Introducing the Emerging Talents Who Ended Australia’s 12-Year World Cup Drought in Their Pursuit of Glory in Asia

Dean Bosnjak

• Club: Macarthur Bulls
• Position: Forward

On a scholarship deal with Macarthur Bulls, young striker Dean Bosnjak has seized his chances at the Asian Cup, scoring once from a start and two substitute appearances.

Bosnjak’s sole start came in a remarkable 3-1 comeback win over Qatar, where he scored the second goal for Australia in that match.

Medin Memeti

• Club: Melbourne City
• Position: Forward

A standout talent from Melbourne City’s flourishing academy, Medin Memeti has made his mark this season, featuring in 11 matches for the senior side.

Memeti was a prolific scorer in City’s academy before stepping up to the first team, becoming the club’s youngest-ever scorer with two goals prior to 17-year-old Alex Wong breaking his record in mid-February.

He made one appearance in the U20 Asian Cup during Australia’s win over China PR, scoring the opening goal.

Paul Okon-Engstler

• Club: SL Benfica (Portugal)
• Position: Midfield

Paul Okon-Engstler has been instrumental in Australia’s journey to the Asian Cup semi-finals.

The son of legendary Australian footballer and former Socceroos captain Paul Okon, Okon-Engstler is contracted to Portuguese giants Benfica. He has participated in all four of Australia’s U20 matches at the tournament, starting three.

Following Australia’s qualification for the U20 World Cup in 2025, the 20-year-old now has the chance to emulate his father’s success, who led Australia to the semi-finals of the 1991 Under-20 World Cup.

Fabian Talladira

• Club: Adelaide United
• Position: Midfielder

Fabian Talladira is one of four Adelaide United players competing for the Young Socceroos.

This 18-year-old midfielder has featured in all three of Australia’s matches at the U20 Asian Cup. His form has maintained a special month, starting with his debut for the Reds in the Isuzu UTE A-League against Sydney FC on February 1.

Louis Agosti

• Club: AC Perugia Calcio (Italy)
• Position: Midfield

Louis Agosti, a product of Sydney FC’s academy, has made a significant impact in Australia’s U20 Asian Cup campaign by scoring the winning goal in a hard-fought 2-1 victory against China PR.

Now signed with Italian Serie C club Perugia Calcio, Agosti has described representing Australia at the tournament as an invaluable chance he is eager to make the most of.

“It’s always a privilege to play for my country,” Agosti told Football Australia after his decisive goal against China. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and to score the winning goal in front of such a supportive crowd is incredible.”

Adam Bugarija

• Club: Perth Glory
• Position: Forward

Adam Bugarija, formerly of Western Sydney Wanderers, is one of three Perth Glory players in the Young Socceroos squad.

At 20 years old, he has made two substitute appearances in the tournament, contributing just over half an hour of game time so far. Bugarija made his Isuzu UTE A-League debut against Macarthur in October, scoring his first goal in the league during the match.

Frans Deli

• Club: Macarthur Bulls
• Position: Midfield

Frans Deli is among the Young Socceroos making their mark during their inaugural season in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

At just 19, Deli made his debut with Macarthur Bulls in November and has featured in all four matches for Australia at the Asian Cup.

Sebastian Esposito

• Club: US Lecce (Italy)
• Position: Defender

Strong centre-back Sebastian Esposito, a product of the Melbourne City academy, recently made history as the first Australian signed by Italian Serie A side US Lecce.

At 19, Esposito is a regular for the Young Socceroos, captaining the team in all three of his starts at the tournament.

Steven Hall

• Club: Brighton & Hove Albion (England)
• Position: Goalkeeper

Former Adelaide United keeper Steven Hall has been the go-to goalkeeper for Young Socceroos coach Trevor Morgan at the U20 Asian Cup, starting three of four matches. Hall has conceded four goals across fixtures with Iraq, Qatar, and Kyrgyz Republic.

Hall transitioned from Adelaide to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion in early 2024, becoming the youngest goalkeeper in the Isuzu UTE A-League to make his debut at just 16 years and 350 days.

Jaylan Pearman

• Club: Perth Glory
• Position: Midfield

Young midfielder Jaylan Pearman has stood out in a difficult Isuzu UTE A-League season for Perth Glory.

