Brazil-bound: Hyundai A-League starlets in the Joeys squad

Last week, Joeys’ boss Trevor Morgan named 21 players that will represent Australia at the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019.

After two years of qualifiers, competitions, domestic camps and international friendlies, the nation’s brightest up-and-coming footballers are set to take part in the 24-nation tournament showpiece between October 26 and November 17 this year.

While some of the squad ply their trade around the world – including England, Germany and Portgual – the majority of Morgan’s 21-strong contingent reside within the Hyundai A-League.

As we countdown the days before Brazil, let’s take a closer look at the Hyundai A-League based players in Australia’s World Cup squad.

See the full Joeys squad 
Morgan: We’re ready to take on the world
How the Joeys came up with their own hashtag

Anton Mlinaric, Adam Pavlesic, Ryan Teague and Cameron Peupion – Sydney FC

Joeys’ captain Teague, a real star for Sydney’s NPL NSW side in 2019, will be pressing his claim for Hyundai A-League football this season having inked a contract with the defending Champions last month.

Defender Mlinaric and midfielder Peupion have also impressed in the Sky Blues academy side, while goalkeeper Pavlesic will battle Nicholas Bilokapic (Sydney United 58) and Oliver Kalac (Western Sydney Wanderers) for the number one jersey in Brazil.

Jordan Courtney-Perkins and Izaack Powell – Brisbane Roar 

Two fullbacks with a recent history of breaking records, Courtney-Perkins and Powell will definitely be vying for first-team appearances under Robbie Fowler this season.

Courtney-Perkins became the club’s youngest ever player aged just 16 years and 276 days in Roar’s 2-0 FFA Cup win over Sydney FC in August, breaking the record Powell set in a memorable 2-1 victory against the Sky Blues in February last season.

Idrus Abdulahi and Yaya Dukuly – Melbourne City 

Abdulahi made headlines when he became City’s youngest player at 15 years, seven months and four days, against Central Coast Mariners in April.

Born in Ethiopia — where he migrated to Australia as a refugee in 2010 — the attacking midfielder signed a scholarship contract for the club in September alongside striker Dukuly. 

Oliver Kalac and Ali Auglah – Western Sydney Wanderers 

Goalkeeper Kalac — son of former Caltex Socceroos gloveman Zeljko, who made 54 appearances for the Australian national team — will be looking to make a name for himself in Brazil. 

Injuries in the goalkeeping department almost thrust Kalac into Hyundai A-League football last season, and a strong performance alongside fellow academy teammate Auglah, would certainly make Markus Babbel sit up and take notice. 

Luke Duzel – Western United

Duzel, a former Melbourne City academy star, became the latest player to join Mark Rudan’s Western United in the club’s inaugural season when he penned a scholarship deal last month.

The attacking midfielder’s father, Ivan, played in the National Soccer League for Melbourne Knights.

Birkan Kirdar – Melbourne Victory

Midfielder Kirdar had his name up in lights when he made his first-team debut for Victory in an AFC Champions League win over Shanghai SIPG in 2018 — the club’s youngest ever debutant aged 16 years and 70 days.

Trent Ostler, Joshua Rawlins and Daniel Walsh – Perth Glory 

Forward Ostler and defender Walsh are regulars for Glory’s NPL WA team; as is Rawlins, an attacker with pace to burn who put himself on the first-team radar of Tony Popovic with a series of impressive outings for the first-team during pre-season.

Full Joeys squad for FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019

Australia U-17 Men’s National Football Team (‘Joeys’) | Match Schedule | FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019

Ecuador v Australia
Date: Saturday, 26 October 2019
Venue: Estadio Olimpico, Goiania, Brazil
Kick-off: 8.00pm (local) – 10.00am (AEDT) Sunday, 27 October 2019
Broadcast: Live in Australia via SBS and theworldgame.sbs.com.au

Australia v Hungary
Date: Tuesday, 29 October 2019
Venue: Estadio Olimpico, Goiania, Brazil
Kick-off: 8.00pm (local) – 10.00am (AEDT) Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Broadcast: Live in Australia via SBS and theworldgame.sbs.com.au

Australia v Nigeria
Date: Friday, 1 November 2019
Venue: Estadio Bezerrao, Brasilia (Gama), Brazil
Kick-off: 5.00pm (local) – 7.00am (AEDT) Saturday, 2 November 2019
Broadcast: Live in Australia via SBS and theworldgame.sbs.com.au