Aussie Paralympic team World Championship hopes end

The Australian Paralympic team have been bundled out of the Cerebral Palsy World Championship after a heavy 5-0 defeat against Brazil in a match played in hot and humid conditions overnight in Rio de Janiero.

The Australian Paralympic team have been bundled out of the Cerebral Palsy World Championship after a heavy 5-0 defeat against Brazil in a match played in hot and humid conditions overnight in Rio de Janiero.

The result in the team-s final group match leaves Australia in third place and missing the quarter finals but the team will now play in the play-offs with one of those eight teams to claim ninth spot and the final qualifciation berth for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.

“We started off the game well but constant loss of possession and giving away the ball all too easily eventually led to our downfall,” said coach Paul Brown.

“Australia fought back hard after the first goal but we failed to break the Brazilian backline.

“Quite simply the Brazilians were technically superior all over the park.

“I am a bit disappointed that players who are traditionally goal scorers are not hitting the target and tacking advantage of opportunities.”

Australia will now meet either Japan or Canada on Tuesday before the final matches on Thursday and Saturday.

Australian line-up: David Barber (C), Jamie Paulsen, David Cantoni (Chris Restall 40-), Chris Pyne (Paul Nicholls 50-), Sam Larkings, Jamie Laybutt (Beau Menzies 45-), Brett Fairhall