Joeys jet off for tournament

The Qantas Joeys will take part in a Four-Nations tournament in Peru next week as it prepares for the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship to be held in the same South American nation in September.

The Australians will face Costa Rica, Peru and Ecuador in the tournament before a final tour match against Peru.

"This tour will provide excellent preparation for the players and staff," said National Youth Coach Ange Postecoglou.

"All the matches will be against quality opposition and will also give all squad members experience of the conditions that we can expect in September."

The Qantas Joeys have been drawn in a tough group for the FIFA U-17 World Championship and will face European Champions Turkey, South American qualifiers Uruguay as well as Mexico. The tournament will be held in Peru from 16 September until 2 October.

The squad to tour Peru is:

Goalkeepers
Alex Vrteski (WA)
Daniel Ireland (NSW)

Defenders
Jamie Cumming (VIC)
Matt Spiranovic (VIS)
Wade Oostendorp (Sydney FC, NSW)
David D?Apuzzo (NSW)
Scott Weidenbach (SA)
Omar Hamid (QLD)

Midfielders
Leigh Broxham (VIC)
Matt Mullen (SA)
Brendan Maroney (NSW)
Kaz Patafta (ACT)
Joel Allwright (SA)
Scott Gannon (SA)
Michael Zullo (QLD)

Forwards
David Williams (QLD)
Robbie Kruse (QLD)
Daniel Miller (NSW)
Corey Slevin (QLD)
Ben Vidaic (NSW)

Stand-by players
Daniel Visevic (VIC)
Rostyn Griffiths (WA)
Jason Naidovski (NSW)
Shanon Lancini (QLD)


The tour schedule is:

JULY 24 - tournament
1pm: Australia v Costa Rica
3pm: Peru v Ecuador

JULY 26 - tournament
1pm: Ecuador v Costa Rica
3pm; Australia v Peru

JULY 28 - tournament
1pm: Australia v Ecuador
3pm: Peru v Costa Rica

JULY 30
Australia v Peru - international match