Episode 1: U20 Australian National Futsal Team

On Monday 11th November 2024, 12 players, 1 head coach, 1 strength and conditioning coach and 1 team Manager set off from Sydney, Australia on a journey to Barcelona Spain to compete in the AMF futsal World Cup. The tournament is being held in Balaguer a small town outside of Barcelona.

The team has been selected over the previous 6 months through various trials held in three different states of Australia, NSW, Queensland and Western Australia. Due to self funding and NO government funding trials in other states became too difficult to organise.

Head coach Kris Antonic from Western Australia was tasked with building a squad that could compete and perform at a high level. The AMF World Cup is traditionally a high level tournament that is very popular in the South American Countries, especially experienced Futsal countries like Colombia , Brazil , Paraguay and Argentina .

Australia , in the scheme of things is seen as a minnow in futsal.

AMF is a governing body of Futsal around the world along with FiFA.. there is considerable amount of debate about who has the “rights” or is the “real” governing body for Futsal world wide but more about that later when I will fill you in on the political arguments and squabble about this amazing sport called “Futsal”

Now is the time to shine the light on the Squad of determined young players and coaching staff who will represent Australia in the AMF World Cup!!

let’s meet the team!

Head Coach- Kris Antonic

Physio- Strength and Conditioning- Alexandre Argolo

Team Manage- Theo Vassilikopoulos (that’s me)

Head Delegate and President of FAF- Antonio Cifuentes

Players;

• Alex Philips (GK)

• Zephyr Mcpherson

• Spazoja Zestic

• Nick Caruso

• Dylan DiToro

• Tiago Armaleo

• Praneil Manandhar

• William Vassilikopoulos

• Lucas Andrade

• Sineth Kalutotage

• Matthew Joubert

• Leon Thomson-Senanayake

The 12 players tasked with carrying Australia’s hopes in an official World Cup listed above are determined, confident and brazen. These boys with ages ranging from 17-19 playing against the might of Brazil, Argentina and Colombia….: what more could they ask for?

The squad assembled in Sydney on Saturday 9th November, training sessions were held on Saturday and Sunday with a jersey presentation on the Sunday evening. The players met for the first time and are expected to bond well over the coming week.

Mondays journey begins in Sydney with a departing flight at 930pm heading to Abu Dhabi. After a 10 hour layover the squad will jump on another Etihad flight bound for Glory!! I mean Barcelona and hopefully Glory.

The story will continue tomorrow!!