A massive congratulations go out to the Australian National Women’s flag team who have finished runners up to Japan and taking home silver after they reached the final thanks to a win over Malaysia.
The men’s team were defeated by the host nation in Thailand relegating them to the Bronze medal game where they also met Japan…..
2023 IFAF Asia/Oceania Flag Football Championships are the first time an Australia men’s team has taken part in an IFAF event since the tackle championships in Canton, Ohio in 2015. A women’s team had recently taken part in the 2022 IFAF tackle world championships.
Gridiron Australia sent two teams to the championships with both a men’s and women’s team taking part in the event, which is a part of three regional tournaments one each in the USA and Ireland to serve as qualifying for the IFAF World Flag Football Championships due to be played in 2024.
Flag Football has been added to the 2028 Summer Olympics as an optional sport along with baseball/softball, cricket, lacrosse and squash, which gives these flag IFAF events far more significant.
Taking part in the Asia/Oceania Flag Championships in the men’s competition along with Australia are, Japan, Kuwait, India, Philippines, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea and host Thailand.
In the women’s competition along with Australia are, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, India and again hosts Thailand.
Game Results Women’s
| Pool A | Oct 27 | Australia | 34 | Thailand | 19 |
| Pool A | Oct 27 | Australia | 39 | Indonesia | 27 |
| Pool A | Oct 28 | Australia | 53 | South Korea | 6 |
| Pool A | Oct 28 | Australia | 0 | Japan | 33 |
| Quarter Final | Oct 29 | Australia | 36 | Philippines | 0 |
| Semi Final | Oct 29 | Australia | 35 | Malaysia | 7 |
| Final | Oct 29 | Australia | 29 | Japan | 47 |
Game Results Men’s
| Pool A | Oct 27 | Australia | 50 | Kuwait | 7 |
| Pool A | Oct 27 | Australia | 38 | Singapore | 6 |
| Pool A | Oct 28 | Australia | 47 | India | 12 |
| Pool A | Oct 28 | Australia | 33 | Philippines | 13 |
| Pool A | Oct 28 | Australia | 12 | Japan | 20 |
| Quarter Final | Oct 29 | Australia | 33 | Malaysia | 31 |
| Semi Final | Oct 29 | Australia | 21 | Thailand | 48 |
| 3rd Place Game | Oct 29 | Australia | 7 | Japan | 38 |
The Japanese national team proved be the thorn in Australia’s side. The women’s team lost to Japan in the pool games and again when they met in the gold medal game.
The men’s team also struggled with Japan, dropping the pool game against them and then when they met in the bronze medal game the team from the rising sun took the win again.
