielderAdelaide United FCWest Torrens Birkalla SC (Football South Australia)
FARRELL, JacobDefenderCentral Coast Mariners FCWyoming FC (Football NSW)
FRANCOIS, MarleeMidfielderBristol City FC (Youth), EnglandCamden Tigers FC (Football NSW)
HARRISON, JordanMidfielderWatford FC (Youth), EnglandManchester City FC (England)
HOLLMAN, JakeMidfielderMacarthur FCSeaforth FC (Football NSW)
ITALIANO, JacobForwardBorussia Monchengladbach II, GermanyInglewood United FC (Football West)
JELACIC, KeeganMidfielderPerth Glory FCCoomera Colts SC (Football Queensland)
KUOL, AlouForwardVfB Stuttgart, GermanyShepparton SC (Football Victoria)
MAURAGIS, LucasDefenderWellington Phoenix FCMerimbula Grasshoppers FC (Football NSW)
NATTA, MarkDefenderNewcastle Jets FCSutherland Sharks FC (Football NSW)
NIEUWENHOF, CalemMidfielderWestern Sydney Wanderers FCCurl Curl FC (Football NSW)
PEUPION, CameronForwardBrighton Hove & Albion FC (Youth), EnglandWakehurst FC (Football NSW)
POPOVIC, AlexandarDefenderAdelaide United FCAdelaide Comets FC (Football South Australia)
SHALAMANOV-TRENKOVA, IliaGoalkeeperPFC CSKA Sofia, BulgariaPFC Belasitsa Petrich (Bulgaria)
TALBOT, CallumDefenderMelbourne City FCGymea United FC (Football NSW)
TREWIN, KaiDefenderBrisbane Roar FCGunghalin United FC (Capital Football)
VELUPILLAY, NishanForwardMelbourne Victory FCEndeavour United SC (Football Victoria)
YAZBEK, PatrickMidfielderViking FK, NorwayAustral Soccer Club (Football NSW)