The CommBank Pararoos have fallen to Venezuela during extra time at the IFCPF Men’s World Cup 2024 placement finals.
Eighty minutes were required to split the two sides who were locked in a tense battle for most of the match before two late goals in the final minutes of extra time subjected the Australians to defeat against the South American side.
The defeat means the CommBank Pararoos will move into the 13th-15th placement bracket against Japan.
In unique circumstances, kick-off was delayed by 30 minutes because the Venezuelans brought the wrong socks to the match. After a quick dash back to their hotel to retrieve the correct socks, the referee was finally able to begin the match.
With the action underway the two sides – who most recently met in 2013 - looked unfazed by the interruption bringing high-quality football to the opening exchanges.
It wasn’t until the 14th minute of the match when Australia’s leading goal-poacher for the World Cup, Augustine Murphy, once again opened the scoring for his side.
Murphy’s presence outside the goals on a corner resulted in foul play from the Venezuelans and gifted the powerful striker with the perfect opportunity to rocket the ball into the goals from the penalty spot.
Having garnered a reputation for being an emotional side throughout the World Cup, the Venezuelans held true to their status and were in constant communication with the match referees.
The second half presented a mirror image of the first, with both sides fighting for possession and producing some lung-busting efforts as they stretched the length of the field.
A long period without a stoppage started to weigh on the CommBank Pararoos which ultimately resulted in a breakthrough for the Venezuelan side who levelled scores with 15 minutes remaining.
With the match resting in the balance and players starting to feel the fatigue of a fast-paced clash, CommBank Pararoos Head Coach Kai Lammert looked to his bench and brought the experienced Benny Roche into the match.
As the final minutes of the match ticked down you could cut the tension in the air with a knife. Despite some desperate final attempts from the Australian’s to find the winner, the match was plunged into extra time.
The first additional 10-minutes saw the CommBank Pararoos on the back foot with the majority of the play being fought within their own half. Digging deep and leaving nothing out there, the Australian’s continually turned Venezuela away with some desperate defence.
The second extra period didn’t go Australia’s way, however, with Venezuela scoring two goals late in the period to claim a dramatic late victory.
The CommBank Pararoos will now prepare for the 13th-15th playoff match against Japan on Tuesday, 19 November at 6:30pm CET (4:30am Wednesday, 20 November).
Match Summary
Australia: 1 (14. Augustine Murphy 14’, Ben Roach (OG) 76')
Venezuela: 3 (3. Edwin Rangel 44’, 2. Enderson Alvarez 79’)
Australia: 7. David Barber (GK) (C) (1. Christian Tsangas 78’), 3. Kaylan Van Heer (6. Giacomo Izzo 70’). 4. Alessandro La Verghetta, 9. Luc Launder, 11. Jeremy Boyce, 13. Taj Lynch (8. Christian Bitsikas 79’), 14. Augustine Murphy (10. Ben Roche 50’)
Substitutes not used: 2. Rafferty Bacon, 12. Will McGrath, 5. Daniel Campbell
Venezuela: 1. Cristan Moreno (GK), 3. Edwin Rangel, 7. Gabriel Bravo, 6. Richard Mogollon (10. Felipe Quintana 31’), 11. Saul Torres, 5. Robert Chacon (C) (4. Anthony Rea 80+1’), 9. Jessi Yari (2. Enderson Alvarez 31’)
Substitutes not used 12. Marlon Bello (GK), 13. Yonfer Zamora, 8. Abrahan Marmol, 14. Javier Parra
Yellow Cards: 3. Edwin Rangel, 5. Robert Chacon (C), 7. Gabriel Bravo
