Four PGFC Academy players – defender Andriano Lebib, midfielders Giovanni De Abreu and Corey Sutherland and forward Daniel Bennie – have been named in Australia’s 23-player squad for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023.
The tournament will be staged in Bangkok and Chonburi from June 15 – July 2, with the Joeys set to face Saudi Arabia (16 June) and China PR (19 June) at Chonburi Stadium, before completing the round-robin group stage format against Tajikistan (22 June) at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium.
The 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup features the 10 group winners and five best runners-up from the Qualifiers, along with hosts Thailand and Australia will the need to reach the semi-finals to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023.
The U-17 World Cup is currently scheduled to run from 10 November – 2 December 2023, with the host country still to be confirmed by FIFA following Peru’s withdrawal as tournament host.
Joeys Head Coach, former Glory midfielder Brad Maloney, is keen to see how his young charges respond to the demands of tournament football in Asian conditions
“Competition for selection in the final 23 for these under-17 World Cup qualifiers has been hotly contested and a process which commenced in August,” he said.
“Over this period, the coaching staff have monitored upwards of one hundred players, but ultimately selected a squad which provides both depth and versatility based upon our opposition and the tournament format, which will see the team play every third day in hot and humid conditions.
“We are acutely aware that we have a very challenging draw, however, we approach the tournament not only wanting to reach the semi-finals to secure a place at this year’s under-17 World Cup, but create history by becoming the first Australian national youth team to win an AFC Asian Cup title.”
All the Subway Joeys’ AFC U-17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023 matches will be shown live and free on 10 Play.
AFC U-17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023™ Group Stage Draw
Group A: Thailand, Yemen, Malaysia, Laos
Group B: Korea Republic, IR Iran, Afghanistan, Qatar
Group C: Tajikistan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China PR
Group D: Japan, India, Vietnam, Uzbekistan
Australia – AFC U-17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023™ Group Stage Match Schedule
Friday 16 June – Australia vs Saudi Arabia at 5.00pm local / 8.00pm AEST, Chonburi Stadium
Monday 19 June – Australia vs China PR at 5.00pm local / 8.00pm AEST, Chonburi Stadium
Thursday 22 June – Australia vs Tajikistan at 5.00pm local / 8.00pm AEST, Rajamangala National Stadium (Bangkok)
Good luck to Andriano, Giovanni, Corey and Daniel and the rest of the Joeys!
#ONEGlory
