Perth Glory defender Josh Risdon has been selected in an 18-player squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympic Games – Third Round match against Iraq which will be played at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford on Wednesday 14 March 2012.
Perth Glory defender Josh Risdon has been selected in an 18-player squad for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympic Games – Third Round match against Iraq which will be played at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford on Wednesday 14 March 2012.
It-s the first time, the 19 year old has received a call-up to the Qantas Australian U23s for the current campaign.
“It-s great to be picked in the Aussie squad and I-m really excited to get over there and do my best,” Risdon said today.
“I was disappointed not to be called up for the earlier games because I thought had been playing well this season but I-m now looking forward to the opportunity.”
Risdon will leave Perth after Sunday- blockbuster against league leaders Central Coast Mariners and return on Thursday. He will not miss any games for Perth Glory.
“Yeah, it will be an extremely busy week but I-m ready and focused.”
It-s been a breakthrough season for the Bunbury teenager. Elevated to the starting eleven in the absence of the injured Scott Neville, Risdon has shone at right full-back, playing 17 games so far this season.
“I-m loving it at the moment, the team is doing really well,” he added
Risdon is one of ten new faces to squad that is unable to qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
“It is obvious that mathematically we can-t qualify for the Olympic Games, but that doesn-t change the fact that this is an international match that we want to win,” Qantas Australian Under 23s Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar said.
“We have also selected the current group of players with the upcoming inaugural AFC U22 Asian Championship in mind to give them some valuable competitive international match experience.
“Although we will only have a limited preparation, I am sure that the boys will be looking to finish the campaign with a positive result.”
Qantas Australian U-23s Squad List
Zac ANDERSON Gold Coast United, Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk) Adelaide United, Kofi DANNING Brisbane Roar, Nicholas FITZGERALD Brisbane Roar, Sam GALLAGHER Central Coast Mariners, Craig GOODWIN Melbourne Heart, Rhyan GRANT Sydney FC, Brendan HAMILL Melbourne Heart, Chris HAROLD Gold Coast United, Bernie IBINI Central Coast Mariners, James JEGGO Melbourne Victory, Ben KANTAROVSKI Newcastle Jets, Mitchell MALLIA Sydney FC, Jacob PEPPER Newcastle Jets, Dimitrios PETRATOS Sydney FC, Joshua RISDON Perth Glory, Tom ROGIC Central Coast Mariners, Lawrence THOMAS (gk) Melbourne Victory
as at Wednesday 7 March 2012
AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2012 London Games – Third Round
Qantas Australian U23s v Iraq
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Kick-off: 4:30pm (Perth time)
