19 A-Leagues prospects called up by Joeys as preparation ramps up for U17 Asian Cup

Subway Joeys head coach Brad Maloney has selected 19 Isuzu UTE A-League prospects in a 24-player squad set to take part in the Hattrick U17 International Tournament in the United Arab Emirates in February.

The friendly tournament will see Australia face Korea Republic, Oman and Saudi Arabia and serve as preparation for the Joeys ahead of their participation in the U17 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in April.

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Maloney’s 24-player squad was selected after a five-day domestic training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in January, and features 19 of the Isuzu UTE A-League’s most highly-rated young talents from eight of the competition’s 13 clubs, including Brisbane Roar rising star Quinn MacNicol, Henrique Oliveira – younger brother of Macarthur Bulls attacker Bernardo, and Kade Baccus, brother of Subway Socceroos duo Kearyn and Keanu.

Isuzu UTE A-League players selected in Joeys squad:

Brisbane Roar: Quinn MacNicol, Charlie Parkin, Rhys Williams
Central Coast Mariners: Jai Ajanovic, Harrison Jablonski, Logan Sambrook
Macarthur Bulls: Henrique Oliveira
Melbourne City: Jonty Benfield, Isiah Boston
Perth Glory: Alex Bolton, Christian Pullella
Sydney FC: Nickolas Alfaro, Jay Maltz
Western Sydney Wanderers: Akol Akon, Kade Baccus, Thomas Cutuk, Zane Stevenson
Western United: Anthony Didulica, Besian Kutleshi

The squad features several of the star players from Australia’s ASEAN Under-16 Boys’ Championship in Indonesia in June-July of 2024. Brisbane’s MacNicol and Western United striker Anthony Didulica finished equal top of the Golden Boot standings in the tournament with six goals apiece as the Joeys won the Championship, becoming the first men’s national team to win a piece of silverware since 2019.

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Joeys head coach Maloney described the Hattrick U17 International Tournament as yet another important step on the road to the U17 Asian Cup, where Australia have been drawn alongside Japan, Vietnam and United Arab Emirates in Group B of the tournament kicking off in April.

“Our preparation for the Asian Cup has been progressing well and following the confirmation of our group stage opponents, we’ve been able to dive into more detailed planning ahead of the tournament,” Maloney said.

“To be involved in this tournament as part of our preparation for the Asian Cup is extremely valuable, as we face strong opposition in conditions that are largely similar to what we can expect in Saudi Arabia.

“It’ll be our last set of competitive matches prior to the Asian Cup, so it’s important we make the most of this time together as we build on foundations that have been laid throughout this cycle.

“We’ve been fortunate to have a lot of consistency in selection throughout this cycle, which has allowed this group to better develop the way we play, as well as foster a set of standards and expectations off the pitch that we feel will be vital to success at the Asian Cup and beyond.

“This tournament is another important step that the players and staff are very much looking forward to.

Match details – Hattrick U17 International Tournament

Korea Republic v Subway Joeys
Thursday, 20 February 2025
Ras Al-Khaimah Stadium, United Arab Emirates
Kick-off: 1.00pm local/8.00pm AEDT

Subway Joeys v Saudi Arabia
Saturday, 22 February 2025
Ras Al-Khaimah Stadium, United Arab Emirates
Kick-off: 4.30pm local/11.30pm AEDT

Subway Joeys v Oman
Monday, 24 February 2025
Ras Al-Khaimah Stadium, United Arab Emirates
Kick-off: 1.00pm local/8.00pm AEDT

Subway Joeys squad – Hattrick U17 International Tournament

Supplied by Football Australia