World Footy News

The AFL has once again named a World Team from the sides competing at the AFL International Cup. The players were announced at the Official Dinner at the Palladium at Crown on Thursday night, with players presented with their jumpers.

Unlike previous "team of the tournament" type awards, the players selected were placed in playing positions, and it was accepted that some of the lower ranked sides would be without representatives.

Samoa's Fia Too-too was named on the half-back flank, making it a remarkable three from three. Unfortunately he had already returned home to Samoa for family reasons (a birthday) so was not present for the team photo.

The World Team, in positions, is shown below.

With the Grand Final completed we can now reveal the final finishing positions for the 2008 Australian Football International Cup. Match reports for the final round games will follow over the next couple of days.

1. Papua New Guinea
2. New Zealand
3. South Africa
4. Ireland
5. Nauru
6. Canada
7. USA
8. Japan
9. Great Britain
10. Samoa
11. Denmark
12. Sweden
13. Peace Team
14. Finland
15. China
16. India

Here are some brief thoughts on the final rankings.

Papua New Guinea's Mosquitoes have finally broken through to win the International Cup at the MCG after twice being runners-up. It was magnificent come from behind win against quality opposition, the New Zealand Falcons, in a high quality match.

The game started a few minutes earlier than expected, with New Zealand kicking to the Punt Road end but with little advantage from the gentle breeze. The game quickly settled into the pattern of play anticipated - the Mozzies attacking at all costs with pace and carry but the Kiwis holding them up with superior height then using the ball well going forward. The New Zealanders kept their structures and made space for their forwards to run into. Everything was falling into place as Moss Doran goaled from a mark, captain Andrew Congalton roved the pack for another major, and James Monaghan converted from a free. The Papuans had less genuine chances and to make matters worse squandered them with only four behinds to show for the first quarter. NZ 3.1 (19) to PNG 0.4 (4).

First pictures from the MCG Grand Final of the 2008 Australian Football International Cup. Game still in progress. More to follow later.

This article is being updated each time there is a score in the 2008 Australian Football International Cup, Friday 5th September 2008, between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

New Zealand versus Papua New Guinea

1st Quarter - 5:07pm start (early), NZ to Punt Road end, no real breeze

4:53 - NZ Doran marks and goals from 30m in front - NZ 1.0 (6) PNG 0.0 (0)
6:56 - PNG Pinda marks and kicks from boundary, point - NZ 1.0 (6) PNG 0.1 (1)
7:50 - PNG Barry behind - NZ 1.0 (6) PNG 0.2 (2)
8:30 - NZ Congalton roves and goals - NZ 2.0 (12) PNG 0.2 (2)
10:20 - PNG Pirika - strong mark, checkside, point - NZ 2.0 (12) PNG 0.3 (3)
11:35 - PNG rushed - NZ 2.0 (12) PNG 0.4 (4)
15:10 - NZ Bradley marks, misses behind - NZ 2.1 (13) PNG 0.4 (4)
16:53 - NZ Monaghan free kick, goals - NZ 3.1 (19) PNG 0.4 (4)

2nd Quarter

1:29 - PNG Wartovo soccers half-volley, clears the pack, goal - NZ 3.1 (19) PNG 1.4 (10)
3:30 - PNG Pinder from 45m, 50 deg angle, point - NZ 3.1 (19) PNG 1.5 (11)
6:50 - NZ - Cunneen on the left, 40m, goal - NZ 4.1 (25) PNG 1.5 (11)
8:20 - NZ - Bradley free, 45m, point - NZ 4.2 (26) PNG 1.5 (11)
9:30 - PNG Pirika - mark, shot from 45m in front, goal - NZ 4.2 (26) PNG 2.5 (17)
15:00 - NZ Bradley - free - kick from 40m, goal - NZ 5.2 (32) PNG 2.5 (17)
16:30 - NZ Doran - free - pulls it from 50m, behind - NZ 5.3 (33) PNG 2.5 (17)

