The Vietnam Swans were delighted to see Western Bulldogs Premiership players Tom Liberatore and Luke Dahlhaus supporting the growth of footy in Asia at Saturday’s successful AFL Asian Championships in Ho Chi Minh City!
It appears the clearly tongue-in-cheek article posted on our website on Thursday night prior to the tournament, which listed these two champions as emergencies for the Vietnam Swans has unfortunately been taken out of context by most sections of the Australian footy media – the boys were never actually going to play. Much to the surprise of AFL Asia, the Swans and all those present, Liberatore spent an entertaining 5 minutes on the field, helping out an undermanned Macau Lightning team in the Division 2 competition in their game against the Japan Goannas. Straight after kicking a left foot snap from inside the square, ‘Libba immediately retired to the sidelines to cheer the team on, showing his class with what will go down as one of the most memorable goals in Asian Champs history!
The 500 men, women, ex-pat and local footballers from across Asia were absolutely delighted to see the Dogs champions at Asian Champs, who along with ex-AFL legends Andrew Embley from the West Coast Eagles and Brad Seymour from the Sydney Swans, generously gave their time to assist the development of Asia’s aspiring footballers. We greatly appreciate the support they have shown towards our efforts to grow the game across Asia and highly commend the way all went about making themselves available for hundreds of photos and autographs from the record number of players, supporters and sponsors who attended the hugely successful tournament.
While we are disappointed the Australian footy media have chosen to focus on Libba’s unique haircut rather than the excellent footy that was played across the Champs, including a great come from behind win to the Philippine Eagles to win their first ever title, the inaugural 3-team all-local player All-Asia Cup and the first ever women’s AFL game to be played in Asia, we congratulate them on raising the profile of the mighty Vietnam Swans across Australia!
On behalf of the Asian football community we thank both Tom and Luke for their support of Asian Champs and being outstanding representatives for the AFL and the Western Bulldogs in Vietnam. We would have no hesitation in welcoming them back should they ever wish to further support the growth of Asian footy!
How Good’s Footy in Asia!
Featured image: Western Bulldogs champion Tom Liberatore with Vietnam Swans President Grant Keys and 2015 Club Best and Fairest Tom Doer at Asian Champs
#Honk
