Jake’s kicking goals
19-year-old Jake Girdwood-Reich’s national duties have been extended, with Jake named in an updated Australian U23 national “Olyroos” squad to compete in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Asian Cup April 15-23, 2024, in Qatar.
Jake Girdwood-Reich
This follows on the heels of Jake’s participation in the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) U23 Championship held in Saudi Arabia over March 22-27, where Australia lost the grand final to South Korea in a penalty shootout.
This current squad has changed to take into consideration those players who, for reasons such as injury or illness, cannot be considered in the WAFF warm-up tournament. Jake has done well in retaining his spot in the team, which will now compete for a berth at the Paris Olympics later this year.
The Qatar tournament grants three qualifying spots for the 2024 Olympic Games football tournament. Australia faces Qatar, Jordan and Indonesia in its group stage. If they win that group, they then face the second-place team of the group, which includes Japan, South Korea, UAE, and China, in a quarter-final that must be won to compete in the Olympics.
Jake plies his trade at Sydney FC where he has had a highly successful season, playing every game this season other than those missed due to international duties and suspension.
This is Jake’s third age-based national representation, having previously represented Australia in U17 and U19 competitive tournaments in addition to representing the Olyroos in the recent WAFF tournament. The Olyroo selection is a particularly notable achievement at an age four years younger than the U23 cut-off.
“I feel so privileged to be selected to play for my country,” said Jake. “It would be incredible to be able to participate in the Olympics, and I hope we get there.”
Australian games are all streamed on Paramount+ with group stage games being held at the following AEST times:
Australia U23 v Jordan U23
Monday, 15 April 2024
Kick-off: 12:00 am (Monday night)
Australia U23 v Indonesia
Thursday, 18 April 2024
Kick-off: 12:00 am (Thursday night)
Australia U23 v Qatar
Monday, 22 April 2024
Kick-off: 2.30 am
