Discover the emerging talents who ended Australia’s 12-year World Cup dry spell in their pursuit of glory in Asia.

At the club level, Jovanovic has established himself as one of the most promising young strikers in the Isuzu UTE A-League. He has netted four goals in 12 appearances this season and boasts a total of 11 career goals since debuting for the Reds in 2022 at just 17 years of age.

Musa Toure

• Club: Randers FC (Denmark)
• Position: Forward

Musa Toure made a significant impact on the Australian football scene with a goal for Adelaide United during his third Isuzu UTE A-League match in late 2023.

Following in the footsteps of his professional footballer siblings, Mohamed and Al Hassan Toure, Musa joined the Isuzu UTE A-League before making a move to Europe, where he’s now playing alongside his brother Mohamed at Danish club Randers.

In the Under-20 Asian Cup, Toure has appeared three times and scored two goals against Kyrgyz Republic in the group stage.

Panagiotis Kikianis

• Club: Adelaide United
• Position: Defender

Panagiotis Kikianis has emerged as a key player for Adelaide United and is bringing that form to the Under-20 Asian Cup. The young centre-back has been a regular in Adelaide’s starting line-up, making 14 starts in 14 appearances this season after only five games for the Reds in his initial two years with the senior team.

Kikianis is bound by a club-record five-year contract with the Reds. He has also made three starts for the Young Socceroos at the Under-20 Asian Cup, including scoring an equaliser against Iraq, paving the way for A-Leagues talent Alex Badolato to net the match-winning goal that propelled Australia into the semi-finals.

Daniel Bennie

• Club: Queens Park Rangers (England)
• Position: Forward

Ex-Perth Glory forward Daniel Bennie has dazzled at the Under-20 Asian Cup with two elegant goals in four appearances.

Bennie made a move to English Championship side Queens Park Rangers in mid-2024 after completing 25 matches for Perth Glory in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

At just 18 years old, he sealed off a thrilling 3-1 victory against Qatar with the final goal, just days after netting his first goal of the tournament in a commanding 5-1 win over Kyrgyz Republic.

Alexander Badolato

• Club: Melbourne Victory (on loan from Western Sydney Wanderers)
• Position: Midfield

Alexander Badolato is yet to make his debut for his new club, Melbourne Victory, after his loan transfer from Western Sydney Wanderers was finalised in mid-February, all while he continues to impress at the Under-20 Asian Cup.

Upon his return to Australia, Badolato will bring with him the valuable experience gained from an outstanding continental tournament.

He has already scored twice in three starts at the tournament, including a stunning strike that broke the deadlock and secured an unprecedented 3-2 win against Iraq for the Young Socceroos.

Dean Bosnjak

• Club: Macarthur Bulls
• Position: Forward

Dean Bosnjak, on a scholarship deal at Macarthur Bulls, has made the most of his chances during the Under-20 Asian Cup, scoring one goal from a start and two substitute appearances.

His sole start came in a notable comeback against Qatar, where he netted Australia’s second goal in a 3-1 victory.

Alexander Badolato

• Club: Melbourne Victory (on loan from Western Sydney Wanderers)
• Position: Midfield

Alexander Badolato has recently joined Melbourne Victory on loan from Western Sydney Wanderers, marking a thrilling chapter in his career as he showcases his talent at the Under-20 Asian Cup.

Badolato has tallied two goals in three tournament starts, notably scoring a pivotal goal that secured an unforgettable 3-2 victory against Iraq.

Dean Bosnjak

• Club: Macarthur Bulls
• Position: Forward

Teen forward Dean Bosnjak, who has signed a scholarship deal with Macarthur Bulls, has seized every opportunity presented to him throughout the Under-20 Asian Cup.

Scoring once from one start and two substitute appearances, his standout moment was a crucial goal in a 3-1 comeback against Qatar.