Courtesy: Ipswich Queensland Times


National selection boosts cup dream

April 16, 2008

By David Lems

VERSATILE Ipswich footballer Ben Hunt is a giant step closer to playing in his first world cup tournament after making the Australian futsal (indoor soccer) team.

Hunt, 22, was chosen in Sydney at the weekend after the training squad was trimmed from 24 to 14.

The Ipswich Knights footballer is joined in the Australian indoor squad by regional team-mate Luke Haydon, who plays outdoor football for Western Spirit.

While Haydon is chasing his second world cup appearance, Silkstone-based Hunt is shooting for a cup spot in Brazil later this year. Brazil is a mecca for futsal.

"It's very exciting," the Ipswich plumber said yesterday.

"I knew I had put in the work, but I wasn't sure whether I had done enough to impress the selectors.

"I was very surprised when I made it. There's a lot of quality boys going around."

Hunt and Haydon leave for China this weekend to represent Australia in an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) tournament.

The team then heads to the Asian championships in Thailand next month where Australia needs to finish in the top four to qualify for the world cup.

"If I play well in China, then I get to stay in the squad and go away on the second of May to Asia," Hunt said.

"A world cup is what I've always tried to go for. That's pretty much everything I play for."

Hunt, in the national training squad for just over a year, said Haydon had assisted him greatly.

"We both play in our local teams together at Redbank and all the regional tournaments," Hunt said.

"He (Haydon) helps me out with anything I need."

Hunt loves the speed of the indoor game.

"Futsal is quicker, there's more skill involved and you're always involved in the game," he said.

"Outdoor keeps me fit for the indoor and indoor keeps me really sharp for the outdoor."





Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com