Gallant Pararoos fall to Ukraine

The Pararoos have lost to host nation Ukraine at the International tournament which is being held in Yevpatoriya City, Ukraine.

The Pararoos have lost 7-1 to host nation Ukraine at the International tournament which is being held in Yevpatoriya City, Ukraine.

The Pararoos went into the match with team captain Chris Pyne celebrating his 75th appearance for Australia.

The Ukrainians showed they deserved their status as the number one ranked team in the world by immediately attacking the Pararoos from the opening whistle.

In the opening minute of the game, Pararoos goalkeeper, Chris Barty, was called into action to make a magnificent save from point blank range to prevent the Ukraine team taking an early lead.

But two minutes later Denys Ponomaryou of the Ukraine blasted a ball from 30 yards out to open the scoring and doubled his tally a minute later after capitalising on a Pararoos' error.

Oleksiy Hetun extended Ukraine-s lead in the 7th minute when he found himself unmarked to head in a cross.

The Pararoos first major attack of the match came after the restart when a great ball from Jack Williams found Robbie Christie who fired his shot over the bar.

Ukraine went up 4-0 in the 10th minute as they weaved their magic around the goal box with quick movement and passing to create an chance for Ivan Shkvarlo who back healed in past Barty.

The Pararoos continued to rally against though and in the 12th minute Ben Atkins was fouled 20 yards out from the Ukraine goal. His resulting shot seemed destined for the back of the net only to see it cleared off the line.

Atkins was unlucky again in the 18th minute when another shot of his hit the bar and bounced back into play.

Ukraine captain Taras Dutko scored his team-s fifth of the half in the 24th minute with a curling and dipping shot from 30 yards.

Shortly before the half-time whistle, Barty pulled off a fantastic double save to deny Ukraine another before the break.

At the half Jared Eiby replaced Barty in the Pararoos goal.

Ukraine picked up where they left and it took just two minutes for them to add their sixth goal of the match.

The Pararoos got onto the score sheet in the 36th minute after Ben Atkins played a great throughball to Michael Debenham who made no mistake with his one-on-one opportunity.

Ukraine immediately hit back a minute later to complete their scoring through Ivan Rusinka

The Pararoos continued to challenge their more fancied opponents which was exemplified in the 38th minute when a rocket of a shot by Scott Kennedy was turned away for a corner.

The remainder of the match produced no more goals but plenty of action for the local crowd on hand.

After the match Kai Lammert was very impressed with the never say die attitude of his players.

“This was an improved performance over the previous couple of games,” said Lammert.

“They were more confident on the ball today. The young players are showing great enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

“I believe after you take out Chris Pyne, Brett Fairhall and Ben Atkins - there is a total of 42 caps between just 10 players.

“The players played with big hearts and showed the great Aussie fighting spirit today,” concluded Lammert.

Ukraine 7 defeated Pararaoos 1

Australia: 1.Chris Barty (gk) (Jared Eiby (gk) 31-), 3. Jack Williams, 4. Scott Kennedy (Joshua Seaman 47-), 6. Chris Pyne (C), 7. Robert Christie (Brett Fairhall 39-), 9. Ben Atkins (Connor Marsh 52-), 13. Michael Debenham (James Turner 44-)