Courtesy: Australian Soccer


Australia faces tough test at Futsal World Championship

Australia has been drawn against three-time world champions Brazil for the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship to be held later this year in Chinese Taipei. The Qantas Futsalroos have also been pitted against European heavyweights Czech Republic and Asian qualifiers Thailand in Group B of the 16-team tournament.

Australia qualified for the FIFA Futsal World Championship after winning the Oceania qualifying tournament played in Canberra in July without losing a game or conceding a goal.

The tournament features four groups of four teams with the top two from each group progressing to the quarter finals.

Speaking after the draw Qantas Futsalroos coach Scott Gilligan said, "Our target is to reach the second round. We know it will be hard to take anything off Brazil, but I think second place in the group will be between ourselves and the Czech Republic. It will be crucial for us to beat them, and I think we are well capable of doing just that."

Australia is one of only five nations to appear at all four previous FIFA Futsal World Championships since the first tournament was first held in 1989. The previous tournaments were held in Holland (1989), Hong Kong (1992), Spain (1996) and Guatemala (2000). Four years ago Spain secured the world championship after defeated Brazil, winners of the three previous tournaments.

The 2004 edition of the tournament will be held at two venues, Taipei City and Tao Yuan County, between November 21 - December 5.