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Archie Thompson will start his first game for the Olyroos against Japan tonight with Graham Arnold edging closer to finalising his starting XI for the Beijing Olympics.
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With just two friendlies remaining before the under-23’s open their Games campaign against Serbia in Shanghai on August 7, Arnold is keen to give his three over-age players as much match time as possible to build combinations for their medal bid.
Defender Jade North – who played 45 minutes in Australia’s 3-2 win over New Zealand earlier this month – is so far the only one of the senior trio to take the field, with Arnold saying both the Newcastle skipper and Melbourne striker Thompson would start tonight at the Home’s Stadium in Kobe.
Sheffield United defender/midfielder David Carney, meanwhile, is expected to play Australia’s final warm-up clash with South Korea in Seoul on July 31, with the Socceroos star to give Arnold a complete squad when he joins the team on Friday for their six-day camp on Je Ju Island.
“David’s done three weeks of pre-season with Sheffield United, he’s had four or five games, so match fitness isn’t a problem,” Arnold said from Kobe tonight.
“They’re releasing him to come across on Friday so he’ll have two weeks to acclimatise and get ready for the heat so we’re happy with that.”
Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici will also make his Olyroos debut tonight with Arnold admitting there was still a few places up for grabs in his starting side for the Serbian clash.
“We’re starting to settle on our starting line-up, but at the same time we need to make sure we have 18 players prepared for the first game because at this stage there’s still a few places up for grabs,” Arnold said.
“I think we’re on the right track. We were flat in our 1-0 loss to China (on Sunday) and I wasn’t happy with the performance but … our fitness levels are where they have to be.
“I’m training them harder than what I normally do before games, they’ll continue to do that until we get to Beijing … and once we get into Beijing we’ll taper off back and freshen them up.”
Arnold said he was “disappointed” Games broadcaster the Seven Network would not be broadcasting the Olyroos matches live and in full during the Olympics.
“For me it’s a bit disappointing because football is probably the biggest sport at the Olympics and I know there are a lot of Australians that want to see the Olyroos play.”
Kickoff tonight is 8pm (AEST), with the the match to follow the Matildas women’s international against Japan in Kobe from 5pm.
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