Subway Joeys battle to crucial 3-1 victory over hosts Kuwait

Football Australia Media // Photo Credit: Noufal Ibrahim 1729888824,1729898048

The Subway Joeys continued their strong form in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™ Qualifiers with a crucial 3-1 win against hosts Kuwait at Abdullah Al Khalifa Stadium on Saturday morning.

In a much tighter and more tense affair than our opening match, Brad Maloney's side battled to another all-important victory, with goals from Amlani Tatu, Charlie Parkin and captain Quinn MacNicol proving the difference.

The Australia Men's U17s Head Coach made just one change to the side that ran riot against Northern Mariana Islands, with Logan Sambrook replacing Max Anastasio in the forward line.

After a cagey opening against the home side, the deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when Tatu bagged his third goal in two games for the Subway Joeys, giving us a crucial early advantage.

In a hard-fought battle - which saw 13 yellow cards shown by the referee - Kuwait proved a tough opponent for the Joeys, knowing that a defeat would end their qualification hopes.

However, Maloney's side stood firm and remained patient throughout the encounter, with centre-back Charlie Parkin netting in the 85th minute to double our advantage and add some much-needed breathing space.

In the third minute of added time, Kuwait’s No.3 Hamad Al Saeed was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card, giving the Australia U17s a man advantage.

We capitalised just two minutes later as skipper MacNicol stepped up to score once again - adding to a hat-trick in the first round - to all but clinch the three points.

To conclude a chaotic period of injury time, Abdulrahman Al Suwaidi managed to score a consolation for the hosts in the 97th minute, but the Subway Joeys would end up comfortable 3-1 winners in the end.

The well-earned victory leaves Maloney's men sitting top of Group G, ahead of a straight shootout to win the group against Indonesia on Sunday 27 October at 5.30pm local (1.30am AEDT, Monday, 28 October).

Match Details

Kuwait U17: 1 (Abdulrahman Al Suwaidi 90+7')
Australia U17: 3 (Tatu 21', Parkin 85', MacNicol 90+5')
AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™ Qualifiers
Date: Friday 25 October 2024
Venue: Abdullah Al Khalifa Stadium, Mishref

Starting XI: 1. Jai Ajanovic, 4. Alexander Garbowski, 7. Nickolas Alfaro, 8. Quinn MacNicol (C), 9. Anthony Didulica (22. Max Naylor 58'), 10. Amlani Tatu (11. Rhys Williams 86'), 13. Besian Kutleshi, 14. Charlie Parkin, 16. Miles Milliner (5. Christian Pullella 58'), 19. Jay Maltz, 23. Logan Sambrook (20. Max Anastasio 70')

Unused substitutes: 2. Isiah Boston, 3. Zayd Kassaby, 6. Alex Bolton, 12. Jonty Benfield (GK), 15. Zane Stevenson, 17. Jordan Graoroski, 18. Noah Ellul (GK), 21. Henrique Oliveira.

Next Match

Subway Joeys v Indonesia
Sunday, 27 October 2024
Kick-off: 5.30pm (local) / 1.30am AEDT (Monday, 28 October)
Abdullah Al Khalifa Stadium, Mishref