Tyrese Francois named Australia captain for upcoming AFC U23 Asian Cup

21-year-old Tyrese Francois will lead Australia during June's AFC U23 Asian Cup in Uzbekistan. 

Interim Head Coach Trevor Morgan has handed Francois the armband ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on June 1 as Australia take on Kuwait. 

Born in Campbelltown, Francois traded Sydney for London as a teenager when he joined Fulham's academy in 2013. 

In the years that followed, he rose through the ranks to debut at senior level in 2019, before becoming the 53rd Australian to play in the English Premier League following his first league appearance in May 2021. 

A few weeks later, Francois linked up with the Australia U23's in Marbella, Spain, where he pulled on the Green and Gold throughout three international friendlies.

The youngster shared why he is grateful for the opportunity to lead his nation into the upcoming tournament. 

"It's an honour," he said. "Obviously it's a proud moment for myself and my family and it will mean a lot more if we can go deep into this tournament as well. 

"It's a great bunch of lads, with younger boys and older boys involved. We've got a great attitude and the vibe around the camp is very good.

"We're eager to kick off on Wednesday, and all want to stand out in this tournament." 

After a productive week's pre-camp in Tashkent, Francois and his teammates are now in the city of Qarshi, which will host Australia's first two group games against Kuwait and Iraq, on June 1 and 4 respectively. 

The squad will then return to Uzbekistan's capital for their final group fixture against Jordan on June 7. 

Australian audiences can watch all of the U23's action live on Paramount+, with Trevor Morgan side's first three fixtures all kicking off at 11pm AEST. 

To get to know the squad and find out more about how preparations have progressed, check out the 'Inside Camp with the 23's' series. 

Australia U23 Squad | AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022

Name

Club, Country

Junior Club
(Member Federation)

Hosine BILITY

Fram Reykjavik, Iceland

Croydon Kings FC (Football South Australia)

Nicholas BILOKAPIC (Gk)

Hartlepool United, England

Sydney United 58 FC (Football NSW)

Jordan BOS

Melbourne City FC, Australia

Hoppers Crossing SC (Football Victoria)

Lachlan BROOK

Adelaide United FC, Australia

Gawler Eagles FC (Football South Australia)

Jacob CHAPMAN (Gk)

Huddersfield Town AFC, England

Epping Eastwood Tigers FC (Football NSW)

Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS

Rakow Czestochowa, Poland

Newmarket SFC (Football Queensland)

Louis D’ARRIGO

Adelaide United FC, Australia

West Torrens Birkalla SC (Football South Australia)

Jacob FARRELL

Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia

Wyoming FC (Football NSW)

Tyrese FRANCOIS

Fulham FC, England

Campbelltown Uniting Church SC (Football NSW)

Joe GAUCI (Gk)

Adelaide United FC, Australia

Cumberland United FC (Football South Australia)

Tristan HAMMOND

FK Austria Wien II, Austria

Fairfield Hotspurs SC (Football NSW)

Alou KUOL

SV Sandhausen, Germany

Shepparton SC (Football Victoria)

Lewis MILLER

Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia

Pittwater RSL FC (Football NSW)

Ramy NAJJARINE

Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia

Mounties Wanderers FC (Football NSW)

Joshua NISBET

Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia

St Marys FC (Football NSW)

Bernardo Oliveira (BERNARDO)

Adelaide United FC, Australia

Port Adelaide Pirates SC (Football SA)

Cameron PEUPION

Brighton Hove & Albion FC, England

Wakehurst FC (Football NSW)

Joshua RAWLINS

Perth Glory FC, Australia

Dianella SC (Football West)

Jay RICH-BAGHUELOU

Accrington Stanley FC, England

Palm Beach SC (Football Queensland)

Kai TREWIN

Brisbane Roar FC, Australia

Gungahlin United FC (Capital Football)

Patrick WOOD

Sydney FC, Australia

Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC (Football NSW)

Patrick YAZBEK

Sydney FC, Australia

Austral Soccer Club (Football NSW)

Kusini YENGI Adelaide United, Australia  Fulham United FC (Football South Australia)

 

Match Schedule | Australia U23 | AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022

Matchday 1: Australia U23 v Kuwait U23

Date: Wednesday, 1 June 2022
Venue: Markaziy Stadium, Qarshi, Uzbekistan
Kick-off: 6pm (local); 11pm (AEST) 
Broadcast: Live in Australia on Paramount+

Matchday 2: Iraq U23 v Australia U23 
Date: Saturday, 4 June 2022
Venue: Markaziy Stadium, Qarshi, Uzbekistan
Kick-off: 6pm (local); 11pm (AEST) 
Broadcast: Live in Australia on Paramount+

Matchday 3: Australia U23 v Jordan U23
Date: Tuesday, 7 June 2022
Venue: Lokomotiv Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Kick-off: 6pm (local); 11pm (AEST) 
Broadcast: Live in Australia on Paramount+