The Subway Joeys came, saw and conquered the ASEAN Under-16 Boys’ Championship – and their successful campaign in Indonesia was underpinned by the next generation of Isuzu UTE A-League talent. These are the names you need to know.
Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Jai Ajanovic made himself a penalty hero after saving two spot-kicks before Melbourne City defender and captain Jayden Necovski converted the winning effort as an Australia men’s national team won a piece of silverware for the first time since 2019.
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The Subway Joeys also won the ASEAN U16 Boys’ Championship for a third time and first time since 2016 as they equalled the record for most titles alongside Thailand and Vietnam.
As well as silverware, the tournament saw the emergence of the next group of A-Leagues wonderkids after Brisbane Roar sensation Quinn MacNicol and Western United’s academy starlet Anthony Didulica shared the Golden Boot, while Adelaide United young gun Amlani Tatu made headlines.
Here is a look at all of the A-Leagues talents who became Asian champions this week, the teams they play for and the positions they play.
Quinn MacNicol – Brisbane Roar
Position: Midfielder
Roar fans and A-Leagues supporters got a glimpse of the 16-year-old’s immense talent in 2023-24.
He became the youngest ever scorer in the 2023 Australia Cup and the third youngest to debut in the Isuzu UTE A-League after being promoted by former Brisbane boss Ross Aloisi at the beginning of the campaign.
MacNicol, who bagged a brace against Switzerland and a goal versus Inter prior to the tournament, scored six goals at the Championship, including four goals in a stunning second-half performance.
He’s an attacking midfielder with a great footballing brain and technical ability.
Anthony Didulica – Western United
Position: Attacking Midfielder
It was a breakout tournament for Didulica, who scored an incredible six goals for the Joeys.
An electric attacking midfielder with a knack for scoring goals, the academy starlet joined Western in the back end of 2023 initially in the U18s squad.
The 16-year-old has scored eight goals in 16 matches at U23 level this season at Western.
John Aloisi’s Western have not been afraid to give debuts to academy graduates and Didulica could be the next in line in 2024-25.
Amlani Tatu – Adelaide United
Position: Winger
If his NPL form and international exploits are anything to go by, we could be seeing a lot more of Tatu in the Isuzu UTE A-League next season.
The 16-year-old prodigy represented the Joeys on a two-week camp in Italy in April, scoring for Australia in a 4-3 win over Switzerland’s Under-16 team.
In Tatu, who is yet to make his A-Leagues bow, Adelaide may have already found their Nestory Irankunda replacement.
During the ASEAN U16 Championship, he scored a stunning goal against Malaysia in the second group game as well as a beautiful free-kick in the semi-final triumph over hosts Indonesia.
He’s a an explosive winger, who can play on both wings but preferably on the left in an inverted role, with exciting dribbling ability and a knack for scoring goals.
Jai Ajanovic – Central Coast Mariners
Position: Goalkeeper
Ajanovic will return to Gosford a hero after his penalty shoot-out exploits against Thailand.
The Mariners goalkeeper saved two penalties to help Brad Maloney’s Subway Joeys reign supreme.
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He is yet to make his Isuzu UTE A-League debut, building experience with Central Coast’s academy side in NPLM NSW this season as the Mariners fight to avoid relegation.
Jayden Necovski – Melbourne City
Position: Centre-back
The 2024-25 season is shaping up as a big one for Joeys captain Necovski, who scored the winning penalty in the final triumph over Thailand.
Necovski’s recent deal marked a historic moment for City as he became the first player to progress from the club’s grassroots football program, the Melbourne City Football School, to the men’s senior squad.
The talented teenager first caught City’s attention as a 10-year-old in early 2019, when he took part in the first ever City Football School session, the club’s training program for kids aged 5-12 that runs sessions both during school terms and in school holiday as special one-off camps.
Jonty Benfield – Melbourne City
Position: Goalkeeper
Benfield did not see any game time in Indonesia but the promising City goalkeeper was called up to the squad as a result of his form for the club’s Academy.
This season, he has played predominately with City’s Under-23 side at NPL level, though he has made four appearances for the senior academy outfit.
Noah Ellul – Adelaide United
Position: Goalkeeper
Another goalkeeper, the Reds shot-stopper has grown from strength to strength this season having played his first senior NPLM SA match for Adelaide.
It came after he had been named National Youth Championship Goalkeeper of the Tournament for U14s and U15s the last two years.
Besian Kutleshi – Melbourne City
Position: Centre-back
Besian Kutleshi will return to Casey Fields with a winner’s medal amid a memorable season for the teenager.
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At the age of 14, he made his debut for City’s senior academy team in VPL1 – Victoria’s second division – earlier this season. He is another exciting City talent to watch over the coming months and years.
Malual Nichola – Adelaide United
Position: Defender
Another prospect off Adelaide’s famed production line, Nichola is another Reds youngster to watch.
Honing is craft at NPLM SA level, he also recently travelled to the Netherlands for a training stint with Dutch Eredivisie powerhouse PSV alongside Tatu, Feyzo Kasumovic and Bailey O’Neill.
Charlie Parkin – Brisbane Roar
Position: Centre-back
One of three Roar players in the Joeys squad, the towering defender has been playing a key role in the heart of defence for Roar’s league-leading U23 side.
Parkin has also trained with Brisbane’s Isuzu UTE A-League team.
The 15-year-old arrived from Moreton Bay United, where he was crowned as Football Queensland’s Junior Male Player of the Year in 2023.
Christian Pullella – Perth Glory
Position: Defender
Glory youngster Pullella played a key role for the Joeys in Indonesia.
He has been impressing with Perth’s Under-20 side in NPLM WA this season.
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Marco Santangelo – Sydney FC
Position: Defender
Santangelo, who played a significant role for the Subway Joeys, has been progressing through the ranks with the Sky Blues.
The defender has been plying his trade for Sydney’s U16 side.
Nickolas Alfaro – Sydney FC
Position: Midfielder
Another Sky Blues product, Alfaro scored in Australia’s final group match – a 12-0 rout of Timor-Leste.
A midfielder, he is also teammates with Santangelo in Sydney’s U16 team.
Alex Bolton – Perth Glory
Position: Midfielder
The Glory midfielder was in the starting XI for Wednesday’s title showdown.
Last season, Bolton starred as Perth’s U18 side winning the Top Four Cup Finals.
Rhys Williams – Brisbane Roar
Position: Midfielder
Williams was in the line-up to face Thailand, having found the back of the net earlier in the tournament.
The promising attacking midfielder has impressed for Roar’s NPL side in 2024.
Haine Eames – Central Coast Mariners
Position: Midfielder
Eames entered the tournament after signing a three-year scholarship deal with Central Coast.
The 16-year-old midfielder is currently in his second season as a Mariner, having joined the club’s academy at U15 level last year.
He has featured throughout all of the top academy grades for this season and now getting minutes with the first-grade squad in NPLM NSW.
Alexander and James Houridis – Melbourne Victory
Position: Midfielder
A midfielder like his twin brother James, Alexander has been playing within Victory’s academy setup.
Alexander was named the U15 Player of the Tournament at the 2023 Boys’ National Youth Championships.
James, who scored twice against Timor-Leste, and Alexander also travelled to Germany with James to complete a trial with German giants Bayern Munich.
Jay Maltz – Sydney FC
Position: Midfielder
Like Alfaro and Santangelo, the midfielder has been playing for Sydney’s U16 outfit.
He joined the Sky Blues in 2021.
