Australia’s Paralympic team off to a flyer at World Cup

The Australian Paralympic football team has commenced its 2007 Cerebral Palsy World Cup campaign with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over South Africa in Brazil overnight.

The Australian Paralympic football team has commenced its 2007 Cerebral Palsy World Cup campaign with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over South Africa in Brazil overnight.

The World Cup doubles as qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games with the Australians requiring a top seven finish in the 16-nation event to make it to China.

Chris Pyne led the way scoring a hat-trick while David Cantoni scored his first international goal and the opening goal of the match at the 10 minute mark with a clinical volley from a great cross by Beau Menzies.

Vice-captain Pyne helped the Australians to a three goal lead with a first half brace before he added a third late in the game from close range after Chris Restall's flicked header.

"The players worked hard for their win today and continue to improve with every match," said Australian coach Paul Brown.

"The surface was not easy to play on due to the amount of the rain over the last couple of days.

"The players are already focused on the next job at hand which is the game against England/Wales in a couple of days."

A win over England/Wales on Thursday will see Australia guaranteed a quarter final berth.

Australia 4 (David Cantoni 10', Chris Pyne 22', 30', 55')

South Africa 0

Australian line-up:- David Barber (c), Sam Larkings, Jamie Paulsen (Brett Cross 40'), Chris Pyne, Brett Fairhall, David Cantoni (Chris Restall 55'), Beau Menzies (Marik Gleizer 50')