The Championship – played out of Al Hofuf, Saudi Arabia from 18 to 26 March – will feature Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Championship format sees the eight participating teams broken up into four groups, who will each play three matches throughout the window, with opponents beyond the first match dependent on results.
The Subway Olyroos have been drawn into Group D alongside Iraq and will then face either Egypt or UAE, before the match schedule opens up ahead of their final fixture.
It will be the last opportunity for the Subway Olyroos to assemble prior to Vidmar selecting his 23-man squad for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ in early-April.
The WAFF Championship squad is brimming with Isuzu UTE A-League talent including Lachlan Brook (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Jacob Farrell (Central Coast Mariners FC), Ryan Teague (Melbourne Victory FC), and brothers Corey Hollman (Sydney FC) and Jake Hollman (Macarthur FC).
Patrick Yazbek (Viking FK) is part of a contingent of European-based players including Louis D'Arrigio (Lechia Gdansk), Jacob Italiano (Borussia Monchengladbach II), Garang Kuol (FC Volendam) and Adrian Segecic (FC Dordrecht) who will feature in Saudi Arabia.
Subway Olyroos’ Head Coach, Tony Vidmar said his side’s participation for the WAFF Championship was geared towards the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ starting in just over a month’s time (15 April – 3 May).
“This window is an extremely important part of our preparation for the Asian Cup and with the extra game than we’d usually have, we’re able to provide ample opportunity across the squad ahead of selecting our final 23,” Vidmar said.
“We’re facing quality opposition in similar conditions
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