Isuzu UTE A-League young guns dominate the Subway Joeys’ squad for the 27th International Youth Football in Japan, with almost the entire roster made up of rising stars from the domestic competition.
Carl Veart named his 20-player squad for the upcoming tournament and 17 of those players are from Isuzu UTE A-League clubs, including Melbourne City’s teenage sensations Beckham Baker, Akeem Gerald and Luke Becvinovski, Sydney FC history-maker Akol Akon and Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Jai Ajanovic.
The 27th International Youth Football in Niigata will see Australia compete against Under-17 sides from Wales, Japan, and a Niigata selection outfit. The four-team tournament will be staged in a round-robin format, with the champion determined by the team with the strongest record at the conclusion of the matches.
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Led by Adelaide legend Veart, the Joeys will meet Niigata on September 11 before going head-to-head with Wales (September 13) and Japan (September 15) as they prepare for 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers.
The 17 Isuzu UTE A-League-based players selected by the Joeys come from six clubs:
Adelaide United: Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki, Feyzo Kasumovic, Sajjad Nasiri
Central Coast Mariners: Jai Ajanovic
Melbourne City: Beckham Baker, Luke Becvinovski, Akeem Gerald, Julian Recchia
Sydney FC: Akol Akon, Josh Brazete, Miles Milliner, Aston Reid
Western Sydney Wanderers: Lachlan Allen, Joshua Cetinic, Emile Katrib, Marcus Savic
Western United: William Kengni
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“This squad showcases the exciting talent in Australian football. The CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships have proven to be an important pathway, and this tournament in Japan is the next step in helping our players grow on the international stage,” said Veart.
“Competing against Japan, Wales and the Niigata selection side will challenge our boys in different ways and provide invaluable experience as we prepare for the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers later this year.
“Although this is an U17 tournament, we’ve deliberately chosen a younger squad with 2009-born players in mind. Gaining this exposure now is about building their confidence and ensuring they are ready to perform when the qualifiers arrive in November.”
Match Schedule
Joeys v Niigata
Where:Â Sun Sportsland Shibata, Niigata
When:Â Thursday, September 11
Kick-off:Â 3.00pm Local/4.00pm AEST
Joeys v Wales
Where:Â Sun Sportsland Shibata, Niigata
When:Â Saturday, September 13
Kick-off:Â 3.00pm Local/4.00pm AEST
Joeys v Japan
Where:Â Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata
When:Â Monday, September 15
Kick-off:Â 3.00pm Local/4.00pm AEST
Joeys squad for International Youth Football
| Name | Position | Current Club | Junior Club / Member Federation |
| Jai Ajanovic | Goalkeeper | Central Coast Mariners | Gymea United FC / Football NSW |
| Akol Akon | Attacker | Sydney FC | St Marys Convent SC / Football NSW |
| Lachlan Allen | Goalkeeper | Western Sydney Wanderers | Ramsgate RSL / Football NSW |
| Beckham Baker | Attacker | Melbourne City | West Point SC / Football VIC |
| Luke Becvinovski | Attacker | Melbourne City | Pascoe Vale FC / Football VIC |
| Josh Brazete | Midfielder | Sydney FC | Curl Curl FC / Football NSW |
| Joshua Cetinic | Midfielder | Western Sydney Wanderers | Hills United FC / Football NSW |
| Orson Conroy | Attacker | APIA Leichhardt | APIA Leichhardt FC / Football NSW |
| Deklan Cooper-Ndambuki | Defender | Adelaide United | Valley View SC / Football SA |
| Max Court | Attacker | APIA Leichhardt | APIA Leichhardt FC / Football NSW |
| Akeem Gerald | Attacker | Melbourne City | FC Bulleen Lions / Football VIC |
| Feyzo Kasumovic | Defender | Adelaide United | Croydon FC / Football SA |
| Emile Katrib | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers | Panania Diggers SC / Football NSW |
| William Kengni | Defender | Western United | Whittlesea Ranges FC / Football VIC |
| Miles Milliner | Defender | Sydney FC | Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC / Football NSW |
| Sajjad Nasiri | Midfielder | Adelaide United | Ingle Farm SC / Football SA |
| Julian Recchia | Midfielder | Melbourne City | FC Bulleen Lions / Football VIC |
| Aston Reid | Midfielder | Sydney FC | Lilli Pilli FC / Football NSW |
| Marcus Savic | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers | Moorebank Sports SC / Football NSW |
| Taj Sorensen | Midfielder | Logan Lightning FC | Logan Lightning FC / Football QLD |
