A host of Melbourne City stars were in international action over the June FIFA window, representing Australia across several youth national team age groups, and of course at senior level.
With 10 players pulling on the green and gold across the U16s, U18s, U20s, U23s and Socceroos, it was another proud showing for the Club on the international stage.
Here’s how each of our players fared during the recent window:
U16s – Hohhot Tournament (China)
Luke Becvinovski & Oliver O’Carroll
Two of our most talented City Academy products, Luke Becvinovski and Oliver O’Carroll, were part of the Joeys squad that travelled to China for the four-team Hohhot Tournament.
The tournament got off to a strong start, with the Joeys coming from behind to defeat Vietnam 2-1. Becvinovski earned a start, while O’Carroll was named on the bench.
In the second fixture – another 2-1 win, this time against Saudi Arabia – it was O’Carroll’s turn to start as he played a key role in the middle of the park, while Becvinovski played a supporting role from the bench.
Australia closed out the tournament with a 5-2 loss to host nation China. Becvinovski was back in the starting XI, continuing his impressive run of selections.
U18s – UEFA Friendship Cup (Turkey)
Medin Memeti, Lawrence Wong, Lachie Charles (selected but remained in Australia)
City duo Medin Memeti and Lawrence Wong both saw international minutes with the U18s in the UEFA Friendship Cup in Turkey, while Lachie Charles was initially selected but remained in Australia due to the Club’s Grand Final involvement.
Australia began with a goalless draw against Argentina, eventually falling 4-3 in the penalty shootout. Due to their late arrival post-Grand Final, no City players featured in the opener.
The team endured a tough 3-0 loss to France in their next outing, but showed real fight in a 3-2 loss to the USA. Memeti found the net with a 75th-minute goal while Wong joined him in the starting lineup, contributing to a spirited comeback before a stoppage-time US winner.
Australia rounded out the tournament in style with a dominant 4-1 win over Uruguay. Memeti again got on the scoresheet, this time in the 61st minute, with both he and Wong again named in the starting line-up.
U20s – Young Socceroos Friendlies v Argentina
Max Caputo
After a breakout A-League Men’s season and Championship success, Max Caputo was rewarded with Young Socceroos selection for a pair of international friendlies against Argentina.
Caputo was named on the bench for the first fixture, a 2-1 loss that saw Argentina score a last-minute winner after Australia had taken an early lead. He was handed a starting opportunity in the second match, playing valuable minutes in a 2-0 defeat.
U23s – Olyroos Friendlies v Korea Republic
Patrick Beach & Alessandro Lopane
Senior Men’s Champions Patrick Beach and Alessandro Lopane both featured prominently for the Olyroos in a two-game friendly series against Korea Republic.
The first match ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw, with Beach starting between the sticks and Lopane coming off the bench.
The second encounter saw both players named in the starting XI, with Lopane producing a standout moment – scoring in the 21st minute to double Australia’s lead in what would end as a 2-0 victory.
Socceroos – World Cup Qualifiers v Japan & Saudi Arabia
Aziz Behich, Marco Tilio & Kai Trewin
The Socceroos secured qualification to the 2026 World Cup with a memorable June window, which saw back-to-back wins against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Just days after captaining City to a Championship win, Aziz Behich became an Australian hero – netting a 90th-minute winner over Japan to all but seal qualification to a sixth consecutive World Cup.
Needing only to avoid a five-goal defeat, a professional performance from the Socceroos led to a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in the second game of the window.
Behich was again named in the starting lineup, while Marco Tilio came off the bench for the first national team appearance in over a year. Kai Trewin remained an unused sub in both fixtures as he gained valuable experience in another Socceroos camp.
Imagery Credit: Football Australia
