Pararoos announce squad and draw Brazil, Spain and the Netherlands in Group A of CPISRA Football 7-A-Side World Championships
The CPISRA Football 7-a-Side World Championships will serve as the qualifiers for the 2012 London Paralympic Games with the top seven teams progressing to the final tournament next year.
In the remainder of the draw Group B will consist of Ukraine, Scotland, Canada and an additional nation to be named shortly. Russia, England, Argentina and the Korea Republic will play in Group C and lastly, Group D will comprise of Iran, Republic of Ireland, USA and Japan.
To coincide with the draw, Pararoos Head Coach Paul Brown took the opportunity to announce his 12-player squad that will represent Australia at the World Championships.
Brown believes that the squad he has selected is the strongest side Australia that he will take away to date and will surprise many of his international opponents.
?Following a successful National Titles we had a number of training camps in South Australia and NSW to select the final squad.
?For the first time in a long time, there was plenty of competition for places in the final squad which is very positive for the sport.
?The players are playing good football and building some good combinations in active play.
?We know we have a tough draw for the tournament and even though we narrowly lost to Spain last year, our squad has improved and I?m sure we?ll be able to surprise them come June.
?Our goal is to qualify for the 2012 London Paralympic Games and at this moment in time, I am optimistic about our chances,? concluded Brown.
The Pararoos, who are funded by the Australian Paralympic Committee and supported by Football Federation Australia, have one more camp in Sydney from the 27th ? 29th May before flying out to the Netherlands on the 10th June. The early arrival will allow the players to acclimatise and work on those fine details before their first match on the 18th June, when they meet Spain. Two days later the Pararoos will face Brazil and their final group match will be against the host nation, The Netherlands, on the 22nd June.
The match venues for the CPISRA Football 7-a-side World Championships will be played in the cities of Assen (the pitch of local football club Achilles ?94), Emmen (SC Angelslo and FC Emmen) and Hoogeveen (VV De Weide). The final matches are scheduled for 1 July in the FC Emmen stadium.
