AFL Asia Cup, Day 1 Men’s Wrap: India on the march?

By Chris McAsey

India has emerged as a contender for the inaugural AFL Asia Cup after an impressive return to international competition at Thanh Long Sports Centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

India’s depth of talent and strong national competitions seem to be paying dividends as they hit their straps after a nervous first-up performance against hosts Vietnam.

In a hi-octane opening, Vietnam hit the scoreboard first after double 25m penalties. India generated lots of opportunities early but sprayed several opportunities in a shaky start.

India steadied in the second quarter but were still wasteful in front of goal with 2.9 to Vietnam’s 1.2 at half time. They eventually overpowered the hosts to run out winners 8.13 to 3.4, but it was their performance against China late in the day that signalled their growing confidence.

 

India’s system and composure got better as the day wore on, switching the ball efficiently out of defence and attacking through the corridor. They used precise foot skills to retain possession and were superior overhead, running out winners 110 to China 3.

Are they the team to beat for the Cup?

Two other contenders – Japan and Cambodia fought out match of the day in the late afternoon as shade finally provided some respite from sweltering 31 degree heat.

In front of passionate and vocal supporter groups, it was goal for goal in a frantic first term.

Cambodia’s manic forward pressure and run and carry worried the normally composed Japanese defence early and set up multiple goals for power forward Boree King.

It was a star forward at the other end through – Japan’s Rinto Kijima – that almost single handedly reinstated Japan’s mojo. Equally dangerous in the air and on the ground, he kicked three goals in the first half and set up several more.

Japan’s system and skills came to the fore in the third quarter as they opened up a 44-point lead.

Cambodia hit back early in the final quarter after a goal to speedster Seema Chee, before Japan steadied through a goal to livewire forward Yuji Yamamoto, running out winners 86 to 35.

Earlier Cambodia had a big 96 – 13 win over Laos in a local derby. Cambodia flew out of the blocks, opening the scoring after a strong mark and goal from Hung Chhoing In. That was the start of an avalanche, kicking 7 goals straight in a blistering first quarter.

When it looked like all one-way traffic though, Laos fought back bravely in the second quarter but couldn’t put any scoreboard pressure on, until Vanmany Tingkham soccered one through to get Laos on the scoreboard.

A relative newcomer to international competition also looks to be building for a run at the Cup – Pakistan. They recorded big wins over Laos (85 – 31) and Thailand (112 – 20) to keep themselves in the mix.

Rivals China and Hong Kong, China kicked off proceedings at Thanh Long with a competitive opening match of the tournament.

Hong Kong made a good start with some sharp clearance work by midfielders Luke Colbran and James Stanton. They led China 29 to 22 at three quarter time but were overpowered by a hardworking Chinese team led by captain ‘Whisker’ Lin.

China got numbers around the ball in the last term and were too strong around the contest. They hit the lead after a brilliant snapped goal by ruck/forward Lin Honghui and ran out winners 42 to 29.

Hong Kong won back some pride with a big afternoon win against Vietnam,  87 – 35.

Indonesia also had a strong first day, recording wins against Vietnam (100 – 9) and Hong Kong (80 – 21). They had more system than Vietnam, capitalising on the work of tough midfielders Sukran Maksum and captain Michael Latupeirissa to get players into space and set up scores.

In one of the plays of the day against Hong Kong, Latupeirissa beat two opponents to set up a team-lifting goal.

Vietnam fought hard in their match against India, with star utility Will Francis (Vietnamese name Chi Bach) playing multiple roles to shore his team up. He took several towering marks and worked tirelessly for his team.

Similarly, Thailand was competitive against Japan and Pakistan and broke through for a hard-fought late win against neighbour Laos, 54 – 49. Against Japan the Thais threw themselves into the contest early, with tough nut Rutchnarot Pusuk making five tackles in one play.

Thailand captain and playmaker Mani Narairt Saunders was outstanding for his team, kicking one of the goals of the day after taking the ball out of the centre bounce and drilling it from 40m.

Laos brought a relatively inexperienced team to Ho Chi Minh and they struggled early against a better drilled Cambodia, going down 96 – 13, before a much more competitive performance against Pakistan. Captain Xaysongham Thanongsone held the fort against a rampaging Pakistan forward line, led by goal sneak Muhammad Toheed Sattar.

Pakistan also got great performances from their athletic talls Afzal Ameen and Ahmad Arif.