Riverside Olympic’s Nathaniel Atkinson has been named in a 23-player Young Socceroos squad ahead of Australia’s participation in this month’s AFC under-19 championship in Indonesia.
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Fresh back from Melbourne City’s pre-season tour to India, the 19-year-old full-back was among those selected by head coach Ante Milicic.
The squad completed a training camp on the Sunshine Coast last week and travelled to Singapore on Sunday to continue their build-up to the tournament.
The championship doubles as the qualification process for next year’s FIFA under-20 World Cup to be held in Poland with the Young Socceroos needing to reach the semi-finals to qualify for the first time since 2013.
After warm-up matches against leading Malaysian club side Johor Darul Ta’zim and Singapore’s under-21 national team, Australia will play in Group C against the Republic of Korea, Vietnam and Jordan beginning on Friday, October 19.
Despite an ankle injury, Atkinson made 17 first-team appearances for City last season, was voted player of the month for December by fans, signed a two-year senior contract in January, won the club's rising star award and secured a Young Socceroos call-up.
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
