The Futsalroos have played down facing All White and former Hyundai A-League star Leo Bertos when the two sides meet in the Trans-Tasman Cup this weekend.
The Aussies will be out to defend the Cup when the team departs for New Zealand tomorrow (Fri) for the three-game series against the Futsal Whites, who’ll feature former Hyundai A-League star Leo Bertos.
The 32-year-old will no doubt be out to prove a point having been released by the Phoenix earlier this year.
Stand-in Aussie skipper Tobias Seeto from Dural Warriors welcomed the challenge of facing a player who has also plied his trade for Perth Glory, Rochdale and Barnsley and was capped over 50 times for New Zealand.
“We’re aware Leo is playing for them. But is hasn’t changed our preparations,” Seeto told www.footballaustralia.com.au.
“The more recognisable players the better for our sport. So we welcome the challenge of playing against Leo.”
The sides will meet on three consecutive days beginning on Friday at Wellington’s ASB Sports Centre, as Australia’s national futsal representatives aim to claim the Cup for a third year in a row.
The tournament will be the first meaningful test for new head coach Rob Varela who has taken charge of the Futsalroos following their quarter-final exit to Kuwait at the AFC Futsal Championships earlier this year.
The Kiwis are coached by Scott Gilligan, himself a key part of the Futsalroos program as head coach till he was poached by New Zealand two years ago.
“No doubt he’ll know our strengths and weaknesses,” added Seeto.
The Futsalroos have set themselves the longer-term target of again qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup which will be staged in Colombia in 2016.
Futsalroos squad:
Angelo Konstantinou (GK) (Boomerangs FS), Callum Smith (Boomerangs FS), Jarrod Basger (Dural Warriors), Jonathon Barrientos (VIC Vipers), Jordan Mundell (Campbelltown Quake), Wade Giovenali (Dural Warriors), Tobias Seeto (C) (Dural Warriors), Sam Perre (East Coast Heat), Chris Zeballos (East Coast Heat), Chris Polkinghorne (Dural Warriors), Nathan Niski (Dural Warriors), Nick Starr (GK) (Dural Warriors)
Official Team Staff
Head Coach: Robert Varela
Physiotherapist: Deane Stephens
Team Manager: Vito Basile
Futsal Whites squad:
Bakr Al-Saudi (AFF), Tai Barham (Central), Ryan Batty (Mainland), Leo Bertos (Capital), Elias Billeh (GK - AFF), Daniel Burns (Mainland), Marvin Eakins (AFF), Atta Elayyan (GK - Mainland), Jan Fischer (NFF), Hicham Kamri (NFF), Dylan Manickum (AFF), Miroslav Malivuk (Capital), Kareem Osman (Capital), Ouadhah Ragued (NFF), Jakub Sinkora (Mainland), Josh Stevenson (Central)
Coach: Scott Gilligan
Match schedule
Game 1 – Friday 11 July, 8pm
Game 2 – Saturday 12 July, 8pm
Game 3 – Sunday 13 July, 12pm