The Pararoos have accounted for UAE in their latest match.
Up against the UAE, The Pararoos opted for a fresh starting line-up consisting of most of the new recruits to the Australian side which included Jared Eiby (QLD), Josh Seaman (SA), Ben Atkins (NSW), Ryan Kinner (SA), Chris Pyne (NSW), James Turner (NSW) and Connor Marsh (NSW).
“I was a bit hesitant at first about passing so much responsibility onto my young players, some of which are only 15 years old, but they did themselves and Australia proud on the international stage,” coach Paul Brown said.
The Pararoos scored their first goal after only one minute after a well-placed ball from Ben Atkins to Chris Pyne. Minutes later James Turner and Ryan Kinner scored their first international goals for the Pararoos.
Australia applied the pressure to the UAE with good build-up play, patience and possession. The UAE keeper displayed courage and determination keeping Australia out on a number of occasions.
In the second half Australia went to sleep allowing the UAE number 10 to build on his growing confidence and their deficit was reduced. Three minutes later the UAE were unlucky not to score again, and only a solid save from incoming keeper Jared Eiby prevented them.
With fifteen minutes to go Brown and Assistant coach, Kai Lammert, opted for positional changes bringing on Barber and Fairhall for Turner and Atkins. Barber was unlucky not to score from his first touch of the ball.
“At this level different nations are at different levels of their development and it is great to see nations like Jordan, Singapore and of course UAE including Paralympic Football as part of their football- play for all- programs. I am sure that the UAE will come back bigger and stronger the next time that we play them," Brown said post-match.