Girdwood-Reich relishing first Australia U-20 call-up

After injury prevented him from a first chance to represent the Subway Young Socceroos last year, Jake Girdwood-Reich is fit and firing ahead of the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023. 

The Sydney FC midfielder is currently in camp with Trevor Morgan's side as they prepare to take on Vietnam in their first group game on Wednesday night (9pm AEDT). 

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After being forced to watch on via live stream as the side qualified back in October 2022, the 18-year-old recalls the moment he received word that he was set to travel to the tournament itself. 

"Getting the call was an unreal feeling to me, especially missing the last qualifiers with a niggle in my hip flexor that ruled me out," he told Football Australia. 

There’s nothing better than getting a call-up for your national team.

“I did my best to watch a few of the games (in Kuwait last year), it looks like a very solid team and I've heard a lot of the boys gelled really well." 

Despite this being Girdwood-Reich's first international call-up at U20 level, he is confident that settling in should not be an issue. 

The Sydney-based youngster previously represented his nation with the Joeys back in 2019. 

Back then, he made three appearances, including one against next week's opponents Vietnam, during qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup 2021 - a tournament eventually cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

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Having made his senior A-League Men's debut this season, Girdwood-Reich is now eager to make his mark on the international stage. 

“I know a couple of the guys from previous national teams, with the Joeys, and guess it shouldn't be too hard to fit in," he said. 

“My body feels pretty good, I’ve been getting some minutes in the NPL as well as the A-League here and there.

"I'm a very aggressive player. I like to break up play, win the ball back but like getting on the ball as well." 

While a chance to be crowned Asian Champions is at stake, there is a clear goal shared amongst the squad which has gathered in Uzbekistan. 

“However I can, I'll help the team try and qualify for the U-20 World Cup," Girdwood-Reich enforced. 

"That’s the stuff you dream of as a kid; to achieve that goal and qualify would be unbelievable, just unreal.”

All of the Subway Young Socceroos’ AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ matches will be streamed live and free on 10 Play. The tournament's top-four nations - excluding Indonesia - will qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which kicks off in May. 

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Subway Young Socceroos Match Schedule – AFC Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™

Subway Young Socceroos Squad | AFC Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ | 1 – 18 March