Subway Young Socceroos Head Coach Trevor Morgan says his side are primed and ready ahead of tomorrow’s opener in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™.
The Australia U-20 side have been pitted in Group B alongside Vietnam, Iran and Qatar.
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Morgan revealed the squad has acclimatised well to their new environment and are feeling confident ahead of its clash with Vietnam in Fergana on Wednesday night (9:00 PM AEDT).
“We came into Uzbekistan last week, and we had a very good training camp in Tashkent,” he told the media at his official pre-match press conference.
“We're looking forward to some time on the pitch today to finalise things but everyone's looking forward to tomorrow very much.”
The Young Socceroos know a semi-final finish will guarantee its place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023™ in May.
Morgan insisted the team’s sole focus is firmly on trying to win the tournament, like every other nation.
“Our target like everybody is to win,” Morgan said.
“I think every boy who comes here dreams to play the highest level and there's a final on the 18th of March.”
“I believe every team wants to be in that final and our team is no different.”
Starting the tournament on the right note will certainly be key to build momentum.
Morgan is expecting a tough encounter against the Golden Star Warriors, praising their quality, while intimating they must play the match on their terms.
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“We're playing a team that was a runner up in a group, qualifying is tough,” admitted Morgan.
“It was a few months ago now, so there will be changes.
“I believe Vietnam have a lot of strengths.
“They play true to their culture and it's up to us to nullify those things and to play our game and to chase the victory.”
Subway Young Socceroos Match Schedule – AFC Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™
|
Time/Date |
Match |
Venue |
|
3.00pm local, 1 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 |