Courtesy: The World Game

Futsalroos begin Asian test

The Futsalroos will depart for Malaysia on Sunday to participate in the qualifying tournament for the AFC Futsal Championship.

Coach Scott Gilligan has chosen a 14-man squad, with matches against three nations - Korea Republic, Hong Kong and Macau - following the withdrawal of DPR Korea.

Two teams from the group will qualify for next month’s 16-nation AFC Futsal Championship in Uzbekistan.

The AFC Futsal Championship is held annually with the next FIFA Futsal World Championship to be held in 2008.

The Futsalroos squad is:

Goalkeepers
Gavin O’Brien (Campbelltown City, NSW), Peter Spathis (Sydney Magic PCYC, NSW)

Defenders
Scott Manson (Supercats, ACT), Christopher Zeballos (Macarthur Rams, NSW), Lachlan Wright (no club), Adrian Vizzari (Inner West Allstars, NSW), Keenan Duimpies (Dalponte Vikings, QLD)

Midfielders
Goran Josifovski (Supercats, ACT), Elia Salloum (Supercats, ACT), Andrew Paine (Campbelltown City, NSW), Andrew Nolan (Dural Warriors, NSW), Trent Flanigan (Supercats, ACT)

Forwards
Miles Downie (Campbelltown City, NSW), Luke Haydon (Dalponte Vikings, QLD)

Seven players are veterans of the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship in Chinese Taipei with the squad also containing a number of uncapped players including 16-year-old Queenslander Keenan Duimpies.

Sydney-based midfielder Andrew Nolan will captain the side.

Australia’s first match is against Hong Kong on Wednesday April 19, followed by Korea Republic on Friday April 21 and the final qualifier against Macau on Saturday April 22.