Aussies Look to Defend Title in Germany

The reigning Hyundai Five-a-side World Football Champions are set to defend their World Cup curtain-raiser title in Germany later this month, following their final training session this week.

The reigning Hyundai Five-a-side World Football Champions are set to defend their World Cup curtain-raiser title in Germany later this month, following their final training session this week.

The Melbourne-based team will represent Australia in a 16-nation knockout tournament, after creating a stir in 2002 when Australia took out the Five-a-side World Cup title in Korea.

For the unintiated, Five-a-side football (also known as Futsal) is a fast pace, high speed alternative to traditional Football. Played on a smaller pitch with smaller goals and a slightly smaller ball, Five-a-side is a modified version of the world game suited to indoor or outdoor play and accessible to even the most casual Football fan.

2002 marked the first time an Australian team ever earned the right to call themselves World Champions when the team defeated Portugal, then Russia and finally the USA 8-7 on penalties in Korea in the inaugural Hyundai Football World Championship.

Dubbed the Soccer Stars and consisting mostly of amateurs and a couple of former pros all from Melbourne, the 2002 Hyundai World Champions included an accountant, a business developer, a panel beater and a few restaurateurs; proving that any avid Football fan can be a part of the World Cup, and win glory for Australia.