Futsalroos kick off AFC tournament

The Futsalroos kick off their AFC Futsal Championship in Vietnam tonight (7.00pm local, 10.00pm AEDT) against China P.R.

The Futsalroos kick off their AFC Futsal Championship in Vietnam tonight (7.00pm local, 10.00pm AEDT) against China P.R.

Australia is joined by Iran and Indonesia in Group B of the 16-team tournament, with the top two sides from each group progressing to the quarter finals.

The Futsalroos will be looking to improve on their performance from two years ago in the UAE, where they lost 3-0 to Japan in the semi-finals before suffering a 4-0 defeat by Iran in the third place play-off.

“We have prepared for nine weeks, one day per week with two sessions per day. I expect the team to perform as well as they can following the preparation. I hope the team gets through the first round,” Australia coach Steven Knight told www.the-afc.com.

“Iran are the strongest team in the group and I think the other teams are similar, so the opening match with China will be very difficult.”

The Futsalroos qualified for the tournament after securing 2nd place at the 2013 AFF Championship in Thailand, succumbing 2-1 to the hosts in the final.

Futsalroos Squad

Peter SPATHIS Adam COOPER Jarrod BASGER Greg GIOVENALI Mark SYMINGTON Wade GIOVENALI Tobias SEETO Fernando LIMA DE MORAES Christopher POLKINGHORNE Daniel FOGARTY Dean LOCKHART Roberto MAIORANA Angelo KONSTANTINOU Raymond MILLER

All matches are streamed live on www.the-afc.com

For more information on the tournament click here.