HK (then) Prez, Bowski and Swannies Prez, Fabbo at the Asian Champs, Shanghai Oct, 2010

At 2.58pm, on 21 July last year, the Vietnam Swans President, Phil Johns, wrote to the Hong Kong Dragons:

On behalf of the Vietnam Swans, it is my great pleasure to invite the Hong Kong Dragons to be the first international team to tour Vietnam for an ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau.

“…If possible, I would really appreciate it if the Hong Kong Dragons could confirm whether they would be able to tour on ANZAC Weekend 2011 prior to Sunday 25 July (in 4 days time).

“This Sunday, the Vietnam Swans will be having a reunion at the MCG. The Sydney Swans have invited the Vietnam Swans to their pre match function which we have accepted – and we have also invited a dozen Vietnam Veterans to attend who played footy in Vietnam during the War. In short, it would make an ideal opportunity for the Vietnam Swans to announce details of our 2011 ANZAC Match.”

The Dragons’ then President, Dominic Dunn replied less than three hours later at 5.50pm with:

“We are very keen to lock this in. Thanks for the invitation.”

And the deal was sealed.

Three months later on 16 October 2010, the two teams met up at the Asian Champs in Shanghai. After both teams had finished playing for the day, they met up for a beer on the sidelines of the Asian Champs Grand Final between Dubai and Singapore. During the half time break, Hong Kong’s and Vietnam’s Presidents addressed the players jointly about the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match.

It’s now nearly here. It’s now just five days away.

It is the 2011 ANZAC Friendship Match.