Perth Glory youth goal keeper Alex Pearson has been selected for the Qantas Young Socceroos squad tour of South America.
Perth Glory youth goal keeper Alex Pearson has been selected for the Qantas Young Socceroos squad tour of South America.
The tour will take place over two weeks in April, with the young side to play games in Asunción, Paraguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Pearson, who has had an outstanding season as Perth-s national youth team custodian, says he was honoured to be selected in the squad among some of the best young talent Australia has to offer.
“I was really grateful when I found out I was selected for the squad.
“It-s always great news to hear that you-re going to represent your country.
“It will be a great experience to play with some of the best young footballers in the country and I-m really looking forward to playing at the next level,” Pearson said.
This is the second time Pearson has been in the mix with the national squad, having been selected to attend a Young Socceroos camp in July last year.
The talented 18-year-old has had a strong season between the posts, including a sensational performance in Perth Glory-s National Youth League grand final against Gold Coast United.
Pearson says his form at glory has helped him earn the opportunity to be selected for the national squad and is thrilled to be recognised for his efforts this season.
“I-ve been working really hard with the youth team goal keeping coaches and Gareth Naven all year.
“We-ve had a really tough season so that-s definitely prepared me for this.
“Playing in front of a good defence with Steve Hesketh, Ryan Pearson, Sam Mitchinson and Josh Risdon has helped me a lot as well.
“We-ve worked together as a unit this season and that-s allowed us all have a great year,” Pearson said.
At the moment, Pearson is unsure whether he-ll be the team-s first goal keeper but is keen to get the chance to prove his worth to the Socceroos coaching staff.
“I-m not sure whether I-m going to be playing first goal keeper or not but I-ll get the chance to impress the coach at training and see who gets the number one shirt there.
“It should be a good trip; I-m very excited and really looking forward to it,” Pearson said.
The Qantas Young Socceroos squad will depart for South America on Tuesday, April 6.
Qantas Young Socceroos Squad List
Paraguay and Argentina Tour
3-19 April 2010
Matthew ACTON (gk) (Brisbane Roar), Mustafa AMINI Central Coast Mariners), Daniel BOWLES Brisbane Roar), Kerem BULUT (FK Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic), Chris BUSH (Uncontracted), Stephen DOMENICI (Uncontracted), Petar FRANJIC (Melbourne Victory), Sam GALLAGHER (Central Coast Mariners), Ben HALLORAN (Gold Coast United), Chris HAROLD (Gold Coast United), Ben KANTAROVSKI (Newcastle Jets), Steven LUSTICA (Gold Coast United), Theo MARKELIS (Valencia, Spain), Francesco MONTEROSSO (Adelaide United), Tom OAR (Brisbane Roar), Alex PEARSON (gk) (Perth Glory), Trent SAINSBURY (Central Coast Mariners), Nikola STANOJEVIC (Uncontracted), Kliment TASESKI (Melbourne Heart) and Marc WARREN (Central Coast Mariners).
Team Officials
Head Coach – Jan Versleijen
Assistant Coach – Alistair Edwards
Technical Analysis – Peter Cklamovski
Recovery and Massage Therapist – Leigh Smith (SA)
Goalkeeper Coach – Fernando Alves (QLD)
Doctor – Dr Peter Welsh (QLD)
Physiotherapist – Nino La Scala (VIC)
Team Manager – Simon Roberts
