SYDNEY FC striker Mark Bridge headed into Olyroo camp today hoping a nagging injury problem does not flare up into a major headache.
Bridge and fellow Sydney teammate Stuart Musialik are part of a 33-strong camp selected by Olyroo coach Graham Arnold.
All the Beijing hopefuls will participate in back-to-back camps on the Central Coast and in Darwin, with a final Olympic Football squad of 18 players to be announced in early July.
After being part of the qualifying campaign since the beginning, Bridge’s hopes of taking his place at Beijing are under a slight cloud, with the young striker battling a minor ankle problem.
The 22-year-old aggravated the injury at training yesterday, but will still take his place at the Olyroo camp.
He said: "It’s been a long time coming, and to get this injury right now, is very frustrating, and hopefully I can get over it."
As for Musialik, he knows there is a real scrap on for a place in the final squad. He said: "We’ve got a very strong side to choose from and it’s going to mean competition for every position on the field.
“To be able to say when you’re older that you went and competed at the Olympics is a massive thing, so it’s something that has been a childhood dream."
The Olyroos will spend the next six days training on the Central Coast, before travelling to Darwin, where they’ll play two friendly matches against the Chilean Under 23 National team.
All the Beijing hopefuls will participate in back-to-back camps on the Central Coast and in Darwin, with a final Olympic Football squad of 18 players to be announced in early July.
After being part of the qualifying campaign since the beginning, Bridge’s hopes of taking his place at Beijing are under a slight cloud, with the young striker battling a minor ankle problem.
The 22-year-old aggravated the injury at training yesterday, but will still take his place at the Olyroo camp.
He said: "It’s been a long time coming, and to get this injury right now, is very frustrating, and hopefully I can get over it."
As for Musialik, he knows there is a real scrap on for a place in the final squad. He said: "We’ve got a very strong side to choose from and it’s going to mean competition for every position on the field.
“To be able to say when you’re older that you went and competed at the Olympics is a massive thing, so it’s something that has been a childhood dream."
The Olyroos will spend the next six days training on the Central Coast, before travelling to Darwin, where they’ll play two friendly matches against the Chilean Under 23 National team.
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