Melbourne Asian Community Cup Qualifiers this Saturday

After an intense round of final qualifiers, the quarter finals of the inaugural Melbourne Asian Community Cup will be played this Saturday January 25 at the Darebin International Sports Centre.

In Group A Iran remained undefeated in its pool with a 3-0 win over Afghanistan with Hong Kong taking the second quarter final spot with a win over India.

Indonesia topped Group B and remained undefeated with a 2-1 win over Lebanon with Lebanon still qualifying due to superior goal difference over Thailand.

Group C featured the game of the round with Japan defeating Australia 2-1 to progress to the quarter finals undefeated with Australia progressing courtesy of its two previous wins.

Zambia topped Group D

with a 5-1 win over East Timor with Iraq also progressing to the quarter finals courtesy of a 7-1 win over China.

The teams eliminated were India, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Afghanistan, East Timor, Nepal and South Korea.

In the Golden Boot Award, Hong Kong’s Vito Tsang leads with 9 goals over Indonesia’s Arnold Konjol with 6, closely followed by Iran’s Hashim Ali Husainawy with 5.

Melbourne Asian Community Cup quarter final schedule:

Date: Saturday January 25, 2014

Venue: Darebin International Sports Centre

10.am: Indonesia v Hong Kong

10.am: Iran v Lebanon

11.55 am: Japan v Iraq

11.55 am: Zambia v Australia

Ken Lam, President of the Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association said “What a wonderful day of football and a great mix of qualifiers from Asian heavyweights Japan, Australia and Iran to underdogs Hong Kong, Lebanon and Indonesia to our guest team Zambia,”

“We look forward to this Saturday with some intriguing match ups for the fans.” Mr Lam added.

Arthur Gillion, Marketing Manager of Melbourne Victory said “The standard of football has been exceptional and it has been a pleasure to watch Melbourne’s diverse communities come together through football,”

“Melbourne Victory are proud to be involved in the event and look forward to the top two teams battling it out on AAMI Park on March 7.” Mr Gillion added.

The event is organised by the Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association with support from Melbourne Victory FC, Football Federation Victoria and the AFC Asian Cup 2015

Melbourne Victory star Adama Traore will also be attending the quarterfinals to show support for the Melbourne Asian Cup from 1.30pm- 2.45pm

For detailed results and tables click here http://www.mcsa-web.org.au/index.php?option=com_blankcomponent&Itemid=273

Remaining Fixtures: 

Venue: Darebin International Sports Centre

Quarter Finals: Saturday January 25, 2014

Semi Finals: Sunday February 23, 2014

Final: Friday March 7, 2014 ( Curtain Raiser for Melbourne Victory v Central Coast Mariners Hyundai A-League Game at AAMI Park)

For more information: 

– Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association Contact: Ken Lam, President: 0400 979 685

Email: mcsa.executive.committee@gmail.com

– The Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association was founded in 1995 with over 2,500 players having played in its tournaments including 750 active players.

Published in The Indian Sun (Indian Newspaper in Melbourne)