Futsalroos secure World Cup spot
The Futsalroos have qualified for the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia taking place in September after cruising to a 3-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan to finish fifth at the AFC Futsal Championships.
First half goals from Dural Warriors’ Daine Merrin and UTS Northside’s Grant Lynch sent Rob Varela’s men in to the break with a good lead before captain and Dural Warrior star Greg Giovenali extended their lead in the 31st minute.
Kyrgyzstan responded four minutes later but it was to be too little too late as Australia booked its ticket to a second straight World Cup appearance to spark fantastic scenes from their players and staff.
Varela was overrun with emotion after his side qualified, who had only two overseas based players, those being Jarrod Basger and Tobias Seeto both from Baku United in the UK.
The rest of the squad was made of Futsal players plying their trade in NSW’s Futsal Premier League as well as playing in the national F-League competition.
“The boys worked very, very hard; we got together for this particular campaign in early December and basically had 12 training sessions which is what most countries do every two weeks,” Varela stated to the AFC.
“Everyone has other commitments with local futsal, football and study or work – none of us are professionals and I think we’ve proved we’re the best amateur team in the tournament.
“I had to quit my job to come here and my private, professional life is based around futsal which is a non-paying hobby – a very satisfying – but non-paying hobby but I wouldn’t swap it for anything.
“I just might have to find another short-term job before September’s World Cup comes around!”
The Futsalroos based their pre-tournament training sessions at Football NSW’s Valentine Sports Park before heading off to Uzbekistan which saw them qualify alongside Thailand, Vietnam, Iran IR and the Uzbeks.
To watch the official highlights click here
Futsalroos Squad
Jarrod Basger – Baku United (UK)
Daniel Fogarty – Inner West Magic
Gregory Giovenali (c) – Dural Warriors
Wade Giovenali – Dural Warriors
Brian Griffin-Colls – Inner West Magic
Glen Kelshaw – Dural Warriors
Angelo Konstantinou (gk) – Inner West Magic
Dean Lockhart – Campbelltown Quake
Grant Lynch – UTS Northside
Roberto Maiorana (gk) – Inner West Magic
Daine Merrin – Dural Warriors
Christopher Polkinghorne – Dural Warriors
Tobias Seeto – Baku United (UK)
Peter Spathis (gk) – N/A
