Australia were outclassed in their second 2022 IFCPF World Cup, losing 6-1 to the United States of America on Saturday night (AEST).
After defeat to Iran, Pararoos head coach Kai Lammert rang the changes, with Cosimmo Corillo, Augustine Murphy, Allesandro La Verghetta and Jeremy Boyce all coming into the starting seven.
Connor Bunce was one of three players to keep his spot after starting Australia’s opening game of the tournament and showed why, picking the ball up well inside his own half, driving inside the penalty area and firing past US goalkeeper Robert Boyle to send the Pararoos players into a state of pandemonium.
The elation did not last long, however, as less than 90 seconds later, parity was restored, a tame effort from John Sullivan was inexplicably spilled by Corillo, allowing Shea Hammond to draw the game level.
While the Pararoos would press in an attempt to regain the ascendancy, the Americans’ collective class would prevail, Australia falling asleep as John Sullivan was unmarked from a set piece and duly tapped home to put the USA in front for the first time.
It was a lead they would never relinquish, as Cameron DeLillo netted a quick-fire double after the break put the result beyond doubt, before a Jonah Meyer-Crothers strike in second-half stoppage time completed the scoring for the USA.
The Pararoos will now have to wait to find out their next opponents in the IFCPF World Cup, with the Australia’s men’s side set to play two more matches while in Spain.