Australia are the new IFAF Asia-Oceania men’s continental champions having beaten Japan 23-19 in the tournament’s gold medal game.
As winners of the Oceania and Asia competitions respectively, both Australia and Japan have qualified for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships to be played in Germany next summer. They will be joined by American-Samoa who beat China 41-34 in the Bronze Medal Game.
“Ningbo has treated to us to a true feast of flag football to close this IFAF Continental Series in superb style,” said IFAF President Pierre Trochet. “With thanks to the efforts of all the athletes, officials and our outstanding partners at the CRFA and Ningbo Local Organising Committee, I am leaving China with my heart full and my head spinning at the possibilities for our sport throughout this Asia-Oceania region.
“The jump in participation and performance levels over two years since the first edition of this championship puts flag football on an incredible trajectory - and what we have seen today from the junior teams makes me believe this region can become a new powerhouse of the sport. Australia, Japan and American Samoa will now have the chance to test themselves on the global stage in Düsseldorf and the rest of the world is on notice.”
The men’s championship game result was a reversal of the bronze medal game from two years ago when Japan triumphed.
“We had great preparation, everyone believed, all the players supported each other and just a great game today,” said Australia quarterback and game MVP Jared Stegman. “We had some adversity, the first time we've had some serious adversity together, and we were able to stick together and just keep playing the whole way through. Everyone's excited to get to work and build off this win.”
Australia head coach Drew Aumavae added: “It’s the players, that’s the secret. It just took a lot of going back to the fundamentals and they bought into that. It’s basically a foundation and we’ll just build on that.”
Japan took a 6-0 lead when quarterback Takehito Taniguchi went to Riki Matsui high in the end zone, but Australia struck back immediately with a touchdown from Marcel Pascual. A safety edged Australia 8-6 ahead, giving them a lead they would not relinquish.
A Jacob Atley touchdown made it 14-6 then after Kodai Okumura’s diving grab in the front of the end zone for a score, Japan was unable to tie the score as a two-point pass attempt was batted down.
Australia quarterback Stegman hit Atley for his second touchdown and Pascual for the point after to open a 21-12 advantage which increased by two more points through a second safety.
Taniguchi reduced the arrears with another touchdown pass to Matsui, but with a four-point cushion Australia was able to run the clock down and claim victory.
Japan had advanced to the Asia-Oceania final with a dramatic 40-39 win over host China to win the Asia tournament. Australia was the tournament’s only unbeaten team having beaten American Samoa and New Zealand twice during the Oceania group round robin.
Asia-Oceania Gold Medal Game Australia 23 Japan 19
Asia-Oceania Bronze Medal Game American Samoa 41 China 34
Asia-Oceania Fifth Place Game New Zealand 44 Thailand 34
Asia Tournament Final Japan 40 China 39
3rd Place Thailand 32 Indonesia 20
5th Place Philippines 26 Kuwait 12
7th Place Singapore 19 Korea 14
Losing quarterfinals bracket Kuwait 40 Korea 31 Philippines 41 Singapore 19
9th to 11th Place Hong Kong, China 39 Jordan 8 Jordan 34 India 12 Hong Kong, China 34 India 23
Asia Competition Final Standings 1st Japan 2nd China 3rd Thailand 4th Indonesia 5th Philippines 6th Kuwait 7th Singapore 8th Korea 9th Hong Kong, China 10th Jordan 11th India
Oceania Competition Final Standings 1st Australia 2nd American Samoa 3rd New Zealand
