Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, one of the most esteemed educational group of India, which has over 100 schools in India and also abroad, has educated students from all backgrounds who have went on to become the best in their respective fields. One must be wondering how a school like Bhavan’s has become one of the most vehement supporters of Australian Rules Football in India. Bhavan’s has already etched its name in the history of AFL India by sponsoring the Indian Tigers for the third consecutive time in International Cup. Bhavan’s Kolkata has also been involved in the first ever Aussie Rules tournament in Bengal. This time it was Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Raipur which has made history by being the first school in India where the school programme of ARFAI (Australian Rules Football Association Of India) – Global Community Sports (GCS) – was successfully launched.

The first day witnessed the presence of almost 350 students from Class VI to Class IX for the introductory session where Aussie Rules were introduced to the students through various videos and presentations. Not just the game was introduced but the students also got to know about the basic rules of the game. The Q and A session afterwards saw many students winning AFL India merchandise.

The students got so interested in Aussie Rules that almost all the students present in the session wanted to get enrolled in the training session which was planned the next day. ARFAI had to follow its initial plan of enrolling 30 students as it didn’t want to compromise on the quality of the training session.

After the indoor session in the first day it was time for the outdoor session the next day where ARFAI coaches Sudip Chakraborty and Sudhashil Mitra taught them the basic skills of the sport – handpassing, kicking, bouncing and marking.

After the training session, it was time for the students to employ those skills in a real game of footy. So all the 30 students were into 4 teams and they were given a real experience of the game.

The pricinipal of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Raipur were really hopeful about the future of the sport not  just in the state but throughout the country. He said – “GCS program will actually help children to become global citizens, the fact that they will come to have an understanding of other culturesand also bring Australian Football to India and open up new avenues of sport in India in a country where cricket is regarded as the most popular sport.”

Captains Of 18 Countries at International Cup 2014 Launch

The official launch of International Cup 2014, at Federation Square in Melbourne was a brilliant way to start off the tournament , with the captains of all the 18 men’s and 7 women’s teams meeting each other.

This was India’s third successive International Cup (IC) participation which was a big achievement in itself. With paucity of funds Australian Rules Football Association of India (ARFAI) had to fight unfavourable situations just to take the team to Australia to participate in IC 14. Apart from AFL being the biggest support for Indian Tigers in the International Cup, Bhratiya Vidya Bhavan – Australia was one of the major sponsors, counterpart of Bhavans educational group in India, which has over 100 schools across India, given two of the players in the squad coming from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan school in Kolkata.

India Vs Tonga

The tournament saw India starting off against the big and strong Tongans who physically destroyed the amateur Indian side, but at the same time India did not go goal-less in its first match of IC 14 International Cup, with Biswajit Das, the senior most player of Indian Tigers, scoring the first goal for his country in IC14.

India Vs Papua New Guinea

In the second match Papua New Guinea  annihilated the Indian tigers with an over 200 score to nil, leaving the Tigers with a lot of things to learn from.

Pakistan Captain And Indian Captain

The third match was the main attraction for many as it put forward one of the most intense sporting rivalries in the world- India Vs Pakistan. This vehement sporting rivalry between the two countries was  hailed as the Dosti Cup. Dosti is the Hindi and Urdu word for Friendship, the spirit in which India and Pakistan would play this game of football. The inaugural Dosti Cup was contested on Saturday at Highgate Reserve in Cragieburn, an outer northern suburb of Melbourne. The day began with a pre-match event, which ran concurrently with the Essendon vs Richmond VFL curtain raiser. Guest speakers addressed the audience, team captains were jointly interviewed, bollywood dancers and drummers entertained whilst players shared meal. A number of guests were present, including Ms Manika Jain, the Consul General of India (Melbourne) and Mr Abdul Aziz Uqaili, the Consul General and Trade Minsiter of Pakistan (Sydney). The common message being that both Pakistan and India offered a great growth opportunity to Australian Football, given their large populations, a passion for sport and access to cricket fields.

From the very start Pakistan’s advantage over India was accentuated by the way they were scoring goals. Since all the players of the Pakistan contingent were born and brought up in India, they were all far more experienced than the Indians as far as footy is concerned. In the end it can be said that Pakistan was a clear and deserved winner in a passionate match between the two countries.

