World Footy News

Editor: We welcome Tash Gunawardana as she debuts on worldfootynews.com

 It was a 2pm Women's International Cup match at the Ransford Oval between the Alfa Ireland Banshees and USA Freedom. At the start of the match both teams sung there national anthems in the wintery breezy cold conditions. The captains tossed the coin in the middle.

Freedom were kicking to the left of the ground and the Banshees were kicking to the right of the ground to begin the match. It was a tight tussle to start. The Banshees kicked the first goal of the match via Aisling Gillespie (#19). In the early stages of the match the Banshees were on top in the contest over Freedom, as they had all the ascendancy, kicking goals as they slotted through their second goal of the match.

The late game for the day provided a power packed pitting of Pacific protagonists – New Zealand Hawks taking on the Nauru Chiefs. The rain had thankfully passed - however as this 3:45pm game progressed the sun also began to pass - as the moon rose in the East the lights were flicked on, with limited benefit to the onlookers.

The New Zealand squad had the height advantage and match up pretty well on weight so wouldn't be pushed around. Nevertheless there were some fierce clashes and players on both sides will wake up sore tomorrow morning.

Lunch time footy from Ransford Oval with Womens pool B combatants Papua New Guinea Flames taking on the European Crusaders. The Flames with youth on their side but would have to adapt to the wintry conditions that prevailed at the start of the match. The Crusaders on the other hand - a very much an unknown quantity and their limited squad is pretty much their match day line-up.

Running onto Ransford Oval suddenly seemed an ordeal in itself for the Flames - as the drizzle set in the wind blew up. Would the wet favour the Crusaders - in perhaps more European conditions than the tropical climes of PNG.

Perhaps not the clash of traditional rivals however the AFL International Cup debut of Sri Lanka Lions, on a chilly Melbourne August morning was an important moment in time for a proud sporting nation. Their opponent – the Indonesia Garudas – back after a tough campaign in IC14. The scene – the Royal Park Western Oval under wintry Melbourne skies.

By Tash Gunawardana

 The AFL are live streaming most matches.  Click here for their main page.  Below is the feed for the big men's Division One match between two of the favourites, PNG and Ireland. Best to open directly in Youtube for the best view.

 

[youtube:GvjZXvqtkaE]

Live scores updated 1/4 by 1/4 across Round 1, Sunday 6th August, 2017 International Cup at Royal Park, Melbourne, Australia

Refresh page for updates.

Also note the AFL are live streaming most matches here.

 

Note: Women's match Canada v Fiji - Canada won in extra time Golden Point 16 to 15.

 

WOMEN Ransford Oval 8:45am Great Britain vs Pakistan Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  GB  4.6 (30)  13.12 (90)  16.14 (110)  20.22 (142)  Pakistan  0.0 (00)  0.0  (00)  0.0(00)  0.0 (00)   Ransford Oval 10:30am Canada vs Fiji Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final Canada  0.5 (5) 0.5 (5)  0.8 (8)  1.10 (16) Fiji  0.1 (1) 0.2 (2)  1.2 (8)  2.3 (15)   Ransford Oval 12:15pm PNG vs European Crus. Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  PNG  3.4 (22)  4.10 (34)  4.12 (36)  6.19 (55)  Europe  0.0 (0)  0.0 (0)  0.0 (0)  0.0 (0)   Ransford Oval 2:00pm Ireland vs USA Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  Ireland  3.1 (19)  3.2 (20)  6.4 (40)  7.4 (46)  USA  0.0 (0)  1.2 (8)  1.2 (8)  1.2 (8)

MEN DIVISION 1 McAlister Oval 9:30am South Africa vs Great Britain Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  South Africa  0.1  (1)  2.3 (15)  3.3  (21) 4.4 (28)   Great Britain  2.7 (19)  2.10 (22)  5.10 (40) 9.11 (65)    McAlister Oval 11:15am PNG vs Ireland Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  PNG  0.0 (0)  3.3 (21)  4.6 (30)  4.7 (31)  Ireland  3.1 (19)  4.1 (25)  4.4 (28)  6.6 (42)   McAlister Oval 1pm Canada vs USA Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  Canada  1.0 (6)  2.2 (14)  2.2 (14)  3.7 (25)  USA  1.5 (11)  1.6 (12)  6.8 (44)  6.9 (45)   McAlister Oval 2:45pm Fiji vs France Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  Fiji  2.3 (15)  5.7 (37)  8.14 (62)  10.20 (80)  France  0.2 (2)  1.2 (8)  2.3 (15)  2.3 (15)   Ransford Oval 3:45pm New Zealand vs Nauru Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  NZ  3.1 (19)  7.3 (45)  10.7 (67)  12.9 (81)  Nauru  0.0 (0)  2.0 (12)  2.1 (13)  5.4 (34)

