The Subway Young Socceroos left Buenos Aires with their heads held high after matching it with the age group’s most successful country – Argentina.
A host of Isuzu UTE A-League youngsters went toe-to-toe with global powerhouse Argentina and their Under-20 side in a pair of friendlies in South America.
On Tuesday (AEST), Australia lost 2-0 after a last-gasp 2-1 defeat in the opening match.
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Of the starting XI in the second fixture, eight played in the Isuzu UTE A-League in 2024-25; Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen, Melbourne Victory’s Joshua Inserra and Alex Badolato, Adelaide United pair Panagiotis Kikianis and Jonny Yull, Perth Glory sensation Jaylan Pearman – who has departed for EFL Championship side QPR, Melbourne City champion Max Caputo and Sydney FC midfielder Wataru Kamijo.
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Western Sydney Wanderers gun Marcus Younis, who has been on loan at Dutch giants PSV, scored in the first game which saw the Young Socceroos succumb to a 90th minute goal.
In that match, Sydney FC shot-stopper Gus Hoefsloot, Kikianis, Adelaide’s Fabian Talladira, Yull and Luka Jovanovic, Sky Blues recruit Rhys Youlley and Zac De Jesus and Macarthur Bulls pair Dean Bosnjak and Frans Deli were in the line-up.
For Kamijo, it capped a memorable 2024-25.
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The 19-year-old academy graduate broke into Sydney’s team last term as he featured in the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals before earning a maiden call-up to the Young Socceroos.
“I think I’ve grown a lot this year, experienced a lot of games and in the Champions League too and that has helped in my selection and growing as a player too,” he said via Sydney FC prior to the Argentina trip.
“It’s so exciting being selected for the national team and I’m really looking forward to going with that group that won the Asian Cup and proving myself,” Kamijo said.
He added: “The way the A-League is changing, more opportunities are being given to youngsters and this season a number of them have had breakout seasons.
“This is great for Australian football in the long run and giving us chances only gives us better opportunities to show what we can do.”
