2005 Asian Champs
The Singapore Wombats won the 2005 Asian Championships, the second win for the Wombats in six years. The Wombats fought off a fit and determined Bali Geckos in the Grand Final with the final score Singapore 7.3 (45) to Bali 2.4 (16), watched by over 700 onlookers. The Championship Cup was presented by His Excellency, the Australian Ambassador, Tony Hely.
Nine teams participated in the 2005 Championships including Hong Kong Dragons, Singapore Wombats, Malaysian Warriors, Thailand Tigers, Jakarta Bintangs, Bali Geckos, China/Shanghai Tigers, Japan Goannas and the Philippine Eagles.
Under warm and dryer-than-expected conditions the teams battled through four qualifying rounds each to determine the two Grand Finalists. Exciting qualifying matches were highlighted by upsets and close results, as illustrated by the one point defeat of the highly fancied Hong Kong Dragons by the Bali Geckos early in the day. This set the scene for close and spirited tussles throughout the qualifying rounds. Japan, with a small but talented squad of expats and local Japanese players surprised, missing out on a Grand Final berth by percentage only when they were defeated by another well performed side, Thailand Tigers in the final qualifying match of the day. Bali Gecko’s excellent performance in qualifying for the grand final surprised many as they are a recently formed squad. It is widely anticipated that they will be a future force however, with such transient groups, any side can build a winning squad for future championships.
Superb facilities and a mini-village atmosphere greeted the players and spectators at the main polo ground where two ovals were laid out, separated by an array of sponsors marquees and catering tents. Each team had their own marquee and other facilities where they could rest between gruelling matches. The infrastructure and organisation was described by many visitors as the best ever, and the Polo Club are to be congratulated for their hospitality in making their facilities and services available.
Other sporting/social events also enhanced the Championship program. PAFL organised a golf competition with Peter Daicos for early-arriving guests at the Manila Golf Club and a football dinner on Friday evening with guest speaker Peter Daicos, attended by over 50 guests. These successful events set the scene for a great championship weekend. It was a fantastic weekend of footy thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended. Please see below for the rest of the results and awards:
Player of the Grand Final:
Simon Walsh (Singapore)
Ladder
| Team |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
For |
Against |
% |
Points |
| Singapore Wombats |
4 |
4 |
0 |
141 |
21 |
671.4 |
16 |
| Bali Geckos |
4 |
3 |
1 |
85 |
57 |
149.1 |
12 |
| Japan Goannas |
4 |
3 |
1 |
80 |
65 |
123.1 |
12 |
| Hong Kong Dragons |
4 |
2 |
2 |
97 |
43 |
225.6 |
8 |
| China- Shanghai Tigers |
4 |
2 |
2 |
108 |
59 |
183.1 |
8 |
| Thailand Tigers |
4 |
2 |
2 |
62 |
90 |
68.9 |
8 |
| Jakarta Bintangs |
4 |
1 |
3 |
59 |
91 |
64.8 |
4 |
| Malaysia Warriors |
4 |
1 |
3 |
49 |
128 |
38.3 |
4 |
| Philippine Eagles |
4 |
0 |
4 |
27 |
154 |
17.5 |
0 |
|
| Match |
Time |
Oval |
Results |
1 |
08.00 |
1 |
Thailand |
3.4 (22) |
defeated |
China |
2.2 (14) |
2 |
08.15 |
2 |
Bali |
3.2 (20) |
defeated |
Hong Kong |
3.1 (19) |
3 |
08.45 |
1 |
Jakarta |
4.6 (30) |
defeated |
Philippines |
0.1 (1) |
4 |
09.00 |
2 |
Singapore |
7.5 (47) |
defeated |
Malaysia |
0.0 (0) |
5 |
09.30 |
1 |
Hong Kong |
4.3 (27) |
defeated |
Thailand |
1.1 (7) |
6 |
09.45 |
2 |
Bali |
3.5 (23) |
defeated |
China |
1.1 (7) |
7 |
10.15 |
1 |
Malaysia |
4.2 (26) |
defeated |
Philippines |
3.2 (20) |
8 |
10.30 |
2 |
Singapore |
7.1 (43) |
defeated |
Jakarta |
0.1 (1) |
9 |
11.00 |
1 |
Japan |
3.0 (18) |
defeated |
Bali |
2.3 (15) |
10 |
11.15 |
2 |
China |
5.3 (33) |
defeated |
Malaysia |
1.2 (8) |
11 |
11.45 |
1 |
Singapore |
2.4 (16) |
defeated |
Hong Kong |
1.1 (7) |
12 |
12.00 |
2 |
Japan |
3.2 (20) |
defeated |
Jakarta |
2.3 (15) |
13 |
13.00 |
1 |
China |
8.6 (54) |
defeated |
Philippines |
1.0 (6) |
14 |
13.15 |
2 |
Japan |
4.4 (28) |
defeated |
Malaysia |
2.3 (15) |
15 |
13.45 |
1 |
Singapore |
5.5 (35) |
defeated |
Thailand |
2.1 (13) |
16 |
14.00 |
2 |
Bali |
4.3 (27) |
defeated |
Jakarta |
2.1 (13) |
17 |
14.30 |
1 |
Hong Kong |
6.8 (44) |
defeated |
Philippines |
0.0 (0) |
18 |
14.45 |
2 |
Thailand |
3.2 (20) |
defeated |
Japan |
2.2 (14) |
|
Player of the tournament:
1). Graeme Rigg (Hong Kong) - 9 votes
2). Tallan Ames (Bali) - 6 votes
3). Winner Santos (Philippines) - 5 votes
4). Tsumi (Japan) - 5 votes
5). Scott McDonough (Malaysia) - 5 votes
|
Mark of the day:
Andrew Lindsay (Philippines)
Goal of the day:
Michael Pross (China)
Best dressed team award:
Japan Goannas
Asian All Star Team:
1). Simon Walsh (Singapore)
2). Andrew Taylor (Singapore)
3). Mark Hinkley (Singapore)
4). Justin Hotton (Singapore)
5). Tony Boatman (Singapore)
6). Peter Muir (Bali)
7). Tallan Ames (Bali)
8). Paul Davies (Bali)
9). Sam Gosling (Bali)
10). Hasu Tanaka (Japan)
11). Tsutumi (Japan)
12). Shane Flanagan (Japan)
13). Matt Stivala (Hong Kong)
14). Nathan Byrne (Hong Kong)
15). Matt Staraich (China)
16). Hugh O'Brien (China)
17). Scott McDonough (Malaysia)
18). Matt Baron (Thailand)
19). Winner Santos (Philippines)
20). Neil Thompson (Jakarta)
Coach: Ljubo (Lou) Milicevic
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The 2005 Asian Championships was the Philippine Eagles first attempt at playing in the Asian Championships and gave us a very good indication of where we sat in the Asian footy scene. The games featuring the Philippine Eagles were hard fought games and were thoroughly enjoyed by all of our players. Even though we had a squad of 25 players, we were not good enough to produce a win from the four games we played in. Aside from that, as of that time, it was the most successful Asian Championships held and we were very proud to host it and be a part of it.
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