3rd Quarter

0:50 - PNG Susuve behind from mark - NZ 5.3 (33) PNG 2.6 (18)
3:00 - PNG Rava hooks, behind - NZ 5.3 (33) PNG 2.7 (19)
3:30 - PNG Pinda behind - NZ 5.3 (33) PNG 2.8 (20)
4:05 - PNG Barry behind - NZ 5.3 (33) PNG 2.9 (21)
6:20 - PNG Pinda strong mark, goal - NZ 5.3 (33) PNG 3.9 (27)
7:50 - NZ Doran bombs, behind - NZ 5.4 (34) PNG 3.9 (27)
8:55 - NZ Bowden marks, double grab, goals from 40m goal - NZ 6.4 (40) PNG 3.9 (27)
14:35 - PNG Pinda mark, point - NZ 6.4 (40) PNG 3.10 (28)
16:50 - PNG Pirika mark, goal - NZ 6.4 (40) PNG 4.10 (34)

Final Quarter

2:05 PNG Pirika snaps, touched off the boot, one point - NZ 6.4 (40) PNG 4.11 (35)
5:15 PNG Pirika marks, behind - NZ 6.4 (40) PNG 4.12 (36)
6:15 PNG Pirika marks in front, unstoppable, but kicks into man on the mark
7:00 PNG Barry, casual yet spectacular, snaps across the body, goal - NZ 6.4 (40) PNG 5.12 (42)
9:30 PNG Pirika snaps, goal - NZ 6.4 (40) PNG 6.12 (48)
11:30 NZ Bradley marks, goal - NZ 7.4 (46) PNG 6.12 (48)

5 minutes left (17 minute quarters, no time on)

90 secs - down PNG's end

Siren - PNG wins

Final score

PNG 7.12 (54) - Pirika kicks banana goal after siren
NZ 7.4 (46)

Note there are some anomalies between the players we noted and the AFL's final results - we'll follow that up and make any necessary corrections (e.g. sometimes jumper numbers are belatedly changed if damaged).

The intention is to update these scores each quarter as the games progress. Match reports and images will follow later. All times are Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), which is +10 GMT. A cloudy day around 18 degrees Celsius, occasional showers predicted but did not eventuate.

Round 5 - Finals - 5th September 2008

Starting 10:00am to 10:15am

Finland Peace Team 1.0 (6) 1/4 5.2 (32) 1.0 (6) 1/2 7.3 (45) 2.1 (13) 3/4 12.4 (76) 2.2 (14) Full 14.5 (89)

Canada Nauru 2.3 (15) 1/4 2.0 (12) 2.4 (16) 1/2 5.5 (35) 4.6 (30) 3/4 8.6 (54) 7.7 (49) Full 12.8 (80)

Great Britain Samoa 3.2 (20) 1/4 0.1 (1) 5.4 (34) 1/2 0.5 (5) 7.6 (48) 3/4 1.7 (13) 8.9 (57) Full 1.11 (17)

11:45am and 12:00pm

Sweden Denmark 0.1 (1) 1/4 3.6 (24) 0.1 (1) 1/2 5.9 (39) 0.2 (2) 3/4 8.16 (64) 0.2 (2) Full 14.19 (103)

USA Japan 5.4 (34) 1/4 0.2 (2) 7.5 (47) 1/2 1.3 (9) 11.9 (75) 3/4 2.3 (15) 14.12 (96) Full 2.4 (16)

Ireland South Africa 2.1 (13) 1/4 0.2 (2) 3.1 (19) 1/2 0.3 (3) 5.1 (31) 3/4 3.6 (24) 5.2 (32) Full 4.9 (33)

1:45pm and 1:30pm

India China 2.1 (13) 1/4 1.5 (11) 3.4 (22) 1/2 5.6 (36) 4.5 (29) 3/4 6.9 (45) 6.6 (42) Full 7.14 (56)

Team Africa Tonga 2.1 (13) 1/4 1.5 (11) 1/2 3.7 (25) 3/4 3.5 (23) 5.7 (37) Full 4.8 (32)

The tournament concludes with the Grand Final tonight, 5:10pm Friday 5th September, at the MCG when New Zealand play Papua New Guinea, immediately preceding the final between Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs.

The 2008 Australian Football International Cup draws to a close on Friday night with what should be an epic contest at the MCG from 5:10pm between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea as a curtain-raiser to the Hawks versus Bulldogs AFL final.

These proud teams contested the 2005 Cup, with the Falcons just a few goals too strong for PNG. That match was all about New Zealand's structured footy against the Mozzies' run and evasion. This clash could be seen the same way, but the Kiwis have added more run and carry themselves, now having a more complete game. For their part the Papuans seem to have found a few taller forwards who, though young, offer promise and the occasional mark from a get out of trouble long kick.

