Hearfield to hook up with Olyroos

MIDFIELDER Troy Hearfield will become the first Wellington Phoenix player to be involved in a current Australian national team when he joins the Olyroos at a training camp in Townsville from May 1-May 8.

Hearfield is hoping to shine at the Townsville camp and gain selection to the Australian under-23 team to compete at the Malaysian Tournament in Kuala Lumpur from May 11-May 26. He will then be aiming to be part of the Australian team to compete at the Beijing Olympic Games from August 6-August 23.

The former Newcastle Jets youngster joined the Phoenix from the Hyundai A-League 2008 champions in March and has been busy training with his Wellington teammates.

“We’ve been working really hard in pre-season training and I feel I’m in great shape for this point in the season,” Hearfield said. “[Coach] Ricki Herbert and [strength and conditioning coach] Ed Baranowski are monitoring everything we’re doing to ensure we’re getting the maximum benefit from training and as a result I’m feeling fit and strong.”

Hearfield said his ambition was to cement a spot in the Olyroos squad for the Beijing Games.

“I’ll be working hard to make sure I’m in the squad to go to China. I’m really looking forward to playing some competitive football, especially after all the experience I’ve been able to get in just a short time with the Phoenix.”

Hearfield scored a dramatic late equaliser as the Olyroos drew 1-1 with Mexico in front of 47,440 fans in San Francisco in their last outing in March. The Olyroos are drawn in Group C for the Beijing Games alongside Argentina, the Ivory Coast and Serbia.