Australian U17 Team Prepares for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

Two promising young talents from the Sydney FC Academy, Jay Maltz and Nico Alfaro, have been selected for the Australian Under-17 squad that will compete in the upcoming AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The qualifiers are scheduled to be held in Kuwait from October 19th to 27th.

Maltz and Alfaro are part of a 23-player team drawn into Group G, where they will face teams from Indonesia, Kuwait, and the Northern Mariana Islands. All matches are set to take place at the Abdullah Al Khalifa Stadium in Mishref, with the squad convening on October 10th for a preparatory camp.

Nico Alfaro gained attention in July when he became Sydney FC’s second-youngest debutante in a match against Oakleigh Cannons in the Australia Cup. Entering the field at 16 years and 182 days old, he was narrowly surpassed by Nikolas Tsattalios, who debuted in 2006.

Head Coach Brad Maloney, who leads the squad, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress, noting, “The squad has been fantastic over the last six months, putting in great performances in both Indonesia and the Pacific. We come into these qualifiers feeling well prepared and connected as a group.”

Maloney emphasized the importance of the upcoming matches as they mark the first steps towards qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. He commented on the players’ professionalism and commitment, highlighting their development through A-League Men scholarships.

The Joeys’ first match will be against the Northern Mariana Islands on October 23rd, followed by games against Kuwait on October 25th, and Indonesia on October 27th.

Meanwhile, the Perth Glory Academy has also contributed to the national effort, with Alex Bolton, Max Naylor, and Christian Pullella being named in the squad. These players are expected to bring their experience from club levels to the international stage as Australia aims for a strong start in their qualification campaign.

Australian fans will be watching with anticipation as the young squad embarks on their journey to secure a spot in the World Cup, playing with the hope of advancing through this critical stage.