Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today announced Ufuk Talay as Head Coach of the Young Socceroos, Australia’s U20 National Team.
Talay has been involved in the Australian National Team structure as the assistant coach of the Australian U17 team (Joeys) and the FFA Centre of Excellence program at the Australian Institute of Sport. He replaces Paul Okon, who has been named as Head Coach of the Central Coast Mariners.
FFA CEO David Gallop described Talay’s appointment as a glowing endorsement for the structures put in place underpinning the Caltex Socceroos.
“We’re pleased to announce that Ufuk Talay will take over as Head Coach of the Young Socceroos,” Gallop said. “It shows the pathway is in place for not only players but coaches to progress through the National team structures as part of the National Team Unit’s strategy.
“When we became aware of Paul’s decision to take up the role at the Central Coast Mariners, the National Team Unit headed by Luke Casserly, Ange Postecoglou and Eric Abrams identified Ufuk as the best man to take the position and we are pleased we have been able to ensure a smooth transition.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Paul Okon for his contribution to the National Team coaching department and we certainly wish him every success as he takes the next steps in his coaching career with the Central Coast Mariners.”
Talay, who enjoyed a successful playing career overseas and was also part of Sydney FC’s inaugural Championship-winning Hyundai A-League team, was thrilled with the opportunity to lead the U20s into the next World Cup qualifying cycle.
“This is a huge honour for me to be named coach of the Australian U20 team,” Talay said. “It’s a step forward and I look forward to working with the players to play the type of football our National Teams have been playing and qualify for the U20 World Cup.
“I’d like to thank Luke Casserly, Ange Postecoglou and the FFA for having faith in me and also Tony Vidmar and Peter de Roo for the opportunity they gave me to join the National Team structure with the Joeys and the FFA Centre of Excellence and the knowledge they have shared with me.”
Talay will commence work immediately and will lead a 23-man squad to Bahrain for the AFF U19 Championship in Vietnam from 11-24 September 2016.
The team leaves on Tuesday (6 September) and will play matches against Cambodia (12 September), Myanmar (14 September), Indonesia (16 September), Thailand (18 September) and Laos (20 September).
The Young Socceroos will then take part in the AFC U19 Championships in Bahrain from 13-30 October 2016, where they face China PR, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the group stages of the 16-team tournament. The top four countries (excluding the Korea Republic) will qualify for the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup, which will be played in the Korea Republic.
The 23-man squad for the AFF Championship is:
| Keanu BACCUS | Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
| Jackson BANDIERA | Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
| George BLACKWOOD | Sydney FC |
| Joseph CHAMPNESS | Brisbane Roar FC |
| Patrick FLOTTMANN | Sydney FC |
| Joshua HOPE | Melbourne Victory FC |
| Jasmin KERANOVIC | West Bromwich Albion FC, ,England |
| Steve KUZMANOVSKI | Melbourne City FC |
| Tariq MAIA | Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
| Daniel MARGUSH | Adelaide United FC |
| George MELLS | Adelaide United FC |
| William MUTCH | Sydney FC |
| Connor O’TOOLE | Brisbane Roar FC |
| Liam ROSE | Central Coast Mariners FC |
| Dejan PANDUREVIC | Manly United (NPL) |
| Jayden PRASAD | Brisbane Roar FC |
| Kye ROWLES | Brisbane Roar FC |
| Lachlan SCOTT | Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
| Mario SHABOW | Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
| Yaren SOZER (GK) | Melbourne City FC |
| George TIMOTHEOU | Sydney FC |
| Brandon VELLA | Marconi Stallions FC |
| Liam YOULLEY | Western Sydney Wanderers FC |
