Olyroos defender Adrian Leijer considers the rivalry for a starting berth in Beijing as a positive for the squad despite his long-term position in the team being endangered by a lengthy list of candidates.

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Coach Graham Arnold last week named seven defenders in his 18-man squad for Beijing with competition for Leijer’s central defensive role perhaps the most hotly-contested position in the team.

Socceroos Matthew Spiranovic and Mark Milligan, plus overage player Jade North, himself a veteran of 22 appearances for the senior team, are all considered strong candidates at the heart of the defence for the Olyroos’ opener against Serbia on August 7.

The 22-year-old Leijer has been a senior member of the Olyroos squad throughout the 14-match qualifying campaign , captaining the side on several occasions in the absence of regular skipper Milligan.

“It’s not going to be easy,” said Leijer of the competition for spots.

“It’s always good having that many players fighting for one spot, it obviously lifts training.

“It’s lifts everybody’s performances and we will all be fighting until that first game against Serbia.

“Then whoever is out there, I’m sure the whole squad will be supportive in trying to push the team all the way.”

Leijer is set to complete a rare treble just by travelling to Beijing having already represented Australia at the 2003 Under 17s World Cup in Finland and then the 2005 under 20s World Cup in The Netherlands.

The 2007 Rising Star Award winner for best young player in the A-League, is treating this Saturday’s match against New Zealand in Sydney as an important step for both the squad and the individuals.

“This is basically preparation for our Olympic tournament so we are treating it as a pretty important match and this week is also a very heavy training week in trying to build our fitness for Beijing,” he said.

Leijer will return for a second season at his English Premier League club Fulham following the Olympics looking to stake a claim in the first team alongside Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who recently joined the London club after an 11-year association with Middlesbrough.

“You can’t really expect to go from the A-League to the Premier League and start straight way,” he said.

“I have to be patient, I have a lot of areas in my game that I still need to improve.

“I have had that year now to understand what goes on in Europe, and now I’m pretty determined to go back next season and put up a fight to try and get some game time.”

The Australian team trained in Sydney under the watchful eye of former Australian cricket captain and NSW youth football representative Steve Waugh, who attended the session in his role of Athlete Liaison Officer with the Australian Olympic Committee.

© AAP 2012

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