Young Socceroos and Joey's Qualifying Draw

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Posted on FFA website 8th April:

The Qantas Young Socceroos (Under 19) have drawn Jordan, Thailand and Uzbekistan in the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Under 19 Championship to be held in Saudi Arabia later this year.

The top two teams in the group will progress to the quarter finals and meet those teams who progress from Group C which contains DPR Korea, China, Tajikistan and Lebanon. Groups A and B contains the likes of South Korea, Iraq, Japan, Iran and host-nation Saudi Arabia.

The four semi-finalists of the AFC U-19 Championship will represent Asia at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt next year.

The Qantas Young Socceroos commenced their road to the World Cup after progressing past the first stage of qualification last November.

A number of Hyundai A-League players have already featured in the campaign to date including recently capped Qantas Socceroo James Holland and Newcastle Jets team mate Jason Hoffman, Queensland Roar attacking pair Tahj Minniecon and Mitch Nichols, Adelaide United's Matthew Mullen, Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne plus Melbourne Victory duo Sebastian Ryall and Nathan Elasi.

All matches in the AFC U-19 Championship will be played at the Prince Mohamed Bin Fahd Stadium (Groups A and C) in Dammam and the Prince Saudi Bin Jalawi Stadium in Al Khobar (Groups B and D) from 31 October to 14 November 2008.

AFC U-19 Championship - Group D:

Australia v Thailand
Saturday 1 October

Australia v Uzbekistan
Monday 3 November

Australia v Jordan
Wednesday 5 November

Quarter Finals
Saturday 8 November

Semi Finals
Tuesday 11 November

Final
Friday 14 November



AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP 2008 FINALS DRAW

GROUP A
1. Japan
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Iran
4. Yemen

GROUP B
1. Korea Republic
2. Iraq
3. UAE
4. Syria

GROUP C
1. DPR Korea
2. China
3. Tajikistan
4. Lebanon

GROUP D
1. Jordan
2. Australia
3. Thailand
4. Uzbekistan


Posted on FFA website 3rd of April:

The Qantas Joeys face a tough path to the 2009 U-17 World Cup following the Asian qualifying draw overnight, with Australia grouped alongside Saudi Arabia and China - both two-time Asian Champions - and Turkmenistan.

The 16-nation AFC U-16 Championship will be held in Uzbekistan from October 4-19 with the top four nations to qualify for next year's World Cup in Nigeria.

"This would undoubtedly be the toughest group on paper but the most difficult thing is that we don't yet know the relative strengths of most of the teams,” said Australian coach Martyn Crook who attended the draw in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent.

"Both Saudi Arabia and China have twice previously been crowned Asian champions and have a strong record at this level.

"Turkmenistan are a neighbouring country to the hosts and will to some degree be experienced with the conditions.

"The opening match of the campaign against Saudi Arabia will be crucial."

Australia have a strong record at youth level and were runners-up at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1999.



AFC U-16 Championship - Group C Fixtures:

Australia v Saudi Arabia
Sunday 5 October

Australia v China
Tuesday 7 October

Australia v Turkmenistan
Thursday 9 October



What does everyone think of the chances of the two teams?