World Footy News

Saturday's game between the Revos and the Northwind is officially the second leg of the home and away series for the 49th Parallel Cup. In the first leg, the Revos easily accounted for the Northwind in Houston, 34 to 8. However, the inclusion of Tasos Dimakacos, Oliver Hayward, Steve Carew and Andrew Garth will help strengthen the Northwinds' line-up for this tournament, while Daniel Zimmerman, Gareth Williams, Jacob Sone and Scott Fleming have also been playing well in club football.

The Northwind's preparation for this tournament has been a little different than previous years. According to Head Coach and former Northwind player, Mark Block, "This season, the Northwind embarked on a schedule of exhibition matches, designed to provide the national representatives an opportunity to play on the field together more often". Coach Block is certainly looking forward to the chance. "For the Northwind, every match against the Revolution is a chance for competitive redemption. Team Canada aim to turn the balance on some very close games. They always look forward to playing the Revolution so everyone could expect to see a pretty intense battle". Their results leading into the tournament and relevant stories on the AFL Canada website are:

Northwind Tame Dingos

Canada Northwind 8.7 (55)
Toronto Dingos 2.6 (18)

Northwind vs OAFL Australian All-Stars

Ontario AFL Australian All-Stars 14.12 (96)
Canada Northwind 6.4 (40)

Ottawa Swans host the National Team

Canada Northwind 24.24 (168)
Ottawa Swans 0.1 (1)

The Japanese squad are called the Nippon Tsunami (jumper pictured at left), are drawn from the Nippon AFL and will play against the club sides competing. It's a long haul from Japan and the selectors weren't able to choose a full squad due to injuries and other commitments. The NAFL's Andy Carne told us that "We're borrowing a couple of players because due to the timing of this event it's just one week before the Obon Summer vacation (Remember your Ancestors Festival) and half our team was unable to get holidays one week before a regular holiday period. Also we hit a stack of injuries just before the end of our season which ends in June, including the Kobe Crocodiles Coach breaking his leg". The NAFL selection process differs from the Japan AFL's, and the Tsunami will include Australians, Japanese, Irish and Americans all lining up together. Carne commented "This we will continue to do as we see our selection process as the way of the future for all Leagues and it is mind you the way the AFL operates in regards its selection of its own National team. So there's something in that. Also one of our women's players will play for one of the International teams".

It's great to see the big weekend has a sponsor on board, with the event billed as the Ironbank International Challenge. Tickets range are $10 per day or $15 for the weekend. It would be an exciting development for international footy if they can get a solid, admission paying crowd. With two men's teams in the Vancouver area, the women's, and a 12 team junior competition, friends and family alone could result in several hundred turning out. Tomorrow we hope to have a preview to the juniors match. Good luck to all involved in this great initiative.

More details will hopefully follow on BC Footy, US Footy and the Nippon AFL website. The full schedule, at time of writing, can be found here: Ironbark International Challenge on the AFL Canada website.

US Revolution squad: