The Subway Joeys have bounced back in emphatic style with a convincing 4-1 victory over the Solomon Islands U-19 side in front of a near-capacity crowd of 11,000 at the National Sports Stadium in Honiara.
In the second match of a three-game PacificAus Sports Football Tour for the Subway Joeys, a double from Max Naylor, and goals from Zane Stevenson and Samuel Stanway ensured that Australia’s U-17 side left Solomons with a win over the hosts following Thursday night’s tight encounter.
Head coach Brad Maloney said the performance was a perfect response after their opening encounter.
“The boys learned a lot from the first game, that's what we've came here for: to learn from these matches playing against older players. We've had three or four 15-year-olds playing against 20-year-olds in these games, and even the 16-year-olds have found it quite physical, the learning experience has been fantastic,” said Maloney.
“These matches give us the opportunity to try new players, to try players in different positions, and to see different combinations. It's great to see the younger ones coming in and being able to play and contribute to the team and see how they fit in with the with the older group. These matches provide a huge learning curve for the boys.
“From the first game, we learned to retain possession a bit better, minimise our errors particularly in defence, and minimise the opposition's chances on goal. I thought the boys really tidied that up tonight.”
Australia asserted their dominance early when Stevenson was the recipient of quick thinking from captain Nicholas Alfaro when his quick corner caught Solomons napping. After the home side failed to clear their lines, Alex Bolton got onto the ball and delivered it to the feet of Stevenson who tapped into an empty net.
Less than three minutes later and the Subway Joeys had doubled their lead. With the ball in his own half, Isiah Boston showed great work to beat his player, finding space for Logan Sambrook who played a perfect through ball for Naylor’s first goal.
The Subway Joeys had the chance to go further ahead in the 34th minute when great advantage was played by referee Sam Kelly, leading to Sambrook being brought down illegally in the box. Alfaro’s penalty was struck hard and low but was denied by a great save from Solomons’ goalkeeper George Harrison.
Only two minutes later and Australia were 3-0 ahead. An air-swing from Harrison allowed Stanway to win the ball and – with options limited in the box – calmly squeeze a shot past a defender and into an unguarded net.
Quick counter-attacks from Solomon Islands continued to remind Australia that the U-19 outfit remained a threat, with the Joeys forced into making good defensive decisions to keep Solomons scoreless going into half time.
Australia continued to dominate play in the second half and soon went 4-0 up in what is the best team goal of the tournament. Starting with goalkeeper Jai Ajanovic, the ball went through seven different players as Rhys Williams’ cross was headed into the back of the net by Naylor.
From there the Subway Joeys managed the game and took home a comfortable victory despite a late goal from Abraham Morgan, poking home his second goal of the series for Solomon Islands.
“It was great to create those chances and convert them early, and then from then on, we asked the players to manage the game and try to control the tempo, control possession a lot better and not let the opposition back into the game. They did that quite well and it was a pleasing improvement from the first game,” said Maloney.
“It was a shame that we did concede one late, but that can happen from time to time. These matches will be of great benefit to the players moving forward, playing in front of a big crowd with a fantastic atmosphere. Any international match is an invaluable experience for the players to have.”
Fresh off the back of their 2024 ASEAN U-16 Boys’ Championship win, this touring squad features only nine players who played in the final, with several players selected for this team following impressive performances in the recent National Youth Championships (NYC).
“This [players selected from the NYC being given game time on tour] proves how crucial the National Youth Championships and those pathways are, otherwise, these players may not get the opportunity to play international matches. What they'll take out of these games will really help them develop further, grow, and be better players themselves,” said Maloney.
“There was a couple of players that made their debut tonight, there was one or two players who have never even been on an airplane before they came on this trip. So that's what these games can provide to these players, and playing in front of such a wonderful crowd will give them inspiration to go further in the game.”
The PacificAus Sports Football Tour continues for the Subway Joeys as they travel to Port Vila, Vanuatu for the third and final fixture at Freshwater Stadium. The match against Vanuatu U-19 is Wednesday, 21 August at 3.00pm local (2.00pm AEST).
MATCH DETAILS
Subway Joeys: 4 (Stevenson 13’, Naylor 16’ 59’, Stanway 36’)
Solomon Islands U-19: 1 (Morgan 88’)
Subway Joeys Lineup: 1. Jai AJANOVIC, 2. Charlie PARKIN, 4. Zane STEVENSON, 5. Marco SANTANGELO (14. Feyzo KASUMOVIC 66’), 6. Alex BOLTON (8. Max ANASTASIO 60’), 7. Rhys WILLIAMS (23. Akol AKON 68’), 10. Nickolas ALFARO (21. Henrique OLIVEIRA 60’), 13. Logan SAMBROOK (9. Anthony DIDULICA 68’), 17. Isiah BOSTON, 20. Samuel STANWAY (24. Chris IRAKOZE 60’), 22. Max NAYLOR
Substitutes not used: 3. Zayd KASSABY, 11. Jay MALTZ, 12. Jonty BENFIELD, 15. Liam ARMSTRONG, 16. Bryce HARRISON, 18. Oskar VON SCHRENK, 19. Daniel MATINA
Yellow Card: Nil
Red Card: Nil
Solomon Islands U-19: 2. John DIOKO, 3. Teddy OSIFELA (13. Lamupio NINAMO 30’), 4. Gordon IRO, 7. Besa ZOPOA (11. James LAENA 30’), 8. Christopher SAMO (6. Ryan Sogo TUHAIKA 89’), 9. Jimson ABANA (14. William Scott AROFA 89’), 10. Junior ALBERT (18. Jayroll PATTY 68’), 12. George HARRISON (1. Gideon ABIDAN 45+2’), 16. Clivert SAM (19. Joash HOUKULU 30’), 17. Rex PHILIMONE (22. Abraham MORGAN 64’), 23. Billy AFI (15. Bismark SISIKI 46’)
Substitutes not used: 5. Jason KOFELA, 20. Nelson VAJI, 21. Martin KOTO
Yellow Card: Nil
Red Card: Nil