NSW stars selected in Futsalroos’ AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifying squad

As many as 9 NSW born players have been selected Futsalroos’ Head Coach Miles Downie 14-player squad that will represent Australia at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ 2024 Qualifiers in October.  

Shervin Adeli, Domenic Badolato, Dominic Cox, Ethan De Melo, Jamie Dib, Daniel Fornito, Wade Giovenali, Jordan Guerreiro and Grant Lynch all won selection into the squad.

The squad featuring some of Australia’s best male Futsal talent will travel to Chinese Taipei for two matches from 7 – 11 October to determine which countries advance to the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ 2024 to be hosted by Thailand.

A total of 31 teams were drawn into eight groups, where Australia is in Group H with Japan and Hosts Chinese Taipei. To qualify for AFC Futsal Asian Cup ™ 2024, The Futsalroos will need to finish either first or second in their group to advance to the final stage. The action kicks off on Saturday, 7 October when the Futsalroos face Japan at Taipei University Stadium in Taipei City.

Downie has been working hard to galvanise the squad since taking over the head role in 2022 and is looking forward to returning to the international stage.

“The past year has been an exciting period for Australian Futsal and the prospect of competing in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup is something we’re determined to achieve,” Downie said.

“In the lead up to this competition we have been working hard to build a squad who we believe have the skills to compete against the Asian nations and who will form part of the national team for years to come.

“The AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers will be a good test for the squad, and I have full faith that we have the ability to surprise our more experienced opponents.”

On Monday, 9 October, Australia will play host nation, Chinese Taipei, once again at the Taipei University Stadium.

The squad features experienced players from the Futsalroos’ AFF Futsal Championship 2022 campaign in Thailand and the recent PacificAus Sports Futsal Series where Australia hosted the Solomon Islands in a three-match international series in Sydney.

If the Futsalroos are successful in qualifying for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024™, the top four teams from the tournament automatically qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024™ in Uzbekistan.

AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ 2024 Qualifiers

Matchday 1 

Saturday, 7 October 2023

Australia v Japan

Taipei University Stadium, Taipei City, Chinese Taipei

Kick-off: 7:00pm local, 9:00pm AEST

Matchday 2 

Monday, 9 October 2023

Chinese Taipei v Australia

Taipei University Stadium, Taipei City, Chinese Taipei

Kick-off: 7:00pm local, 9:00pm AEST

FUTSALROOS SQUAD | AFC FUTSAL ASIAN CUP™ 2024 QUALIFIERS | CHINESE TAIPEI