England Deaf Men name World Championship squad
The 4th World Deaf Football Championships will take place in Kuala Lumpur between Wednesday 20 September and Sunday 8 October
England Deaf Men have named their squad for this year’s World Deaf Football Championships in Malaysia.
Sam Manoochehri has named a 20-man squad for what will be his first major tournament since being confirmed as the new head coach in May.
The 4th World Deaf Football Championships will take place in Kuala Lumpur between Wednesday 20 September and Sunday 8 October.
England will face Australia, Nigeria and Gabon in late September during the group stage, before hopefully going on to secure a medal in the knockout rounds.
The FA’s senior technical performance manager for para football, James Watkins, said: “The Deaf Men’s World Championships is an exciting international occasion for The FA. It represents the first time we have led the team in a Deaf Men’s World Championships since resuming stewardship of the squad.
“It is also the first outing for our talented head coach, Sam Manoochehri. Sam has made a brilliant start to his tenure and has prepared the squad well through the introduction of a coherent camp and games model.
“We have a strong mix of experience and youth and significant attacking options which we feel will trouble the best opposition in World Deaf Football.
“The tournament will provide us with a benchmark of our progress since taking over the squad. We have strong aspirations to medal and will relish playing in a challenging games programme whilst in Malaysia.
“The players are extremely motivated to succeed, and our final prep will occur in our August and September camps at St George’s Park. We are confident our players will represent the Three Lions with pride and will have a significant impact on the tournament.”
England will kick off their World Deaf Football Championships campaign with a game against Australia on Saturday 23 September (1.30pm BST), before facing Nigeria two days later (9.30am BST).
The final group game will see the Para Lions take on Gabon on Wednesday 27 September (1.30pm BST), with all three matches taking place at the Stadium Mini Sapang in Kuala Lumpur.
England Deaf Men squad
Goalkeepers: Sam Edwards (GK), Alex Smith (GK)
Defenders: Harry Boorman, Henry Bowe, Dylan Cross, Joe Dixon, Matt Oaten, Drew Rowley
Midfielders: Kehmati Anderson, Rylan Casey, Abdou Jobe, Gino King, Ellis McLean, Matt McQueeney, Cole Neil, Will Palmer, Phil Swift
Forward: Jamie Clarke, Cavell Donaldson, Oliver Manoochehri
Hear from Sam Manoochehri