Futsalroos Squad Announced for 2024 AFC Asian Cup

Futsalroos' Head Coach Miles Downie has selected a strong 14-player squad to represent Australia at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024™ to be contested 17 - 28 April.

After breaking an eight-year drought to qualify for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024™, the Australians have been drawn in Group B alongside four-time runners-up Uzbekistan, 2016 quarter-finalists Iraq and Saudi Arabia, who will feature in their third AFC Futsal Asian Cup™.

Comprising a blend of seasoned veterans and rising talents, the Futsalroos are coming off a successful preparation period over the past 4-weeks including three wins over the Solomon Islands and qualifying for the final of the NSDF Futsal Championships in Thailand which featured victories over Malaysia and Thailand.

Sharpshooter Shervin Keshavarz Adeli (Football NSW) headlines the squad following a rich vein of form in the NSDF Futsal Championships, while experienced goalkeeper Domenic Badolato (Football NSW) returns to the squad alongside emerging goalkeeper Aaron Yu (Football Victoria) who impressed at the NSDF Futsal Championships.

Speaking about the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024™, Head Coach Miles Downie said: "The Futsal Asian Cup is the pinnacle of futsal in our region, and we're proud to be representing Australia on this stage," Downie said.

"There has been significant development within the squad from both an individual and collective perspective since we started this campaign. Each player understands the significance of representing the Futsalroos, both on and off the pitch and it is pleasing to see how far we've come as a Futsal nation since re-establishing the national men's program post the COVID pandemic.

"The group are constantly developing, learning to recognise what is essential in each moment as well as understanding how to get the best out of each other.

"Our preparation has supplied us with some key learnings and experiences we will be able to call on in key moments come the Asian Cup.

"Combining the experience of our senior players, with the fresh energy and talent of our emerging players, the squad strikes a good balance ready to compete in April," Downie concluded.

The top four finishers at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024™ will qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™, which will take place between 14 September and 6 October, 2024. Should Uzbekistan - who have already qualified for the FIFA Futsal World Cup™ as hosts - advance to the semi-finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™, the four losing quarter-finalists will playoff for the final Asian spot at the FIFA Futsal World Cup™.

Ahead of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024™, the Futsalroos will finalise their preparations with friendlies against Korea Republic (11 April) and Japan (13 April), both matches in Thailand, before their first opening match of the tournament against Uzbekistan on 17 April.

Futsalroos Squad | AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024™ | 17 - 28 April 2024

Name

Position

Junior Football Club / Member Federation

Current Futsal Team / Member Federation

Domenic BADOLATO

Goalkeeper

Abbotsford Juniors FC / Football NSW

Enfield Allstars FC / Football NSW

Adam COOPER

Fixo

Ashburton Junior SC / Football Victoria

Moreland FC / Football Victoria

Dominic COX

Ala

Easts FC / Football NSW

Enfield Allstars FC / Football NSW

Ethan DE MELO

Ala

Maccabi Hakoah Junior FC / Football NSW

Mascot Vipers FC / Football NSW

Jamie DIB

Fixo

Lidcombe Waratahs FC / Football NSW

Mountain Majik FC / Football NSW

Daniel FORNITO

Ala

Concord Junior SC / Football NSW

Mascot Vipers FC / Football NSW

Tyler GARNER

Ala

Kalamunda United FC / Football West

Rockingham Cambio Cumbre FC / Football West

Wade GIOVENALI

Fixo

Castle Hill United FC / Football NSW

Dural Warriors FC / Football NSW

Jordan GUERREIRO

Ala

Ramsgate RSL FC / Football NSW

Mountain Majik FC / Football NSW

Shervin KESHAVARZ ADELI

Pivo

Northbridge FC / Football NSW

Enfield Allstars FC / Football NSW

Michael KOUTA

Pivo

Peakhurst United FC / Football NSW

Enfield Allstars FC / Football NSW

Grant LYNCH

Pivo

Seaforth FC / Football NSW

UTS Northside FC / Football NSW

Scott ROGAN

Ala

Brunswick Zebras FC / Football Victoria

Fitzroy Tigers FC / Football Victoria

Aaron YU

Goalkeeper

FC Bulleen Lions / Football Victoria

Western City FC / Football Victoria

Futsalroos Match Schedule - AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024™

Uzbekistan v Australia

Date: Wednesday, 17 April 2024,

Kick-off: 4:00pm Local (7:00pm AEST)

Location: Bangkok Arena, Bangkok, Thailand

Australia v Saudi Arabia

Date: Friday, 19 April 2024

Kick-off: 4:00pm Local (7:00pm AEST)

Location: Bangkok Arena, Bangkok, Thailand

Iraq v Australia

Date: Sunday 21 April 2024

Kick-off: 9:00pm Local (Monday 22 April, 12:00am AEST)

Location: Indoor Stadium Huamark, Bangkok, Thailand

Click HERE to see the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024™ Match Schedule. 

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.