World Footy News

The Japanese national side, the Samurai, are touring Melbourne, Australia, in August. The following is a press release from their site.

Japan Australian footballers national team "The Samurai" will tour and play 6 games of football between Aug 11th and Aug 22nd in Melbourne the Riverina and in Singapore. Japan AFL will bring a development squad of 25 players, 2 coaches and 8 support staff to take on local Australian sides.

Australian Football has been played in Japan for over a decade now with 4 leagues running including a women’s league. It is now estimated that over 400 people play Australian Rules in Japan with over 80% of player’s Japanese nationals.

The main game in the tour will be against New Zealand at Optus Oval. This game will be the curtain raiser to the Round 21 AFL Carlton Vs Melbourne game.

Editor's note: the NZ side will be an invitational side from the Canterbury league.

Japan AFL would like to thank the AFL, Carlton Football Club, Box Hill North F.C, Canterbury F.C ( NZ), Howlong Football Club, Vietnam Melbourne Fc, Ocean Grove Fc and the Singapore Wombats Fc for their support in hosting games.

A special thank you to Tri Thoi from Guardian Media who is helping sponsor the tour for the Samurai.

Troy Beard is the National Coach of the Japanese team and is available for interview on the following numbers:

In Japan: 81-90-966-48703 (up until Aug 11th 7:00pm)
In Australia 0421-256-194 (after Aug 14th 6:00am)

GAMES:

Game 1 Vs Singapore in Singapore Aug 12th 4:00pm
Game 2 Vs Howlong at Howlong ( NSW) Aug 15th 1:00pm.
Game 3 Vs Box Hill North Fc at Elgar park Box Hill Aug 17th 5:00pm
Game 4 Vs Vietnam at Elgar park Box Hill 6:00pm Aug 18th.
Game 5 Vs Ocean Grove at Ocean Grove 4:30pm Aug 19th
Game 6 Vs New Zealand at Optus Oval 10:30am Aug 21st.