
CALLALA Bay’s Ben Atkins and his Pararoos’ strong form at the 2018 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championship continued on Monday, with Kai Lammert’s charges securing a 3-nil win over Thailand – ensuring qualification for next year’s World Championship in Spain is now within reach.
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A double to Daniel Campbell combined with Ben Roche’s sixth goal of the tournament helped lift the Pararoos to victory, meaning that a win over Jordan in the team’s next fixture on Wednesday will guarantee Australia a place at next year’s World Cup in Seville.
The Pararoos defeated Korea Republic 11-nil in their first fixture at the weekend, and after their second game of the IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championship are yet to concede a goal.
Speaking from Kish Island in IR Iran, Lammert explained that Thailand, who are ranked 22nd globally, offered a tough test for his team.
“It was a difficult game for us against a very organised Thailand side,” Lammert said.
“We dominated possession for the majority of the game but found it difficult to score.”
“That’s the second clean sheet that we’ve kept at this tournament and I am very happy with how we controlled the game.
“Fifteen-year-old Daniel Campbell showed maturity beyond his years and scored two very important goals for us.
“We are in the position we wanted to be in [after two games] and can now secure IFCPF World Cup qualification with a win against Jordan who defeated Korea Republic 5-2 in the day’s other game,” he said.
While a win against Jordan on Wednesday would lock in IFCPF World Championship qualification for 2019, it would also set up a likely Asia-Oceania title decider against hosts IR Iran on Thursday.
Five nations are competing in a single round robin at the 2018 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championship, with the team that finishes on top of the pool to be crowned Champions.
The winner and runner-up of the 2018 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championship will also secure qualification for the 2019 IFCPF World Championship in Seville, Spain, to be held next July.