CROOK LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGE

Crook has named 18 players to take part in the five team tournament which also included Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore and host nation, Indonesia.

“This is an important part of our preparation for the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Under 16 Championships, and gives me a good opportunity to see the boys in action in conditions different from those they’re used to at home,” Crook told Football Federation Australia website.

The AFC U16 Championships will be held in Uzbekistan in October.

“It is also the first time this group of players has played in a tournament against players of their own age. Past tournaments have been against older players, so this will be a very good test of just how we’re doing at this age group.”

“Being able to benchmark our performance at the age group is particularly important as this age group includes the players who will form the core of the Qantas Socceroos in 2018.”

Crook said there is one debutant amongst the group, striker Kerem Bulut from NSW.

AUSTRALIA UNDER-16

Kerem Bulut striker NSW
Christopher Bush midfielder ACT
Million Butshiire striker WA
Joseph Costa midfielder SA
Nathan Farrell defender SA
Petar Franjic defender VIC
Brendan Hamill defender NSW
Benjamin Harrington midfielder ACT
Kamal Ibrahim midfielder VIC
Benjamin Kantarovski midfielder NSW
Robert Kolak goalkeeper NSW
Jared Lum midfielder NSW
Chahine Noujaim fullback SA
Trent Sainsbury defender WA
Nikola Stanojevic striker NSW
Lawrence Thomas goalkeeper NSW
Marc Warren left back NSW
Tedros Yabio midfielder VIC