Subway Joeys' Head Coach, Brad Maloney has selected a 24-player squad for the Hattrick U17 International Tournament, to be held in the United Arab Emirates from 17-25 February.
Australia will be based out of Ras Al-Khaimah for the friendly, round-robin tournament that features strong opposition from across the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) with Korea Republic, Oman, Saudi Arabia all participating.
All matches will be played at the Ras Al-Khaimah Stadium, with the Subway Joeys to take on Korea Republic on Thursday, 20 February (1.00pm local/8.00pm AEDT), Saudi Arabia on Saturday, 22 February (4.30pm local/11.30pm AEDT) before facing Oman on Monday, 24 February (1.00pm local/8.00pm AEDT).
This latest assembly comes following a five-day domestic training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra in January and forms an important part of the Subway Joeys' preparation for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™.
The U17 continental tournament - which serves as qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ - will be contested between 3-20 April 2025, with the top eight teams earning their place at the age group's showpiece event.
Australia was drawn into Group B alongside Japan, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates at the tournament's Official Draw held at AFC House, Kuala Lumpur in late-January.
Maloney's squad for the tournament features several familiar faces who have featured regularly throughout qualification for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™, contributed strongly to a successful ASEAN U16 Boys Championship campaign, and participated in tours of Europe and the Pacific during the current cycle.
Anthony Didiluca (Western United FC), Quinn MacNicol (Brisbane Roar FC) and Nickolas Alfaro (Sydney FC) lead a squad brimming with Isuzu UTE A-League Men Academy talent.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC teammates, Kade Baccus - brother of Socceroo, Keanu - and Thomas Cutuk have been selected, with the later earning his first national team call up. While Jai Ajanovic (Central Coast Mariners FC), Alex Bolton (Perth Glory FC), Jay Maltz (Sydney FC) and Rhys Williams (Brisbane Roar FC) all return as they continue to impress with their respective clubs.
The squad also features several European-based players including Max Anastasio (Venezia FC), Gianluca Okon (Club Brugge KV), Archie Trimboli (Brentford FC) and Charlie Wilson-Papps (Brighton & Hove Albion FC).
Subway Joeys' Head Coach, Brad Maloney said the tournament presented a fantastic opportunity to fine-tune his side's preparation for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™.
"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," Maloney concluded.
With this tournament in the United Arab Emirates falling outside a FIFA Men's International Window, several players eligible for selection were not made available by their clubs.
MATCH DETAILS:
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 | 17-25 FEBRUARY
| Name | Position | Current Club | Junior Club / Member Federation |
| Jai AJANOVIC | Goalkeeper | Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia | Gymea United FC / Football NSW |
| Akol AKON | Attacker | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia | St Marys Convent SC / Football NSW |
| Nickolas ALFARO | Midfielder | Sydney FC, Australia | Nepean FC / Football NSW |
| Max ANASTASIO | Attacker | Venezia FC, Italy | Marconi Stallions FC / Football NSW |
| Kade BACCUS | Midfielder | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia | Parklea FC / FNSW |
| Jonty BENFIELD | Goalkeeper | Melbourne City FC, Australia | Taringa Rovers SC / Football QLD |
| Alex BOLTON | Midfielder | Perth Glory FC, Australia | Bayswater City FC / Football West |
| Isiah BOSTON | Defender | Melbourne City FC, Australia | East Kew Panthers / Football VIC |
| Thomas CUTUK | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia | Hills Spirit FC / Football NSW |
| Anthony DIDULICA | Attacker | Western United FC, Australia | St Albans Saints SC / Football VIC |
| Harrison JABLONSKI | Defender | Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia | Surf Coast FC / Football VIC |
| Besian KUTLESHI | Defender | Western United FC, Australia | North Sunshine Eagles SC / Football VIC |
| Quinn MACNICOL | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar FC, Australia | Rochedale Rovers / Football QLD |
| Jay MALTZ | Midfielder | Sydney FC, Australia | Mongo FC / Football NSW |
| Miles MILLINER | Defender | Manly United FC, Australia | Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC / Football NSW |
| Gianluca OKON | Midfielder | Club Brugge KV, Belgium | Marconi Stallions FC / Football NSW |
| Henrique OLIVEIRA | Midfielder | Macarthur Bulls FC, Australia | Adelaide Port Pirates / Football SA |
| Charlie PARKIN | Defender | Brisbane Roar FC, Australia | Grange Thistle FC / Football QLD |
| Christian PULLELLA | Defender | Perth Glory FC, Australia | Perth SC / Football West |
| Logan SAMBROOK | Attacker | Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia | Northern Storm FC / NNSW Football |
| Zane STEVENSON | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia | Balgownie Rangers / Football NSW |
| Archie TRIMBOLI | Defender | Brentford FC, England | Clapham Rangers FC (England) |
| Rhys WILLIAMS | Attacker | Brisbane Roar FC, Australia | Kawana FC / Football QLD |
| Charlie WILSON-PAPPS | Goalkeeper | Brighton & Hove Albion FC, England | Sheen Lions FC (England) |
