Beijing Olympic Dream Up for Grabs in Gosford
Aussie football fans will have the opportunity to meet Australia's stars of tomorrow when the Qantas Under 23’s and coach Graham Arnold host an open training session next Tuesday at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.
The Qantas Under 23-s will be put through their paces at the Mariners- picturesque bayside home on Tuesday, 13 November from 4.30pm to 6pm, ahead of the team's crucial qualifying match against Iraq on Saturday 17 November. Following the session supporters will have the opportunity to obtain posters and autographs from our exciting crop of emerging stars.
Tickets are selling well for the match while Sydney FC, Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets Members can obtain discounted tickets (see below for full ticketing information)
Qantas Under 23s star midfielder Neil Kilkenny says that the home support in Gosford could be decisive in helping the team over the line in their crucial qualifying match against Iraq at Bluetongue Stadium on November 17.
Australia currently lie behind Iraq on goal difference with the winner of the match set to take a giant stride towards qualification for Beijing. The Australians will conclude their arduous 14-match qualifying program against DPR (North) Korea in Pyongyang four days later on November 21.
"Hopefully we will have a big crowd behind us there in Gosford, and hopefully they will push us home," said Kilkenny
"We hope the crowd will be our 12th man and that we put on a good show for everyone and that the crowd can cheer us onto the Olympics."
The 21-year-old Kilkenny missed the last two home matches with injury after playing a key role in four outings for the Qantas Under 23s in their campaign to date.
With first-team openings at Premier League club Birmingham City limited, Kilkenny has been farmed out to Division One club Oldham Athletic on loan where he has already made nine league appearances this season, adding his name to the scoresheet on one occasion.
This follows intermittent appearances for the Birmingham first team over the past two seasons following on from a remarkable debut as a 19-year-old in the heady atmosphere of the English top flight where he was sent off against Liverpool for a goal-line handball.
The London-born, Brisbane-raised Kilkenny has first hand experience of the Iraqi's and knows that this will match will be a significant challenge.
"We are expecting a hard game from them, they are a good team obviously, their senior team won the Asian Cup so they must be doing something right," he said.
"We went to their place and drew 0-0 so hopefully we can get a win under our belt at home to get through."
"They have a got a few problems in their country but I think that actually brings the team together and they have some togetherness and they really want to fight for each other and work hard for each other and do well in soccer.
"But hopefully they won't do so well in Australia and we get a win."
Tickets the match in Gosford are on sale now from Ticketek outlets; from the Ticketek website - www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.
Australia v Iraq Saturday 17 Nov, Kick-off 7:00pm (AEDT) Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
TV: - Delayed coverage of the match on SBS TV, 10:15pm-12:15am, Saturday 17 October
Tickets On Sale - www.ticketek.com.au, , phone 132 849 or at Ticketek outlets.
General Public Pre-purchased Ticket Prices -
Cat A $18.00 - Adult $9.00 - Concession/Child $35.00 - Family
Cat B: $12.00 - Adult, $6.00 - Concession/Child, $24.00 - Family
Transaction Fess may apply
**Please note for this match a $2.00 surcharge will be added to each ticket purchased at the venue**
Concession (Pensioner, Student, Child) Pensioner - Aged, (valid ID cards) including seniors cards Student - Full time tertiary and secondary school students (valid ID required) Child - 4-16 years inclusive (children 3 years and under are free unless they are occupying a seat)