Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne will swap yellow and navy for green and gold later this month, after today being named in the Qantas Young Socceroos squad for the 2009 FIFA Under 20’s World Cup in Egypt from the 24th of September.
Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne will swap yellow and navy for green and gold later this month, after today being named in the Qantas Young Socceroos squad for the 2009 FIFA Under 20-s World Cup in Egypt from the 24th of September.
“This is not only fantastic news for Andrew, but also for the club, as it shows just how committed we are to developing local players,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
“This selection is nothing short of what Andrew deserves, and we as a club wish him the best of luck at what is such a prestigious tournament, I-m sure he-ll do the club, the people of the Central Coast, all of Australia, but most importantly himself very proud,” said Gorman.
“Redders is a great young ‘keeper, and we-ll miss him while he-s gone, but it-s a great chance for the lad, a great experience, and hopefully he can go over there and do well,” said Mariners Football Manager Lawrie McKinna.
Redmayne was instrumental in Jan Versleijen-s squad qualifying for the tournament, which began way back in November 2007.
The Mariners- custodian kept clean sheets in three of the four qualifying matches for the 2008 AFC Youth (Under 19) championships, before again being among Australia-s best performers in the tournament proper in Saudi Arabia, which saw the Young Socceroos progress to the semi finals, to secure qualification for the Under 20-s World Cup.
“Of course I-m over the moon to be picked, I-ve been counting down the days ever since I got back from South America (for July-s Copa Ciudad de Rosario tournament in Argentina), and now the squad has been released, all I-m focused on is getting over there and doing well,” said Redmayne.
The 20-year-old will have to be at his best too in Egypt, with Australia drawing the likes of Brazil, the Czech Republic and Costa Rica, in Group E at the tournament, while they-ll play warm up matches in Cyprus, against Trinidad and Tobago, the USA, and arch rival England.
But places in the starting eleven will be fierce at the back, with Redmayne joined in the 21-man squad by English-based shot stoppers in Leicester City rookie Alex Cisak, and highly rated Liverpool gun Dean Bouzanis.
“I-ve been lucky enough to be Jan-s first choice for the past few games, but that counts for nothing now, we-ve got three very hard warm-up games, and I know I have to perform well in those to be in his thoughts for the first match,” said Redmayne.
The Qantas Young Socceroos squad will depart next Monday for the final pre-tournament training camp in Cyprus .
All Qantas Young Socceroos at the FIFA U-20 World Cup will be broadcast live and exclusive on SBS TV (see www.sbs.com.au for broadcast details).
The Mariners next home match of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season will be against Gold Coast United on Saturday, 19 September. Kick-off is at 7:30pm. Tickets for this match are available online here or by phoning 132 849.
Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season are now available by clicking here
