Subway Young Socceroos squad named for AFC U-20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023

Subway Young Socceroos’ Head Coach Trevor Morgan has selected a strong 23-player squad to represent Australia at the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™.

Comprising of nineteen locally based players, the Australians will assemble in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from February 20, where they have been drawn in Group B of four groups, alongside IR Iran, Qatar, and Vietnam during the tournament that runs 1 – 18 March, 2023. 

The Subway Young Socceroos will need to reach the semi finals in Uzbekistan to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023™, which would be Australia’s first appearance at this global event since 2013.

Speaking about the squad for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™, Trevor Morgan said: “We have selected players who are emerging talents in the A-League Men’s competition and overseas leagues that need to be exposed to international tournament conditions, and the AFC U-20 Asian Cup provides up to six games inside 18 days against varied opponents.

“This squad of players have been inspired by the performances of the Subway Socceroos in Qatar, and those heading to Uzbekistan can’t wait to pull on the green and gold and represent not only themselves, their families and club, but the extended playing group on the international stage. 

“Australia has not featured at the FIFA U-20 World Cup since 2013, and the valuable experience it provides players on their way to the Subway Olyroos and Subway Socceroos is immeasurable.

Young Socceroos

“We know the AFC U-20 Asian Cup presents a huge challenge, but these are environments the best players crave, and this tournament presents an opportunity to create history and qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, taking inspiration from the 2019 edition where Korea Republic appeared in the final,” concluded Morgan.

Football superstars like Diego Maradona, David Trezeguet, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Paul Pogba and 2019 top goal scorer, Erling Haaland, all had their first exposure to international tournament football at previous FIFA U-20 World Cups, demonstrating the career defining opportunity that awaits the Subway Young Socceroos in Uzbekistan.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023™ is scheduled to run 20 May – 11 June 2023, which will feature 24 teams from six Confederations, including the semi-finalists from AFC U-20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™. 

Due to this tournament being played outside a FIFA international window and following consultation with their respective clubs, a number of European-based players were unavailable for selection for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™, however will be considered should Australia qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023™.

All Subway Young Socceroos’ AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ matches will be streamed live and free on 10 Play, with expert commentary by Teo Pellizzeri.

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

Time/Date

Match

Venue

3.00pm local, 4 March / 9.00pm AEDT, 1 March

Australia vs Vietnam

Istiqlol Stadium, Fergana, Uzbekistan

3.00pm local, 4 March / 9.00pm AEDT, 4 March

Australia vs Iran

Istiqlol Stadium, Fergana, Uzbekistan

3.00pm local, 7 March / 9.00pm AEDT, 7 March

Australia vs Qatar

JAR Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan


SUBWAY YOUNG SOCCEROOS SQUAD | AFC ASIAN CUP UZBEKISTAN 2023™ | 1 – 18 MARCH

Full Name

Position

Current Club (as at 8 Feb ‘23)

Junior Club / Member Federation / Country

Alexander BADOLATO

Midfielder

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

Sylvania Heights FC / Football New South Wales

Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES

Attacker

Melbourne City FC

Western Strikers SC / Football South Australia

Rhys BOZINOVSKI

Midfielder

Western United FC

Spring Hills Stallions FC / Football Victoria

Matthew DENCH

Defender

Charlton Athletic FC

ECU SC / Football West

Chris DONNELL

Defender

Perth Glory FC

Rockingham City FC / Scotland

Jed DREW

Attacker

Macarthur FC

Meltham Athletic FC / England

Joseph FORDE

Defender

Perth Glory FC

Forrestfield United SC / Football West

Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH

Midfielder

Sydney FC

Sydney Olympic FC / Football New South Wales

Archie GOODWIN

Attacker

Newcastle Jets FC

Cooks Hill United FC / Football Nothern New South Wales

Alessandro LOPANE

Midfielder

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

APIA Leichhardt FC / Football New South Wales

Panashe MADANHA

Defender

Adelaide United FC

Adelaide Olympic FC / Football South Australia

Kaelan MAJEKODUNMI

Defender

Perth Glory FC

Carramar Cougars Junior FC / Football West

James NIEUWENHUIZEN

Goalkeeper

Melbourne City FC

Goulburn Valley Suns FC / Football Victoria

Bernardo OLIVEIRA

Attacker

Adelaide United FC

Port Adelaide SC / Football South Australia

Gabriel POPOVIC

Attacker

NK Rudes

Sydney United 58 FC / Football New South Wales

Joshua RAWLINS

Defender

FC Utrecht

Dianella Junior SC / Football West

Jing REEC

Attacker

AGF Aarhus

Blacktown Workers FC / Football New South Wales

Alexander ROBINSON

Goalkeeper

Macarthur FC

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC / Football New South Wales

Adrian SEGECIC

Midfielder

Sydney FC

Lidcombe Waratah Junior SC / Football New South Wales

Aidan SIMMONS

Attacker

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

St George FA / Football New South Wales

Nectarios TRIANTIS

Defender

Central Coast Mariners FC

Canterbury Junior FC / Football New South Wales

Jack WARSHAWSKY

Goalkeeper

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

Buderim Wanderers FC / Football Queensland

Jonny YULL

Midfielder

Adelaide United FC

West Torrens Birkalla SC / Football South Australia