Former Riverside Olympic star Nathaniel Atkinson has been picked in Australia's under-23 squad for a two-match friendly series against New Zealand next month.
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The 20-year-old was selected in a 24-man squad which will compete in Wollongong on September 6 and in Campbelltown on September 9.
The side will be led by Young Socceroos head coach Gary van Egmond, who is the father of Matildas midfielder Emily.
The matches come as part of Australia's preparations for January's Olympic Games qualification tournament, which will be held in Thailand and decide which three Asian teams join Japan at Tokyo 2020.
"It gives these young players an opportunity to continue to work towards a goal we have set, the first qualification at the Olympics for an Australian men's team since 2008," van Egmond said.
Atkinson was one of five Melbourne City young guns picked in the squad, and the only Tasmanian.
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Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
