Twenty-six years ago, a special bond between Timor-Leste and Australia was created with the arrival of the INTERFET peacekeeping mission, which assisted the Timorese people in building a free and independent nation.

A new generation of Timorese and Australian soldiers forged friendships through a more peaceful struggle on the soccer pitch and futsal courts. They competed in the annual Xanana-Cosgrove Shield, commemorating the foundation of Timor-Leste and the role Australia and other INTERFET nations played.

Soccer is an integral part of the rich tapestry of Timor-Leste. Even in the darkest days of their war for independence, President of Timor-Leste José Ramos Horta remembers the Timorese always finding time for the beautiful game, challenging the INTERFET soldiers.

“I watched the first INTERFET and Timor-Leste soccer here in 1999 I think, and the Australian side was not very into soccer to say the least,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.

“I remember then, they couldn’t hit the ball properly.” 

Dr Ramos-Horta was at Dili’s National Stadium to watch the Australian Army ADF team play the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) side, with the Australians winning 4-3 in a nail-biting penalty shootout, after finishing the game with a 2-2 draw.

“I am so surprised. The Australian soccer team is very agile, very fast,” Dr Ramos-Horta said.

Australian team captain Craftsman Dylan Mountain said the game was a friendly match in every sense of the word, with the Timorese crowd cheering on both teams. 

He said playing in such a meaningful game in Dili on the anniversary of INTERFET was a highlight of his career.

“We are very proud and very privileged to come here and play this game. To stand where our Army brothers and sisters have come before us,” Craftsman Mountain said. 

“We’re very happy to do them proud, to come out here, engage with the community for the past week and come and play football in their honour.” 

'I am so surprised. The Australian soccer team is very agile, very fast.'

Just before the men’s match, the Australian Army women’s soccer team played the F-FDTL women’s team in their women’s national sport, futsal, losing 2-0 to the determined Timorese side. 

F-FDTL captain Second Lieutenant Maria de Jesus said it was very different to local matches.

“The Australian team’s height, their physicality – bigger – it was very tough,” Second Lieutenant de Jesus said.

“I am so happy and excited. We had to work so hard to defend to win the game. It was a real fight, a true struggle with the Australian team.”

The matches on the INTERFET anniversary were the capstone of Indo-Pacific Endeavour Timor-Leste. The program featured a Women, Peace and Security workshop, community engagement, and sport and faith-based activities delivered in partnership with the F-FDTL.

Australian contingent commander Brigadier Malcolm Wells said the players were proud to play in the Xanana-Cosgrove Shield, honouring the outstanding friendship and cooperation between the two great leaders. 

“The father of the nation here in Timor-Leste, Xanana Gusmao, and the leader and commander of INTERFET, General Sir Peter Cosgrove – we’re inspired by their friendship and cooperation, and we know what great results that achieved,” Brigadier Wells said.

“We see the same continuing cooperation and spirit of friendship between members of the F-FDTL and the Australian Defence Force, and we know that cooperation will be the success for our future relationship.”

Indo-Pacific Endeavour is Australia’s flagship regional engagement activity supporting the Australian Government’s focus on deepening diplomatic and defence partnerships across South-East Asia and the north-east Indian Ocean.