The 2024 Asian Championship is done. It was another historic weekend for this great club, one that saw many firsts, several comebacks, a milestone match and a notable end, and least for now.
The Tigers were courageous in their selection of their teams and rewarded several members of the Cubs Development Programme with inclusion in the top side. Anurak Panipun (Deng), Peerapon Rairuksa (First) and Ketsada Aumna (Jame) all played significant roles in the Division Two team which reflects the excellent coaching work of Mani and Mark Saunders. These boys made their club and community proud with their outstanding effort on the field. Nine other cubs played with equal pride and commitment for the Division Three team, with Frankie and Max both scoring their first ever international goals.
It was a tough day for the Division Three side. They went into the Bevchain Div Three tournament aiming for victory but were swept away by a strong Japanese team in the first match. The Tigers simply couldn’t cope with the quality of what was, in reality, a Division Two side on the rampage. They righted the ship in the second game, easily defeating a disorganised Barbarians team and then went close to beating Hong Kong in the third game. Although Thailand got absolutely pumped by Indonesia in the last match, Whutang made some amends by smashing the Indonesia 3-foot tall half-forward.
So that was the day done for Division Three they were on the beers by 10.30am. Although they weren’t as successful as they hoped there were many positives to be taken from their campaign. They welcomed the hard tackling Jacob and Tan into the club; both Phuket rugby boys really contributed, especially with their hard hits, and Jacob introduced the rugby goose step to the Tigers. Another Phuket newbie, Billy, was also impressive. He’s the spitting image of club legend Brad Hall, moves just like him and was equally effective on the ball. Josef also joined us from Phuket. All of the Phuket lads were absolute gentlemen and with their great banter contributed immensely to the weekend. We also saw the return of the little-bit-Kiwi-but-really-South African Gavin, back from an extended stint in New Zealand, and Chicago Joe came out of retirement to inject his energy and positivity into the side. What a tournament he had, winning himself an All Asian jumper. Coach Gunny greased up his dodgy knee to make an appearance once the goals started flowing in the second game. Even on one leg his influence was immense and he did so much to lift the team when they needed it most.
The Tigers fielded an outstanding top team which made it all the way to the Avani Division Two semi-final. Damien “Hooey” Hoo played his first international in a Tigers jumper since 2010 and it was great to have him back, now patrolling the back field instead of roving in the middle. His composure on the ball and high skill level really strengthened the Tigers defence. After smashing the Philippine Eagles by forty points they suffered a heartbreaking one point loss to the Wombats. Another close loss to Hong Kong followed and then the Tigers took on their regional rivals Cambodia. Cambodia were looking to avenge their close loss to the Tigers at the IndoChina Cup but had their hearts broken again in another thriller.
The Tigers therefore earned a spot in the semi final against Hong Kong and it was an exciting and hard-fought match that was close throughout. The Tigers responded to Hong Kong’s first goal with a wonderful interchange of handpasses in the goal square to walk one in. They had a large squad and needed it because in that semi-final the bench was stretched to the limit. Mani had been unwell for days with a stomach bug but he battled through each game with inspirational courage and determination. Khengy received a stray boot to the head which ended his tournament, Ollie got a kick in the face and had to come off with a bleeding nose and Sammo was just sore all over. Thailand’s bench stretched thinner and this allowed Hong Kong to pull clear and win by a goal and a half.
The semi-final marked Jake “J-Mac” McIntosh’s 50th international match for the Thailand Tigers. Playing fifty games is testament enough to Jake’s dedication but it doesn’t do justice to his standing in our club. He’s the Captain of our team and a ferocious competitor who takes trainings, organises tours, emcees Auscham events and pushes all around him towards higher standards. He’s the beating heart of this great club and few have done more to drive it forward. Congratulations, J-Mac on reaching the 50 match milestone.
Both Tigers men’s teams played with their effort and intensity but both fell short of their aspirations for the tournament. The standard of Asian footy has lifted and both sides, although satisfied with their effort, felt somewhat disappointed in their end results. Not so our women’s team. Their performance in the SMATS Group Women’s Division sent a clear signal to the rest of Asian football. The Tigers girls are on the rise.
They started their campaign with a strong win over the Asian Barbarians. This was only the second international match for two cubs girls, Benz and Babe, and both did themselves proud with strong showings. Thailand then took on the strong Malaysian side who proved too much for them. Thailand’s next two matches were against the teams who would eventually make the final and in the past, these matches would have been foregone conclusions. But there is more toughness and confidence to the Tigers now and with ferocious defenders like Juls, Grace, Kym and Kay in the side Tigers opponents must earn their goals with bruises. Add to that the addition of skillful midfielder Dream, plus little Benz and Babe there to clean up the scraps, the Tigers can now move the ball quickly through the midfield.
Our girls were ferocious in defence and came within a goal of beating Cambodia. They came even closer against Singapore, the eventual winners of the tournament. It was a thrilling match, full of huge hits and courageous defence. In one standout minute, Jess took two marks, a spoil and made a tackle on the goalline to prevent certain goals. All over the ground the Tigers stood up and in the end, Singapore, battered and bruised, limped off the field with a narrow two-point victory. Although that was the end of the tournament for the Tigers they succeeded in lifting the spirits of the club with their courageous effort. Then came the moment that will be an enduring memory. It was the sight of Holly Crawford, misty-eyed, being carried from the field through a tunnel of her teammates. What a contribution Holly has made both on and off the field. She joined the club in 2010 and over the last fourteen years has been a stalwart of Tigers football. We wish you all the best, Holly.
There is so much more that could be said. Hasto’s 50 metre goal from the centre square, Lleyton umpiring his first Asian Champs, President Wazza’s tireless work behind the scenes, the organising committee of Welby, Wazza, J-Mac, Gunny, Mark, Tud and Jazza. Our All Asian honours. The outstanding catering on the day. But this report has been long enough. It was a great weekend that made us all proud to be part of this great club. Enjoy your rest now, Tigers. See you at the Presentation Night next weekend!
Match Results
| Bevchain Men’s Division 3 Competition | Avani Men’s Division 2 Competition | SMATS Group Women’s Division |
| Japan 7.4.46 df Thailand 0.0.0 Thailand 4.5.29 def Asian Barbarians 1.1.7 Hong Kong 2.5.17 def Thailand 2.1.13 Indonesia 11.3.69 df Thailand 1.0.6 | Thailand 7.4.46 def Philippines 1.0.6 Singapore 2.2.14 def Thailand 2.1.13 Hong Kong 4.2.26 def Thailand 3.0.18 Thailand 2.2.14 def Cambodia 2.1.13 Semi-final: Hong Kong 3.5.23 def Thailand 2.1 13 | Thailand 2.4.16 def Asian Barbarians 0.0.0 Malaysian 3.1.19 def Thailand 0.2.2 Cambodian 1.0.6 def Thailand 0.1.1 Singapore 1.2.8 def Thailand 1.0.6 |
| Final: Japan 3.2.20 def Indonesian Volcanoes 0.2.2 | Final: Singapore Wombats 4.3.27 df HK Dragons 1.1.7 | Final: Singapore Wombats 1.3.9 df Cambodian Apsaras 0.0.0 |
| All Asian Honours – Joe Stahuraci | All Asian Honours – Luke Hastings | All Asian Honours – Grace Alexandra Vertigans – Kym Gillian-Downey |