World Footy News

In a situation that might feel eerily similar to 1992 when the West Coast Eagles first removed the premiership cup from Victoria, the Doha Kangaroos have defied all odds and pinched the AFL Middle East flag. Not only does it represent the first premiership for the Doha Kangaroos, which in itself is a wonderful achievement, but it is the first time the premiership cup has left the United Arab Emirates.

The final scores saw the Doha Kangaroos 13. 5 (89) defeat the Dubai Dragons 8. 9 (57).

Going into the game, history was largely working in the Dragon’s favour. Recent wins against the Kangaroos, including last year’s grand-final, the emotion of a possible three peat for the Dragons and the Kangaroo’s own demons after losing last year meant that Doha would need to surmount enormous odds. And they did.

Since the inception of the current competition in the Middle East, the flags have been shared by the original Dubai Heat, the Abu Dhabi Falcons and the Dubai Dragons – all based in the UAE.  Doha’s first ever flag represents the first time that a Middle East nation outside of the UAE has tasted the ultimate success. The win for Qatar might yet be an enormous promotional coup for the game in the region as other nations can believe that future flags are possible.

World Footy News will endeavor to bring a full match report to the site in the near future. Until then, our congratulations go to the Doha Kangaroos for winning the 2013/14 AFL Middle East premiership. May it be the first of many for the club and nation.