Australian, New Zealand and Timorese veterans take to Football pitch concluding INTERFET 20th Anniversary

Australian, New Zealand and Timorese veterans took to the football pitch ‪on Friday afternoon‬ in a social match to conclude the INTERFET 20th anniversary commemorations in Dili, East Timor.

LTCOL Martin Dransfield and WO2 Ed Dore-Wright pulled up their socks to represent the NZ in the mostly Australian INTERFET team while the Falantil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) fielded their Chief and Vice Chief of Defence Force, General Lere and Brigadier Falur.

Former Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and General Sir Peter Cosgrove took on goalie duties cheered on by the enthusiastic crowds, however it didn’t go unnoticed when Cosgrove subbed out when the action headed down his end of the pitch.

The INTERFET team dominated the first half of the game keeping the ball under control against a skilled F-FDTL side. The tide turned in the second half with the F-FDTL team using their home ground advantage to score a stunning goal.

The crowd leapt to their feet when an INTERFET goal was deftly caught by Gusmão. This was quickly followed by an INTERFET player pulling a theatrical hammie. Thanks to Gusmão’s administrations the player made a miraculous recovery eliciting good-natured laughter from the gathered crowd.

The game ended in a draw, shirts were swapped and it was agreed that sport was indeed the winner on the day.

LTCOL Martin Dransfield and WO2 Ed Dore-Wright pulled up their socks to represent the NZ in the mostly Australian INTERFET team while the Falantil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) fielded their Chief and Vice Chief of Defence Force, General Lere and Brigadier Falur.Former Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and General Sir Peter Cosgrove took on goalie duties cheered on by the enthusiastic crowds, however it didn’t go unnoticed when Cosgrove subbed out when the action headed down his end of the pitch.

The INTERFET team dominated the first half of the game keeping the ball under control against a skilled F-FDTL side. The tide turned in the second half with the F-FDTL team using their home ground advantage to score a stunning goal.

The crowd leapt to their feet when an INTERFET goal was deftly caught by Gusmão. This was quickly followed by an INTERFET player pulling a theatrical hammie. Thanks to Gusmão’s administrations the player made a miraculous recovery eliciting good-natured laughter from the gathered crowd.

The game ended in a draw, shirts were swapped and it was agreed that sport was indeed the winner on the day.