The 18-year-old made his league debut in January, quickly becoming an integral part of the squad with six appearances under his belt.

Pearman has started three times and made one substitute appearance for the Young Socceroos in the Asian Cup.

Lucas Herrington

• Club: Brisbane Roar
• Position: Defender

Highly touted centre-back Lucas Herrington has made eight appearances for Brisbane Roar this season, with head coach Ruben Zadkovich calling him “the best defender in Australian football” during pre-season.

Zadkovich reaffirmed his belief in the teenager’s potential, predicting Herrington will attract a “very, very big” transfer fee in the future.

Responding to the pressure, Herrington has performed admirably so far, starting in all eight of his matches this season.

He has made one U20 Asian Cup appearance as a starter against China PR.

Joshua Inserra

• Club: Melbourne Victory
• Position: Defender

Melbourne Victory academy product Joshua Inserra signed his first scholarship contract with the senior team in mid-2023 at just 18, successfully moving up from Victory’s Under-18, 20, and NPL squads.

Now 20, Inserra has played two matches in the Isuzu UTE A-League, with his latest appearance in January against Adelaide United.

Inserra has started one game and come off the bench twice for Australia during the U20 Asian Cup.

Zach Lisolajski

• Club: Perth Glory
• Position: Defender

Zach Lisolajski has worked tirelessly to realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

At 18 years old, he joined Perth Glory for the 2024-25 season after six appearances for Western United in the previous season. Before that, he was part of Newcastle Jets’ academy and played state league football in Victoria for Sydenham Park.

Lisolajski helped Australia qualify for the U20 Asian Cup, and thus far, he has featured in two matches during the tournament.

Tiago Quintal

• Club: Sydney FC
• Position: Midfield

Tiago Quintal is a homegrown talent at Sydney FC, having joined the club’s academy when he was just 11 years old.

Now at 18, Quintal has begun to integrate into the senior squad, managing 11 appearances this season, mainly from the bench.

Quintal has been pivotal in guiding the Young Socceroos to the semi-finals at the U20 Asian Cup. After starting against Qatar, he assisted Macarthur’s Bosnjak in a 3-1 victory and has continued as a starting player since.

Oliver Randazzo

• Club: Macarthur Bulls
• Position: Midfield

Oliver Randazzo signed his first scholarship contract with Macarthur Bulls on the same day as teammate Frans Deli in 2023.

Transitioning from the Bulls FC Academy, Randazzo has slowly gained the trust of head coach Mile Sterjovski, making his league debut in November with three total appearances for the Bulls.

At the U20 Asian Cup, Randazzo has made one appearance thus far as a starter against China PR.

Alexander Robinson

• Club: Macarthur Bulls
• Position: Goalkeeper

One of four Macarthur teammates in the Young Socceroos squad, Alexander Robinson has yet to make his league debut for the Bulls but has showcased his skills with the Bulls FC Academy since 2023.

At 19, Robinson continues to develop as an up-and-coming Australian keeper, appearing once for Australia at the U20 Asian Cup and taking over in the starting XI against China PR, conceding one goal during the 2-1 win.

Jonny Yull

• Club: Adelaide United
• Position: Midfield

Jonny Yull has been heralded as a remarkable talent emerging from South Australia’s football scene. Although the 19-year-old has yet to find his rhythm in the Isuzu UTE A-League, he continues to show flashes of his brilliance in his brief appearances for the Reds.

Yull has logged 330 league minutes this season from 12 matches, during which he has provided two crucial assists for winning goals, including one for Zach Clough in a 2-1 victory over Western United and another for Young Socceroo Jovanovic in a 2-1 win over Macarthur.

Yull has made two starts and one substitute appearance in the Asian Cup for the Young Socceroos.

Gus Hoefsloot

• Club: Sydney FC
• Position: Goalkeeper

Gus Hoefsloot, the Sydney FC goalkeeper, is the only player in the Young Socceroos squad who has not yet seen game time in the U20 Asian Cup, serving as third-choice behind Robinson and Hall.

The 18-year-old began his journey playing futsal before joining Sydney’s academy. He signed a scholarship contract with the Sky Blues in 2023, but a knee injury hindered his push for an Isuzu UTE A-League debut.