Background Information: PacificAus Sports Football Tour 2024
The PacificAus Sports Football Tour 2024 is an international friendly series featuring Australia’s U17 Men’s National Team, the Subway Joeys, as they compete against the U-19 Men’s Teams from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. This tour serves as a crucial preparatory phase for the Subway Joeys as they gear up for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025™ Qualifiers in Kuwait later this year.
Purpose and Significance: The tour is part of a broader initiative by Football Australia, supported by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program, which aims to enhance the development of football in the Pacific region. The program seeks to create high-performance pathways for athletes in the Pacific, enabling them to train and compete at elite levels alongside Australian teams. This collaboration fosters stronger sports ties between Australia and its Pacific neighbors, while also contributing to the growth and development of the sport in the region.
For the Subway Joeys, this tour provides an invaluable opportunity to build team cohesion, adapt to different playing conditions, and gain experience against older and more physically mature opponents. The matches in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will test the young Australian squad’s tactical acumen, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure—key attributes needed as they prepare for their upcoming qualifiers.
Historical Context: The Subway Joeys are fresh off their victory in the 2024 ASEAN U-16 Boys’ Championship in Indonesia, marking the first major silverware for an Australian men’s national football team since 2019. The team’s success in Indonesia has set a high standard, and this tour represents the next step in their journey toward qualifying for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025™ and, ultimately, the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025™.
Tour Details:
The tour features three matches:
Match 1: Solomon Islands U-19 vs. Subway Joeys (15 August 2024)
Match 2: Solomon Islands U-19 vs. Subway Joeys (18 August 2024)
Match 3: Vanuatu U-19 vs. Subway Joeys (21 August 2024)
These matches will be played at the National Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Supporting the Development of Football in the Pacific: The PacificAus Sports program is more than just a series of matches; it’s a vital component of Australia’s sports diplomacy efforts in the Pacific. By bringing the Subway Joeys to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, the program provides local teams with the opportunity to compete against high-caliber opposition, contributing to the overall development of football in the region. It also enhances cultural exchange and strengthens the bonds of friendship between Australia and its Pacific neighbors through the universal language of sport.
As the Subway Joeys continue their journey, the experience gained during the PacificAus Sports Football Tour 2024 will be pivotal in shaping the future of these young players and their quest for international success.