Maccabi star at home on world stage

AUSTRALIAN futsal star Jarrod Basger recently fulfilled a life-long dream when he competed in the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand with national side the Futsalroos.

“It was just unbelievable,” Basger told The AJN.

“Just being in the same atmosphere, the same environment and the same hotels as some of those players was fantastic.”

The 21-year-old, who plays with the Maccabi Hakoah Futsal Club, was an integral part of the 13-man team that made the trip to Bangkok, managing to find the net twice in a pre-tournament 5-4 win over the host nation.

It was a tough start to the group stage for the Futsalroos, who were on the end of a 9-1 thrashing at the hands of world number three Italy.

But the side lifted in its second match to defeat Mexico 3-1 in a close encounter and record Australia’s third ever win at a world cup.

“We had to bounce against Mexico,” Basger said.

“It was one of our goals to get a win and that happened, which was Australia’s third ever win, so it was pretty good. There were a few celebrations after and we were all pretty happy.”

Basger and the national side required at least a draw from the final group game against the sixth-ranked Argentina, but the Aussies couldn’t contain the South American powerhouse, losing 7-1 and bowing out of the tournament.

“We knew we needed at least a draw to get through,” Basger said.

“So we were confident, but we didn’t exactly get off to the best start.

“We did get back into it, but they scored two straight after we did and then one of their guys broke his tibia and they scored from that free kick. So from there it was all over.”

Ashley Shenker

Photo: Ian Walton/Getty Images