India Vs Finland

The fourth round match between India and Finland saw both sides coming to this match after three successive defeats – Finland suffering losses to USA, Sweden and China. India going down to Tonga, PNG and Pakistan.  Even though defensively India made a mark on the match as Finland was held to just three goals but offensively it was again a disappointing match for India.

India Vs Indonesia

The last match of the International Cup 2014 for India was against Indonesia. India this time was more than determined to have their first victory of the tournament. India gave quite a fight before losing a hard fought match as Indian Tigers couldn’t capitalise on their improved performance.

Even though this time India was bereft of an international victory in IC 14 but it was a learning experience for India as players of the Indian contingent got an opportunity to practise at the Punt Road Oval under the watchful eyes of Richmond Tigers, one of the best clubs of Australian Football League.

It is often said that failure is the pillar of success. Even though Indian Tigers this time couldn’t secure a victory but they promised to come back stronger and better in the next International Cup.

Indian Tigers at Punt Road Oval

Event list of Australian Rules Football Association Of India (ARFAI) for October and November

Courtesy: worldfootynews.com

Published: 25th August, 2014.

As most teams were preparing for the International Cup Gala Dinner, tournament concluded, India and Indonesia prepared to face off in the final Division 2 grading match. Both teams were yet to win a match this tournament, and Indonesia was looking for their first victory at an international level.

It was a scrappy start to the match, and both sides had a lot of players around the ball. Indonesia was the first to score, kicking a goal early. India regrouped, and successfully worked the ball into their half; kicking one behind and then their first goal. Indonesia kicked a second straight, to lead by five points at the first break.

There was a scuffle early in the second quarter, with several Indonesian players more interested in their opponents than the ball. Whilst India held almost exclusive control of the ball for these few minutes they were unable to capitalise. It was a goaless quarter and at the main break, Indonesia led by nine points.

A cohesive, determined Indonesia returned for the second half and it proved the difference. A 32-to-1 point third quarter ensued, and Indonesia never looked back, running out 52 point winners by match’s end.

It was a fitting concusion for a very young but enthusiatic Indonesian side. The solitary victory resulted in a 16th place finish for the tournament. India finished 18th.

Goals
India: Himat
Indonesia: Abdillah 3, Saputro 2, Wood, Latupeirissa, Pasaribu, Halim

Best
India: Kailashnathan, Fariduddin, Himat, Fernandes, Rishi, Parmar
Indonesia: Halim, Ibadurrohman, Suminarto, Saputro, Prasojo, Abdillah

Qtr Time: Indonesia 2.0 (12) led India: 1.1 (7)
Half Time: Indonesia 2.4 (16) led India 1.1 (7)
Three Qtr Time: Indonesia 7.6 (48) led India 1.2 (8)
Final: Indonesia 9.6 (60) defeated India 1.2 (8)

Courtesy: worldfootynews.com

Published: 20th August, 2014.

An overcast Melbourne day set the scene for Finland vs India, one of the matches to close Round 4 of the International Cup. Both sides were aiming to make amends for three successive defeats; Finland suffering losses to USA, Sweden and China. India going down to Tonga, PNG and Pakistan.

The Finns most recent loss to China was by less than one goal and they were keen to let the Indians know, from the beginning, that they meant business. A sign on the boundary read “Namaste India. This Ain’t Cricket.” Maamme was sung with gusto, the Indians a little quieter with Jana Gana Mana.

The first quarter was a scrappy affair. Players from both sides consistenly went hard at the footy, but marks were dropped and kicks and handpasses missed targets. The first half of the quarter was spent almost exclusively in or around Finland’s Forward 50. For their hard press forward, Finland did manage the opening score, although it was a behind. India seemed to settle in the latter part of the quarter and managed a behind of their own. At Quarter Time the scores remained level.

The second quarter continued much like the first ended. There was roughly equal possession of the ball, which went back and forward from end to end. Both defenses held firm and only one score was registered – a behind to Finland. The first half was both exciting and frustrating for those watching on.

The beginning of the third term had fans wondering if there would be a goal scored at all. Then key Indian defender Jonathan D’Moore went down in a contest, not to return until the last quarter. India seemed to lose composure and Finland managed their first goal. Before the quarter was out, they had another, along with a few missed attempts. The deadlock had been broken and Finland held a fifteen point lead at the final break.

