Hard hitter: Pte James Gavigan strikes the ball through the UN Police defensive line. Photo by PO Damian Pawlenko

SOCCER – the beautiful game – has united a wide cross-section of community and security interests in a friendly competition that it is hoped will be the beginning of something much bigger.

To revive the national sport and promote teamwork and cooperation in the community, the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and the Football Federation of Timor-Leste organised a Football For Peace tournament in May and June. It brought 10 teams together for two weeks of intense, but friendly, competition.

UN Liaison Officer Maj Mick Dawson, who organised the tournament, said the games were a great break from normal routines and set a standard for future contests.

“There was some terrific teamwork displayed during this tournament and there was a real party atmosphere both on and off the field,” he said.

“It may be a cliché, but soccer was the real winner here. The standard of play and the enthusiasm for competition really does lay some solid foundations for the future of the game in this country.”

The teams came from all branches of the international and Timorese security and governance forces, as well as the best Timor-Leste national teams. Showing high-level support, recently elected President Jose Ramos Horta presided over the opening ceremony at Dili Stadium. He was joined by former president Xanana Gusmao and a host of local and UN senior political and security figures.

Maj Dawson said the quality of football displayed by all was beautiful to watch.

In the opening round, ISF1 lost 5-1 to a solid Timor-Leste national side. However, they made up for the loss by beating the UN team 3-1 to progress to the quarter finals.

“ISF2 put on a very strong performance against the Portuguese Police, eventually succumbing 2-1 in a very close game, before also progressing to the quarter finals as the strongest losing side,” Maj Dawson said.

He said ISF1 played against the strong Under-23 Timor-Leste national squad in the next round, losing 2-0 in a gutsy performance.
“Goalkeeper LCpl Chris Cairns was man-of-the-match in that game after keeping the ball out of the net in a string of fine saves,” he said.

He said ISF2 played a fantastic game against the Timor-Leste police squad, but eventually succumbed 2-1 in an entertaining game. “Pte James Gavigan, 1RAR, put in a notable performance to take man of the match in that game.”

Maj Dawson said the standard of soccer in Timor-Leste was quite high and the future of the game in the country looked promising.
“Getting things like this back to normal in the community can only be a good thing for normality in the community – and that’s why we’re here in the first place.”

HOW THEY FARED

ROUND 1
PNTL 0 vs Timor Leste Under 23 1

UNPOL 2 vs ISF2 1

UNMIT 0 vs UNPOL2 6

ISF1 1 vs Civil Security 5

Team Dame 6 vs FFDTL 0

ELIMINATION ROUND
UNMIT 1 vs ISF1 3

QUARTER FINALS
UNPOL1 2 vs Team Dame 7

UNPOL2 0 vs Civil Security 2

ISF2 1 vs PNTL 2

ISGF1 0 vs Timor U/23 2

SEMI FINALS
Team Dame 1 vs Civil Security 0

Timor U/ 23 3 vs PNTL 0

PLAYOFF FOR 3RD AND 4TH
PNTL 2 vs Civil Security 3

FINAL
Team Dame 1 vs Timor U/23 0