Qantas Futsalroos looking for regional supremacy

The Qantas Futsalroos will depart for Thailand later this week looking to claim their first silverware since joining the Asian Football Confederation when they compete at the eight-nation ASEAN Futsal Championships, March 26-31.

The Qantas Futsalroos will depart for Thailand later this week looking to claim their first silverware since joining the Asian Football Confederation when they compete at the eight-nation ASEAN Futsal Championships, March 26-31.

Australia have been grouped alongside Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia in Group A, with Group B featuring Vietnam, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi finals.

Thailand will likely be considered tournament favourites having won the last four ASEAN Futsal Championships and defeating Australia at the last FIFA Futsal World Championship in 2004.

“Our expectations are fairly high though it will be a challenging tournament against some good opposition with only limited preparation and just two days to acclimatise,” said Qantas Futsalroos Scott Gilligan.

“This tournament will provide the team with excellent preparation for May-s 16-nation AFC Futsal Championship in Japan.”

The 12-man Qantas Futsalroos squad for the ASEAN Futsal Championship is:

Goalkeepers: Gavin O-Brien (Campbelltown City, NSW), Peter Spathis (Sydney Magic PCYC, NSW)

Defenders: Scott Manson (Supercats, ACT), Adrian Vizzari (Inner West Allstars, NSW), Simon Keith (Campbelltown City, NSW)

Midfielders: Andrew Paine (Campbelltown City, NSW), Andrew Nolan (Dural Warriors, NSW), Miles Downie (Campbelltown City, NSW) , Lachlan Wright (Inner West Allstars, NSW)

Forwards: Luke Haydon (Dalponte Vikings, QLD), Scott Dingwall (Hawkesbury Commodores, NSW), Tuan Cao (Campbelltown City, NSW)

Stand-by: Keenan Duimpies (Dalponte Vikings, Qld), Nino Fragassi (Inner West All Stars, NSW)

Gilligan will be without the services of at least seven players who are unavailable for a variety of reasons including Italian-based Greg Giovenali and Tobias Seeto who plays in Spain. Also unavailable are Yavuz Ekinci, Trent Flanigan, Goran Josifovski, Ben Lam and Matt Whyte.

Australia-s first match is against Malaysia on March 26, followed by Indonesia on March 27 and the final group match against the Philippines on March 28.

The AFC Futsal Championship is held annually with the next FIFA Futsal World Championship to be held in 2008.