Champions were crowned and cultural diversity was celebrated as the annual Victorian Cup of Nations (VCON) tournament came to a close at The Home of The Matildas on Saturday.
VCON is a festival that celebrates the rich cultural diversity within the Victorian football landscape. With support from the Victorian State Government, VCON brings together teams from various cultural backgrounds to showcase their passion for the game while honoring their unique traditions and customs. It’s a true reflection of football’s power to unite diverse communities.
VCON 2025 built on the success of its inaugural year, expanding to over 350 players from 22 teams for 4 weeks of play. It was fantastic to see familiar faces returning to the competition alongside new, determined challengers eager to claim the championship.
The day began with the 7v7 Grand Finals between Columbia and Indonesia in the men's and Afghanistan taking on Turkey in the women's. Columbia came away 2-1 winners, securing their second straight title, while Afghanistan claimed the 7v7 women's title after defeating Turkey 5-3.
Following the 7v7 Grand Finals, the tournament moved to the 11v11 format with Cyprus taking on Greece in the women's final before Columbia and India went head-to-head in the men's decider.
Despite trailing 2-0 at halftime, Cyprus scored an unbelievable 5 unanswered goals on their way to a stunning 5-2 win. The men's final was a similarly thrilling affair, with the scores locked at 3-3 at the end of regular time. Columbia's dreams of walking away from the tournament with both men's grand final trophies were dashed when India scored the decider in extra time.
Beyond football, the tournament was a vibrant celebration of culture and community. Week 2 featured an electrifying Lebanese drumming performance that had everyone on their feet, while the finals weekend came alive with the energy and color of a traditional lion dance.
FV Program Coordinator for Growth and Development Natalie Pafralis was ecstatic with how the tournament has run and applauded the Victorian State Government for their on-going support.
"What a spectacular way to close out what has been another great VCON tournament. Our goal is not just to bring communities together with the power of football, but also to offer a platform for those communities to share their cultures and learn from others. I strongly believe we achieved that again this year."
"This event would not be possible without the invaluable support of the Victorian State Government, whose commitment to increasing active recreation opportunities continues to empower multicultural communities across Victoria."
FV would like to congratulate our four fantastic winners and thank everyone who made VCON 2025 come to life, from the players and coaches to the referees and support staff.