Segicic, alongside a handful of his teammates currently in Uzbekistan for the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2023, was unfortunately denied the opportunity to qualify for the 2021 tournament due to COVID-19.
READ MORE: How to watch Australia at the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™
READ MORE: Badolato primed for AFC U20 Asian Cup challenge
But two years later, a top-four finish would see Segecic and the Subway Young Socceroos book their place at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
“Obviously, it’s massive for all of us boys that we didn’t get the chance to play in the U-17 World Cup,” Segecic said.
“So now to be able to try and qualify for the U-20 World Cup is another big chance for us and for all the boys that didn’t get the opportunity to go.”
The Sydney FC forward sees his past experience in the green and gold as a strong asset heading into the Asian Cup.
With the core of the squad first playing together at U-17’s level, they reassembled post-pandemic in Spain for the Four Nations Cup, before heading to Kuwait for a successful Asian Cup qualification campaign.
“So there’s still a lot of us that have stayed together for a while now, which has helped a lot,” Segecic shared.
“Now that we’ve been playing together for a few years, it’s helped us gel on the field and know how each other plays.”
Segecic emphasised team spirit amongst the squad, who are relishing the opportunity to come together with a clear goal in mind.
As is the beauty of a national team set-up, all club rivalries rapidly dissolve while the squad are gathered in camp.
“All of us are pretty close mates, but we play against each other, we don’t like to lose,” Segecic said.
READ MORE: Yull looking forward to representing Australia for first time
READ MORE: Girdwood-Reich relishing first Australia U-20 call-up
“So we give it to each other when we play against each other but when we come together, you know, we’re best mates and we forget about all that and focus just on the team.
The boys and the staff have been really excellent, and I think everyone gets on really well, which helps a lot on the field.
“Obviously now that we’ve been in camp a few times together and the similar players as well, I think the bonds got a lot better, which is obviously showing them the pitch as well.
“It’s good to get all the boys back in and get ready for this tournament now.”
All of the Subway Young Socceroos’ AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ matches will be streamed live and free on 10 Play.
READ MORE: Madanha honoured after Australia U-20s call-up
READ MORE: Lopane carrying Olyroos experience into ‘surreal’ Asian Cup opportunity
Subway Young Socceroos Match Schedule – AFC Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™
Time/Date
Match
Venue
3.00pm local, 1 March / 9.00pm AEDT, 1 March
Australia vs Vietnam
Istiqlol Stadium, Fergana, Uzbekistan
3.00pm local, 4 March / 9.00pm AEDT, 4 March
Australia vs Iran
Istiqlol Stadium, Fergana, Uzbekistan
3.00pm local, 7 March / 9.00pm AEDT, 7 March
Australia vs Qatar
JAR Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Subway Young Socceroos Squad | AFC Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ | 1 – 18 March
Full Name
Position
Current Club (as at 8 Feb ‘23)
Junior Club / Member Federation / Country
Alexander BADOLATO
Midfielder
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Sylvania Heights FC / Football New South Wales
Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES
Attacker
Melbourne City FC
Western Strikers SC / Football South Australia
Rhys BOZINOVSKI
Midfielder
Western United FC
Spring Hills Stallions FC / Football Victoria
Matthew DENCH
Defender
Charlton Athletic FC
ECU SC / Football West
Chris DONNELL
Defender
Perth Glory FC
Rockingham City FC / Scotland
Jed DREW
Attacker
Macarthur FC
Meltham Athletic FC / England
Joseph FORDE
Defender
Perth Glory FC
Forrestfield United SC / Football West
Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH
Midfielder
Sydney FC
Sydney Olympic FC / Football New South Wales
Archie GOODWIN
Attacker
Newcastle Jets FC
Cooks Hill United FC / Football Nothern New South Wales
Alessandro LOPANE
Midfielder
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
APIA Leichhardt FC / Football New South Wales
Panashe MADANHA
Defender
Adelaide United FC
Adelaide Olympic FC / Football South Australia
Kaelan MAJEKODUNMI
Defender
Perth Glory FC
Carramar Cougars Junior FC / Football West
James NIEUWENHUIZEN
Goalkeeper
Melbourne City FC
Goulburn Valley Suns FC / Football Victoria
Bernardo OLIVEIRA
Attacker
Adelaide United FC
Port Adelaide SC / Football South Australia
Gabriel POPOVIC
Attacker
NK Rudes
Sydney United 58 FC / Football New South Wales
Joshua RAWLINS
Defender
FC Utrecht
Dianella Junior SC / Football West
Jing REEC
Attacker
AGF Aarhus
Blacktown Workers FC / Football New South Wales
Alexander ROBINSON
Goalkeeper
Macarthur FC
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC / Football New South Wales
Adrian SEGECIC
Midfielder
Sydney FC
Lidcombe Waratah Junior SC / Football New South Wales
Aidan SIMMONS
Attacker
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
St George FA / Football New South Wales
Nectarios TRIANTIS
Defender
Central Coast Mariners FC
Canterbury Junior FC / Football New South Wales
Jack WARSHAWSKY
Goalkeeper
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Buderim Wanderers FC / Football Queensland
Jonny YULL
Midfielder
Adelaide United FC
West Torrens Birkalla SC / Football South Australia
The Subway Joeys have discovered who they will meet in the group stage of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023™ following the draw ceremony on Thursday evening. Having finished top of their qualifying group hosted in Shepparton (Victoria) during October 2022, the Australians h
The AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 draw will take place in Bangkok on Thursday, 30 March 6:00pm AEDT. The Subway Joeys secured automatic qualification to the tournament in October last year after topping Group G in Shepparton, Victoria. Brad Maloney's team beat Northern M
The A-League Men's action returns this weekend following the FIFA international break with a host of Subway Socceroos set to feature for their clubs. Several A-Leagues stars impressed while on international duty against Ecuador. Check out the preview below! Western Sydne
The Subway Socceroos have fallen 2-1 to Ecuador in a physical encounter at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night. Brandon Borrello's inaugural international goal was cancelled out in the second-half after a penalty from Pervis Estupinan and a William Pacho header.
The Subway Socceroos return to action tonight for its second match against Ecuador looking to end the March FIFA window on a high. This time Melbourne and Marvel Stadium is the scene with Australia playing in the Victorian capital for the first time since January 2022. Grah
After making history at the FIFA World Cup, here is your chance to watch the Socceroos on home soil in Sydney (March 24) and Melbourne (March 28).
Locked Bag A4071
Sydney South,
NSW 2000, Australia