MEN DIVISION 2 Western Oval 9:30am Indonesia vs Sri Lanka Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  Indonesia  2.0 (12)  5.2 (32)  6.6 (42) 7.7 (49)   Sri Lanka  0.1 (1)  1.1 (7)  1.2 (8)  3.2 (20)   Western Oval 11:45am Pakistan vs Germany Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  Pakistan  0.1 (1)  0.2 (2) 0.3 (3)   0.3 (3)  Germany  3.1 (19)  5.2 (32)  6.4 (40)  11.5 (71)   Western Oval 1:00pm Croatia vs China Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final  Croatia  0.1 (1)  2.3 (15)  3.7 (25)  6.8 （44）  China  2.1 (13)  4.2 (26)  5.3 (33)  7.3 （45）   Western Oval 2:45pm Japan vs India Team 1/4 1/2 3/4 Final Japan  5.1 (31) 6.4 (40)  10.5 (65)  13.7 (85) India  0.1 (1)  0.1 (1)  0.1 (1)  0.2 (2)

 

 

A bright early start saw the nations start arriving outside the gates of Government House from around 8.30am. Some were more punctual than others. In a myriad of team colours, the buzz grew as the time to head in through the gates. Some started to sing, South Africa as usual sounding the sweetest, but others gave it a shot.

The new nations were there too looking like nervous schoolkids. Germany, European Crusaders and Sri Lanka all stepping out on the footy world stage in Melbourne for the first time.  The GB Swans and Pakistani women new too, but had their experienced men's teams on hand to give confidence. 

While the Papua New Guinea mens team - the Mosquitos - are the reigning champions the story is somewhat different for their female compatriots - the Flames - who are making a return to the International Cup after participating in the first ever women's division in 2011. In that competition the Flames were out gunned by the Irish, Canadian and US sides. The sole victory over the Australian Indigenous and Multicultural side. 6 years on and the Flames will be looking to make their presence more well known on the field.

All is set for grand final day in London with all matches set to be played this Saturday at Clapham Common. Whilst it is a great day for all clubs in all grades, most interest will centre on the Premiership Division decider between the Wandsworth Demons and the North London Lions.

The Demons were the first team into the Grand Final when they downed the West London Wildcats two weeks ago, but the Lions found their way into the decider when they downed the Wildcats in a low scoring Preliminary Final, running out 36 point winners: the Lions 6 15 51 defeating the Wildcats 2 3 15. It was a surprise straight sets exit for the Wildcats, a team which had for most of the season been neck and neck with flag favourites, the Demons.

The Fiji Vonu have the potential to go to the final dance in this years Womens division. The Vonu have been training and preparing for IC17 since the completion of IC14. After a disappointing IC14, the Vonu are out to prove that Fiji here to compete and win the division.

A vast number of players are returning to their second International Cup and therefore will have the experience to lead the team to the final. Ilisapeci Vateitei takes the Captaincy this year after a strong showing of leadership and development over the last three years. Ilisapeci is also the sister of Fiji Tribe superstar Jiuta Vateitei.

 

 

The 2017 international Cup will see Pakistan competing once again as the Shaheens, a team that was to be selected from across Pakistan and not so much as the 2014 Pakistan Shaheens who were largely Melbourne based Pakistani nationals.

Unfortunately though, only four of the players training in Pakistan were granted visas.  Another five that as far as we know were not part of the training squad in Pakistan have also made the trip as part of the team.

 

2017 will see Pakistan competing as the Shaheens (though it was earlier suggested the Dragoons would be the name), a team selected from across Pakistan in the AFL Pakistan. The Pakistan women's team will definitely be developmental as it has been in operation for less than one year.

The team is made up of athletes that have variously competed in numerous sports before coming to the Australian game. While the team has been working towards the International Cup, confirmation of their attendance and obtaining visas came very close to tournament kickoff.