The Subway Joeys will take on Vietnam in the opening match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™ on Saturday morning (2am AEDT).
Australia have been drawn into Group B and will face Vietnam (4 April – local time), United Arab Emirates (7 April – local time) and Japan (10 April – local time).
The tournament doubles as qualifiers for the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2025™. If the Subway Joeys finish in the top two and advance from their group, they will qualify for their first FIFA U17 World Cup since 2019.
The team has taken inspiration from the success of the Subway Young Socceroos, who won the AFC U20 Asian Cup China™ earlier this year.
Vietnam are the lowest-ranked opponent in the group and Australia will be hoping to get off to a fast start in the tournament. However, youth football is notoriously difficult to predict. There will certainly be no complacency among Brad Maloney's players heading into the first match.
Australia's opponents have played five friendly matches in an extended training camp in Hanoi in the lead up to the Asian Cup, overseen by their Head Coach, former Brazilian footballer Cristiano Roland. They will be hoping to capitalise on the opportunity presented by the expanded tournament to qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup for the first time.
Anthony Didulica and Quinn MacNicol are two players to watch for Australia. They were the joint top goalscorers back in 2024 when this group won the U16 ASEAN Boys' Championship and they will be hoping to replicate that form at the Asian Cup.
The team comes into this tournament in good form, having won the Hattrick U17 International Tournament in February where they took on Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Akol Akon scored a quickfire first-half hat-trick in the match against Saudi Arabia.
- READ MORE: Subway Joeys squad announced ahead of AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™
- READ MORE: How To Watch: Australia at the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™
What They Said
Brad Maloney
We're continually building and progressing with this group. There's been a few changes in the playing group from time to time with the individuals for various reasons... but I feel that we've built well. Leading into this tournament, the preparation has been great so far, and we're really looking forward to the first game.
We had eight or nine days in Abha leading into the tournament, which I felt was hugely beneficial to the group. We managed to have three lead-up matches where players were able to get minutes into their legs, get that experience, get that exposure against some tough opposition. So I believe that's put us in good stead for the opening match against Vietnam, and that's what we're looking forward to.
I believe everybody wants to qualify for the World Cup first and foremost, but we definitely want to go deep into the tournament, and emulate what our U20s squad did recently by winning the U20 Asian Cup. This group really has that desire to emulate that and do similar.
Haine Eames
The energy has been really good around training. The boys, we've been really excited to get this first game underway for the tournament. We've just trained hard, and I think we're all just ready for it.
They [Vietnam] will be a good team. They've got some good individuals and good combinations, but if we have our good structure, good team, good energy, we'll have a good chance against them.
Quinn MacNicol
We've created a really good brotherhood amongst the lads. We're a tight-knit group and everyone gets along really well. From the first camp to this camp, there’s been a massive difference in quality. And you can clearly see that we've just kept them going up and up and getting better, and the standards have been really good. Full credit to the boys - they’re doing really well. I can't wait for the tournament to start now.
[Vietnam are] highly rated in Southeast Asia, and we've done a review on them - they look good, so it'll be a tough game. Obviously, we're hoping for the three points to kickstart our tournament and qualify for the World Cup. We're just building step by step and our first step is to beat them. So, hopefully, we’ll get the three points.
Match Details
Subway Joeys v Vietnam U17
Friday, 4 April 2025
Okaz Stadium, Taif
Kick-off: 6.00pm local / 2.00am AEDT (Saturday, 5 April)
Broadcast: 10 Play
What's next?
United Arab Emirates U17 v Subway Joeys
Monday, 7 April 2025
King Fahd Sports City Stadium, Taif
Kick-off: 8.15pm local / 3.15am AEST (Tuesday, 8 April)
Broadcast: 10 Play
Japan U17 v Subway Joeys
Thursday, 10 April 2025
Okaz Stadium, Taif
Kick-off: 6.00pm local / 1.00am AEST (Friday, 11 April)
Broadcast: 10 Play