Young United Trio In Subway Joeys Squad For Asean U16 Boys’ Championships

Adelaide United extends congratulations to three members of its Youth Squad: Amlani Tatu Malual Nichola and Noah Ellul on their selection in the Subway Joeys squad.

Subway Joeys’ Head Coach, Brad Maloney has named a 23-player squad to contest the 2024 ASEAN U-16 Boys’ Championship held in Surakarta, Indonesia from 21 June – 4 July.

The tournament – formerly known as the AFF Championship – features 12 Members from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Football Federation.

Australia has been drawn in Group C for the tournament, alongside Malaysia, Thailand and Timor-Leste and will play all their Group Stage fixtures out of Sriwedari Stadium.

The 2024 edition of the Championship – which is also contested at U-19 level – will be Australia’s ninth appearance, having previously won the tournament in 2008 and 2016.

The selected squad is brimming with young talent from Isuzu UTE A-League club academy programs across the country, including brothers, Alexi and James Houridis (Melbourne Victory FC), Quinn MacNicol (Brisbane Roar FC) and Christian Pullella (Perth Glory FC).

Alexander Garbowski (BK Häcken, Sweden) and Noah Slunjski (Hadjuk Split, Croatia) have been selected from overseas leagues, while David Bolongi (Football QLD) and Jordan Graoroski (Football NSW) have earnt selection direct from their respective Member Federation club sides.

A large portion of the squad selected by Maloney for these Championships were part of his assembly in early-April 2024 for friendlies against U-16 Switzerland and U-17 Inter Milan FC. The camp – held at the Australian Institute of Sport European Training Centre in Varese, Italy – represented the beginning of a new cycle for this age group and their first taste of a national team environment.

Maloney will bring together his squad for a brief pre-camp in Indonesia prior to the Subway Joeys’ first game on Sunday, 23 June against Thailand. Australia will then face Malaysia (26 June) and Timor-Leste (29 June), as they look to secure a spot in the tournament’s Semi Finals by topping their Group.

Subway Joeys’ Head Coach, Brad Maloney said the opportunity for his squad to be exposed to tournament football in foreign conditions would be an invaluable experience.

“I’m really happy with the squad we’ve been able to put together, particularly off the back of a couple of strong showings in April,” Maloney said.

“We saw some fantastic individual performances in Italy and players have been rewarded with selection as a result, but most importantly, we were able to begin to implement our principles of play.

“That camp was the perfect foundation to begin this cycle, and while our focus is on our Asian Cup Qualifiers in October and U-17 World Cup Qualification, success at this tournament will go a long way in helping us reach those goals.

“The players are excited for the challenge. They will be playing in new conditions, against a different style of opposition and I believe we’ve got a group that can do well in these Championships.

“They [the Championships] present a tough format with tight turnarounds between games, so we know recovery will be extremely important and the boys will be leaving no stone unturned to get the best out of themselves.

“It’s going to be a great experience for them and we’re all looking forward to getting started,” concluded Maloney.

SUBWAY JOEYS SQUAD | ASEAN U16 BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP 2024

NamePositionCurrent ClubJunior Club / Member Federation
Jai AJANOVICGoalkeeperCentral Coast Mariners FCGymea United FC / Football NSW
Nickolas ALFAROMidfielderSydney FCNepean FC / Football NSW
Jonty BENFIELDGoalkeeperMelbourne City FCTaringa Rovers FC / Football QLD
David BOLONGIAttackerGold Coast Knights FCGold Coast United FC / Football QLD
Alex BOLTONMidfielderPerth Glory FCBayswater City FC / Football West
Anthony DIDULICAMidfielderWestern United FCSt Albans Saints SC / Football VIC
Haine EAMESMidfielderCentral Coast Mariners FCCamden Haven Redbacks / Northern NSW
Noah ELLULGoalkeeperAdelaide United FCWT Birkalla FC / Football SA
Alexander GARBOWSKIDefenderBK HäckenSubiaco AFC / Football West
Jordan GRAOROSKIAttackerSutherland Sharks FCGwawley Bay FC / Football NSW
Alexander HOURIDISMidfielderMelbourne Victory FCGlen Eira FC / Football VIC
James HOURIDISMidfielderMelbourne Victory FCGlen Eira FC / Football VIC
Besian KUTLESHIDefenderMelbourne City FCNorth Sunshine Eagles SC / Football VIC
Quinn MACNICOLMidfielderBrisbane Roar FCRochedale Rovers FC / Football QLD
Jay MALTZMidfielderSydney FCMongo FC / Football NSW
Jayden NECOVSKIDefenderMelbourne City FCPascoe Vale FC / Football VIC
Malual NICHOLADefenderAdelaide United FCPara Hills Knights SC / Football SA
Charlie PARKINDefenderBrisbane Roar FCGrange Thistle SC / Football QLD
Christian PULLELLADefenderPerth Glory FCPerth SC / Football West
Marco SANTANGELODefenderSydney FCMounties Wanderers FC / Football NSW
Noah SLUNJSKIAttackerHadjuk SplitEnfield Rovers SC / Football NSW
Amlani TATUAttackerAdelaide United FCCroydon Kings FC / Football SA
Rhys WILLIAMSMidfielderBrisbane Roar FCKawana FC / Football QLD

SUBWAY JOEYS SQUAD | ASEAN U16 BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP 2024 | MATCH SCHEDULE

Thailand v Subway Joeys

Sunday, 23 June 2024

Kick-off: 3.00pm local/ 6.00pm AEST

Sriwedari Stadium, Surakarta, Indonesia

Subway Joeys v Malaysia

Wednesday, 26 June 2024

Kick-off: 3.00pm local/ 6.00pm AEST

Sriwedari Stadium, Surakarta, Indonesia

Timor-Leste v Subway Joeys

Saturday, 29 June 2024

Kick-off: 3.00pm local/ 6.00pm AEST

Sriwedari Stadium, Surakarta, Indonesia