Darwin hosts its first Asian Cup qualifier, strengthening cultural ties between nations

Darwin hosted its first Asian Cup qualifier, in which Australia’s northernmost neighbor Timor-Leste secured a narrow victory over the Maldives.

It was the first time a match in a major continental competition had been played in the Northern Territory.

The match was part of the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) qualifiers for the 2027 Asian Cup, with Timor-Leste’s victory meaning they are still in contention for the third round of the competition.

Speaking before the match, Timorese defender Jackson Pereira Fowler said for him and many of his teammates the match was an opportunity to showcase their talents and culture in a country where many Timorese had sought refuge after fleeing war.

Australian-born Pereira Fowler said playing in Darwin would be extra motivation for the team as some considered it “their second home”.

“The atmosphere would definitely make us feel more comfortable for the Dili players, and it would be good for us as a team,” he said.

Playing at home away from home

Timor-Leste’s consul general in the Northern Territory, José Amorim Dias, said the decision to hold the qualifiers in the Northern Territory came after the construction of new sports facilities in Dili left the Timor-Leste team without a field.

This led the Timor-Leste Football Association to request Football Australia and the federal government for the match to be played in Darwin.

In a statement, Football Australia said it was “proud to support its ASEAN Football Federation member association, the Timor-Leste Football Federation, in approving Darwin as a neutral venue” for the qualifiers.

Mr Dias said he hoped bringing the men’s football team to Darwin for the crucial match would help deepen the country’s ties with Australia.

“Football helps strengthen people-to-people ties…but it also helps strengthen bilateral relations between Timor-Leste and Australia,” he said.

Mr Dias said he hoped to see more collaboration between Australia and Timor-Leste to address social and economic issues, which he said would contribute to the development of both countries.

Sporty driving change

Football Northern Territory chief executive Jamie Monteith said he would like to see more major sporting events take place in the territory and believed it could bring communities together.

“(This match) is another opportunity to bring high caliber football to the territory from a national perspective (and) it allows our players to witness and see what international football is like,” he said.

Pereira Fowler said he believed sporting events like this could have huge positive impacts on the communities involved, particularly for young people.

“It will show other Timorese children in Dili, Darwin and wherever they are… that one day, I hope, (they can) be where I am now,” Pereira Fowler said.