World Footy News

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Cometh the moment, cometh the man (or woman). For PNG tonight that moment arrived midway through the final term when undersized ruckman John Ikupu who had been battling it out against the taller Irish followers - flew back with the flight of the ball to take a classic and courageous mark. From directly in front he coolly slotted the goal that put the Mozzies in front and helped cement a best on ground performance.

 2014 International Cup Champions - PNG

The midday game on Western Oval pitted IC14 old rivals Great Britain Bulldogs and Fiji Tribe against each other for the second time. These sides fought a tough encounter on Community Cup Saturday at Bulleen and the enjoyed a social evening at the Manningham Cobras rooms. Friends were made, respect established – but today all that matters is finishing off with a win and for the Bulldogs having lost successive matches to Nauru, Fiji and Nauru again – there was a sense of having underperformed.

With the sun beating down with perhaps surprising intensity, Sean Walton (#21) the Bulldogs skipper won the toss and elected to kick to the golf course or western-tram track end. Without a significant breeze and with the morning dew dried up the conditions were perfect for footy. On the sidelines the Fiji Tribe enjoyed the extra support of the earlier successful Fiji Vonu ladies team; And with national pride on the line the scene was set.

Friday August 22

Fine, cool, no wind with the sun shining equates to perfect conditions for players and spectators alike.  The teams aren’t  playing for finals but to improve their positions which is taken very seriously.

#23 Chris Martensson thumps the Elks into attack for #70 Jacob Nilsson to take mark but the kick drops short for a good Dragon’s defensive mark.  The Elks have the better of play and #14 Max Skarlen roving the ball that clears the pack runs in for an easy goal.

The Dragons are looking for their team mates better but  #23 Chris Martensson marks and passes to #56 Dan Koinberg to kick a 20m goal.

Against the tide the Dragons move the quickly into space and scramble a goal giving them a lot of hope.  The siren goes as the Dragons were pushing for another.

The Elks had control of the centre bounces in the first quarter and in the second they played smarter using that advantage much better as well as defending better.

Friday August  22 13.00

Nauru is a football mad country and they always produce a quality football side from the small island.  It’s a good measure any competing country can use to gauge their own progress.  But in 2014 didn't have the benefit of many of their players getting a grounding in Australia, and the United States Revolution have looked very good this tournament, unlucky with the draw to not be playing for top spot of Division 1.  It didn't quite go according to script though.

The much taller USA were immediately into attack for a minor score. They looked very good, kicking long to good leads and had most of the play.

Against the flow #8 Batsiua Mallinson flew high to cut off a pass with one hand and pull the ball in for a mark , only to run around the mark and drill a goal from 40m.

Two defensive lapses by the Chiefs allowed #Bryan Dragus and #2 Ryan Mc Gettigan to mark and goal. The Chiefs were great in attack like the great pack leap mark of #16 Grundler German to goal but they weren’t so quick to man up in defense allowing the Revolution to move the ball in long passes.  They are a very unpredictable side who have the confidence to take on a tackle and turn into a pack when a handpass seem more likely and they were always prepared to switch very wide if the Revolution hadn’t manned up.

Friday August 22

The USA were out to prove that they belonged in the big league and not with the Canada “B” team.

The Freedom had three goals on the board before the Suns regrouped. They were receiving great drive from #1 Alex Blatnick and a number of others allowing #27 Lindsey Kastanek to run into an open goal. She was unlucky not  to follow up with another but took a pass and goaled from 20m later.

At the break the Canadians were concerned with combating the Freedom’s height advantage but the Freedom had more just that. They had a balanced side, teamwork and a plan. Some better passages of play  went unrewarded but the constant pressure was keeping the scoreboard ticking over with goals.

Full match report later.

Will Ireland move their International Cup championship record to an incredible 3 from 5ω PNG have played in every IC grand final but are 1 from 4. Will they equal Ireland on 2 or sink to 1 win from 5 IC grand finalsω

Note this match is also being streamed live (video and commentary) at:  http://www.afl.com.au/global/aflic14/streaming

Players on the field, anthems being played.  Game starts 4:50pm local time.  19 degrees C.

Players ready 3 mins early.   Underway.

PNG players quick and skilful but completely unpredictable to each other including their forwards. Ireland's size bothering them.  Lucey and Finn too big up forward.  Mozzies giving away a lot of frees around the ground.

Peni marks and kicks 48m goal after the 1/4 time siren for massive morale boost to PNG.  (May have been Beno, some PNG players not wearing their assigned numbers, as usual).

All PNG in 2nd quarter, but little to show at first.  Now starting to put it on the board.  Margin down to 4 pts to Ireland.

Lights are on.  Ireland by 5 pts at 1/2 time. PNG speed and pressure has them on top around the ground now.

Full match report to come later.

The match is underway at Punt Road Oval, next to the MCG.

Undefeated Canada Northern Lights taking on undefeated Ireland Banshees.

Note this match is also being streamed live (video and commentary) at:  http://www.afl.com.au/global/aflic14/streaming

Beautiful sunny conditions.  Very physical match, umpires playing a lot of free kicks.  If Canada had kicked straight it would be over at half time... will there be regrets?

2nd half underway.  Ireland get their first goal but Bodashefsky hits back with 2 goals for Canada.  Cloudy and cooler now.

A few high hits and quite heated, Ireland's star Laura Corrigan sent off yellow card after getting Aimee Legault high.

Last 1/4 about to start.

Ireland battling hard but again bogged down in defence. Canada will win the 2nd Women's International Cup.

Canada Northern Lights win IC14 Women's 5.8 (38) to Ireland 2.0 (12). Big celebrations on the field, plenty of support from Canada's men side.

Congratulations Canada, the new women's powerhouse.  Impressive rise in just a few years, and the depth to bring two teams to IC14.

For the debut womens sides from Fiji (Vonu) and Tonga (Thunder) the last match of the tournament was a chance to finish the tournament on a high. Combined with a perfect late August Melbourne morning on the Western Oval the game got underway – a little late – the weather may have been perfect but the traffic wasn’t. The Western Oval at Royal Park glistened with the morning dew catching the sunlight – and with little if any breeze it was as good weather as had been offered over the previous fortnight.

The Vonu had managed a win against the USA Liberty while the Tonga Thunder had had thus far a fruitless tournament with respect to wins. But wins aren’t everything in a tournament like this. When the Tonga ladies performed the Sipi Tau it was as much for the friendly benefit of their Fijian opponents as it was for intimidation. Winning isn’t the be all for a tournament like this.

Tonga won the toss and elected to kick to the 'right of screen' - the western end. And when the game got underway the contest was willing, the niceties of the pre-game forgotten and it was clear that the winner today would need to work hard – because, while winning isn’t everything in a tournament like this – it is national pride on the line and winning sure helps.

The GWS GIANTS are exploring playing an AFL match in China for premiership point, i.e. a regular season match.  To promote their quest their players donned International Cup jumpers.

GIANTS CEO David Matthews told Friday’s Daily Telegraph the club were keen to look at new avenues to promote the game overseas.

“We’re pretty ambitious about trying to look for opportunities,” Matthews said. “What the AFL has shown in New Zealand is to play a genuine home-and-away game for four points is the best way to promote the game.

“It seems such a logical step to play a game in China and we’d certainly be putting our hands up if it’s possible.

“It may be the starting point to have an exhibition game, with a match for points down the track. But we’re very keen on the idea, very keen.”