Australia’s Futsalroos will make a long-awaited return to action on home soil, hosting the Solomon Islands national team in a three-match international series in Sydney from 1-5 July 2023.
Appearing in their first home fixtures since 2018, Australia will face a Solomon Islands outfit – which has successfully qualified for the past four FIFA Futsal World Cups – across three matchdays.
The action begins with a Saturday afternoon clash at the newly completed Heffron Centre in Maroubra on July 1, before Dural’s ‘The Centre’ hosts the remaining matches on the evenings of Monday, 3 July and Wednesday, 5 July.
The PacificAus Sports Futsal Series is the result of a partnership with the Australian Government and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs, through PacificAus Sports.
“I am very happy that we have the opportunity to play these matches, which will provide an extended group of players with international match minutes, and a chance to represent Australia on home soil,” said Futsalroos head coach Miles Downie.
“For our players, this is also a chance to impress, not only in matches against quality opposition, but also in training throughout the camp, and we look forward to a great week of futsal in Sydney,” he concluded.
The 23-member Futsalroos squad will use the series to prepare the squad for their campaign to qualify for AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ 2024, where they have been drawn to face Japan and Chinese Taipei in October.
The PacificAus Sports Futsal Series is the latest Football Australia event supporting partnerships with Pacific nations, with the 2022 Pacific Women’s Four Nations Football Tournament in Canberra following a successful tour by the CommBank Junior Matildas to Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga in 2019.
“We are proud to support the Solomon Islands’ Kurukurus to play our Futsalroos,” said Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP.
“Australians share a rich history and deep love of sport with people across the Pacific, including in Solomon Islands, and hosting the Kurukurus in Sydney brings our people closer together,” Minister Conroy said.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson said: “Football Australia is delighted to be partnering with the Australian Government and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs, through PacificAus Sports to deliver the PacificAus Sports Futsal Series featuring our Futsalroos and the Solomon Islands.
“This July and August, the eyes of the world will be on Australia as the country co-hosts the FIFA Women’s World Cup in what has become a golden window for Australian football, where Football Australia has sought out further opportunities during this period to host and play unique football content across the country including the Australia Cup 2023 Play-offs in Darwin and this PacificAus Sports Futsal Series.
“In co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup, we want to create a legacy for football in Australia and support the growth of the sport within the region, where the hosting of the PacificAus Sports Futsal Series is a demonstration of our Legacy ’23 program coming to life under our international development pillar,” Johnson concluded.
All matches in the PacificAus Sports Futsal Series will be free to enter, with Match One taking place as part of the official opening of the newly-built Heffron Centre. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a place.
Fans wishing to attend Matches Two and Three, at The Centre, Dural, must claim tickets in-advance from EventBrite link in order to gain entry.
Note: Attendees must comply with Football Australia’s Terms of Admission – International Match and Spectator Code of Behaviour.
MATCH SCHEDULE – PACIFICAUS SPORT FUTSAL SERIES
Match One
Date: Saturday, 1 July 2023
Venue: Heffron Centre, Maroubra NSW
Match: Futsalroos v Solomon Islands – 2.30pm AEST kick-off
