On a perfect sunny day on the Gold Coast, Queensland returned to the 2022 Para Football National Championships, opening the tournament with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Capital Football.
A first-half brace from Hayden Bognar was enough to hold off the challenge from the all-female Capital Football team.
Captain Jared Larkins-Law was a standout for his side with his strong defensive skills and exceptional leadership.
The Victoria Paralympic Team were up next with a decisive win against Football South Australia, 12-0.
CommBank Pararoo Christian Bitsikas contributed with a first-half brace, while fellow teammate Joshua Beekes was on fire with three goals across both halves. Emerging CommBank Pararoo Kaylan van Heer also scored two goals, with Sabian Panozzo, Captain Angus McGregor and Adam Torey-Toth also adding a goal each to the final tally.
The third match of the tournament saw a defiant Football West take on Football New South Wales Navy, with only three goal scorers contributing to the strong 10-0 result.
CommBank Pararoo Connor Bunce replicated his IFCPF World Cup brilliance with a hat-trick in the first half. His CommBank Pararoo teammate, Allesandro La Verghetta was also on fire, scoring four goals for his state team. Powerhouse Chris Minutillo rounded out the goals with his own hat-trick.
Football New South Wales Sky took on Football Victoria in the fourth match of the tournament.
CommBank Pararoo Connor Marsh opened the scoring with a fantastic goal in the seventh minute. His fellow CommBank Pararoos teammates continued the goal fest, with Jack Williams scoring two goals in two minutes and eighteen-year-old Jeremy Boyce adding a final goal to the tally with minutes to spare.
Capital Football returned for their second match of the day taking on Football New South Wales Navy.
The New South Wales outfit was far too strong, piling on twelve goals, and keeping a clean sheet.
The talented Tomas Scotti was unstoppable, netting four goals, while Jaylan Martin delivered a hat-trick, his final shot hitting the back of the net in the final minute of play.
Ryan Conroy secured a brace, Nicholas Khamis made light work of a excellent pass for his first goal, and Goki Saito showed his skills with a stunner just before half-time.
In the final match of the day, Queensland and Western Australia returned to the pitch, determined to finish the first day with a win.
CommBank Pararoos Allesandro La Verghetta opened the scoring for Football West in the third minute, with CommBank Pararoo striker Connor Bunce bagging his second hat-trick for the day.
Chris Minutillo added to his tally, securing a brace in the first half. Rod Niyongere and Samuel McConaghy kept the goals coming with one each. Young gun Noah Bremmer-Bell also scored his first goal of the tournament with a stunning display of skills and stamina.
The 2022 Para Football National Championships will return on Sunday at 9:00am with three matches across the morning. Stay tuned to our social channels for all the updates.