THE Qantas Futsalroos were forced to come from behind to secure a crucial 3-1 win against Turkmenistan overnight in the opening qualifying match for the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup.
After conceding an early goal Greg Giovenali equalised for Australia to leave the scores level at the interval, before Christopher Zeballos and Adrian Vizzari completed the scoring with second half strikes at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
Australia are now well placed to be one of the two teams that will progress to the quarter finals, with group favourites Japan demolishing Chinese Taipei 8-2 in the other Group B match at the Asian Football Confederation Futsal Championship.
"This is our third time at the Asian Championships and we have always lost the first game,” coach Scott Gilligan said. “We lost to Turkmenistan last year - so it was very pleasing to see the boys show great character to come back and win the game."
"I think we can go a bit further but I was very pleased to get the three points because the first game is always the stressful game."
The four semi finalists at the 16 nation tournament will represent Asia at October's FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil. Australia will complete their group fixtures later today against Chinese Taipei and tomorrow against number 2 ranked Asian side Japan.
The Qantas Futsalroos squad for the qualifying tournament is:
Tuan Cao (NSW), Fernando de Moreas (VIC), Trent Flanigan (ACT), Greg Giovenali (NSW), Luke Haydon (QLD), Simon Keith (NSW), Angelo Konstantinou (ACT), Dean Lockhart (NSW), Danny Ngaluafe (Qld), Gavin O’Brien (NSW), Peter Spathis (NSW), Adrian Vizzari (NSW), Lachlan Wright (NSW), Christopher Zeballos (NSW).
Australia are now well placed to be one of the two teams that will progress to the quarter finals, with group favourites Japan demolishing Chinese Taipei 8-2 in the other Group B match at the Asian Football Confederation Futsal Championship.
"This is our third time at the Asian Championships and we have always lost the first game,” coach Scott Gilligan said. “We lost to Turkmenistan last year - so it was very pleasing to see the boys show great character to come back and win the game."
"I think we can go a bit further but I was very pleased to get the three points because the first game is always the stressful game."
The four semi finalists at the 16 nation tournament will represent Asia at October's FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil. Australia will complete their group fixtures later today against Chinese Taipei and tomorrow against number 2 ranked Asian side Japan.
The Qantas Futsalroos squad for the qualifying tournament is:
Tuan Cao (NSW), Fernando de Moreas (VIC), Trent Flanigan (ACT), Greg Giovenali (NSW), Luke Haydon (QLD), Simon Keith (NSW), Angelo Konstantinou (ACT), Dean Lockhart (NSW), Danny Ngaluafe (Qld), Gavin O’Brien (NSW), Peter Spathis (NSW), Adrian Vizzari (NSW), Lachlan Wright (NSW), Christopher Zeballos (NSW).
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