Olyroos draw in Mexico

Football is growing in OZ and how what a result and without the European Under 23 players some team info at the end as well

THE Olyroos kicked off their Beijing Games build up by snatching a 1-1 draw against Mexico in front of a sellout 47,000-strong crowd in Oakland, California.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23310730-23215,00.html

Newcastle Jets midfielder Troy Hearfield grabbed the equaliser two minutes from full time for the Australian under-23s in their first match since clinching qualification for Beijing last November.

The Mexicans opened the scoring at the McAfee Coliseum, courtesy of an own goal from Jets defender Adam D'Apuzzo, who deflected in a cross.

Mexico had the better of the chances but Australia defended gallantly, led by Fulham defender and acting captain Adrian Leijer.

Goalkeeer Tando Velaphi also impressed in place of banned Central Coast Mariners stopper Danny Vukovic.

The Olyroos' equaliser eventually came when Leijer's glancing header from a long throw-in was rammed in from close range at the far post by Hearfield.

It was an impressive result for Graham Arnold's team against a Mexican side coached by legendary striker Hugo Sanchez.

"Today was our first step towards Beijing since we qualified, and while it was a good result, the main thing was the match gave me an opportunity to look at some different players and to see what they can do at this level," Arnold said.

"We had a lot of young and inexperienced players on the field and I am very pleased with what we showed, especially given the respective preparations of the two teams and also the context of the game.

The match was promoted by Major League Soccer team San Jose Earthquakes, who share the stadium with the NFL's Oakland Raiders.

"Today was a great experience for our players to play in front of a large and noisy crowd and against a highly skilled and well-drilled team," Arnold said.

The result extended the Olyroos unbeaten streak to nine.

The Mexicans begin their qualification campaign next week.

The draw for the August Beijing Olympics will be held on April 20.

AAP

Team Info

http://marinators.net/forum/index.php?topic=932.0

Olyroos squad: Nigel Boogaard (Central Coast Mariners), Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Nathan Burns (Adelaide United), Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory), Robert Cornthwaite (Adelaide United), Adam DApuzzo (Newcastle Jets), Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Adrian Leijer (Fulham, England), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Tahj Minniecon (Queensland Roar), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets), Justin Pasfield (Wollongong Wolves, NSW), Nikita Rukavytsya (Perth Glory), Sebastian Ryall (Melbourne Victory), Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), Tando Velaphi (Perth Glory), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), David Williams (Brondby, Denmark), Ruben Zadkovich (Sydney FC), Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar).