Canberra's Kofi Danning has moved a step closer to his dream of playing for Australia after he was selected in a preliminary Young Socceroos squad for next month's FIFA Under-20s World Cup.
Danning, who plays for the Sydney FC A-League club, was included yesterday in a 30-man squad named by coach Jan Versleijen for the tournament, which will be held in Egypt from September24 to October16.
The 18-year-old has lived in Australia for 11 years but was only given clearance to play in the green and gold by FIFA last week, after he had been caught up in tough new eligibility rules because he was born in Ghana.
But he now looks set to realise his dream after he was one of 21 rising A-League stars named in the squad.
''It's one step closer to my dream,'' Danning said.
''I've been away with the [Young Socceroos] team a couple of times this year and got to experience what it's like to represent Australia.
''It's great to know I'm in contention for the World Cup and I'm very excited.''
Four of Danning's Sydney FC teammates were also included: Rhyan Grant, Antony Golec, Matthew Jurman and Chris Payne.
Newcastle's Ben Kantarovski and Jason Hoffman, Brisbane Roar's Mitch Nichols and Adelaide's Daniel Mullen were other established A-League players to make the squad.
The nine overseas-based players included Bolton's Aaron Mooy and AZ Alkmaar's James Holland, who were called into camp for the Socceroos' 3-0 win over Ireland this month.
Versleijen was confident in his players but warned they would have to continue to impress in order to make the final squad of 21, to be named on September8.
''The next few weeks will be very exciting with these players needing to continue their form right up to the final selection,'' he said.
''Apart from being technically and tactically strong, they will need to be physically and mentally tough because there are no excuses and no second chances at a World Cup.''
The Young Socceroos have drawn a tough group including Brazil, Costa Rica and the Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, the Socceroos will face the world's No3-ranked team the Netherlands in a friendly match at the Sydney Football Stadium on October10 as part of their preparations for next year's World Cup and the coming 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers.
The Socceroos will head into the game full of confidence, having beaten the Netherlands 2-1 in Eindhoven in September last year and drawing 1-1 in their only previous clash in Rotterdam prior to the 2006 World Cup.
Having beaten Ireland 3-0 earlier this month, Australia will face South Korea in Seoul on September5, before returning home to face the Dutch.
The match will be held only four days before a vital Asian Cup qualifier against Oman in Melbourne, a match Australia desperately needs to win to get its qualification campaign on track following a shock loss to Kuwait in March.
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