Jake Najdovski produced another big performance as the Subway Young Socceroos eased past Myanmar 6-2 at the ASEAN Under-19 Boys’ Championship.
Western United forward Najdovski scored a hat-trick for the Subway Young Socceroos, who became the first side to qualify for the semi-finals thanks to Sunday’s comprehensive victory against Myanmar in Indonesia.
The Subway Young Socceroos – featuring an all-A-Leagues-based squad – are out to win the tournament formerly known as the AFF Championship for a sixth time, having done so previously in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2016 and 2019, while they will look to triumph on the back of the Subway Joeys claiming the U16 event earlier this month.
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There were five changes to the starting XI to face Myanmar – Najdovski in the line-up alongside Dylan Peraic-Cullen (Central Coast Mariners), Ben Van Dorssen (Newcastle Jets), Lucas Herrington (Brisbane Roar), Pearson Kasayawa (Sydney FC), Fabian Talladira (Adelaide United), Tiago Quintal (Sydney FC), Tyler Williams (Sydney FC), Marcus Younis (Western Sydney Wanderers), Arion Sulemani (Melbourne City) and Oliver Randazzo (Macarthur FC).
A Western United academy graduate born and bred in the west who signed a contract extension through to the 2025-26 season, Najdovski came off the bench and scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time and again six minutes later.
The teenager made his A-Leagues but last season. After impressing in both the U21 and the U23 teams, he signed his first professional contract in 2022 and made his senior debut in an Australia Cup tie against Edgeworth Eagles last year.
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Najdovski continued where he left off against Myanmar – giving the Subway Young Socceroos a 2-0 lead before half-time.
Sulemani made it 3-0 four minutes into the second half, though Myanmar reduced the deficit approaching the hour-mark.
Najdovski completed his hat-trick 23 minutes from the end, while Macarthur’s Zane Helweh and Western United teammate Luke Vickery rounded out the scoring.
