Adelaide United forward and super sub Luka Jovanovic was at the double as the Subway Young Socceroos beat Afghanistan 2-0 in their opening 2025 AFC Under-20 Asian Cup qualifier.
Jovanovic came off the bench and scored twice in the closing stages to lead Australia past Afghanistan at Prince Sultan Sports City Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (AEST).
The 19-year-old, who is wearing the number nine jersey for Adelaide this upcoming Isuzu UTE A-League season, broke the deadlock in the 84th minute before sealing the result with a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time.
Click here to secure your Unite Round tickets NOW!
Of the 23-player squad, 19 are rising stars from the A-Leagues, including Jovanovic.
Central Coast Mariners sensation Miguel Di Pizio was in the starting XI, along with Brisbane Roar young gun Thomas Waddingham, Western United’s Jake Najdovski, Johnny Yull of Adelaide, Western Sydney Wanderers’ Alexander Badolato, Perth Glory talent Zach Lisolajski, Melbourne City’s Zane Schreiber and Kyle Razmovski of Melbourne Victory.
Jesse Cameron (Western Sydney Wanderers), Frans Deli, Oliver Randazzo, Alexander Robinson (all Macarthur FC), Tiago Quintal (Sydney FC), Â Daniel Graskoski, Joshua Inserra (both Melbourne Victory), Arion Sulemani (Melbourne City) and Panagiotis Kikianis and Fabian Talladira (both Adelaide) were also among the substitutes.
A-LEAGUES GREAT TAKES OVER: Tony Popovic’s message to A-Leagues players in first press conference as Socceroos boss
As for Jovanovic, it is shaping up as a breakout season for the talented forward.
In the final three rounds of the NPLM SA regular season, the 19-year-old scored eight goals and provided an assist. That return of eight goals also included two hat-tricks.
Handed the number nine shirt for the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign, Jovanovic has taken that form into the first team this off-season.
The Australian youth international, who has scored seven A-Leagues goals since debuting in 2022-23, scored twice in the 2024 Australia Cup as well as in a friendly versus Adelaide Raiders.
The Young Socceroos will now turn their attention to Wednesday’s game against Macau.
LOCKED IN! Dates announced for 2024-25 A-Leagues season
UNITE ROUND LAUNCHED FOR 2024-25:Â Everything you need to know
UNITE ROUND 2024-25: What’s new this season?
FULL FIXTURE:Â Who your team is up against in Unite Round
