The Tigers were unable to host a foreign team this year for the ANZAC Cup. The popularity of the format- a commemorative match on Australia’s most important day- has led to many other Asian countries hosting their own ANZAC fixtures. The Tigers have started something special.

So the challenge was laid down to the Thailand Serpents- take on the Thailand Tigers at their spiritual home, at almost full strength, on a day that means so much to them. No team in Asia defends their home ground as ferociously as the Thailand Tigers defend Kanchanaburi on ANZAC Day. 

After the pre-match ceremonies (a visit to the War cemetery, the national anthems, the Last Post) the footy started with the Women’s match. The Black Panthers would take on the Golden Jackals.

It was a mauling. The first quarter was played entirely in the Jackals territory. Tud, who kicked a goal last year on ANZAC day, missed two easy shots. It didn’t matter. She ended up with a bag so big she couldn’t keep count of her goals. Benz was everywhere, elusive and accurate, and she ended up with five. Dream showed her quality around the ground, delivering accurate passes into the goal square as well as kicking three goals herself. Jules, back playing after an injury had the crowd on its feet when she won a free kick within range of goal. Jules, perhaps the most passionate player on the women’s team, has famously never kicked a goal, despite giving 110% each game. Here she had a chance to do so on ANZAC Day with her fiance standing beside her with the whistle. She shanked it and fell to the ground in frustration. Later in the match she did, however, execute one of her famous bicycle kicks, providing a goal assist for Lily to score a well-deserved goal. Despite being one-sided, the game demonstrated the development of the women’s team who hope to add more silverware to their trophy cabinet at the IndoChina Cup later this month.

The men’s match was even more one-sided. As customary as the national anthems on ANZAC Day is a ringer or two being added to one of the teams. The Tigers picked up two likely lads, James and Dean and chucked them some jumpers. The Serpents were given Caleb, a fair headed lanky kid to add a bit of height. Dean looked a gun (even Hasto looked self-conscious when Deano ripped his shirt off) and James is a six-footer with a big mop of dark hair. It turned out that Deano not only had a body like Hasto, he played like him too, and James, despite his bohemian appearance, was hungry for the ball, had hands like steel traps and could bomb a goal from 40 meters. He ended up kicking four.

So it was a tough day for the Serpents but it started so well for them. The Tiger’s had all the possession and territory in the first few minutes but blew their early chances. It was the Serpents who scored first, moving the ball down the side of the ground for Jay to kick a goal that brought the crowd to its feet. But that was the only time they looked like winning. The Tigers were just too strong for them. They were always going to have more footy smarts and height and with quality midfielders like Hasto and Millhouse the Tigers were able to neutralize the attacking threat of Mani. Mani took some outrageous grabs but was simply run off his feet. The dominance of the Tigers was illustrated as much by the fact that Mani was kept goalless as it was by the scoreline. Pez had a day to remember, kicking eight, despite a shaky start. Welby gave a lesson to the Serpents defenders on his way to a bag of five and Nam, I am told, took twenty marks in defence in a dominant performance. Big Mike played his first international, driving all the way from Bangkok to watch the game from fullback and Hasto, in one outrageous play ran half the ground along the sideline, taking five bounces before delivering into the goal square. 

Yes, the game was one-sided, but in post-match interviews a common theme emerged- the Tigers were shocked by the scoreline. They didn’t feel they were as dominant as they were. The Serpents fought hard the whole match and never stopped trying, honouring the spirit of the match and the jersey they were representing. It was another important day in the still short history of the Thailand national team and they did themselves proud. The Tiger’s too should be proud, they beat a courageous opponent with some of the best footy they have played since ICC last year. It was a great start to their international season. 

Mens’ competition	Womens’ competition
Tigers 25.11.161 defeated Serpents 1.2.8 Thailand Tigers Pez- 8 Welby- 5 James- 4  J-Mac- 3 #53 #49 Hasto Jazza Skinny Thailand Serpents Jay- 1 Pez- Chicken Smallhorn Jay- Best Thai Player (male)	Black Panthers 19.12.126 defeated Golden Jackals 2.3.15  Panthers Tud- 7 Benz- 5 Dream- 3 Bie- 3 Jackals Pang- 1 Lily- 1 Dream- Best Thai Player (female) Benz- Best female player