Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Istanbul: Injury has ruled Greece-based Terry Antonis out of the Australia U-23 squad ahead of their upcoming preparations for next year's AFC U-23 Championship in Doha, Qatar.
The Olyroos squad have arrived in Istanbul to prepare for a match against Turkey as they continue to prepare for the continent’s second biggest national team competition, which also doubles up as the 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers.
Australia U-23 head coach Aurelio Vidmar was forced to make one change to his squad over the weekend by replacing Antonis (pictured in action for former club Sydney FC) with Awer Mabil, who is currently playing for FC Midtjylland in the Danish Super League.
Antonis was part of the final squad for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup but failed to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Olyroos and the Turkey U-21 national team will play for the Gelibolu Dostluk Kupasi (Gallipoli Friendship Cup) on September 4.
Whilst in Turkey, the team will also hold a special training session with athletes from the Turkish Disabled Sports Federation as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, year-long cultural festival ‘Australia in Turkey 2015’, with cultural events and performances taking place throughout September.
The Australians will then face Macedonia in Skopje, Macedonia, on September 7.
Photo: AFP