A cold and rainy winter’s day brought challenges and a mix of results for our Victorian teams at The Home of The Matildas as attention turns to the final day of the CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships.
In the U15's, Victoria Blue won SF1 3-0 against Western Australia to advance to the Grand Final tomorrow at 10:30am on Pitch 1 against Queensland Maroon.
Victoria White defeated Queensland Silver 4-1 with Harley Truong scoring a brace and will and tomorrow at 8:20am will face NSW Navy in the 5th & 6th placed Play-Off.
Victoria Silver was defeated by Queensland White 3-1 and then was defeated by Northern NSW 5-6 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw in the 11th & 12th placed Play-Off.
Over in the U16s, Victoria Blue devastatingly went down 1-0 to Western Australia in SF2 and will now play tomorrow at 10:00am for the 3rd & 4th placed Play-Off.
Victoria White defeated Victoria Silver 2-0 at 1:20pm with Nikolas Didulica proving the difference with a brace. Silver then faced the Charles Perkins X1 at 6pm and fell 5-4 on penaties in the 11th & 12th placed Play-Off.
On Day 6, Victoria White will take on NSW Navy at 8:20am in the 5th & 6th placed Play-Off.
Victorian Day 5 Results
U15 Victoria Blue vs Western Australia - 3-0
U15 Victoria White v Queensland Silver - 4-1
U15 Victoria Silver v Queensland White - 1-3
U15 Victoria Silver v Northern NSW - 1-1 (5-6 penalties)
U16 Victoria Blue v Western Australia - 0-1
U16 Victoria White v U16 Victoria Silver 2-0
U16 Victoria Silver v Charles Perkins - 2-2 (4-5 penalties)
More on the CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships
CLICK HERE to view live tables, results and fixtures
CLICK HERE to view the official 2025 CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships Tournament program
CLICK HERE to watch* the 2025 CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships thanks to Kommunity TV (*subscription required)
National Team Coaches watching closely
As players battle it out on the pitch, Football Australia’s technical and national team staff continue to observe every moment closely, ensuring no talent goes unnoticed.
Among those on the ground this week is Trevor Morgan, Football Australia’s Technical Director – Men’s Football & Head Coach of the U20s, who says the Championships are a crucial part of the player pathway.
“Tournaments like this are carefully designed to provide opportunities for players and coaches with a long-term focus on the pathway,” Morgan said.
“It’s structured like an Asian Cup, with group stages and finals, so players get used to that kind of tournament pressure and progression.”
With the FIFA U-17 World Cup now held annually, Morgan said the need to identify and develop talent has never been more urgent.
“These Championships are helping us expose talent, find talent and from there, Carl (Subway Joeys Head Coach) and his staff can work to develop that talent.”
“We’ve made sure our staff are watching each team multiple times, and now as we hit the pointy end, we’re being very targeted in the games we focus on to follow up on players we’ve identified.”
Queensland Maroon Push Into Under 15 Final
Queensland Maroon have booked their place in the Under 15 Final after a clinical 2–0 win over NSW Sky, continuing a run that’s made more impressive given the team only had a handful of sessions together before the tournament began.
Head Coach Alec Wilson praised the group’s collective mentality and adaptability throughout the Championships.
“They’re just a gritty group of players who want to perform together,” he said.
“They’ve gone out, executed the game plan, and as a coach, it’s just really pleasing.”
Queensland opened the scoring through Zachary Harrison, who continues his breakout tournament as the leading goal scorer in the Under 15 division.
“It’s honestly an unreal feeling,” said Harrison.
“It was a hard game, but the boys played so well and I’m very happy with the result. Now we’re all looking forward to the final.”
“You’re always coming up against tough defenders who are big, fast and smart. The Championships have helped me learn different ways to protect the ball and get around them.”
Safeguarding the Future Through Club Changer
While players were battling it out in Semi-Finals, young players and their families gathered just nearby for a Club Changer workshop focused on child safeguarding, values, and behaviours in football.
Delivered by Football Australia, the workshop featured parents and children from across Victoria, learning side-by-side about the importance of a safe and rewarding football experience.
“This is a really important session where both parents and children get to hear each other,” said Grace Lambourne, Football Australia’s National Program Manager – Club Development.
“The session is about seeing football through the child’s eyes understanding what fun looks like for them and how they experience the game.”
Held at the Home of the Matildas, the session also gave families a front-row look at the Championships afterwards, creating a memorable and educational day.
“We hope the kids leave inspired,” Lambourne added.
“Who knows maybe we had a few future Socceroos and Matildas in the room today."