Paralympic team heads to FESPIC Games

The Australian Paralympic (Cerebral Palsy) team heads to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today (November 22) to play in the FESPIC Games, the first major tournament as part of the qualification process for the 2008 Paralympic Games in China.

The Australian Paralympic (Cerebral Palsy) team heads to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today (November 22) to play in the FESPIC Games, the first major tournament as part of the qualification process for the 2008 Paralympic Games in China.

The 12-man squad, will play two qualification matches against Korea and China, aiming for a place in the semi finals. Australia is the second highest ranked nation at the FESPIC Games at number 10, behind Iran, who is world rated in the top five.

With only eight teams to qualify for the 2008 Paralympics in China, the FESPIC Games acts a vital stage in the qualification process, with a win and a top-ten showing at next years World Championships, virtually guaranteeing them a place at the Paralympics.

Australia-s first match at the FESPIC Games is against Korea Republic on Saturday and they back that up with a match against China on the Sunday. The semi finals will be held on November 29 with the final the following day.

The team finished its preparations with two matches against Lindfield Women-s Team and the Penrith Nepean United Women-s State League team, with coach Paul Brown pleased with the teams two wins. On Monday they beat Lindfield 4-0, while on Tuesday they won 1-0.

“It was the best football we have played,” Brown said after the match against Nepean. “The Penrith Nepean United Team had a number of ex-Matilda players and were a good test.

“We were extremely well organized, push forwarded well, had numerous shots on goal and kept our shape very well.

With the FESPIC Games an important part of Paralympic qualification, Brown believes the team has come on a long way and will be ready for the challenge ahead in Kuala Lumpur.

“The team is well prepared and players are starting to do things on the pitch they haven-t done before,” he said from the team-s camp at Valentine Sports Park in Sydney.

“The bar for the National Paralympic Football Squad has been raised and now we need to raise it further”.

Paralympic Team squad is: David Barber (Capt), Beau Menzies (both QLD), Chris Pyne (V-Capt), Brett Fairhall, Brett Cross, Jamie Laybutt, Sam Larkings, Marik Gleizer, Chris Restall (all NSW), Miguel Marcelino (WA), Ben Roche (VIC), Jason Driscoll (ACT)

Coaching staff: Head Coach Paul Brown NSW Assistant Coach Kai Lammert NSW Manager David Campbell NSW Physiotherapist Edward Davidson NSW

To keep up-to-date with all the events at the FESPIC Games, go to the official games website - http://www.kl06fespicgames.com.my/default.asp