Shepparton hosts the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ qualifier this week, which sees Australia meet sides from the Northern Mariana Islands, Cambodia and China.
The Joeys opened their Group G campaign with a comfortable 23-0 win over the Northern Mariana Islands on Wednesday night. They meet Cambodia on Friday 7 October (7.30pm AEDT) and China on Sunday 9 October (3pm AEDT).
The event was supported by the Australian Sports Commission’s Regional Sport Events Fund, which has already distributed nearly $2 million to 101 rural and regional councils. The fund was set up to boost local economies in regional Australia and encourage communities to reconnect through sport following the impact of COVID-19.
City councilors estimate that the events have attracted around 100,000 spectators and participants so far, with several more to come.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Shane Sali said it is incredible to see Greater Shepparton as the only Australian city to host this international event.
“Greater Shepparton hosts sporting events better than anyone and the fact that we were selected to host the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2023™ qualifier is a testament that we are perfectly positioned to host the premier international events,” said Cr Sali.
“Our community has a proud history of football and we pride ourselves on investing in world-class facilities and we are very grateful for the support of the Federal Government through the Regional Sport Events Fund which has enabled us to secure this prestigious event and our redevelopment further promote Shepparton sports town.
“This is a great coup for Greater Shepparton to land another international event in our region and to strengthen our position as Australia’s regional sports and events capital.”
Australia U-17 men’s national team head coach Brad Maloney earlier this week named the 23 Joeys players who will represent Australia in the qualifiers.
The final squad was selected after an intense two-week training camp in Melbourne, which included three games against the Victorian NPL and an A-League Men Youth Team opponent.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers is the first international activity for the Joeys program since 2019.
These AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ qualifiers will mark the first time since 2009 that Australia will host a qualifying group or qualifiers for an AFC youth tournament and will provide the Joeys with a special opportunity to play in front of family and friends.
Top spot in Group G guarantees a spot at next year’s AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023™ in Kuwait, with only the top five runners-up teams participating in the tournament.
“I think the boys are pretty excited about the prospect of playing at home and the families are optimistic about seeing their kids on home soil, so it’s definitely something to look forward to,” Maloney said.
“I just want them to enjoy the experience and use it as an opportunity to showcase their skills on the international stage. I really hope they can handle it easily and I’m sure they will as we try to qualify for the AFC U-17 Asia Cup 2023™.”
Free tickets to the qualifiers are available through Eventbrite and matches will be streamed live on the MyFootball YouTube channel.
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