Albany’s Connor Bunce features in Pararoos penalty shootout loss to Canada in IFCP World Cup

Albany soccer star Connor Bunce featured in the Pararoos squad that went down 5-4 on penalties in a thrilling placing play-off contest against Canada on Tuesday at the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football World Cup. Australian Daniel Campbell opened the scoring in the match with a phenomenal strike inside the Pararoos’ own half, lobbing it over Canada’s goalkeeper, who was off his line. Canada then scored in the 58th, 60th and 70th minutes to go ahead 3-2 with just 10 minutes left to play. However, in the dying stages, Australia were awarded a last-gasp penalty to keep their play-off hopes alive. Campbell cut a composed figure as he put the ball in the bottom left corner, giving the Pararoos a chance to snatch a victory in a penalty shootout. The two teams were locked on 4-4 in the shootout before an attempt by Australia’s Jeremy Boyce was saved by Canadian goalkeeper Ryan Watson, handing Canada the win. A former Polonia junior, Bunce scored in Australia’s first-round defeat against the US, and the talented 18-year-old played 56 minutes of the match before being subbed out against Canada. Australia’s next match is against Germany in the final round on Saturday at 6.30pm WA time.