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Australia pushed defending champions Iran all the way at La Trobe University’s Home of the Matildas, before ultimately going down 2-0 in a final that showcased the potential CP (cerebral palsy) football has to offer.
It was a performance Pararoos coach Lammert could not fault and one he believes should encourage stakeholders to continue their fundraising initiatives as the national teams turn their collective attention towards the IFCPF World Cup next year.
“I think we grew as the tournament went on as well, we played some terrific football against Japan and tonight,” Lammert told SBS Sport.
“Big thanks to everyone out there who was supporting the Pararoos, we need all the support we can get because all the money is fund-raised.
“We need to make sure that the Pararoos and ParaMatildas stay on the pitch. Keep supporting the Pararoos and the ParaMatildas because the future looks very bright for us.”
Iran entered Saturday’s final as firm favourites to lift the title, having collected maximum points from the group stage with only one goal - scored by Australia’s Jeremy Boyce - breaching the back of their net.
The final was far from smooth sailing for the world’s third-ranked nation, however, with Iran coach Ali Rouzbahani left impressed by the considerable improvement of his opposition.
“I congratulated the Iranian coach and he actually said that was one of the best games he’s seen from an Australian side, and I have to agree,” Lammert said.
“It felt like we were in this one, we fought until the end and you saw the actions there at the end from my players, they’ll never give up.
“That’s our mantra; they’ll be undefeated out here but they’ll be undefeated off the pitch as well. As a coach, it’s a privilege to coach these guys.”
The effort from the likes of Taj Lynch, Daniel Campbell, Connor Bunce, and, of course, David Barber could not be understated - nor could that of Kaylin van Heer, the 17-year-old who led the line from the first whistle to the last.
Van Heer’s development in particular has impressed Lammert, who believes his young squad have several leaders ready to take the next step alongside veterans Barber, Benjamin Roche and the retiring Benjamin Sutton.
“We have a very, very young team so we have a lot to learn as well,” he said.
“We have the guidance of Roche and Barber, and that’s vital, but we’re starting to see some leaders emerge as well and it’s really pleasing for us to see that some of them are 20 years old.
“Like, 20 years old and putting this sort of performance - Kaylin up front, he’s 17 years old, he ran his heart out. I see emerging leaders as well and, together with our experienced leaders, I think the future looks very good for us and we’re only going to get better.”
“You can be a little bit disappointed because we always want to win, but I think they’ll go away and take a lot of positives,” he added.
“The way we played, the courage we showed - next year at the World Cup we want to take it to the next level.”
