The young Socceroos are coming to Campbelltown next month when they will play one of two vital matches against New Zealand.
Australia’s best will line up at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Monday, September 9 against New Zealand’s U23 team.
The two national teams will also meet each other in Wollongong a few days earlier.
A noted football supporter, Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic has welcomed the decision by Football Federation Australia to play one of the two matches here in Campbelltown.
“We’re proud to host the next generation of Socceroos at our first class Campbelltown Stadium venue,” he said.
“It’s a really exciting time for Campbelltown as we prepare to welcome Macarthur FC for the 2020-2021 Hyundai A-League season, and these games will only add to the sense of anticipation in our community,” Cr Brticevic said.
Both Australia and New Zealand are eyeing qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, where football is played by Under 23s teams.
These two matches will form part of the preparation for Olympic Games qualification competition.
In January, Australia’s U-23s will travel to Thailand to compete in the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship. At that tournament, the top three teams will earn the right to join host nation Japan as Asia’s representatives at Tokyo 2020.
“We are delighted to have been able to schedule two international friendlies for our under 23s on home soil ahead of the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship,” says FFA ceo David Gallop.
“These fixtures, combined with further preparatory games and camps that are in the pipeline for later in 2019, will help set the platform for the team’s bid to qualify for Tokyo.
“The fixtures will also provide supporters in Wollongong and Campbelltown with the chance to watch some of Australia’s brightest young footballers, including many from the Hyundai A-League, on their doorstep.”
Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold said the fixtures represented a great chance for the squad to gel as the countdown to January’s important Asian Championship continues.
“The boys did a great job in Cambodia in March to qualify for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship,” Arnold said.
“Now it’s important that we get them together regularly in the lead up to January so that they are as prepared as possible to achieve the target of earning a place at the Olympics.”
SNAPSHOT
WHAT Australia U23 v New Zealand U23
WHEN: Monday, 9 September 2019
VENUE: Campbelltown Stadium, Campbelltown
KICK-OFF: 7.30pm AEST
TICKETS: Tickets to this fixture will go on sale at 9am AEST on Friday, 9 August 2019 – visit www.socceroos.com.au for details
