By Duncan Mackay

PararoosJune 4 - Australia's footballers have been given a special farewell reception in Sydney as they prepare to depart for the 2011 CPISRA World Championships in the Netherlands where they be aiming for Paralympic qualification.


The Pararoos, as they are known, will be aiming for a top eight finish to ensure a place at London 2012. 

"The boys are playing the best football they've ever played and I am confident to say this will be the strongest squad I've taken overseas to date," said Paul Brown, the team's coach.

"When you go to this type of international competition, it's always tough, anything can happen but I'm sure we've done everything we possibly can to prepare ourselves."

Australia have been drawn in a tough group against Brazil, the Netherlands and Spain for the tournament, which is due to be played in Emmen, Assen and Hoogeveen between June 17 and July 1. 

Paul_Brown_head_and_shoulders"There are some great footballers in the other squads but we've done our homework, we know what to do," said Brown (pictured).

"There's a calm, business-like, 'This is what we've got to do' attitude about the team, which I'd say is the first time we've ever gone into a tournament feeling like that.

"Even talking with senior players like Chris Pyne and David Barber, they were saying that this time, it feels good."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]