Aboriginal midfielder Fred Agius has been given a chance to play his way to the Olympic Games as part of Frank Farina's Olyroos squad, less than a year after playing in an Australian rules premiership team.
The talented youngster is the sole newcomer in the under-23 squad announced by Farina yesterday for next week's match against Tunisia, a country that has also qualified for the Athens tournament.
Agius, a South Australian who played for Adelaide United in the recently concluded NSL season, has veered between soccer and Australian rules.
National youth team coach Ange Postecoglou took him to Trinidad and Tobago in 2001 as part of the Joeys squad that played in the under-17 World Cup. On his return, he signed for Sydney Olympic, but things didn't work out for him in NSW.
On his return to South Australia, he switched codes to the oval ball and joined SANFL side Central District. Agius took out a championship medal last year when the Bulldogs' reserve side won its premiership.
Agius is one of eight NSL players named in the 19-man party for Wednesday's match, which will be played in the 20,000-capacity Ben Jannet Stadium, a venue built for the recently concluded African Cup of Nations, which host Tunisia won.
Alongside Agius are recently capped Socceroos Ahmed Elrich and Nick Carle, Marconi pair Michael Thwaite and Alex Brosque, South Melbourne goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic, Newcastle's Ryan Griffiths and Perth Glory's Jade North.
Players not considered on injury grounds were Ljubo Milicevic and David Tarka.
Farina said: "This is another important step for the under-23 players as we continue to prepare them for Athens 2004, especially as the Tunisians will provide us with a different style of play."
2001 - Played with the Joeys at the FIFA under-17 World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago.
2001 - Signed for Sydney Olympic. Left the club before the 2002 NSL finals and returned to Adelaide.
2003 - Played in SANFL reserves premiership for Central District.
2004 - Played for Adelaide United in NSL.
2004 - Called up to Olyroos squad.