Men´s U19 WFCQ 2019 Team Presentations - AOFC

Men´s U19 WFCQ 2019 AOFC qualification group will play on the 27th – 29th of September 2018 at the ASB Sports Centre Wellington, New Zealand.

A total of 26 teams registered for the 10th Men´s U19 World Floorball Championships, to be held in May 2019 in Halifax, Canada. In the qualification events, New Zealand will be competing for the first time in this category and Russia will be returning after a long break, having not participated in Men´s U19 since 2011.

A total of 16 teams compete in the Final Round in two separate divisions. In A-division, there are 8 teams who are all directly qualified based on the results from U19 WFC 2017 . In B-division, there are also 8 teams – one (Poland) qualifies directly based on the 2017 results and two (Canada & USA) qualify directly based on regional representation. The remaining 5 places are decided through the qualification events.

Based on the IFF regional quota system two teams from AOFC will qualify to B-division. Teams competing in AOFC qualification group are Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

More information about the U19 WFCQ AOFC available here

Team Presentations – AOFC

Australia

With their last Under 19 venture being their most successful campaign, team Australia is looking to consolidate their world standing. Many of those boys have made the transition into the Senior Men’s Team leading a small leadership group with experience at International level. Their coaches have been fortunate to have played under leading Finnish coaches in recent years and are looking to incorporate that structure into their junior teams. With many new faces comes an air of enthusiasm and they are sure that this eagerness will be noticeable in their performances on the court.

Players to watch

Eoin Broome: Eoin is now honing skills in Canada and would love to represent Australia again in his new home town at the World Champs in 2019. The team will rely on him finding the required space to slot a few goals from his central attacking position.

Steven Lamble: Steven is another member of their last Under 19 campaign who will be a key role model and will be required to demonstrate his leadership potential with the younger members of the team. His speed and fitness will be an important attribute to the team´s success.

Jordan Noel: Jordan will be wearing the green and gold for the first time but will not be out of place at this level. His physicality and awareness will provide the platform for many of their attacking raids.

#87 E. Broome

#23 S. Lamble

#36 J. Noel

Japan

Team Japan is a young team, but with great potential. Their goal for the competition is to qualify to the World Championships in Canada.

Players to watch

Tsubasa Takahashi: He is a player who can play any position on the court.

Yuichiro Sakazume: He is a fast player with strong one on one skills.

Narumi Saruwatari: He is a high point scorer and strong especially close to the goal.

#6 T. Takahashi

#7 Y. Sakazume

#9 N. Saruwatari

New Zealand

The team New Zealand is made up of a lot of young players who will play internationally for the first time mixed a few experienced players. The team´ goal is to qualify for the World Championship in Canada. At the same time the team wants to put on a great home performance for the New Zealand crowd and is looking forward to a great tournament.

Players to watch

Andreas Ming: Andi has previously played for the NZ Men´s team in Korea and will provide experience and strength to the team. He is a tough defender who will no doubt also add strongly to their attacks.
Timothy McKibben: Tim is a hardworking forward who brings a lot of energy to the team. He is equally valuable in attack as well as in their own half which makes him a very versatile player. Tim is a clear leader on and off the court.
Joshua Elkin: Josh is one of the younger players and has made great progress over the last year. Hid determination to finish off an attack paired with his speed make him a dangerous forward.