Subway Joeys start AFC U17 Asian Cup campaign with 1-1 draw against Vietnam
The Subway Joeys took a point from their opening group match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™, drawing with Vietnam 1-1.
Quinn MacNicol scored the Joeys goal late in the first half before Vietnam were able to equalise in the second. Brad Maloney's boys agonisingly hit the woodwork on three occasions but were not able to collect all three points.
All eyes remain on finishing in the top two spots in the group and progressing to the knock-out stages. If the Joeys can do so, they will qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup 2025™.
Australia were positive from the outset. They created a number of opportunities with their high press, but were not able to fashion anything clear-cut.
That was to change in the 26th minute when Brad Maloney's side were awarded a penalty. Amlani Tatu's excellent individual run came to an end when he was taken out in the box, with the referee making the easy decision to award a spot-kick.
MacNicol stepped up to take the penalty and rifled it against the crossbar, with the ball bouncing down and appearing at first glance to have crossed the line, however, the match officials deemed it was not a goal and play continued.
Captain MacNicol was not to be denied though. And, in the 41st minute, the Joeys No.10 scored a rocket of a goal to break the deadlock. Picking up the ball after a turnover, he drove into the space in front of him and took a shot from outside the penalty area. It rifled into the bottom left corner and gave Australia the lead.
Vietnam grew into the game. Jai Ajanovic was forced into a full-length save in first-half stoppage time to keep Australia's lead intact at half-time.
It wouldn't last long into the second half, however. Hoang Trong Duy Kang arrived on to the ball in Australia's penalty area in the 49th minute and was able to finish from a tight angle, equalising for Vietnam.
The Joeys pushed for the equaliser but were not able to find a way past a disciplined Vietnamese defence, despite two more efforts - one from Max Anastasio and the other from Logan Sambrook - rifling the crossbar.
Australia now have two very important games coming up against the UAE and Japan as they look to progress, but they will take plenty of positives from their first game of the tournament.
Match Summary
Australia U17: 1 (MacNicol 41')
Vietnam U17: 1 (Hoang Trong Duy Kang 49')
Date: Friday 4 April 2025 (local)
Venue: Okaz Stadium, Taif
Australia U17: Jai Ajanovic (GK), Besian Kutleshi, Charlie Parkin, Alexander Garbowski, Miles Milliner (Christian Pullella 64'), Haine Eames (Jay Maltz 76'), Max Anastasio, Quinn MacNicol, Amlani Tatu, Akol Akon (Anthony Didulica 76'), Rhys Williams (Logan Sambrook 64')
Unused substitutes: Jonty Benfield (GK), Jared Williams (GK), Nickolas Alfaro, Zane Stevenson, Alex Bolton, Kade Baccus, Thomas Cutuk
NEXT GAMES
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