Four Central Coast Mariners players are in line to make their senior international debuts, after Dean Heffernan, Dylan Macallister, Matt Simon and Danny Vukovic were all included in Pim Verbeek’s 21-man Socceroos squad that is set to take on Indonesia in Jakarta later this month.
Four Central Coast Mariners players are in line to make their senior international debuts, after Dean Heffernan, Dylan Macallister, Matt Simon and Danny Vukovic were all included in Pim Verbeek’s 21-man Socceroos squad that is set to take on Indonesia in Jakarta later this month.
Each of the aforementioned foursome are yet to figure for their country at senior level, but have each been rewarded for their strong domestic showings of late, which has helped the Mariners to the cusp of a third Finals Series berth.
Simon has been arguably the most impressive, having netted a club record 11 Hyundai A-League goals on the back of an appearance at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Strike partner Macallister has been a cornerstone of the Mariners’ starting side since returning from Norway’s Tippeligaen in the off-season – netting four goals and supplying a host of assists to underline his value to his country, which he last represented at Qantas Under 23’s level in 2004.
Heffernan and Vukovic have each been included in Socceroos squads previously, though only the latter has worn green and gold at any level, with Vukovic the sole player to contribute to every qualifier that earned the Qantas Under 23-s their place in Beijing last year.
Heffernan, Macallister, Simon and Vukovic will depart for Jakarta after Sunday-s Hyundai A-League fixture between the Mariners and Adelaide United at Bluetongue Stadium and will return to the Central Coast in time for the first week of the Finals Series should the Mariners qualify.
“With such a packed international calendar coming up, there is a tremendous opportunity for all Hyundai A-League players to gain experience at the highest level and we-re thrilled that Dean, Dylan, Matt and Danny have been granted such an opportunity on this occasion,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“Each have contributed immensely to our Hyundai A-League season to date and, if given the chance, will represent their country with distinction.
“I-m sure that our Members and supporters will join me in congratulating Dean, Dylan, Matt and Danny for their achievement and will wish them and their Socceroos team-mates all the very best in Indonesia.”
Australia will kick off their quest for qualification for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup while in Indonesia.
Indonesia, ranked 144th in the world by FIFA, are one of three opponents that the Socceroos have been drawn against in Group B of 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifying, alongside Kuwait and Oman.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, with Australia-s journey to Asia-s showpiece football tournament beginning at Jakarta-s 100,000 seater Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Wednesday, 28 January at 11.30pm AEDT.
Socceroos Squad
Daniel Allsopp (Melbourne Victory), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory), Shannon Cole (Sydney FC), Robert Cornthwaite (Adelaide United), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Dean Heffernan (Central Coast Mariners), Scott Jamieson (Adelaide United), Dylan Macallister (Central Coast Mariners), Matt McKay (Queensland Roar), Craig Moore (Queensland Roar), Tom Pondeljak (Melbourne Victory), Paul Reid (Adelaide United), Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners), Michael Theoklitos (Melbourne Victory), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Matt Thompson (Newcastle Jets), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), Rodrigo Vargas (Melbourne Victory), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar)
The Mariners will be back at their Bluetongue Stadium home on Sunday, 25 January to host AFC Champions League finalists Adelaide United in the final regular season round of the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 campaign. Kick off is at 7pm.
Tickets for this match are on sale from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
