Talented Central Coast Mariners Hyundai A-League recruit Liam Rose says he’ll be looking to impress Young Socceroos boss Paul Okon and his staff when the Australian U20 squad he has been selected for competes at the 2014 NTC Invitational tournament in the United States this month.
StarHub Center – Where the Young Socceroos will take on USA U20 on 18 July.
Rose and his teammates will fly to America on Wednesday, before taking on Bermuda (14 July), Chile (16 July) and the United States (18 July) in a four-team tournament at U.S. Soccer-s National Training Centre in Carson, California.
The USA training camp and international friendly matches are important components of the Young Socceroos- preparations for the AFC U-19 Championship in Myanmar in October this year, which also double as the qualification tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand to be held in July 2015.
“This tournament in the U.S. is a big tournament, and we-ll be playing against some good teams,” Rose said. “It will be good to show him [Okon] what I can do and hopefully seal a spot in the side and go from there. Hopefully I can impress.”
Rose is no stranger to representing Australia at youth level, having previously played for the Joeys (U17) in tournaments and camps in countries such as Laos, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, and Iran.
The young midfielder, who progressed through the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) system before signing a three-season contract with the Mariners which will start this season, said representing the green and gold is something he treasures.
“It-s a massive privilege and an honour, to be honest,” he said. “We didn-t make it in the 17s for the World Cup, so we-re really eager to qualify for the U20s World Cup next year. To play against the best players in the world for that age would be amazing.” Knowing that he was in with an opportunity to venture the United States with the Young Socceroos this month, Rose kept fit and sharp throughout the Mariners- holiday period by linking with New South Wales National Premier Leagues outfit Sydney United 58.
The Baulkham Hills born youngster said that the sessions Mark Rudan and his staff put on helped ready him for his next adventure abroad with the Young Socceroos.
“I-d like to thank him [Mark Rudan] heaps for giving me the opportunity to tick over,” he said. “I trained with their first team, and it was just about getting my touch back and my fitness up so that I didn-t go into the tour rusty. They [Sydney United 58] made me feel welcome and I enjoyed it.”
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach, Phil Moss, also offered his thanks to Rudan and the Sydney United 58 Club for allowing Rose to train with them.
“Central Coast Mariners and Sydney United 58 share many of the same values and goals in that we both have a very keen focus on youth development,” Moss said. “We-d like to acknowledge the role that Mark [Rudan] and everyone at their Club played in preparing Liam for this opportunity.”
“Our Club has a very strong history of players representing the Young Socceroos, and we-re glad that another of our recruits in Liam Rose has earned national team recognition.”
“When Liam returns to the Mariners from the U.S. we-ll work with him to ensure he-s in the best possible position to be selected for future Australian honours.”
