Mixed results for Futsalroos preparations

The Qantas Futsalroos have had a mixed preparation for the upcoming AFC Futsal Championships being held in Japan, recording a loss and win in the two games played in the Sun Arena, Ise City.

The Qantas Futsalroos have had a mixed preparation for the upcoming AFC Futsal Championships being held in Japan, recording a loss and win in the two games played in the Sun Arena, Ise City.

On Wednesday night, the Australian team faced leading Japanese Futsal side Nagoya Oceans, going down 6-3, but recovered with a 5-0 win on Thursday over Rio Grande.

The match against Nagoya was a high quality game, played in front of a very enthusiastic 2000 strong crowd, with the home side eventually winning 6-3, after scoring four goals in the final four minutes, against the tiring Australian side.

In a tight first half, debutant Tobias Seeto gave Australia a 1-0 half time lead, having dominated for most of the half. They backed that up with a world-class goal that consisted of six quality passes, which was well finished off by Luke Haydon, to make it 2-0.

However by midway through the second half, Nagoya had brought the scores level, as the travel and busy schedule since arriving started to take its toll.

Mark Whyte though managed to put Australia back in front, but the fast finishing Nagoya side was too strong and scored four goals in as many minutes to finish 6-3 victors.

Despite the loss, the Australian players and officials endeared themselves to the locals, by staying around for an hour after the match, to sign autographs for the kids and have their photos taken.

With the Nagoya match under their belts, Australia looked forward to today-s match against another local side Rio Grande and proved far too strong winning 5-0.

With only Seeto absent with a slight knee injury, Australia dominated from start to finish and probably should have more convincingly.

Goalscoring honours was shared around between Andrew Nolan, Luke Haydon, Matt Whyte, Nino Fragassi and Adrian Vizzari

The players are now looking forward to the final preparations, before they commence their assault on the AFC Futsal Championship against Turkmenistan on Sunday in Amagasaki.

They follow that up with their second match against Korea Republic on Monday and then hopefully what will be the crunch match against Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday.

The top two from each group will progress to the quarter finals.