The Subway Joeys are out of the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup, despite a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Japan in their final group game of the tournament.
The Joeys came into the third matchday of the group stage needing three points against Japan to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the knockout phase and did their part against Japan, coming from one goal down to take a 3-1 lead and eventually seal a 3-2 win at Okadh Sport Club Stadium in Saudi Arabia.
Featured image: Football Australia
Australia came into matchday three at the bottom of the Group B table, having taken just one point from games against Vietnam (a 1-1 draw) and United Arab Emirates (a 2-0 defeat).
The Joeys were just minutes away from sealing an unlikely spot in the knockouts, with Vietnam leading UAE 1-0 in the other Group B game, but a late equaliser in the 88th minute meant Australia dropped from second to third on the Group B table, with their elimination confirmed once head-to-head results, goal difference and goal tallies were calculated.
Having failed to progress to the knockouts of the Under-17 Asian Cup, the Joeys have also missed out on a spot at the Under-17 World Cup scheduled for November 2025.
Goals to Manly United’s Miles Milliner, Max Anastasio of Venezia FC and BK Häcken defender Alexander Garbowski inspired the comeback win over Japan.
Central Coast Mariners’ trio Jai Ajanovic, Logan Sambrook and Haine Eames, Western United defender Besian Kutleshi, Brisbane Roar duo Rhys Williams and Charlie Parkin, Adelaide United forward Amlani Tatu and Sydney FC defender Jay Maltz all started for the Joeys, while Western Sydney Wanderers trio Kade Baccus, Akol Akon and Thomas Cutuk, Brisbane Roar’s Quinn MacNicol and Perth Glory’s Christian Pullella all came off the bench in the 3-2 win.
