Futsalroos up for the Cup

All Futsalroos matches at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 will be broadcast live on SBS TWO.

Led by captain Greg Giovenali, who will be attending his first World Cup, he will be supported by experienced campaigners Peter Spathis, Danny Ngaluafe and Lachlan Wright who were members of the Futsalroos team that last competed at the World Cup in 2004 in Chinese Taipei.

The remainder of the Futsalroos squad will also be making their debuts in Thailand 2012. 

A 14th player will be added to the squad subject to the outcome of a fitness test on goalkeeper Gavin O’Brien on Wednesday. 

Selecting the final squad was a difficult job for Knight, but he and the players are excited about the tournament ahead.

“It was a very difficult decision to settle on the final group of players,” said Knight.

“We have a relatively young team in comparison to other nation’s but this will be an experience of a lifetime for them and will definitely help them take their game to a new level.

“All players are fit and ready for the tournament and we’re all looking forward to getting to Bangkok, completing our pre-tournament preparation and getting onto the court for our first match against Italy,” concluded Knight.

The Futsalroos will have their final training session in Australia on Thursday and will be officially farewelled at a reception at FFA headquarters in Sydney on Friday before leaving the next day. 

They have been drawn in Group D and will play their opening match against Italy on Friday, 2 November followed by Mexico, Monday 5 November. They face Italy in their final group match on 8 November.

Futsalroos squad is:
Jarrod Basger - Maccabi Hakoah
Aaron Cimitile - East Coast Heat
Keenan Duimpies - No current Club
Daniel Fogarty - West City Crusaders/Supercats
Greg Giovenali - Dural Warriors
Angelo Konstantinou - Boomerangs FS
Fernando De Moraes - Victoria Vipers FC
Danny Ngaluafe- No current Club
Nathan Niski - Dural Warriors
Tobias Seeto - Dural Warriors
Peter Spathis - East Coast Heat
Lachlan Wright - Enfield Rovers
Chris Zeballos - Sydney City Eagles