Australia national under-23 football team
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| Australian U23 Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nickname(s) | Olyroos | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Association | Football Federation Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Head coach |  Graham Arnold |
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| Captain | Mark Milligan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIFA code | AUS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| First international | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australia 1 - 2 New Caledonia  (Nouméa, New Caledonia; November 6, 1967) |
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| Biggest win | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australia 12 - 0 Vanuatu  (Adelaide, Australia; January 25, 1996) |
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| Biggest defeat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australia 1 - 6 Poland  (Barcelona, Spain; August 5, 1992) |
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The Australian Under 23 football team, more commonly known as the Olyroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia at football (soccer) in the Olympic Games.
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[edit] Tournament History
The Olyroos have achieved some success in previous Olympic tournaments. Significantly, the team reached the semi-finals in Barcelona 1992, at the first tournament to be played in an under-23 format. The 'Olyroos' beat Denmark 3-0 & drew with Mexico during the group stage, and then beat Sweden in their quarter-final. Subsequent losses to Poland and Ghana led the team to a fourth placing. Incredibly, a young Tony Vidmar, who scored two crucial goals for Australia at that tournament, would still be an active international for Australia fourteen years later during qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The Olyroos also reached the quarter finals in the 1988 and 2004 Olympic tournaments, in Seoul & Athens respectively.
In 2000 at the Sydney Olympics the team lost all 3 group stage matches, to Italy, Nigeria & Honduras at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium respectively, much to the dissapointment of the local media and then-active Australian Soccer Association. Currently, the team is managed by FFA staff Graham Arnold and Rob Baan, and the playing squad is drawn from clubs across Australia and Europe.
[edit] First Asian Campaign
The Olyroos' first qualifying game for the 2008 Beijing Olympics was held on February 7, 2007, when Australia hosted Taiwan in Adelaide. Midfielder Kristian Sarkies became the first player to score a hat-trick for the Under-23's in the Asian competition and Australia won the home tie 11–0. They then travelled to Taipei and narrowly edged out the home side 1–0 in difficult conditions to advance to the second stage of the qualifications.
In February, 2007 the Olyroos played Iran in the first game of the second round, which resulted in a 0–0 draw. In the second game of the round, against Jordan in Adelaide, they drew 1–1. This result left Australia in second spot, four points behind leaders Saudi Arabia. Against Saudi Arabia, Australia won the first leg 2–0 and lost 2–1 in the second. In May 2007 they defeated Iran 3–1. Australia qualified for the third and final round of the Asian qualifications after beating Jordan 4–0 in their final game in June 2007.
The Olyroos met Iraq, Korea DPR and Lebanon at the final round (August till November 2007). Australia started their campaign with a scoreless draw against Iraq in Doha. Then the Olyroos went on to win their home games against North Korea (1–0) and Lebanon (3–0). After another scoreless draw against Lebanon in Beirut, Australia was behind Iraq with both eight points but Iraq leading because of the better goal difference. The decisive match was held in Gosford on November 17, 2007 and saw the Olyroos emerging as 2–0 winners thanks to goal from Adrian Leijer and Mark Milligan. The following 1–1 draw against North Korea in Pyongyang sealed Australia's qualification for Beijing, as they finished as group winners with 12 points, one more than Iraq.
[edit] Tournament Records
[edit] Olympic Football Tournament
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
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| 1908 - 1952 | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1956 | Round 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 1960 - 1984 | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1988 | Quarterfinals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 1992 | Semifinals | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 11 |
| 1996 | Round 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 2000 | Round 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 2004 | Quarterfinals | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| 2008 | |||||||
| Total | 21 | 7 | 2 | 12 | 27 | 37 |
- DNQ - Did not qualify
- DNP - Did not participate
[edit] Olympic Games Campaigns
From 2006 to 2008, the Olyroos were involved in 2008 Olympic Games Qualification through the AFC for the first time.
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For more details on this topic, see Australia national under-23 football team 2008 Olympic Games campaign.
[edit] Players
[edit] Current Squad
The following players have been named in the squad for the Intercontinental Cup as preparation for the 2008 Olympics.
- ~ Also called up to Socceroos squad against Ghana
[edit] Recent Call-Ups
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- * Injured
- ** Unavailable
- *** Suspended
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- AFC 2008 Olympic Games Qualification Website
- FFA - Official Website for the Olyroos
- FFA - Player Profiles
- FFA - History
- Oz Football Olyroos Archive
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National football teams of Australia
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