Ring-a-ding ding! The 2007 Asian Champs are already underway. Make no mistake about that. Yesterday’s blog was headlined “Proposed Match Schedule” for the Asian Champs. Today, that proposal was turned into pulverised pulp by some of the region’s biggest hitters.

The Malaysian Warriors “vote a firm NO for the seeding system!!”. They preferred the random draw of names out of a hat.

The Jakarta Bintangs roared back in support calling for the “random draw” to be reinstated.

The Bali Geckos preferred the new seeding system and couldn’t help but add, “one does also slightly feel that the (Malaysian) Warriors and (Jakarta) Bintangs complaints come from getting a draw not dissimilar to the Geckos draw last year. C’mon boys, toughen up! You know we’ll all be cheering you on to beat the (Singapore) Wombats!”

The Singapore Wombats chimed in with a “resounding NO” to the proposed draw. He added a message for Mr Pizza from the Geckos that, “we cheer (the Geckos) when you play against the Bintangs! Not fair mate. How about sharing the love bro”.

A bit miffed that they had been brought into the debate, the Jakarta Bintangs responded with “We cheer all the teams all the time, even when they are playing against us.”

The Hong Kong Dragons President who, incidentally, was nursing a hangover from 4 days on the beers in Melbourne said that his Committee “vote(s) NO and prefer the standard rabbit out of the hat approach”.

Sniffing a change in sentiment, the Vietnam Swans who just yesterday voted in favour of the proposed schedule, quickly convened a crisis meeting between the Pres and the Little Guy, Scotty Stacey. Following the meeting, our position had changed and we sent out the clarifying email –

Given the Vietnam Swans (as opposed to the Hanoi Swans) weren’t even an entity 2 and a half weeks ago, we’re a bit reluctant to tell the veterans of Asian Footy how a regional tournament should be run. So, we’re happy to go with the majority.

Fair to say that in our inaugural appearance at the Champs, we don’t mind who we beat.

As Vietnam’s Mr Football, Scotty Stacey said, “It’s all academic. Once they see the Swans in action, they’ll have to have a Sheedy Think Tank to work out how to beat us next year!”

Mr Pizza from Bali Geckos slammed back with, “if you’d like an opinion, I’m sure we can provide you with one… (there’s certainly plenty available)”.

At this stage, Thailand’s Organising Committee stepped in to declare that “the random draw will go ahead then” – but Rhino still thinks the seeding draw has merit for future years. He added, “It’s absolutely fantastic to hear the banter, bitterness of previous years and promises made for this tournament in the responses on the draw.”

Re the random draw, “Rowdy will forward details of the drawing of the teams, which will be done under the guidance of a representative of the Australian Embassy in Thailand with the ability for members of the teams involved being able to phone in to listen.”

Let there be no mistake, we’re playing for sheep stations in these Asian Champs!