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.