The World Masters Games 2025 Taipei & New Taipei’s Men’s Football (11-man open) 65+ Gold Medal Game took place today. “Taipei Team”, led by Yu Chien-Cheng’s winning goal, defeated the “Canberra Old Boys” from Australia, en route to winning the Gold. Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-Chuan visited the venue and cheered on the athletes before presenting the medals during the ceremony. He joked during his presenting speech, “I am 67 now, and I am participating in the next WMG! See you next time! Enjoy the food and the scenery Taipei and New Taipei City have to offer after the game!”
Although the “Canberra Old Boys” fell short of winning the gold, they displayed their experience and resilience throughout the game, showing fighting spirit and calmness, as they won the silver at WMG2025. This veteran team from Australia first participated in the World Masters Games in 1994 and has competed in the WMG eight times, earning two golds, one silver, and one bronze on the trophy wall. They have also advanced to the 65+ group from the 45+ group since their debut. The coach, also a first-generation player, Alan Froud, said they are heading to the 70+ group and will continue to write their chapter.
Froud has complimented the trip. “The games are great this time. People are all friendly, and it’s a great tournament. Everybody is having a great time, we appreciate it very much.” After they arrived in Taipei, many of them toured around when available. When asked about cuisines, Froud said, “There are so, so many!” He also pointed out his favorites: Sweet and Sour Pork, Shrimp Rice, and Sweet Cakes. He also likes bubble tea, (traditional) tea, and especially the Beer. Froud also spoke about their plan for the next WMG, “Everybody enjoyed themselves, and we would like to keep playing. We are two years away from the next WMG in Japan; we are all getting older, so we will see how it goes then. But our plan is to keep playing.”
The Captain, Alan Greenslade, is also a first-generation player of the “Canberra Old Boys” and is celebrating his 76th birthday today. He said, “I started to play football since I was a kid, I really love it. The passion is what keeps us here today, and I enjoy the atmosphere when we all play together. Football keeps me healthy, keeps me happy, so I will continue to play football until the end of the days.”
Greenslade is very impressed, “It’s a beautiful. Everyone here is lovely, kind, and nice, and the weather is beautiful. It’s a great place and I am coming back again!” With limited time, he enjoyed the cuisine. When being asked about whether he had tried “stinky tofu” or not, he laughed and shook his head, “No, No, Never, it stinks too much!” Greenslade said the team will host a birthday party for him before they head back to Australia tonight.
Winning the games or not, the “Canberra Old Boys” proved that “The Age is merely a Number” by their undeniable passion and unparalleled perseverance. With love, you can keep running on the pitch.
