A host of European-based talent has been blocked from Olyroos selection for the Under-23 Asian Cup, with head coach Tony Vidmar unveiling a 23-player squad for the upcoming tournament. The squad, aimed at qualifying for the Paris Olympics, consists mainly of players who reached the final of the recent WAFF Championship in Saudi Arabia.
The tournament, scheduled from April 15 to May 3, will see the top three finishers automatically qualify for Paris, while the fourth-placed team will face Guinea in a playoff for the final slot. Despite challenges in player availability, 15 members of the squad currently play in the A-League Men, with Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory contributing three players each.
Notable European-based players in the squad include Garang Kuol from Newcastle United, Mohamed Toure from Reims (on loan at Paris FC), Jacob Italiano from Borussia Mönchengladbach, Louis D'Arrigo from Lechia Gdansk, and Adrian Segecic from FC Dordrecht. However, six players were not released by their clubs, impacting their availability for the tournament.
Adelaide United's Nestory Irankunda, despite scoring a hat trick in a recent match, has not been selected for the squad. Football Australia has opted for a cautious approach with the 18-year-old attacker, emphasizing a gradual progression through the junior pathway to ensure a sustainable international career.
Coach Vidmar expressed the importance of nurturing young talents like Irankunda for long-term success, highlighting the need to protect players from premature burnout. The squad comprises a mix of experienced players and promising talents, aiming to secure a spot in the Paris Olympics through a strong performance at the Under-23 Asian Cup.
The selected squad includes goalkeepers Patrick Beach, Cameron Cook, and Steven Hall, defenders such as Jordan Courtney-Perkins and Mark Natta, midfielders Louis D'Arrigo and Ryan Teague, and forwards Alou Kuol and Mohamed Toure, among others.
