Australia Claim Silver Medal at ARAFURA Games

Australia qualified for today’s final after defeating Japan 5-0 in the semi-final yesterday and had previously drawn with England 0-0 in the opening match of the tournament last Tuesday.
England midfielder Michael Wilson found the back of the net in the fifth minute to give his side an ideal start, before Richard Fox broke through the Australian defence  just before half-time to double the advantage.
In stifling conditions, Australia fought back hard in the second half, but at the end the Australian Paralympic Football Team was unable to overturn the first-half deficit that ultimately cost them the gold medal.
Australian Paralympic Football Team Head Coach Paul Brown was disappointed with the result, but overall was very proud of his team’s performances throughout the tournament.   
?I think if we went out in the first half, and played like we did in the second half, then it could have been a different story,? Brown said.
?But England played well. They deserved the win today.?
?Overall, it?s been a very positive tournament for us. As far as I?m concerned, the boys have come along very well.?
?We have done things in this tournament that we haven?t been able to do in any other tournaments. It?s given us a lot more scope and a lot more things to work on and improve, which is fantastic.?
?We are on the cusp of doing great things. This tournament has given us all a lot to look at and tidy up, but the main thing is that it?s given these guys good international experience.?
In the bronze medal play-off, it was a surprise win to Korea, who posted a shock 2-0 result over Japan. 
Australian Paralympic Men’s 7-a-side Squad
2009 ARAFURA Games, Darwin
9-17 May 2009
Ben Atkins (NSW), David Barber – Captain (QLD), David Cantoni (WA), Brett Cross (NSW), Brett Fairhall (NSW), Thomas Goodman (SA), Pat Grant (NSW), Sam Larkings (NSW), Jarrod Larkins-Law (QLD), Beau Menzies (QLD), Jamie Paulsen (QLD), Chris Pyne – Vice Captain (NSW) 
Coach: Paul Brown
Assistant Coach: Kai Lammert
Goalkeeping Coach; Darryl Darke
Team Manager: David Campbell
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Kylie Johnson
Physiotherapist: Edward Davidson 
2009 ARAFURA Games
Paralympic Men’s Football 7-a-side (CP Football) Tournament  
Official Match Schedule 
Venue: Marrara Hockey Centre, Marrara Sporting Complex, Darwin
Tuesday 12 May 2009
6.30PM    England  0:0 Australia
8.00PM    Korea Republic 1:2 Japan 
Wednesday 13 May 2009
6.30PM    Australia  6:0 Korea Republic 
8.00PM    Japan 0:6 England  
Thursday 14 May 2009
6.30PM    Japan 1:3  Australia 
8.00PM    Korea Republic 0:9 England  
Friday 15 May 2009
REST DAY
Saturday 16 May 2009
6.00PM Australia  5:0 Japan 
7.30PM England  10:0  Korea Republic
Sunday 17 May 2009
9.00AM Bronze Medal Match –  Korea Republic 2:0 Japan 
10.30AM           Gold Medal Match –  England 2:0  Australia