WFC 2016 Team presentations - Group D: USA, CAN, SGP, THA – 21.11.2016

The 11th Men´s World Floorball Championships (WFC) Final Round is played in Riga, Latvia on December 3rd - 11th 2016.

A total of 34 teams played in the WFC Qualifications to decide the 15 teams to qualify to the Event.  Latvia, as the organiser, is automatically qualified. The WFC is played with 16 teams.

Thailand will play in the World Floorball Championships Final Round for the first time.

The two best teams of group A and B go directly to the quarter-final. Teams placed 3rd and 4th in group A and B and the teams placed 1st and 2nd in group C and D make it to the first playoff round (played before the quarter-finals).

More information on the tournament format can be found here: http://iffwfc.org/pages/EN/Tournament

All four Men´s World Floorball Championships 2016 groups will be presented on the IFF website and the first up is Group D with USA, Canada, Singapore and Thailand.


USA

Team USA has a squad that has the potential to lead them to the World Games in 2017. They will need to maximize every part of the squad to get a high enough ranking at the WFC in Riga. They have taken steps, both in rankings and development, now is the time for the real test. They are ready and determined to reach their goal.

Players to watch:
Alexander McVey: A goal scorer who can do almost anything with the ball. A young player who will be a star of the Team USA for the years to come.
Adrian Hiram: One of the youngest players in the team and is sure to be headed to the MU19 WFC in May. A solid defenceman with a wicked shot.
Terence Frank: The backbone of the Team USA. The goaltender has a lot of experience and knows what it takes to bring home the win!

 
#20 A. McVey		  
#13 A. Hiram		  
#23 T. Frank



CANADA

Team Canada is one of the two teams representing North America at WFC 2016. Their aim is to increase its world ranking and earn its place at the 2017 World Games in Poland.

Players to watch:
Lauri Hannelius: Team´s captain and who brings experience to the team. Several year veteran.
Matt Smith: Matt gains experience by making training trips to Sweden in regular bases. He will be coaching Canada´s U19 Men´s Team.
Brandon Barber: Known also as the online social media sensation "Pavel" Barber.

 
#6 L. Hannelius		  
#16 M. Smith
#88 B. Barber 



SINGAPORE

Singapore qualified for the WFC 2016 after achieving 2nd place in a tough Asia-Oceania Floorball Championship Qualifiers campaign. The team has undergone a series of renewal in terms of manpower both on and off the court. Currently, it consists of a healthy mixture of experienced and young players. With the extra "reward" of entering the World Games, Singapore is targeting to be the top non-European country in this championship. 

Players to watch:
Tan Yiru: Captain of the team. Leads the team with his experience and influence both on and off court.  On court, he is vocal, constantly giving encouragement, pointers and guidance to his teammates. Off court, both physically and mentally, he ensures that the players remain in the best possible shape as they repare for the games.
Pasupathy Twins: Two become one when you see and try to differentiate this set of twins. Kumaresa plays as a defender and Vignesa plays as a forward. Both twins has shown great heart, time and effort to win back their place in the squad after missing out the Asian-Oceania Floorball Championship in Pattaya.
Wong Gary: He was voted as one of the top defenders during the Asia Oceania Floorball Qualifiers. Gary has erased doubters over the past year with his consistent improvement of skills, physique and composure on court.

 
#88 Y. Tan		  
#34 K. Pasupathy
#5 G. Wong 



THAILAND

Each game is of equal importance for the Team Thailand, in order to reach their goal: Qualifying for the World Games in 2017 in Poland.


Players to watch:
Pawat Thaidit: Top Scorer with a keen eye for the goal. With his goals and assists he played a major role in qualifying for the WFC.
Alexander Rinefalk: A strong player, who is able to make fast and accurate passes. He has a great awareness of the game.
Christian Karlsson: Not only a goalkeeper, but also an effective leader for his defence. He is big, strong and fast.

 
#19 P. Thaidit		  
#11 A. Rinefalk		  
#91 C. Karlsson