CommBank Pararoos squad named for Asian-Oceania Cup as Group Stage opponents confirmed

CommBank Pararoos Head Coach Kai Lammert has confirmed his squad to compete at the IFCPF Asian-Oceania Cup in Indonesia.

The CommBank Pararoos will assemble at Valentine Sports Park, Sydney from 8–11 November for a pre-departure training camp before flying to Surakarta City, Indonesia, where the tournament will be held from 12–23 November across UNS Stadium and Sriwedari Stadium.

Following the draw on 31 October, Australia were placed in Group A alongside hosts Indonesia and Japan.

While Japan are a familiar opponent through previous Asian-Oceania Cups and World Cups, the clash with Indonesia will mark the Pararoos’ first-ever meeting against the host nation. Malaysia, Iran, Thailand and South Korea make up Group B on the other side of the draw.

The tournament marks the CommBank Pararoos’ return to international competition since last year’s IFCPF World Cup in Spain, where they finished 13th against the world’s best. Ranked 12th globally, and the second-highest ranked team in the Asian-Oceania Cup behind Iran (2nd), the Pararoos will be determined to continue their upward trajectory.

At the 2023 edition of the Asian-Oceania Cup held in Melbourne, the Pararoos produced a spirited campaign to reach the final, falling 2–0 to a professional Iranian outfit after a brave defensive performance.

This year’s squad features a blend of youth and experience, including 11 players who represented Australia at last year’s World Cup. Josh De Silva, Connor Bunce and Tomas Scotti have earned recalls to the national team, further reinforcing the depth and competitiveness within the squad.

CommBank Pararoos and Australian football veteran David Barber will continue his everlasting career with over a century of caps in the green and gold, extending his record as the most capped international men’s player in Australian football history since making his debut against the Netherlands on October 27, 1999.

With preparations well underway, the CommBank Pararoos will be aiming to go one better in Indonesia and bring home their first-ever IFCPF Asian-Oceania title.

CommBank Pararoos Head Coach Kai Lammert, said:

“We’re really excited to be back playing international football again. It’s been a year since the World Cup in Spain, and the players and staff have been counting down the days to get back on the pitch and represent Australia.

“This squad has a great balance to it, we’re young, but we’ve also got a core group of players who have been part of the program for several years and know what it takes at this level. To have 11 players from last year’s World Cup squad is fantastic, and bringing in players like Josh, Connor and Tomas adds even more energy and depth to what’s already a strong group.

“The quality of opposition we’ll face in Indonesia will be extremely high. Teams like Iran, Japan and Thailand continue to raise the bar in our region, and we know we’ll have to be at our best in every single match.

"We want to perform to our potential, play our brand of football, and compete for a place in the final. A spot in the final will guarantee qualification for next year’s World Cup, and that’s our main objective. If we stick to our strengths and bring the same belief we’ve had in past camps, we’ll give ourselves every chance to achieve that.”

CommBank Pararoos Squad | 2025 IFCPF Asian-Oceania Cup in Indonesia

Click here to read article