The Subway Joeys came, saw and conquered the ASEAN Under-16 Boys’ Championship – and their successful campaign in Indonesia was underpinned by the next generation of Isuzu UTE A-League talent. These are the names you need to know.
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The Subway Joeys also won the ASEAN U16 Boys’ Championship for a third time and first time since 2016 as they equalled the record for most titles alongside Thailand and Vietnam.
As well as silverware, the tournament saw the emergence of the next group of A-Leagues wonderkids after Brisbane Roar sensation Quinn MacNicol and Western United’s academy starlet Anthony Didulica shared the Golden Boot, while Adelaide United young gun Amlani Tatu made headlines.
Here is a look at all of the A-Leagues talents who became Asian champions this week, the teams they play for and the positions they play.
Quinn MacNicol – Brisbane Roar
Position: Midfielder
Roar fans and A-Leagues supporters got a glimpse of the 16-year-old’s immense talent in 2023-24.
He became the youngest ever scorer in the 2023 Australia Cup and the third youngest to debut in the Isuzu UTE A-League after being promoted by former Brisbane boss Ross Aloisi at the beginning of the campaign.
MacNicol, who bagged a brace against Switzerland and a goal versus Inter prior to the tournament, scored six goals at the Championship, including four goals in a stunning second-half performance.
He’s an attacking midfielder with a great footballing brain and technical ability.
Position: Attacking Midfielder
It was a breakout tournament for Didulica, who scored an incredible six goals for the Joeys.
An electric attacking midfielder with a knack for scoring goals, the academy starlet joined Western in the back end of 2023 initially in the U18s squad.
The 16-year-old has scored eight goals in 16 matches at U23 level this season at Western.
John Aloisi’s Western have not been afraid to give debuts to academy graduates and Didulica could be the next in line in 2024-25.
Position: Winger
If his NPL form and international exploits are anything to go by, we could be seeing a lot more of Tatu in the Isuzu UTE A-League next season.
The 16-year-old prodigy represented the Joeys on a two-week camp in Italy in April, scoring for Australia in a 4-3 win over Switzerland’s Under-16 team.
In Tatu, who is yet to make his A-Leagues bow, Adelaide may have already found their Nestory Irankunda replacement.
During the ASEAN U16 Championship, he scored a stunning goal against Malaysia in the second group game as well as a beautiful free-kick in the semi-final triumph over hosts Indonesia.
He’s a an explosive winger, who can play on both wings but preferably on the left in an inverted role, with exciting dribbling ability and a knack for scoring goals.
Position: Goalkeeper
Ajanovic will return to Gosford a hero after his penalty shoot-out exploits against Thailand.
The Mariners goalkeeper saved two penalties to help Brad Maloney’s Subway Joeys reign
He is yet to make his Isuzu UTE A-League debut, building experience with Central Coast’s academy side in NPLM NSW this season as the Mariners fight to avoid relegation.
Jayden Necovski – Melbourne City
Position: Centre-back
The 2024-25 season is shaping up as a big one for Joeys captain Necovski, who scored the winning penalty in the final triumph over Thailand.
Necovski’s recent deal marked a historic moment for City as he became the first player to progress from the club’s grassroots football program, the Melbourne City Football School, to the men’s senior squad.
The talented teenager first caught City’s attention as a 10-year-old in early 2019, when he took part in the first ever City Football School session, the club’s training program for kids aged 5-12 that runs sessions both during school terms and in school holiday as special one-off camps.
Position: Goalkeeper
Benfield did not see any game time in Indonesia but the promising City goalkeeper was called up to the squad as a result of his form for the club’s Academy.
This season, he has played predominately with City’s Under-23 side at NPL level, though he has made four appearances for the senior academy outfit.
Noah Ellul – Adelaide United
Position: Goalkeeper
Another goalkeeper, the Reds shot-stopper has grown from strength to strength this season having played his first senior NPLM SA match for Adelaide.
It came after he had been named National Youth Championship Goalkeeper of the Tournament for U14s and U15s the last two years.
Besian Kutleshi – Melbourne City
Position: Centre-back
Besian Kutleshi will return to Casey Fields with a winner’s medal amid a memorable season for the teenager.
At the age of 14, he made his debut for City’s senior academy team in VPL1 – Victoria’s second division – earlier this season. He is another exciting City talent to watch over the coming months and years.
Another prospect off Adelaide’s famed production line, Nichola is another Reds youngster to watch.
Honing is craft at NPLM SA level, he also recently travelled to the Netherlands for a training stint with Dutch Eredivisie powerhouse PSV alongside Tatu, Feyzo Kasumovic and Bailey O’Neill.
One of three Roar players in the Joeys squad, the towering defender has been playing a key role in the heart of defence for Roar’s league-leading U23 side.
Parkin has also trained with Brisbane’s Isuzu UTE A-League team.
The 15-year-old arrived from Moreton Bay United, where he was crowned as Football Queensland’s Junior Male Player of the Year in 2023.
Christian Pullella – Perth Glory
Position: Defender
Glory youngster Pullella played a key role for the Joeys in Indonesia.
He has been impressing with Perth’s Under-20 side in NPLM WA this season.
