Central Coast Mariners FC goalkeeper, Anthony Pavlesic has been named as captain of the Subway Joeys for this week’s AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers.
On scholarship with the Mariners, the 16-year-old ‘keeper from Fairfield in western Sydney has been chosen by Australian Under-17 National Team Head Coach Brad Maloney to lead the team in Shepparton (5 – 9 October) after impressing the coaching staff with his leadership qualities.
In becoming captain, Pavlesic follows in the footsteps of current Subway Socceroos’ captain, Mat Ryan, who is also the starting goalkeeper for his respective national team.
Upon making the announcement on the eve of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers, Subway Joeys’ Head Coach Brad Maloney said: “This is deserved acknowledgement for Anthony, who reminds me a lot of Mat Ryan in the way he goes about his business.
“He leads by example both on and off the ground, and during our pre-tournament camp in Melbourne set the standard for others to follow in terms of attitude and aptitude.
“We are fortunate to have several players within the squad who demonstrate strong leadership skills and will by nature support Anthony during the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers,” Maloney concluded.
In Australia’s Group of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers, Australia U-17 will first meet Northern Mariana Islands on Wednesday, 5 October (7.30pm AEDT), before facing Cambodia on Friday, 7 October (7.30pm AEDT), and conclude their campaign against China on Sunday, 9 October (3.00pm AEDT).
Divided into five groups of four, four groups of five, and one group of three, the Qualifiers will feature 43 Member Associations from across Asia vying for 16 available seats – 10 group winners and six best runners-up who will battle for the coveted AFC U17 Asian Cup™ trophy next year.
From the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ the top four teams from this tournament will qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup™ as the AFC representatives.
How to watch
All matches Group G AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers will be streamed LIVE and FREE on the My Football YouTube Channel.
Tickets
FREE tickets are available to attend the tournament below.
English: https://bit.ly/3UHMPV5
Cambodian: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/17-1204749
Chinese: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/2023u17-1176679
The AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers event in Shepparton is with thanks to Greater Shepparton City Council and is a beneficiary of funding from the Regional Sports Event Fund, supported by the Australian Sports Commission.
Match Schedule - Group G of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers
