Paralympic hopes disappear after USA loss

The Australian Paralympic teams’ hopes of playing at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, have virtually disappeared after they went down 2-1 against the USA in their second play-off group game earlier this morning in Rio de Janiero in Brazil.

The Australian Paralympic teams- hopes of playing at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, have virtually disappeared after they went down 2-1 against the USA in their second play-off group game earlier this morning in Rio de Janiero in Brazil.

In a tight defensive battle, the US grabbed the winning goal with five minutes of play remaining, after Australia had battled back to level it through Chris Pyne with 12 minutes to go.

The result now means the team will play Canada in the play-off for 11th and 12th on Friday. The only way they will be in China next year, is if they receive an invitation, which will be dependant on teams pulling out.

The USA opened the scoring five minutes after the half time break and with Australia struggling for fluency in attack against the strong US defence, it looked as though the result would stay this way.

However the one of the few occasions where Australia was more creative in attack, substitute Pyne was on hand to score his fourth goal of the tournament.

However with the match in the balance the US summoned a big finish and got their reward with a goal five minutes from the end and give themselves a slight chance of progressing to the Paralympics next year.

Match Details

USA 2 Australia 1

Australian line-up: Sam Larkings (gk), David Barber (c), Chris Pyne, Brett Cross, Brett Fairhall (? 35-), Beau Menzies, David Cantoni

Referee - Jorge Barbisan (Argentina)