The success of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup exceeded all expectations with booming crowds cheering on our Socceroos as they claimed the title.

The AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers in November gives the Young Socceroos a chance to follow in the footsteps of their senior counterparts.

They’ll be taking on regional powerhouses the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, and Hong Kong over eight days.

The winner of Group J will continue on to the AFC U-19 Championship finals in Indonesia in 2018. With more than 160 competitors and officials, the tournament delivers the best of the best in AFC youth football in the heart of Shepparton.

The Victorian Government secured the international tournament for Shepparton thanks to funding from the Regional Events Fund and Significant Sporting Events Program.

Our $20 million Regional Events Fund is helping rural and regional communities like Shepparton stage the events that attract visitors in their thousands.

To date, the 2014-2018 Significant Sporting Events Program has provided $5 million to deliver more than 250 big sporting events right across Victoria – with more than half of these held in our regions.

The AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers take place between 4 November – 8 November 2017 and will be played at the new Community Football Complex at McEwen Reserve in Shepparton.