The upcoming AFC U20 Asian Cup China PR 2025™ Qualifiers in Abha, Saudi Arabia marks a unique opportunity for cousins Liam Bonetig and Oliver Randazzo to play together for the first time at international level.
READ MORE: Subway Young Socceroos Squad for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers announced
Monday night's Subway Young Socceroos clash against Afghanistan could see the two cousins, who grew up playing summer indoor football together, unite on the pitch for the first time in a professional capacity.
Despite both players coming through the Western Sydney Wanderers Youth Academy, their paths rarely crossed due to the two-year age gap.
19-year-old Bonetig, the elder of the two, reflected on how special it is to share this moment with his cousin.
"It’s different and exciting. We’ve never played together at the top level for our age, so it will be a good experience," said Bonetig.
Randazzo echoed the sentiment, stating: "Not many people can say they’ve represented their country with their cousin, so we’re looking forward to it."
The pair’s selection has sparked excitement throughout their extended family, with their mothers — who are sisters — particularly thrilled by the news.
"I think our mums were both very excited when they heard the news. We were getting well wishes from our uncles and aunties, which was pretty cool," Bonetig shared.
Bonetig’s football journey has been a steady climb. After joining the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy in 2016, he worked his way up from the U13s to the National Premier League (NPL) first team.
In September 2023, Bonetig’s hard work paid off when he was scouted during the Australian Schoolboys tournament and signed by Scottish Premier League side Celtic FC.
Reflecting on his early days at Celtic, Bonetig said, "Two days after I got off the plane at Celtic, I was playing West Ham. Two days after that, I was playing in the UEFA Youth League against Feyenoord. It was a lot of traveling but they were great, great experiences."
Though he recently underwent ankle surgery, Bonetig is eager to rejoin the first team and continue developing under head coach Brendan Rodgers and his team.
Despite plans for him to transition into the A-League team at the Wanderers, Bonetig saw his move to Celtic as an opportunity to test himself in a more competitive environment.
"I’ve come over here to improve myself, and I think I’m doing just that. The level’s definitely a lot higher," he said.
Randazzo’s rise through the football ranks has been swift and impressive. At just 16 years old, he became a regular in the NPL NSW Men’s first-grade competition, quickly catching the attention of A-League side Macarthur FC.
His performances for Sutherland Sharks earned him a scholarship with Macarthur FC, where he now plays alongside experienced senior players like Luke Brattan.
Randazzo is enjoying his time at Macarthur, learning from the more seasoned players and improving with every session.
"It’s been a big step up. This time last year, I was playing at Sutherland Sharks, and now I’m in the A-League setup at Macarthur and with the Young Socceroos, which is very exciting," he said.
He also captained the Young Socceroos to a third-place finish in the ASEAN U-19 Boys’ Championships in July, a moment that marked a high point in his young career.
"Getting the armband was an honour. It was very exciting to represent the country in that capacity," Randazzo said.
As the cousins prepare for the AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, they are both eager to showcase their skills and contribute to the team's success.
The Subway Young Socceroos kick off their campaign on Monday the 23rd of September against Afghanistan at 11.00pm (AEST) at the Prince Sultan Sports City Stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia.