Melbourne: India were humiliated 101-7 by Pakistan in a first-ever meeting of Australian Football League (AFL) teams of both countries in a friendly-match called ‘Dosti Cup’.
The match, played on Saturday, was one of the highlights of the 2014 International Cup. A team of 15 AFL players have flown from India to play five matches in Melbourne, while Pakistani team players were all Melbourne based.
Dignitaries from both country’s consulates and leaders of both communities were invited to witness the match.  This was the first time Pakistani team had participated, while India had participated in previous years as well. AFL Victoria engagement manager Xavier Moloney said the International Cup match was another example of how football can break barriers between cultures.   Â
“To have a Pakistan-vs-India game as part of the International Cup is really exciting and is part of an overall push from AFL Victoria to introduce the game to culturally diverse sections of Melbourne.
“We’ve had in a place a steering committee for a few months now with members representing Richmond FC, Essendon FC, the AFL, AFL Victoria and members of the Indian and Pakistani communities, to make sure the event is a success,†Moloney said.