In their respective semi-finals in Warrnambool both were impressive. The Papuans were, remarkably, too quick for the pacy South Africans. Their superior body strength saw them break too many tackles and slowly pull away to a good win. The scoreline between New Zealand and Ireland was very similar, but came about very differently. The Kiwis were simply outstanding in the opening 15 minutes of the game, moving the ball with precision and passing to forwards leading into open space - it was over by quarter time and the rest of the match was just a formality as they held their ground.

The 2008 Australian Football International Cup draws to a close on Friday 5th September with 7 games (and a Multicultural Challenge match) at Royal Park in Melbourne and then what should be a terrific battle at the MCG from 5:10pm between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea as a curtain-raiser to the Hawks versus Bulldogs AFL final.

The Warrnambool first round finals matches went mostly as predicted and have set the scene for 8 very tight battles. First up in the 10am slot at Royal Park's Western Oval is Finland versus the Peace Team. Both had their first wins in Warrnambool and will play off for 13th and 14th positions. The Finns should be too accomplished, assuming they can find enough fit men given their squad is down to its last numbers. The Peace Team will attack them with renewed enthusiasm and do pose a serious threat. Finland by 12 points.

The China v Peace Team match up looked to be a toss of the coin as to who might come out on top going from form on previous games, with the Peace Team perhaps being slight favourites. Both teams looked battered and bruised but full of spirit as they ran out onto Mack Oval in Warrnambool, mostly because they knew their opportunity for victory had come. China went in without forward Liu Ming, ruckman Gao Rundong and pacy onballer Gao Lei, giving those that stepped up the chance to be in their country’s first winning side. The game had been moved to an earlier time slot due to the Peace Team’s request so that their players who were in the midst of Ramadan would not be so affected by the dietary restrictions that must be followed.

Canada has looked a much improved team compared with their 2005 International Cup, but their loss to Ireland left a question mark on how much they had improved. Although their opponents Japan are not one of the top sides, the Northwind did enough to show that they really are on the rise.

Very cold conditions and a cross-wind only slightly favouring one end greeted two traditionally red and white teams at 3pm on Walter Oval, Warrnambool. A crowd of around 50 - 100 fans showed up to watch the battle between two teams that are locked into finishing 5th to 8th. The jumper clash meant the Northwind wore their predominantly black strip.

The Samurais kicked with a very slight advantage in the first but squandered their few opportunities in a sign of things to come - goal-less for the quarter.. The Canadians applied enough pressure to provide their own forwards with chances, and in what has become a very reliable double act, Falcioni and Fleming kicked one each in the first.

The crowd at Warrnambool's Reid Oval was cold but buzzing as the 7:30pm clash between two time International Cup runners-up Papua New Guinea lined up against the rising force in international Australian football, South Africa.

Both teams fielded 26 man squads (as possible by prior agreement between teams). The instant the game started it was clear that early predictions of a fast-paced game were accurate. Players from both sides sprinted into the contest, perhaps with more speed than wise when you need to get the footy too.

Emmaus Wartovo registered the first score for PNG, booting a long ball from around 50m. Sylvester Mangoea led nicely and marked, but he too missed his shot. Overa Gibson was the first to regain his balance after a pack contest in the goalsquare and roved the ball for a snapped goal - the Mosquitoes were flying. South Africa's vice-captain Steven Malinga took a big mark but couldn't convert from a difficult angle, the kick sliding across the face and not scoring. A running goal to Zachary Rava meant the Papuan's were now getting value for the amount of ball they were getting. A bit of niggle threatened to break out between Desmond Waluka and Simphiwe Mbhalo - one shove, two, three, then suddenly they relaxed and patted each other on the back and re-focussed on the game.

Throughout the day the spectators slowly began to gather for the much anticipated semi-finals at Reid Oval, Warrnambool in country Victoria. The 5:30pm slot featured reigning champions New Zealand against the previous winners Ireland. This promised to be a good match and although the scoreboard didn't reflect the contest, the crowd would've gone home knowing they had seen quality football.

The Kiwis have brought an improved game since their victory in 2005, according to Team Manager Jum Lucy they've improved their fitness and running handball. That became apparent immediately, although they still have very good structures as per the last International Cup.