A-League-based Olyroos set to go into three-day camp in preparation for U23 Asian Cup

A THREE-DAY camp has replaced the controversial tour of Hong Kong, with 26 A-League-based Olyroos players set to converge on the Central Coast next week.

Mariners striker Trent Buhagiar will be part of the three-day camp.

A 26-MAN A-League-based Olyroos squad has been called up for a Central Coast training camp next week.

The camp has replaced the controversial tour of Hong Kong, which was cancelled after backlash from A-League clubs and questions around a potential conflict of interest with Olyroos coach Josep Gombau.

The Olyroos were due to play in the Lunar New Year Cup featuring club sides, including hosts Kitchee, FC Seoul (Korea) and Muangthong United (Thailand).

A-League clubs took the unprecedented step of blocking their players from going on the tour after they were blindsided by FFA and given just a month’s notice.

The camp is the start of the process for the 2018 AFC Under 23 Asian Cup in China, which will stage their qualifiers in July 2017.

Olyroos coach Josep Gombau.

A European camp will be held in March with mainly overseas-based players.

Australian U23 squad for three-day camp

Central Coast – January 30-February 1

Daniel Arzani (Melbourne City FC), Jonathan Aspropotamitis (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Keanu Baccus (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Adam Berry (Central Coast Mariners), George Blackwood (Sydney FC), Trent Buhagiar (Central Coast Mariners), Devante Clut (Newcastle Jets), Nicholas Cowburn (Newcastle Jets), Scott Galloway (Central Coast Mariners), Benjamin Garuccio (Adelaide United), Paul Izzo (Central Coast Mariners), Lachlan Jackson (Newcastle Jets), Bruce Kamau (Melbourne City FC), Abraham Majok (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Daniel Margush (Adelaide United), Riley McGree (Adelaide United), Jordan O’Doherty (Adelaide United), Liam Rose (Central Coast Mariners), Kye Rowles (Brisbane Roar FC), Lachlan Scott (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Mario Shabow (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Jaushua Sotorio (Western Sydney Wanderers FC), Jordan Thurtel (Perth Glory), Ruon Tongyik (Melbourne City FC), Brandon Wilson (Perth Glory), Liam Youlley (Western Sydney Wanderers FC)

Originally published as A-League-based Olyroos set to go into three-day camp in preparation for U23 Asian Cup