Sunday, August 24, 2014

Papua New Guinea takes out the AFL International Cup with a three-point win over Ireland

ABC

PNG win AFL International Cup.jpg-large
Photo: PNG's Mosquitos celebrate after winning the AFL International Cup by just three points from Ireland at the MCG (Twitter: @AFLIC14)
Papua New Guinea's national Australian Rules team are the International Cup champions after a three-point win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Mosquitos scraped home against a strong Ireland side, reversing the result of the previous grand final in 2011.
Goal-kicking captain, Mick Finn, gave Ireland a strong start, kicking the first two goals of the match.
Ireland stayed in front for three quarters and PNG went into the final quarter three points behind, 3.8 (26) to Ireland's 4.5 (29).
The Mosquitos then hit the lead for the first time through Brendan Beno before Finn responded immediately with his fourth goal.
John Ikupu put PNG in front with four minutes to go and Gideon Simon followed up to put the Mosquitos nine points ahead.
The two late goals were enough and the side lead by John James Lavai took out the championship, 6.9 (45) to 6.6 (42).
The Cup's been held every three years since 2002, bringing together fans of Australian Rules football from some unlikely places.
PNG has been the only team to make all four grand finals and now has won the championship twice.
Teams fronted up from Finland and Sweden, France and Britain, Canada and the US, Ireland, Japan, India, Indonesia, China, Pakistan and South Africa.
There were also teams from Pacific nations PNG, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

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