All the final scores, best players and goalkickers after the first round of the 2005 International Cup. Note that latest scores will generally be first available at The Footy Record as linked on our front page.

In the late time slot of the first day of the 2005 Cup, at Aanenson Oval, one of the fancied chances Papua New Guinea found themselves in a titanic struggle against the pride of Samoa. It wasn't until the closing minutes that Australia's northern neighbour pulled away to a narrow win as the rain came down.

The US Revolution team keen to show their improvement from 2002 came out hard against the South African Buffaloes team. While winning convincingly they found a fast dedicated opposition also showing improvement and a more balanced side than in the past.

Round one of the 2005 International Cup saw the New Zealand Falcons take on the British Bulldogs in a skillful but ultimately one-sided affair.

At 1pm on Wednesday 3rd August the Irish opened their International Cup title defence with a narrow win over much improved Canada, running out 8 point winners after trailing at the last change.

The Spanish Bull's took on the Japanese Samurai in the opening game of the tournament. The new guys were an unknown quantity, and were facing a side that has big plans in 2005 after a winless 2002.

Three years after the inaugural International Cup, ten nations have gathered in Melbourne Australia for the second such tournament. After the late withdrawal of Nauru the draw was re-done and five matches scheduled for the first day's play, at Murphy Reserve, Port Melbourne. The day also featured an official opening ceremony.

In the first round of matches played in the Australian Football International Cup, a very quick Japanese side defeated Spain 88-17, PNG overcame a very tough Samoa 59-36, Ireland trailed Canada at three-quarter time but came home to win 31-23, the USA beat a much-improved South Africa 62-34 and New Zealand accounted for Great Britain.

Match reports and photos coming soon, for updated scores as they come to hand throughout the International Cup, click here.

The following is a press release contibuted by Sean Smith, Irish Team Media Officer. Note that the semi-final and Grand Final positions is obviously subject to them qualifying.

Events in Melbourne over the next two weeks will again demonstrate that world class Irish efforts are not limited to drowning shamrocks and U2.

In the lead-up to the second International Cup the British Bulldogs have been training hard under the guidance of former Adelaide Crows premiership player Matt Connell. The Brits are quietly confident of their chances over the next few weeks. World Footy News (WFN) spoke with Connell about his career and Aussie footy in the UK.