The CommBank Joeys have qualified for the 2026 AFC Under-17 Asian Cup after topping their qualifying group on Sunday.
Australia secured their place at next year’s showpiece event in Saudi Arabia following a thrilling 3-3 draw against Iraq.
Max Court scored twice for Carl Veart’s unbeaten Joeys, while Melbourne City academy gun Luke Becvinovski also found the back of the net in the six-goal shoot-out that saw Australia finished two points clear atop Group E.
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The Joeys – whose 23-player squad featured 20 from the Isuzu UTE A-League – entered the final qualifying fixture on the back of a 6-0 rout of the Philippines, inspired by a four-goal haul from Western Sydney Wanderers prospect Georgio Hassarati. Macarthur Bulls’ Henrique Oliveira and Jariyah Shah of Manchester United.
Against Iraq, Court’s first-half double had Australia 2-0 ahead at half-time before their opponents rallied in the second period.
But Becvinovski’s second goal in qualifying clinched the Joeys’ Asian Cup berth.
Featured image: Football Australia
Image source: Football Australia
