World Footy News

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.

The Bulldogs and the Vikings have probably both performed below expectation in this competition. Best estimations were that the two sides should be evenly matched with the British team possibly having the physical advantage. The game got underway and very soon this looked like it would be an arm wrestle. Britain scored an early point but it wasn’t until almost five minute in the first goal was scored when Aiden Dillane sent a tumbling snap from the pocket through the big sticks. Two more goals followed from Andy Whiteaker who kicked long to the square and had the ball do a Monty Panesar-like turn over the pack in the square for a goal and from Edward Doe who marked in the pocket and kicked truly. The quarter was highlighted by heavy tackling from both sides and constant turnovers. Denmark were able to get the ball forward but not to score due to solid defence by the Bulldogs which allowed the Brits to lead by 19 points at quarter time.

The US saw this as a danger game as Nauru have been the big improvers in this tournament, and rated highly by the opposition that they had already encountered. For the Nauruans this would be a great challenge and a great opportunity to take another scalp. The first minutes saw the customary full on scrap with high pressure and quick ball movement causing numerous turnovers with neither team able to put together a long string of possession. The US were the first to break the deadlock when Paul Duncan scored the first behind. The US had the breeze which was blowing from the south today.

Just a quick note to all the fans out there to advise that we may struggle to get all our match reports for Round 4 (the first round of finals yesterday at Warrnambool) up today. There were evening games then the long trek back to Melbourne and then there's the Official Dinner tonight, then a full round of matches again on Friday. If any matches are missed a report will follow later.

We can report that it is our intention (though not our promise) to have score by score coverage of the International Cup Grand Final from the MCG on Friday night.

In this article, we profile host club the Singapore Wombats, as well as last year's hosts the Thailand Tigers, powerhouse Hong Kong Dragons, the Vietnam Swans and the debutant Lao Elephants.

With the Asian Championships hitting Singapore this weekend, we're previewing the teams on display. The first to be featured are the China Reds, UAE Heat, Bali Geckoes, Malaysia Warriors and Jakarta Bintangs.

In the 1pm Reid Oval contest, Australian Football International Cup newcomers Finland and India got their best chance to register an inaugural win. It was the Finns that looked the goods, but then got a second quarter scare before stabilising the game for a gallant victory in adversity.

Coming into the tournament the Icebreakers had a fairly small squad of players - this has steadily deteriorated further, such that they started this match with just 18 men, some of whom were by no means in a fit state for footy. In fact in a remarkable scene Jani Saarinen took the field in what we think was protective eyewear, having allegedly had a night-time run in with a low tree branch the night before.