The CommBank Pararoos suffered a heartbreaking defeat in game two of their IFCPF Men’s World Cup campaign, a stoppage time goal consigning them to a 2-1 loss to Spain.
Daniel Campbell scored late in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat against the World No.8 side.
Head Coach Kai Lammert made two changes to the side that took on Brazil in game one, with Daniel Campbell and Giacomo Izzo coming into the side. They replaced Luc Launder and Josh De Silva, who started from the bench.
The game once again started slowly as both sides built into the contest. It was scoreless at the first drinks break, with no major chances for either side.
Australia came close in first-half stoppage time. Kaylan van Heer capitalised after a turnover of possession inside Spain’s penalty area to win a corner. Daniel Campbell rose highest from the resulting set piece, but couldn’t direct his header on target.
The first goal came just after the half-time break. Spain started the half applying the pressure, and after a series of corners, found the breakthrough from the head of Santiago Garcia Rovera.
The CommBank Pararoos hit back in the 56th minute. Lammert’s side were always going to be dangerous in transition, and so it proved, with a ball from defence finding Daniel Campbell up top. The striker made no mistake one-on-one with the goalkeeper and scored the team’s first goal of the tournament.
With only a minute and a half to go, however, Spain made the knockout blow. A second ball in after a set piece found (Spain 14) at the back post. From close range, he made no mistake, securing all three points for Spain.
The Pararoos next take on Chile on Monday morning (AEDT).
Match Summary
Spain: 2 (Garcia Rovera 37', Ibarra Valdemoros 60+3')
Australia: 1 (Campbell 56')
Australia: 3. Kaylan Van Heer (12. William McGrath 40'), 4. Alessandro La Verghetta, 7. David Barber (1. Christian Tsangas 40’), 8. Giacomo Izzo, 10. Daniel Campbell, 13. Taj Lynch, 14. Augustine Murphy
Unused substitutes: 2. Joshua De Silva, 5. Goki Saito, 6. Rafferty Bacon, 9. Luc Launder