IAS AWD Athlete Zac Jones and The Pararoos have been beaten by Portugal in a penalty-shootout to finish the 2015 Cerebral Palsy Football World Championships in 12th spot. The Pararoos had a mixed tournament with a 2-0 win over Portugal, a 4-1 loss to Ireland and a 5-0 loss to the eventual winners Russia in the groups stage. This had them finishing 3rd in Group B and battling it out for position 9-16. In the positional playoffs they suffered a 6-0 loss to Scotland which created the final round rematch with Portugal for 11th and 12th position. The Pararoos were on the back foot early on as they fell behind inside seven minutes when Portugalâ’s captain Vitor Vilarinho hit a powerful shot from distance which Barty could only parry, with Hugo Pinheiro volleying in the rebound. It took just three minutes for the Pararoos to draw level as a foul in the box allowed Christopher Pyne to slot home a penalty. Despite Portugal having a player sent off in the second half, the Pararoos were unable to take advantage of the numerical advantage as the match finished 1-1 after extra-time. Portuguese âkeeper Rui Rocha proved the hero, saving opposite number Christopher Bartyâ’s spot-kick to hand the Europeans the win 4-3 on penalties.
