Young guns Jacob Melling and Awer Mabil have been named in the Young Socceroos squad for the COTIF U-19 tournament to be held in L’Alcúdia, Spain from 12-21 August 2013.
Adelaide United FC young guns Jacob Melling and Awer Mabil have been named in the Young Socceroos squad for the upcoming COTIF U-19 International Football tournament to be held in L’Alcúdia, Spain from 12-21 August 2013.
Melling and Mabil are part a 20-player squad announced by Young Socceroos Coach Paul Okon for the tournament which is seen as the first steps in Australia-s qualification campaign for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
“This is the first stage of a new campaign with a new playing group,” Okon said.
“This (COTIF) Tournament is a very good one with four tough matches which include Spain and Mexico. This will be our first opportunity to develop our playing style and test ourselves against quality opposition.”
For Mabil, who turns 18 next month, it has been a breakout past 12 months, which has seen him go from the edge of Adelaide United-s Youth Team to being named the National Youth League Player of the Year and winning the Reds- Rising Star Award, while landing a two year senior contract.
Now the dashing winger who was born in Kenya but is of Sudanese heritage, finds himself in a Young Socceroos squad heading to Spain to face the likes of the Spanish and Mexican U-19 teams.
“I-m buzzing, I-ve been to a Young Socceroos camp before but this will be my first time away with them,” Mabil said.
Melling, 18, last represented his country at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico, and is thrilled with this latest opportunity in the national setup.
“It-s exciting. I feel like my energy and my confidence is high at the moment, the pre season under (Adelaide United Coach) Josep Gombau has been great and I just have to keep working hard,” Melling said.
The Reds duo will head to Sydney on Wednesday before jetting off to Spain on Friday.
Click here for the full squad and for more information.
