SYDNEY (8 Oct 2019) – With just three slots available to next year’s AFC Futsal Championship 2020, Futsalroos head coach Rob Varela has not yet set a target other than just wanting ‘to be competitive.’
This year’s AFF HDBank Futsal Championship 2019 is being used as the qualifiers for the AFC Futsal Championship with the three top teams from ASEAN taking part in the confederation meet in Turkmenistan.
“We are under no illusions regarding how hard the assignment will be but we are looking forward to proving ourselves to be very competitive,” said Valera.
For the meet this year in Ho Chi Minh City, the Australians have been placed in Group B against hosts Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Group A will see defending champions Thailand do battle against Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and Cambodia.
This year also marked Australia’s return to the annual championship after last making an appearance back in 2015 when they lost the final to hosts Thailand.
“We are really excited to return to international competition,” Varela quipped.
“Our squad comprises of some familiar names like Greg Giovenali, Tobias Seeto, Daniel Fogarty and Jarrod Basger, as well as some new exciting young talent in Daniel Fornito, Carlos De Oliveira, Ahmed Sweedan and 16-year-old Ethan de Melo.
“I’m sure these players will do their best to make Australian futsal fans proud.”
FUTSALROOS
| Name | Position |
| Gavin O’BRIEN | Goalkeeper |
| Adam COOPER | Flanker |
| Jarrod BASGER | Flanker |
| Greg GIOVENALI | Pivot |
| Nathan NISKI | Pivot |
| Wade GIOVENALI | Flanker |
| Tobias SEETO | Pivot |
| Daniel FORNITO | Flanker |
| Grant LYNCH | Target |
| Daniel FOGARTY | Flanker |
| Carlos DE OLIVEIRA | Flanker |
| Andrew HAIM | Goalkeeper |
| Ahmed SWEEDAN | Flanker |
| Ethan DE MELO | Target |
