Kalms joins Joeys for Turkey matches

BENDIGO teenager Ryan Kalms will take more big steps in his football development at this month’s Antalya Youth Cup for under-seventeen teams in Turkey.

A key defender with Melbourne City, Kalms was chosen in a 23-player squad for the four-nations soccer tournament.

Australia will take on Czechia, Morocco and Uzbekistan in the Cup clashes.

Matches for the Brad Maloney-coached Joeys will be on 10, 13 and 16 February.

A great run by the Joeys in 2022 included the AFC under-17 Asian Cup qualifiers played last October in Shepparton.

The Joeys had a for-against record of 36-1 in their unbeaten run.

Australia kicked off the campaign by scoring a 23-nil win against Northern Mariana Islands and then marked a 10-nil win against Cambodia.

In their final game the Joeys withstood a spirited China to complete a 3-1 victory.

The Subway Joeys will use the matches in Turkey as part of the build-up to the AFC under-17 Asian Cup being played from 15 June to 2 July in Thailand.

Australia must reach the semi-finals of the Asian Cup to qualify for the FIFA under-17 World Cup to be played from 10 November to 2 December in Peru.

Recruited by Melbourne City after impressive displays with Bendigo City, Kalms has worked incredibly hard to be among the country’s hottest prospects at under-17 level.

The teenager began his soccer journey with Strathdale Soccer Club and was also part of the Athlete Development Program at Bendigo South East Secondary College in Flora Hill.

Kalms was also a scholarship recipient in the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards for 2022 and is also in the running for the prestigious Cyril Michelsen Trust Fund award.

The Sports Star gala presentation night will be held on Friday, February 17 at the All Seasons International in Bendigo.