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| Singapore Wombats claim the 2011 Asian Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. |
While most eyes were on the 2011 International Cup in August,
another highly prestigious Aussie Rules tournament was being fought out in
Bangkok, Thailand.
The Asian Championships is a gruelling one day event that saw
eleven expat dominated teams from all over Asia stake their claim to the region’s
most coveted footy trophy. All teams battled fiercely throughout the preliminary
matches in an attempt to qualify for the semi-finals and what would be a shot
at the cup. After the dust had settled on a hectic morning of non-stop football,
one that included four games for most, the race to glory had been narrowed down
to just four.
The Singapore Wombats, Jakarta Bintangs and Hong Kong
Dragons all entered the semi-finals undefeated with the Vietnam Swans
completing the quartet of finalists. Jakarta drew Hong Kong in the first
semi-final and although the Bintangs started strongly the Dragons eventually
ran over the top maintaining their unbeaten streak en route to a place in the
Grand Final.
In semi-final number two the Singapore Wombats showed no
mercy thumping the Vietnam Swans 70 to nil. It set up what would be an epic
showdown between two countries that collectively owned 7 of all 12 Asian
Championship crowns.
The Grand Final lived up to expectations with Singapore edging
out a narrow early lead over the inaccurate Dragons to head into the main break
17 points clear in what was clearly a ripping contest. The game delicately
poised it would be a late goal to Singapore that would eventually break the Dragons
spirit and put the game beyond doubt, the Wombats clinching a record breaking
fifth Asian Champs crown with a hard fought out 23 point victory.
