|
OTTAWA, Canada -- Canada Futsal National Team head coach Sipho Sibiya named a 14-player squad for his team's two-game friendly series against host Costa Rica this weekend at the Palacio de los Deportes in Heredia. The June 23 and 24 games will be the first-ever futsal meetings between the two sides.
The roster includes midfielder Ian Bennett of the Milwaukee Wave (USA) and San Diego State University's forward Jordan Ongaro. Midfielder Robbie Aristodemo, who has been a part of nearly all Canadian national teams levels and categories (Men's, Under-23, U-20, U-17), is also making the trip to Central America.
After facing Costa Rica, the Maple Leafs will travel to Guatemala City, where they will square-off against El Salvador in a two-match playoff on June 28 and 29 with the winner progressing to the 2012 CONCACAF Fustal Championship.
Seven teams have already qualified for the CONCACAF competition, which runs July 2-8 at the Domo Polideportivo in Guatemala City. The Canada-El Salvador winner will join Panama, the USA and Guatemala in Group A, while Group B is composed of Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico and St. Kitts & Nevis.
The top-four teams in the competition will qualify for the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand.
CANADA FUTSAL NATIONAL TEAM
(roster for June 23 and 24 games at Costa Rica)
GOALKEEPERS: Roy Blanche (Brampton City United FC), Vincent Cournoyer (Université Laval), Joshua Lemos (unattached)
DEFENDERS: Daniel Chamale (unattached), Bruno Xavier (unattached), Alvaro Yaques (Brampton City United FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Robbie Aristodemo (unattached), Ian Bennett (Milwaukee Wave/USA), Alex Elliott (unattached), Robbie Tice (unattached)
FORWARDS: Steve De Blasio (Columbus FC), Louis-Charles Laliberté (CSVR), Jordan Ongaro (San Diego State University/USA), Matthew Rios (Toronto Croatia)
HEAD COACH: Sipho SIBIYA
