Australia

International Squad
[Name (Cap, Goals) - Club]

Goalkeepers
John Baldwin (7,0) - Brisbane Strikers
Travis Smith (0,0) - Perth Glory
Pip Bachelor (4,0) - Wollongong Wolves

Defenders
Basilio Razov (7,2) - South Melbourne
Paul Tollis (15,1) - Fenerbahçe
Nick Valeri (10,1) - Shakhter Soligorsk
Carlos Roberto Brima (0,0) - Kabylie
Adam Lord (5,0) - Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Davorin Gonzalez (2,0) - Brisbane Strikers
Andrew Tait (0,0) - Racing Santander
Nick Williams (0,0) - Perth Glory

Midfielders
Walter Cansdell-Sherriff (4,0) - Wollongong Wolves
Richard West (9,2) - Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Kevin Murdocca (5,1) - Flamengo
Michael Monterosso (0,0) - Panionios
Alex Haritay (3,2) - Wollongong Wolves
Billy Celeski (6,0) - Yokohama Marinos

Attackers
Steve Larkin (8,3) - Lazio SS
Carl Janic (2,0) - Melbourne Knights
Osman Greenwood (4,1) - Perth Glory
Sergun Martinez (0,0) - Brisbane Strikers
Mile Brent (0,0) - Sydney Olympic Sharks

Australia Coach Jatex Ko named a provisional 22 men squad for the upcoming friendlies against South Africa, the Czech Republic and the double header against Mexico. True to form, Ko has called up some younger players who were unfortunate to miss out on the World Cup squad together with some of Australia's more promising youngsters.

The squad is made up of both domestic and foreign-based players, the most experienced of them Fenerbahçe hard-tackling defender Paul Tollis with 15 caps. The 22 men were trimmed down from the 30 originally called up by Ko, with players like Nigel Aplegren and Simon Welch unlucky to miss.

The Socceroos will kick off this friendly campaign away to South Africa and Bafana Bafana are likely to give these largely untested youngsters a stern test.

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Jatex Ko
Stabæk

South Africa 2 - 2 Australia
International Friendly, FNB Stadium

The spunky Socceroos were held in check by the South Africans yesterday as they played out an entertaining match.

Far from being just a meaningless friendly, the match was a lively affair with 6 yellow cards being shown by the referee, of which 4 were to the visitors. Bafana Bafana started brightly with Simphiwe Mashao rounding goalkeeper John Baldwin to slot in the first goal of the match after 12 minutes.

Australia soon replied through Lazio sharpshooter Steve Larkin in the 24th minute through a delicate chip on goal after fine work from strike partner Carl Janic.

Five minutes before half time, it was Janic's turn to get on the scoresheet as the Melbourne Knights player went on a lung busting sprint through static defenders to smash home a superb solo effort.

Eventual man of the match Tony Mawunda equalised in the 56th minute after a defensive mixup in the Aussie defence. The young Aussie squad appeared flustered as the cards started piling up, but held on in the end to earn a credible draw.

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Jatex Ko
Stabæk

Brima, Martinez in the reckoning
Socceroos due to face Czechs

Australia manager Jatex Ko is expected to name a vastly changed lineup as they line up against a strong Czech Republic side at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

There have been signs that Ko is ready to hand debuts to some of the Australian youngsters, amongst them 21 year old Kabylie defender Carlos Roberto Brima and Brisbane Strikers forward Sergun Martinez. Teenage defenders Andrew Tait and Nick Williams are also in with a shout, having impressed with Racing Santander and Perth Glory respectively.

Uncapped goalkeeper Travis Smith will be anxiously awaiting the team sheet too, for the 25 year old Perth custodian could not have imagined an international callup just a month ago. However, after some excellent performance in the domestic league, it seems his chance has arrived. Brisbane's John Baldwin has long been seen as the Aussie's number 1 in waiting, but Smith could just give him a run for his money if he impresses.

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Jatex Ko
Stabæk

Australia 0 - 1 Czech Republic
Brave Socceroos go out to Czechs

International Friendly, MCG

Debuts were handed to a clutch of young Socceroos last night as they succumbed to a tight 0-1 loss to their more experienced opposition.

It was always going to be tough with a pair of teenagers in central defence, but the Australian side did themselves no little amount of credit by holding out until the 72nd minute as the Czechs bombarded the Aussie goal.

Travis Smith was excellent on his maiden appearance in the green and gold, earning the post match plaudits with a confident display between the sticks. Time and time again, he was called upon to deflect a barrage of Czech attempts on goal as the defence was carved up all too easily.

The visitors had the lion's share of the ball and did not hesitate in rampaging up the pitch in search of goals. Sergun Martinez and Mile Brent may have been new to the international stage, but they hardly had much to do as the ball rarely strayed into the visitor's side of the pitch.

Manager Jatex Ko was unavailable for comment after the game, but assistant coach Matthew Kemp praised the fighting spirit shown by the young side. The Socceroos will face Mexico at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, before travelling to Mexico City for the return leg the next day.

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Jatex Ko
Stabæk