Sports

ADF soccer tackles Asia’s best
By Cpl Corinne Boer

Edition 1165, May 03, 2007
 

Pte Charmaine Hass during the 8-0 loss.

 

Fleet footed: Cpl Sam Clarke during the ADF’s 1-0 loss to China game in Beijing
ADF soccer teams took on some of Asia’s finest in the Defence Football Federation (DFF) tour of SE Asia from March 15–31.

Tri-service ADF teams played tough games against Chinese teams in Beijing. The men’s team played against the Peoples Liberation Armies Academy of Armored Forces Engineering in front of a massive crowd filled with high-ranking Chinese officials.

Tour manager Capt Mark Pearson said the Chinese men’s side was the toughest adversary.

“They were a strong and physical side. They were skilful and very fit. It was a wonderful match 1-0 with about 10 minutes to go,” he said.

The women’s team played the Beijing women’s team with several players from the national team in the squad.

The ADFF were defeated 8-0 by the number three-ranked women’s team in the world.

The ADFF were treated to Chinese hospitality after the game as the PLA put on a feast where the soldiers had the chance to meet their opponents and exchange gifts.

“They put on a massive feast afterwards and the soldiers exchanged VB and local beer and had a great time singing songs and eating Chinese food,” Capt Pearson said.

The ADF teams also played against the Malaysian Armed Forces in Kuala Lumpur in front a crowd of 3,000 people. The ADFF triumphed over the Malaysian teams as the men’s team won 3-2 and the women won 5-0. In Singapore, the ADFF teams played the Singapore National under 18s squads where the men lost 4-2 and the women drew at nil all.

Outstanding performers were CPL Sam Clarke, 5/7RAR and PTE Charmaine Hass, 10FSB HQ. Both players were consistently high performers for all games.

This trip was the ADF’s first tour of Asia with men and women’s squads. The players were selected from the ADFF national carnival at Randwick Barracks in November where 140 people tried out. Almost all the players play at club level.

“The standard of ADF soccer has increased 10 fold over the last five years and the standard we are now playing is quite significant,” Capt Pearson said.

The trip to Asia was of benefit to the DFF and provided the teams opportunity to form close ties with our neighbours. Many friendships and contacts were developed on a personal and professional level.

“Our militaries can engage not only on the sporting field but also interact on more strategic levels. Closer ties were built with engagement of foreign militaries through sport,” Capt Pearson said.