Young Socceroos Ready for Panda Cup Challenge: Three Glory Stars Named in Squad

In a promising move for Australian soccer, Perth Glory’s Adam Bugarija, Abdul Faisal, and Jaylan Pearman have been named in the Young Socceroos squad for the prestigious Panda Cup International Tournament 2024. Set to take place in Chengdu, China, the tournament runs alongside this month’s FIFA international window, offering a critical test for Australia’s U19s against top sides from China PR, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia.

The squad is scheduled to assemble in Chengdu on November 10, where they’ll compete in a round-robin format. This tournament not only serves as vital match experience but also acts as preparation for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China PR 2025. The Asian Cup, in turn, will be a key qualifier for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, slated for February 12 to March 1, 2025.

Head Coach Trevor Morgan sees the Panda Cup as an invaluable stepping stone for his squad, emphasizing its role in acclimating to local conditions ahead of the Asian Cup. “This experience will be extremely beneficial for both players and staff,” Morgan noted, “giving us the chance to refine our game plan for next February and deepen our selection pool. We’ve also welcomed several European-based players whose club schedules prevented them from attending recent camps, as well as A-League Men newcomers who are joining our environment for the first time.”

Among the standouts, midfielder Adam Bugarija and forward Abdul Faisal have already made impressive A-League debuts for Glory this season, with Bugarija netting his first goal in a striking performance against Macarthur FC in Round One. Jaylan Pearman, meanwhile, continues to showcase his midfield prowess within the PGFC Academy, strengthening his case for A-League minutes as the season progresses.

Match Schedule:

Subway Young Socceroos vs. Kyrgyzstan

• Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

• Venue: Chengdu Shuangliu Sports Centre Stadium, Chengdu

• Kick-off: 3:30 pm local / 3:30 pm WST

China PR vs. Subway Young Socceroos

• Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024

• Venue: Chengdu Shuangliu Sports Centre Stadium, Chengdu

• Kick-off: 7:35 pm local / 7:35 pm WST

Subway Young Socceroos vs. Mongolia

• Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024

• Venue: Chengdu Shuangliu Sports Centre Stadium, Chengdu

• Kick-off: 2:00 pm local / 2:00 pm AEDT

The Young Socceroos’ journey in the Panda Cup represents a significant chapter as they prepare to contend with Asia’s best in 2025. The mix of fresh talent and seasoned youth adds depth to a squad committed to representing Australia on the global stage.