The CommBank Pararoos took on Brazil in their opening match of the IFCPF Men’s World Cup campaign, falling 1-0 to the World No.3.
The only goal of the match came in the first half, a dangerous cross from the boot of Brazil’s Vinicius Araujo deflecting off the heel of Augustine Murphy and past David Barber in goals.
Head Coach Kai Lammert named a mix of experience and youth in the first starting seven of the tournament. David Barber made his 121st appearance in green and gold between the sticks and in the process broke the record to hold the longest male international football career in the world at 26 years and 353 days.
Meanwhile, West Australia’s Joshua De Silva made his debut.
Kaylan van Heer, Alessandro La Verghetta, Luc Launder, Taj Lynch and Augustine Murphy were the other starters.
The match was a cagey one to begin. Both sides took time to feel each other out in the opening game of the tournament, and it was scoreless at the first drinks break.
The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute. Brazil advanced up the left-hand side. A cross into the penalty area had to be dealt with, but an unfortunate deflection off Murphy meant that the ball found its way into the back of the net.
Murphy almost scored up the other end moments later, a powerful header from a corner going just wide of the post.
Lammert made three changes at half-time. Daniel Campbell and William McGrath came on for Joshua De Silva and Kaylan van Heer, while in goals, Christian Tsangas replaced David Barber.
Australia pushed for an equaliser in the second half. However, Brazil showed their class – dominating possession – and, despite a number of chances, they were not able to find their way past goalkeeper Jose Mario dos Santos Lima.
Attention now turns to the next group stage game against Spain.
Match Summary
Brazil: 1 (OG 21’)
Australia: 0
Brazil: 1. Jose Mario dos Santos Lima (GK), 2. Joao Victor Batista Cortês, 4. Joao Batista de Aráujo, 6. Lucas Henrique da Silva (8. Gabriel Angela Araujo 60’), 10. Matheus Aparecido Cardoso de Souza, 11. Vinicius Ribeiro Araújo (9. Vitor Rangel Martina Freitas Dutra 45’), 13. Angela dos Santos Mota (3. Gabriel de Souza Borges 60+1’)
Unused substitutes: 5. Gabriel Dacorso Hayden, 7. Breno de Albuquerque Teixeira, 12. Thiago Pereira Moura, 14. Daniel Concalvez Rodriguez
Australia: 2. Joshua Da Silva (10. Daniel Campbell 31’), 3. Kaylan Van Heer (10. Daniel Campbell 31’), 4. Alessandro La Verghetta, 7. David Barber (1. Christian Tsangas 31’), 9. Luc Launder, 13. Taj Lynch, 14. Augustine Murphy
Unused substitutes: 5. Goki Saito, 6. Rafferty Bacon, 8. Giacomo Izzo, 11. Jeremy Boyce
