Perth Glory’s 16-year-old rising star Danny De Silva has been selected in Paul Okon’s Young Socceroos Squad for the upcoming AFC U-19 Qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur.
Perth Glory’s 16-year-old rising star Danny De Silva has been selected in Paul Okon’s Young Socceroos Squad for the upcoming AFC U-19 Qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur.
Following Glory’s game against the WA Amateur State Team on Wednesday night, De Silva will meet up with the rest of Paul Okon’s squad ahead of their matches against Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Vietnam from September 27 to October 10.
Perth Glory head Coach Alistair Edwards says it-s fantastic news.
“What a great achievement for him and the club,” Edwards said.
“Ït-s wonderful for WA football and the club that such a young player has been selected.”
“t helps with his development as a player and as an individual. We want to get as many as possible in the national team.”
De Silva was also delighted with his call up.
“I-m really excited to be chosen again,”De Silva said.
“It-s always a great honour to represent Australia and I-m sure it will be another fantastic experience.”
“It will be nice to meet up with the players from the previous campaign and play under Paul Okon once again.”
Glory defender Riley Woodcock was also selected in the initial 23-man squad but unfortunately had to pull out of the team having only just returned from injury.
Perth Glory head Coach Alistair Edwards is sure Woodcock will be back.
“We-ve had great feedback from the FFA about Riley-s performances in Spain (with the Young Socceroos in the COTIF tournament in August),”Edwards said.
“Unfortunately Riley-s had a minor operation so he-s had to pull out of this but I-m sure he-ll be back in the international fold soon.”
Midfielder Matthew Davies was another player in the COTIF tournament but missed out on selection this time, although Edwards is confident Davies is heading in the right direction.
“He-s got such great attitude and character, we-re sure he-ll be back in the mix soon.”
“He-s doing really well in the A-League environment,” he added.
In further good news for WA football, former Cockburn SC and Football West National Training Centre goal keeper Luke Radonich was also selected.
Radonich has been playing with the Melbourne Victory Youth team and will return to WA following the completion of the AFC U-19 Qualifiers Tournament.
