The Pararoos have been defeated 0-7 by host nation the Netherlands in their last group match of the 2011 Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) Football 7-A-Side World Championships.
The Pararoos have been defeated 0-7 by host nation the Netherlands in their last group match of the 2011 Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) Football 7-A-Side World Championships.
The Pararoos settled early and seemed to knock the ball around well in the early stages of the match. The combination from Jack Williams to Ben Roche to beat two players and shoot just wide of the goal was one of the best of the match.
Australia seemed to be their own worst enemy at times giving the ball away with some inaccurate passing from the back. The Dutch took advantage of this when a shot was deflected by Pararoos goalkeeper, Sam Larkings, and Peter Kooij tapped in to give the home team the lead in the 3rd minute.
Stephan Lokhoff doubled the Dutch lead in the 9th minute with a goal of his own.
In the 12th minute a great ball from Beau Menzies to Roche on the left side, and a good follow up shot, forced the Dutch keeper to make a great save diving just to tip the ball past the right post.
In the 18th minute the Aussies once again threatened the Dutch net after a good ball from Williams to David Barber and then to Menzies on the right. Menzies beat one player and the shot was blocked by Lars Conijn.
The Pararoos seemed more patient than they did against Brazil and actually looked like they could come away with a result. They defended well, were organised at the back and seemed to handle the crisp, accurate Dutch passing and penetration.
One of the best contests of the match was between Pararoos Captain, Barber, and danger man Iljas Visker who was clearly the crowd favourite.
Close to the break it looked like the Pararoos were going to go into the break a respectable 2-0 down against the number 5 ranked team in the world.
In additional time Roche failed to hold up the forward running back, Conijn, who beat him on the left and shot past Larkings from the edge of the box. After this, the Aussies just seemed to go to sleep and the penetrating runs of Visker allowed the Dutch to increase their lead further going into the break.
Pararoos Head Coach Paul Brown at half time said “I thought the boys played a lot better today, we held possession better, were more patient and were unlucky not to score a couple in the first half. It looked promising until we lost a bit of focus and allowed them to get on top in extra time. We just seemed to go to sleep”.
"We conceded three goals in two minutes mostly from their speed and ability in one-on-one situations that created the extra man in our defensive third” he said.
In the second half Roche was substituted for Chris Pyne who was unlucky not to reduce the deficit after a well- timed run off a Barber throw in. A good combination from Ben Atkins to Menzies for Pyne to just shoot left of the post.
The Pararoos seemed to be able to hold possession in the Dutch half in the second half and were unlucky not to score again after a wall pass from Menzies to Barber to put him into space. In the 54th minute Barber-s shot was blocked and the resulting chip afterwards just went wide of the post.
Pararoos Captain David Barber said after the match“ I-m just disappointed, we played better and seem to be improving, but seem to lose focus at certain times through the match, which was a shame because I felt at times we definitely had their measure.”
“At half time Brownie told us to forget about the score and go out there and reduce our errors and just play the good football that he knows we can. I think we did that, we held more possession and the Dutch only managed one goal in the second half.”
Australia-s next game is against Finland on the 25 June 2011 at VV De Weide stadium (kick-off 12:00pm local).
The CPISRA Football 7-a-Side World Championships serve as the qualifiers for the 2012 London Paralympic Games with the top seven teams progressing to the final tournament next year.