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The squad features 13 players based in
Europe and seven players based in the National Soccer League.
It will be the first match for an Australia
Under-23 side against Greek Under-23 opposition, however the two
countries have played 7 times at international level, with six matches
at senior level (2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses) and one match at Under-20
level.
The match will be played be
played at the Panthessaliko Stadium, Volos next Tuesday 30 March 2004
(3.30pm local time).
The full 20-man squad is: Goalkeepers Defenders Midfielders Forwards
The Stallions faced an uphill battle, after the first leg of the final ended in a scoreless draw. Their cause wasn't helped with inspirational captain Brad Maloney and in-form defender Simon Bell unable to make the trip south through injury. South Melbourne coach Stuart Munro had said he was unlikely to change his side following last week's effort at Marconi Stadium, but signalled his intentions early, bringing powerful attacking duo Con Boutsianis and Michael Curcija into the starting line-up. The move proved a decisive one, with Curcija scoring twice for the home side in an impressive and efficient display up front. The midfield battle between the Stallions' Nick Carle and fellow Olyroo Massimo Murdocca was an exciting one, with Murdocca pulling out a top-shelf performance, which had the 10,000-strong crowd on their feet. Murdocca set-up the first chance of the match inside ten minutes when he played through Vaughn Coveny, but his shot was well saved by Michael Turnbull. Murdocca then combined with Boutsianis who's pin-point cross found Curcija who had no trouble finding the net. The Stallions went in desperate search of a goal, but were well matched by an experienced South defence that was unwilling to budge. Alex Brosque and Joe Spiteri added plenty of movement, but found it hard to squeeze out a shot. Flankman Brendan Renaud had the best opportunity for the Stallions in the first half, when on one of the rare occasions was left with room on the edge of the box, but his shot failed to hit the target. The Stallions lifted the tempo in the second half with defender Angelo Costanzo looking to join in the attack and even with the pace of Brosque and brute-force of Spiteri, the Stallions were unable get on the scoresheet. With the smell of victory getting stronger and their confidence growing with every touch, South continued to apply the blow-torch to the Stallions defence. Curcija added his second in the 60th minute when his driving shot powered through a crowded penalty box and passed Turnbull in goals. Stallions boss Jean-Paul de Marigny, while disappointed with the result said he was proud of his side's effort this season and the team had come a long way from the near-wooden spoon effort of last year.
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Stallions
Michael Thwaite, Nick Carle and Alex Brosque have been selected in the
Australian Under 23s to take on the Greek Olympic side next week.
This
week we profile Marconi's Young gun, Grant Last.
Check out this weeks feature from
Jean-Paul de Marigny
