19 A-League Talents Selected by Joeys Ahead of U17 Asian Cup Preparations

The head coach of the Subway Joeys, Brad Maloney, has unveiled a squad of 24 players, including 19 emerging talents from the Isuzu UTE A-League, who are set to compete in the Hattrick U17 International Tournament taking place in the United Arab Emirates this February.

This tournament will see Australia take on teams from Korea Republic, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, providing crucial preparation for the Joeys ahead of their participation in the U17 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in April.

Maloney’s selection follows a five-day domestic training camp held at the Australian Institute of Sport in January. The squad comprises 19 of the A-League’s top young prospects from eight of the league’s 13 clubs, featuring talents such as Brisbane Roar’s Quinn MacNicol, Henrique Oliveira (the younger brother of Macarthur Bulls striker Bernardo), and Kade Baccus, brother of Subway Socceroos players Kearyn and Keanu.

Isuzu UTE A-League players named in the Joeys squad:

Brisbane Roar: Quinn MacNicol, Charlie Parkin, Rhys Williams
Central Coast Mariners: Jai Ajanovic, Harrison Jablonski, Logan Sambrook
Macarthur Bulls: Henrique Oliveira
Melbourne City: Jonty Benfield, Isiah Boston
Perth Glory: Alex Bolton, Christian Pullella
Sydney FC: Nickolas Alfaro, Jay Maltz
Western Sydney Wanderers: Akol Akon, Kade Baccus, Thomas Cutuk, Zane Stevenson
Western United: Anthony Didulica, Besian Kutleshi

The squad features several standout players from Australia’s ASEAN Under-16 Boys’ Championship held in Indonesia from June to July 2024. Notably, both Brisbane’s MacNicol and Western United forward Anthony Didulica finished equal top scorers of the tournament, each netting six goals as the Joeys clinched the title and became the first men’s national team to win silverware since 2019.

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Coach Maloney highlighted the significance of the Hattrick U17 International Tournament as a vital preparation step for the upcoming U17 Asian Cup, where Australia faces Japan, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates in Group B when the tournament kicks off in April.

“We are pleased with how our preparation for the Asian Cup has shaped up. With our group stage opponents confirmed, we can now delve into detailed planning for the tournament,” Maloney stated.

“Participating in this tournament is invaluable, as we will be up against strong opponents in conditions similar to what we can expect in Saudi Arabia.

“This will serve as our final competitive fixtures before the Asian Cup, so it is crucial we maximise this time as we build upon the foundations established throughout this cycle.

“We have been lucky to maintain a level of consistency in our selections, allowing the group to develop a coherent playing style and set a standard of expectations off the pitch, which we believe will be essential for success in the Asian Cup and beyond.

“This tournament is another critical step, and both the players and staff are eager to get started.”

Match details – Hattrick U17 International Tournament

Korea Republic vs Subway Joeys
Thursday, 20 February 2025
Ras Al-Khaimah Stadium, United Arab Emirates
Kick-off: 1.00pm local/8.00pm AEDT

Subway Joeys vs Saudi Arabia
Saturday, 22 February 2025
Ras Al-Khaimah Stadium, United Arab Emirates
Kick-off: 4.30pm local/11.30pm AEDT

Subway Joeys vs 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

Provided by Football Australia

Name	Position	Current Club	Junior Club / Member Federation
Jai AJANOVIC	Goalkeeper	Central Coast Mariners, Australia	Gymea United FC / Football NSW
Akol AKON	Attacker	Western Sydney Wanderers, 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, Australia	Parklea FC / FNSW
Jonty BENFIELD	Goalkeeper	Melbourne City, Australia	Taringa Rovers SC / Football QLD
Alex BOLTON	Midfielder	Perth Glory, Australia	Bayswater City FC / Football West
Isiah BOSTON	Defender	Melbourne City, Australia	East Kew Panthers / Football VIC
Thomas CUTUK	Defender	Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia	Hills Spirit FC / Football NSW
Anthony DIDULICA	Attacker	Western United, Australia	St Albans Saints SC / Football VIC
Harrison JABLONSKI	Defender	Central Coast Mariners, Australia	Surf Coast FC / Football VIC
Besian KUTLESHI	Defender	Western United, Australia	North Sunshine Eagles SC / Football VIC
Quinn MACNICOL	Midfielder	Brisbane Roar, Australia	Rochedale Rovers / Football QLD
Jay MALTZ	Midfielder	Sydney FC, Australia	Mongo FC / Football NSW
Miles MILLINER	Defender	Manly United, Australia	Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC / Football NSW
Gianluca OKON	Midfielder	Club Brugge KV, Belgium	Marconi Stallions FC / Football NSW
Henrique OLIVEIRA	Midfielder	Macarthur Bulls, Australia	Adelaide Port Pirates / Football SA
Charlie PARKIN	Defender	Brisbane Roar, Australia	Grange Thistle FC / Football QLD
Christian PULLELLA	Defender	Perth Glory, Australia	Perth SC / Football West
Logan SAMBROOK	Attacker	Central Coast Mariners, Australia	Northern Storm FC / NNSW Football
Zane STEVENSON	Defender	Western Sydney Wanderers, Australia	Balgownie Rangers / Football NSW
Archie TRIMBOLI	Defender	Brentford FC, England	Clapham Rangers FC (England)
Rhys WILLIAMS	Attacker	Brisbane Roar, Australia	Kawana FC / Football QLD
Charlie WILSON-PAPPS	Goalkeeper	Brighton & Hove Albion, England	Sheen Lions FC (England)