Both teams were very aware the result could still go either way. Finland started the fourth term evidently determined and kicked a goal early. India refused to relent and worked the ball into their Forward 50. It hovered around the goal square for what seemed like minutes, before Kailasanathan tore the ball free and kicked truly. Whilst India experienced a momentary burst, they could not further capitalise and Finland ran out 17 point victors.

Both teams play their final matches on Friday – Finland against Japan at 9am and India against Indonesia at 3pm (both at Royal Park, Parkville).

Goals
India – Kailashnathan
Finland – Romar, Kalliojarvi, Nurmikosk

Best
India – Kailasanathan, Fernandes, Fariduddin, Himat, Ghosh, Parmar
Finland – Romar, Nurmikosk, Kaarlsson, Kalliojarvi, Saarinen, Aalto

Quarter by Quarter
Qtr Time Finland 0.1 (1) vs India 0.1 (1)
Half Time Finland 0.2 (2) led India 0.1 (1)
Three Qtr Time Finland 2.4 (16) led India 0.1 (1)
Final Finland 3.7 (25) defeated India 1.2 (8)

Courtesy: worldfootynews.com

Published: 17th August, 2014.

The inaugural Dosti Cup was contested on Saturday at Highgate Reserve in Cragieburn, an outer northern suburb of Melbourne. Dosti is the Hindi and Urdu word for Friendship, the spirit in which India and Pakistan would play this game of football.

The day began with a pre-match event, which ran concurrently with the Essendon vs Richmond VFL curtain raiser. Guest speakers addressed the audience, team captains were jointly interviewed, bollywood dancers and drummers entertained whilst players shared meal. A number of guests were present, including Ms Manika Jain, the Consul General of India (Melbourne) and Mr Abdul Aziz Uqaili, the Consul General and Trade Minsiter of Pakistan (Sydney). The common message being that both Pakistan and India offered a great growth opportunity to Australian Football, given their large populations, a passion for sport and access to cricket fields.

As Essendon vs Richmond concluded, a crowd of very non-traditional Australian Football fans began to grow, with a few possibly at their first ever match. Pakistan flags were waived alongside a solitary Indian flag. The Pakistan contingent was evidently larger, and very vocal in their support of their nation, clearly unperturbed by any underdog status.

Following both national anthems, handshakes were exchanged and players took their positions on the field. Within the first minute Pakistan had kicked a goal, and inside four minutes they had a second. The crowd was getting excited and India looked shaken. A number of quick changes were made by India and the game slowed, although India was unable to get the ball inside their Forward 50. By Quarter time Pakistan held a 24 point lead and India was still yet to score.

Pakistan opened the floodgates in the second quarter. After an initial kick gone astray, they added five unanswered goals. India finally managed a set shot, but it went wide. Pakistan responded with one more goal of their own in what was an exceptionally accurate quarter. They took a 60 point lead into the main break.

India was more competitive in the third term but were unable to score. Several of Pakistan’s attempts at goal were spolied, however they still added two majors to increase their lead to 78 points by Three Quarter Time.

The final quarter gave India cause for minor celebration as they managed just their second goal of the tournament, off the boot of Darius Fernandes. Pakistan added three more of their own and ran out 94 point winners. Pakistan were understandably euphoric as they were awarded the Dosti Cup, and celebrated accordingly.

Goal kickers
Pakistan – Akhteyari 4, F Khan 3, Hussain 3, Shah 2, Siddique, Qureshi
India – Fernandes

Best
Pakistan – Qureshi, Shah, Hussain, Siddique, K Khan, Mehdi
India – Fernandes, Kailashnathan, Gill, Tirkey, Fariduddun, Himat

Qtr Time – Pakistan 3.6 (24) led India 0.0 (0)
Half Time – Pakistan 9.7 (61) led India 0.1 (1)
Three Qtr Time – Pakistan 11.13 (79) led India 0.1 (1)
Final – Pakistan 14.17 (101) defeated India 1.1 (7)

Courtesy: worldfootynews.com

Published: 14th August, 2014.

Matching Papua New Guinea, a genuine contender to take out this year’s tournament, against India, recovering from a 166 point loss, was always going to produce a certain result; it was just a question of the margin.

