Subway Joeys fall 2-0 to UAE in second AFC U17 Asian Cup game
The Subway Joeys were defeated 2-0 by the UAE in their second group stage game of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™.
The result is a blow to the team's FIFA U17 World Cup 2025™ qualification chances, but not a fatal one. The team will now have to defeat Japan in the third group stage game in order to advance from the group and qualify for the World Cup.
Australia came out of the blocks quickly. Captain Quinn MacNicol came very close to scoring his second of the tournament in the fourth minute, only for his effort - on the end of a free kick - to rebound off the crossbar.
Amlani Tatu came close soon after, with his long-range free kick drawing a fantastic save out of UAE goalkeeper Mohammed Nasser Albastaki.
However, it was the UAE who would score first. The ball broke on the right-hand side after a throw-in. The ball found Mayed Adel in the box, who was able to head home and give Australia's opponents the lead.
Australia continued to have a number of opportunities. Another Tatu set-piece was saved well as the Joeys chased the equaliser, while in the second-half, Max Anastasio saw his effort saved onto the woodwork.
That's not to say that goalkeeper Jai Ajanovic wasn't involved in his share of the action. He made a fantastic save with his legs midway through the first half to keep the lead to one after Mohammad Ahmad Alfalasi broke free in the box.
However, it would be the UAE who would eventually find the next goal. This time it was an unsavable strike from Mohamed Buti Almarar, who smashed a ball into the top corner from outside the penalty area. Despite Australia's multitude of chances and near misses, they found themselves chasing a two-goal deficit.
Anthony Didiluca had a good chance in the 68th minute, before Quinn MacNicol hit the post in the 82nd - the third time that the Joeys had hit the woodwork in the game.
In the end, Australia were unable to find the breakthrough as the UAE used all the tools at their disposal to see the game out.
All eyes are now on a must-win final group stage game against Japan. If Vietnam and the UAE do not draw in their game, a win against Japan will secure the Subway Joeys a place in the knock-out stages.
Match Summary
UAE U17: 2 (Mayed Adel 9', Mohamed Buti Almarar 52')
Australia U17: 0
Date: Monday 7 April 2025 (local)
Venue: King Fahd Sports City Stadium, Taif
Australia U17: Jai Ajanovic (GK), Besian Kutleshi, Charlie Parkin (Kade Baccus 88'), Alexander Garbowski, Haine Eames (Nickolas Alfaro 70'), Max Anastasio, Quinn MacNicol, Amlani Tatu, Logan Sambrook (Akol Akon 46'), Rhys Williams (Anthony Didulica 63'), Christian Pullella (Miles Milliner 63')
Unused substitutes: Jonty Benfield (GK), Jared Williams (GK), Zane Stevenson, Alex Bolton, Thomas Cutuk
NEXT GAME
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