Subway Joeys midfielder Quinn MacNicol is eagerly anticipating the start of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™ with our opener against Vietnam this Friday, 4 April (2am AEDT, Saturday, 5 April).
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While the young Brisbane Roar star emphasised that the primary objective is qualification for FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, MacNicol admitted Brad Maloney’s side can’t help but be inspired by the Subway Young Socceroos, who were crowned AFC U20 Asian Cup Champions just over a month ago.
Ahead of the prestigious U17 tournament kicking off later this week, we sat down with the 17-year-old to discuss his aspirations for the tournament, what to expect from our first opponents Vietnam and which players he has idolised growing up.
On excitement levels for the first game of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™
Obviously, I’m really excited. It's my first major tournament in international football, so I think it’s going to be good. And I'm really keen to get going - I just can’t wait.
On how the team is coming together
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.
On what to expect from our first opponents, Vietnam
They're 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.
On qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ as the first objective
That's the main objective. Obviously, the World Cup is the big one for us. We want to get out of the group and qualify for the World Cup. And then obviously, just step by step take it as it goes. Hopefully, we can get to the Asian Cup final and obviously win it, and just replicate what the U20s did. We've taken a lot of inspiration from them and hopefully we can do the same.
On his development at Brisbane Roar and the importance of having senior minutes under his belt
My journey started very early. I was only 15. I got my debut really quickly. I'm just being patient at the moment, but I think it's really helped me a lot being with the Roar boys in a senior environment. Then coming here, I think physically it helps me a lot, using my body, and also being a leader amongst this group and holding the standards up. It's a big credit to the Roar as well, helping with my development. It definitely helps a lot when I come here.
On having Brad Maloney as Head Coach
Brad has been unreal with me and the boys. He's really good with us. He drives the standards really well and he just knows what he wants to do. He wants to win this tournament, and so do we. He's made us realise how far we can go and how much ability we have in our group.
On the type of player he is and who he’s idolised growing up
[Lionel] Messi was the main one for me. Obviously, being a bit younger he was probably the standard choice. But another one would be [Antoine] Griezmann. They float into pockets really well. And being a No.10 myself, I think they just both read the game really well and are really smart footballers, and that's what I try to pick off. So I’ve idolised those two players a lot and just love watching them.
Match Schedule
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
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