The CommBank Joeys have qualified for the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, following a 3-3 draw with Iraq in Jordan this morning (AEDT).
APIA Leichhardt midfielder Max Court scored twice in four first-half minutes before Iraq fought back to put themselves ahead going into the first 20 minutes.
Melbourne FC attacker Luke Becvinovski scored the CommBank Joeys’ third goal to bring the scores level – which was enough to see Australia through to next year’s 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup.
The CommBank Joeys opened up their four-game qualification push with a 1-0 win over hosts Jordan before a 3-0 win over Bhutan and a 6-0 win over Philippines, with the point picked up against Iraq enough to secure top spot in Group E, with 10 points from their four matches.
Quotes attributable to CommBank Joeys Head Coach Carl Veart:
"I'm delighted that the CommBank Joeys have qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2026 next year, it's a true testament to the hard work the team have been putting both on and off the field during the few camps we have had together.
"To come away from these four tough qualifiers with the results that we have just shows the potential of this squad and we are looking forward to testing that further against the AFC's best teams in Saudi Arabia next year."
CommBank Joeys Squad | AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers
Name | Surname | Position | Current Club | Junior Club / MF |
Lachlan | Allen | Goalkeeper | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Ramsgate RSL FC/Football NSW |
Winston | Ashburner | Defender | Melbourne Victory FC | Yarraville Glory FC / Football VIC |
Luke | Becvinovski | Attacker | Melbourne City FC | Pascoe Vale FC / Football VIC |
Aaron | Black | Goalkeeper | Perth Glory FC | Morley Windmills SC / Football West |
Deklan | Cooper-Ndambuki | Defender | Adelaide United FC | Valley View SC / Football SA |
Max | Court | Midfielder | APIA Leichhardt FC | APIA Leichhardt FC / Football NSW |
Luka | Demuth | Midfielder | Melbourne City FC | Aspendale Stingrays SC / Football VIC |
Oliver | Dimovski | Defender | Melbourne Victory FC | Whittlesea Ranges FC / Football VIC |
Akeem | Gerald | Attacker | Melbourne City FC | FC Bulleen Lions / Football VIC |
Georgio | Hassarati | Attacker | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Putney Rangers FC / Football NSW |
Chris | Irakoze | Attacker | Adelaide United FC | Cumberland United FC / Football SA |
Emile | Katrib | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Panania Diggers SC / Football NSW |
William | Kengni | Defender | Melbourne Victory FC | Whittlesea Ranges FC / Football VIC |
Miles | Milliner | Defender | Sydney FC | Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC / Football NSWSW |
Sajjad | Nasiri | Midfielder | Adelaide United FC | Ingle Farm SC / Football SA |
Hugo | Ng | Goalkeeper | Adelaide United FC | Metrostars / Football SA |
Henrique | Oliveira | Midfielder | Macarthur Bulls FC | Adelaide Port Pirates / Football SA |
Malik | Olukhale | Attacker | Melbourne Victory FC | Brunswick Zebras SC / Football VIC |
Aston | Reid | Midfielder | Sydney FC | Lilli Pilli FC / Football NSW |
Marcus | Savic | Defender | Western Sydney Wanderers FC | Moorebank Sports SC / Football NSW |
Jariyah | Shah | Defender | Manchester United FC | Doncaster Rovers FC / ENG |
Emmett | Shaw | Midfielder | Brisbane Roar FC | Centenary Stormers FC / Football QLD |
Lenny | Van Heer | Midfielder | Djurgårdens IF Fotboll | Williams Landing FC / FV |
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