IT’S A DAY OF NATION AGAINST NATION
LOCAL soccer players will represent their country in a World Cup-style tournament at Barwon Soccer Club tomorrow. Fifteen teams will take the field in a round-robin style tournament, with three groups each with five teams each to kick off the initial group stage, before the top two go on to the knockout stage.
The teams include England, Scotland, Liberia, South Africa, Afghanistan, Macedonia, Vietnam, as well as two teams representing Australia.
To represent a nation, a player has to have either been born in the country, or have one parent from the nation they are representing.
“There will be team camps up with decorations of the country they are representing, (as well as) heaps of trophies and activities,” event organiser Dale Harris said.
“We’re expecting some friendly banter, particularly between the Scots and the English.
“England versus Scotland will be blood sweat and tears,” Harris joked.
Turkey and Scotland have faced off in the past two finals but Turkey is unable to field a side this year. While this is the third time the event will take place in Australia, it is the first year at Barwon.
It will be an event inclusive of people from all demographics and ages, demonstrated by the age of the participants as much as the nations they are representing.
“We’ll have some 16-year-olds and some 55-year-olds. The bar and canteen will be open, so everything will be there for little kids and adults to come along,” Harris said.