World Footy News

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.

 

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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.

1. Where is home and who is your home club?

Hi !!! My name is Zuber Baig. Yes, I am from Mumbai, Maharashtra - that's in India - and my favourite club back in India is the Maharashtra Giants.

2. How many years have you been involved in Australian Rules football?

So I have started in 2012, then I represented my state team - Maharashtra Giants - in 2013 and in 2014 I was shortlisted for the AFL India team for IC14. I am glad again to be a part of team in IC17 as well.

3. What is your favourite or best playing position?

My favourite position is Full-Forward (because I love scoring goals) back in India but now I am playing as a back pocket this time in IC17.

The Footy Almanac and World Footy News and the North Fitzroy Arms Hotel invite you to enjoy a classic Melbourne experience at the Odd Friday Lunch to celebrate the International Cup.

Join Carlton legend Percy Jones (249 games and three premierships) and take in the atmosphere of a traditional Melbourne corner pub, with superb dining room, real fires, lots of Fitzroy Football Club and Carlton Football Club art and photos. This is a genuine, time-honoured Melbourne lunch experience.

Hosted by John Harms, writer and champion luncher.

Where: North Fitzroy Arms Hotel, 296 Rae St, North Fitzroy
When: Friday, August 11
Time:   12.30pm
Three courses for $40
Drinks at bar prices

To RSVP please Email rsvp@footyalmanac.com.au

Sri Lanka is one of the newest footy nations on the world footy scene.  There is no known history of the game being played in Sri Lanka on a regular or intermittent basis.  Despite the fact that Sri Lanka is a top level competitor in modern day cricket, those cricket grounds in Sri Lanka have not had the sight of four white posts standing at either end. Now they not only have a footy team, but make their International Cup debut this Sunday.

The Country and Australian Football

The country is officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, historically called Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. Sri Lanka has maritime borders with India to the northwest and the Maldives to the southwest.