CALLALA Bay’s Ben Atkins and his Pararoos will represent Australia at the 2019 IFCPF World Championship in Seville, Spain next year after Kai Lammert’s side sealed a ticket to the tournament, courtesy of a 7-1 win over Jordan in IR Iran on Wednesday.
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Four goals to Ben Roche – who now has 10 for the tournament – combined with strikes from Connor Marsh, Angus Macgregor, and Cosimo Cirillo helped lift the Pararoos to victory in their third match of the 2018 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championship, which is currently being contested on Kish Island in the Persian Gulf.
The triumph over Jordan not only sealed a place at next year’s World Championship but also ensured that the Pararoos will have the chance to become regional IFCPF Champions on Thursday evening (local time) when they play tournament host and favourite IR Iran in the final match of the competition.
Earlier in the tournament, Atkins side secured an 11-nil win over Korea Republic and a 3-nil win over Thailand to set up the chance to qualify for next year’s IFCPF World Championship.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman, Chris Nikou, congratulated the Pararoos for reaching next year’s World Cup in Spain – a tournament which will add to a huge year for Australia’s national teams.
“The football community is very proud of the achievements of the Pararoos, and congratulations must go to Kai Lammert, the players, and the staff with the team overseas,” Nikou said.
“The Pararoos’ participation at next year’s IFCPF World Championship in Spain adds to what will be an exciting year for Australia’s national football teams at major international tournaments in 2019.
“The AFC Asian Cup is just around the corner for the Socceroos, the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off for the Matildas in June, the Pararoos will compete on the world stage in July, while in October our Joeys will venture to Peru to contest the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup.”
FFA CEO David Gallop, also offered his congratulations.
“The Pararoos are an inspiring team and fantastic ambassadors for football,” Gallop said.
“The team secured their best result at the IFCPF World Championship last year when they finished 10th in Argentina, and as CP Football continues to grow in Australia the Pararoos will be striving to achieve an even better outcome when they venture to Spain next July.”
“The Pararoos have faced some challenges, but strong support from the community and partners including Zest Care has allowed us to support them to play on the world stage.”
