Adelaide United Name Squad For Club World Cup

Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar has named a 23 man squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off in Japan on December 11, 2008.

Dec 2, 2008 5:09:47 AM

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The Reds’ squad for the lucrative tournament comprises of the same group that reached the Final of the AFC Champions League, plus some notable inclusions and one unfortunate withdrawal.

Hard nosed midfielder Jonas Salley and silky Brazilian defender Alemao are in the squad after they were both ineligible to play during the AFC Champions League Finals, their additions providing Vidmar with added depth and more options to choose from.

After being out for the last month and a half with a calf injury, marquee signing Paul Agostino will also be available in what would be another significant boost for Vidmar, the former Socceroos striker back to full training after the lengthy lay off.

A fit Agostino would be a valuable asset for The Reds going into the competition, the 32 year old with years of international experience both in Europe and for his country.

The other inclusions in the Club World Cup squad are National Youth League duo Osama Malik and Michael Marrone who will fill the remaining spots on the list, while young goalkeeper Lucas Andreucci will occupy the compulsory third keeping position.

Unfortunately, Adelaide United Vice-Captain Lucas Pantelis will not make the trip to Japan, the midfielder instead remaining in Adelaide to continue his rehabilitation from a knee injury.

The Reds will open the competition against New Zealand’s Waitakere United on December 11 and must win that match, in order to meet AFC Champions League Final foes Gamba Osaka in the Quarter Finals, with a victory over the Japanese club then sending the Australian club into a Semi Final against one of the best teams in the world Manchester United.

With Adelaide United’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, The Reds’ Round 15 and 16 Hyundai A-League matches against Melbourne Victory and Queensland Roar respectively have been postponed until January 2009.

The Reds will tackle the Victory on Tuesday 6 January at the Telstra Dome, while the match against the Roar will be played on Wednesday 14 January at Hindmarsh Stadium, both matches set to be crucial in run in to the finals.

United’s travelling party will depart for the Club World Cup on Saturday afternoon (6 December), stopping for a night in Sydney before heading to Tokyo on Sunday morning to continue preparations for the tournament that features just seven clubs from around the world.

Adelaide United FC squad for the FIFA Club World Cup

2 Robert CORNTHWAITE

3 ALEMAO

4 Angelo COSTANZO

5 Michael VALKANIS

6 CASSIO

8 Kristian SARKIES

9 Paul AGOSTINO

10 CRISTIANO

11 Osama MALIK

13 Travis DODD

14 Scott JAMIESON