The CBA is now open for business in Vietnam

At last week’s match against the HMAS ANZAC, we quoted the ANZAC’s coach, Irvo, as saying that “this is a momentous occasion for an Australian warship to play an AFL match in Vietnam”.

It was also momentous for a number of other reasons:

• In 2000, the ANZAC visited Saigon and played an AFL match against the Saigon Saints which still had a playing team at that time.
• Next Anzac Day, 25 April 2009, the Vietnam Swans will travel to Thailand to play in the Thailand Tigers Anzac Day match. The match is played in Kanchanaburi near the infamous Burma Railway’s Bridge on the River Kwai. It is a privilege for the Vietnam Swans to be invited by teh Thailand Tigers to play in their Anzac Day Match which will also be attended by several ex POWs.
• 

  The Vietnam Swans in the Vietnamese media

  The match received a mention on a number of Vietnamese news services including Vietnam News, VTV, the Vietnamese Embassy in Hungary etc. The match was included in the Australian Embassy’s press release from Hanoi. Type “Vietnam Swans” and “HMAS ANZAC” into Google and see the number of results. 

• Vietnam Swans ruckman, Danny Armstrong, wasn’t able to play in the HMAS ANZAC match last week as he was in Hanoi officially opening… the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Vietnam!
• It was the match that the new, black Bobby Brewers-sponsored shorts were unveiled.
• Vietnam Swans backman, Matty “One More” Johns wasn’t able to play in the HMAS ANZAC match as he was in Australia where he’s just had his first. The baby’s name? Jesse. The sex? We’re not sure yet.
• Vietnam Swans Captain, Gus McEwin wasn’t able to play in the HMAS ANZAC match as he was working.

A truly momentous day.