AFL Asia Cup, Day 2 Men’s Wrap: Japan and Indonesia top the tables

By Chris McAsey

It was a rollercoaster ride of boilovers and brave fightbacks as the AFL Asia Cup moved towards the business end on day two.

India again was one of the stories of the day, but for not the reasons they would wish. After breezing through day one undefeated, India couldn’t take a trick on day two, with narrow losses to Hong Kong (47 – 58) and Indonesia (53 – 61).

In the end, India scraped through to the semi final round on percentage, but it was a reality check for the Tigers after a barnstorming first day. It won’t get any easier coming up against a rock-solid Japan in a semi-final on Sunday.

Indonesia on a roll

Indonesia remained undefeated on day two to finish top of Pool A and will go into their semi-final with Cambodia (2nd in Pool B) full of confidence.

The Indonesia v India game was slated to be one to watch, and it lived up to its billing, going down to the wire in a high quality encounter.

Indonesia opened the scoring with a slick running goal from Borneo Bears star Gilding Saputo. With an impressive mullet streaming behind, he celebrated in fine style to pump up his team mates.

After an even and cautious first term, a goal on the siren pushed Indonesia’s lead out to eight points, 2.3 to 1.1.

India got the first goal of the second quarter to even up the ledger, but Indonesia responded quickly after a downfield free kick. Tough nut midfielder Shiba Marndi of the Odisha Swans was having an influence around the contest for India as both sides showed 100% commitment.

After a period of stalemate, a strong contested mark by Indonesia’s Dillah Nufkul got the scorecard ticking again, before a brilliant intercept and long goal by captain Michael Latupeirissa pushed the margin out to three goals at half-time.

That lead was quickly erased when play resumed as India came out firing, playing longer and more direct footy to kick three goals on the trot. Inaccuracy hurt India again though – their 4-point lead at three quarter (6.9 – 6.5) time could have been more comfortable if they had kicked straight.

They didn’t have time to get comfortable though, as Indonesia kicked the first two goals of the last quarter to wrest back the ascendency. With clever ball use and tempo footy Indonesia ran out winners 9.7.63 to 7.11.53.

Japan v Pakistan goes down to the wire

The other morning game with a bearing on finals was the Japan v Pakistan clash. In an absorbing game of contrasting styles – Japan’s method and precise ball use against Pakistan’s zip and frenetic attack – it was Japan who settled better, edging ahead after an even first quarter.

Japan’s elusive and highly skilled small forwards – Haruto Watanabe and Rinto Kijima – put on a clinic in the second quarter, kicking two goals each to push Japan’s lead out to four goals at half-time.

Japanese ruckman Yuji Yamamoto was a tower of strength around the ground, giving his mids first use with clinical tap work – a huge advantage in the 9-a-side format. Kento Shimizu was also influential with a big contested mark and goal.

A long goal by Pakistan’s Wahid Ali got proceedings under way in the second half, but Japan replied almost immediately and held a 62 to 36 lead at three-quarter time.

After a spectacular gather and snap by Rinto Kijima, it looked like Japan would run away with it, but Pakistan rallied. Rashid Ali inspired his team with two brilliant running goals and goal sneak Ahsan Ali showed great evasive skills to slot another.

The margin was cut to 16 points with three minutes to go, but Pakistan kept fighting, with a huge bomb goal by Ahmad Arif cutting the final margin to 10 points.

Cambodia’s star forward kicks seven

After the disappointing loss, Pakistan’s final Pool match against Cambodia would decide its fate.

They started strongly and looked to have some control in the first quarter, before Cambodia’s star full forward Boree Kieng almost single-handedly dragged the ascendency back for his team.

Kieng kicked three second quarter goals to give Cambodia a 4.2 – 3.3 lead at half-time.

Pakistan hit back in the third quarter with Nazia Batool firing up forward. They got out to an 8-point lead before Boree kicked his fifth on the siren to peg the margin back.

Cambodian star Veasna Leak was everywhere in the last quarter – working overtime as an undersized ruck, link man, goal kicker and enabler of the rampaging Boree. His razor sharp passes to Boree set up his sixth and seventh goals and put Cambodia through to the semi-finals, knocking Pakistan out in the process.

Hong Kong wins the day

After a tough first day with two losses, Hong Kong hit back with a vengeance against India on day two. With the scores level at half time against the more fancied India, the third quarter turned into an arm wrestle until dashing defender Ernest Choy snuck forward to slot a difficult set shot for Hong Kong.

It was followed by a brilliant goal from the boundary by mobile ruckman Hamish Hulme, before India hit back again through SK Rakesh.

Hong Kong clung to a 1-point lead at three quarter time, but India wasn’t done. They got their nose in front by a solitary point with minutes to go, before Hong Kong midfielder Luke Colbran coolly slotted a set shot and James Stanton kicked a brilliant running goal to get them over the line, 9.4 to 6.11.

It was a great effort by Hong Kong to get off the canvas after a disappointing first day, and in the end they only missed semi-finals on percentage. It was a mirror image for India, who won both matches on the first day, lost two on the second but still claimed the semi-final berth on percentage.