Australia 4-1 Finland

Match Report – Australia vs Finland – 20 Aug 2010

Match Report - Australia vs Finland - 20 Aug 2010

Score : Australia 4 def Finland 1

The Australian Paralympic 7-A-Side Football team took on Finland today in their 3rd match in 4 days at the 2010 CPISRA European Championships. The Australian team and came away with their first victory of the tournament defeating Finland 4-1 and will now take on England in their next pool match.

The Australian team attacked from the very start of the match and in the first minute of the game a long range shot from Sam Larkings was dropped by the Finland goalkeeper to be quickly pounced on by Jarrod Law to open the scoring for the Australians.

In the 9th minute of the game a telling pass by Ben Atkins to David Barber saw Barber in the clear inside the box who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to make the scoreline 2-0.

In the 15th minute David Barber intercepted a ball deep inside his own half and made a lightning run down the side line and then cut back inside to push the ball sweetly past the keeper for his second goal of the game.

Half time score - Australia 3 Finland 0

Paul Brown made two changes at half time - Chris Pyne replaced Ben Roche and Jack Williams replaced Sam Larkings.

Finland were the first team to score in the second half with an excellent shot from the No 9 just outside of the 18 yard box.

In the 47th minute of the game the best worked move saw Australia score their 4th goal. A ball pass from Thomas Goodman to David Barber who passed wider to Jack Williams who then passed to Jarrod Law and with a overlapping run Jack Williams received the ball back near the bi line and quickly passed back to Chris Pyne in the middle of the box who slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.

Paul Brown after the match stated it was a well drilled team that defeated a gallant Finland team that put numbers behind the ball. The Australian team controlled the game very well from the first minute of the match.

“They made it very difficult for us in the second half denied both Thomas Goodman and Ben Roche”

The Australian were very relaxed on the ball and did not panic when pressed by the Finland attackers.

Some great saves by the Finland Keeper kept them in it

Australia will have to rise to the occasion and step up a level if they want to defeat the English in the next match.

Man of the Match was David Barber.

Starting Line Up:

GK Jamie Paulsen 1. Sam Larkings 2. Ben Roche 5. Jarrod Law 7. David Barber (Captain) 8. Brett Fairhall 9. Ben Atkins

Substitutes : 30th minute Ben Roche off - Chris Pyne on 30th minute Sam Larkings off - Jack Williams on 40rd minute Ben Atkins off - Thomas Goodman on