Ireland drawn in same group as Paralympic champions for Football 7 World Champs
Ireland’s 7-a-side (Cerebral Palsy) Football team have been drawn in the same group as reigning Paralympic champions Russia for the upcoming World Championships set to take place in the UK from June 13th – 28th.
Ireland were drawn in Group B with Russia, Australia and Portugal.
Reigning European Champions Ukraine were drawn in Group A with hosts England, one of the leading sides in the world; Iran and Japan.
Brazil; currently ranked third in the world, Scotland, USA and Venezuela make up Group C.
Netherlands, who were runners up in last year’s European Championships were drawn in Group D with Argentina; a repeat of the bronze medal match from London 2012, alongside Canada and Northern Ireland.
These world championships which take place in the FA’s national football centre; St. George’s Park in Staffordshire from June 13th – 28th, and is the only chance teams will have to qualify for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games; seven qualification spots will be up for decision. A total of eight teams qualify for Rio, host nation Brazil have already booked their spot. Ireland are currently ranked seventh in the world after their fourth place finish at the 2014 European Championships.
Ireland’s first group match will be on June 16th against Russia at 7pm. They will follow that on Thursday 18th against Australia at 1pm, and their final group match is on Saturday June 20th at 1pm v Portugal.
All the details are on www.CP2015.com
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