The match played out as expected. PNG were quick, skilful and continually managed to get numbers to each contest. The PNG ruckman had the lion’s share of the tap outs, most of which landed cleanly in the hands of a teammate, who worked the ball easily into their Forward 50.

For the first half PNG dominated and took a 123 point lead into the main break. Besides an inaccurate first quarter, PNG otherwise had a near flawless performance, with the ball never in their Defensive 50.

To their credit the Indian players held their heads high at Half Time, but they were clearly being outclassed on the field. Coach Rick Shrowder reminded his players that they had more to offer, encouraging them to see the second half as independent from the first. “We’re starting again. The score is 0-0.”

Shrowder’s motivational speech, coupled with a key change of D’Moore to Full Back did have an effect. Whilst PNG was equally impressive in the second half, India managed an inside Forward 50 and held PNG to five fewer goals than their first two quarters.

The final result was 216 points in PNG’s favour. Both teams next play matches on Saturday; PNG against South Africa in Geelong and India against Pakistan in Cragieburn.

Goals
PNG – Pirika 9, Namete 4, Beno 3, So-ong 3, Johnston 2, Ikupu 2, Yogomin 2, Simon 2, Musi, Wartovo, Siwee, Pena, Agita, Ekari

Best
PNG – Pirika, Simon, Gavuri, Ikupu, Pena, Logo
India – Kailashnathan, D’Moore, Fariduddin, Fernando, Tirkey, Chakraborty

Quarter by Quarter
Quarter Time PNG 8.7 (55) led India 0.0 (0)
Half Time PNG 19.9 (123) led India 0.0 (0)
Three Quarter Time PNG 26.15 (171) led India 0.0 (0)
Final PNG 33.18 (216) defeated India 0.0 (0)

Courtesy: worldfootynews.com

Published: 1oth August, 2014.

It was an icy Melbourne morning to kick off the International Cup. Tonga was scheduled to play India at Ransford Oval (Royal Park, Parkville) in one of two mens matches launching the 2014 tournament. The early start on a Sunday refused to deter the fans, with a number of early risers by the boundary, supporting both sides. National anthems were played and Tonga performed their war dance.

India managed the first Inside 50 of the match however was unable to gain clear possession and Tonga was quick to move the ball into their half. After two missed attempts, Tonga kicked the first goal of the match. From the onset, Tonga was able to impose their larger bodies on the contest, with Indian veteran Vishnu Rishie taking a hard hit early. By the end of the quarter Tonga had managed three more goals, whilst keeping India scoreless.

Quarter Time: Tonga 4.5 (29) led India 0.0 (0)

It was a scrappy first few minutes of the second quarter, however Tonga soon found their form. After an initial missed attempt, they kicked three goals straight. A mark on the goal line looked like adding another goal to this tally, however the kick went astray. At Half Time Tonga held an impressive eleven-goal lead and India was still yet to score.

Half Time: Tonga 10.10 (70) led India 0.0 (0)

Tonga continued to improve in the second half, kicking nine goals against decreasing resistance. A number of Tongan players displayed flair, running around their opponents at set shots. By Three Quarter Time the margin was 128 points.

 Three Quarter Time: Tonga 19.14 (128) led India 0.0 (0)

At the final break India’s captain Sudip Chakraborty urged his players for at least one goal. The final term’s first three goals went Tonga’s way but Chakraborty’s players did rally and midway through the term worked the ball into their Forward 50 and kicked truly. It was Tonga’s day however, winning by a margin of 166 points.

Final: Tonga 25.22 (172) def India 1.0 (6)

Goals
Tonga – Fakatoumafi 4, Fukokufa 3, Talani 3, Pita 2, Taukoou 2, Havea 2, Koni Kealeu 2, Tohe Okati 2, Finau 2, Mahina 1, Tauffu 1, Latu 1
India – Das

Best
Tonga – Mahina, Okati, Fukofuka, Langi, Taulani, Taufoou
India – Kailasanathan, D’Moore, Fernandes

Both teams were evidently improved since 2011, however Tonga’s players seemed far more comfortable when in possession of the football. Coupled with their speed, larger frames and physical brand of football, Tonga should challenge some of the more established football nations this tournament.