Myanmar beat Vietnam wildcards to take inaugural Katanning Harmony Cup prompting calls for league comp in town

The inaugural Katanning Harmony Cup attracted six teams from Katanning, Narrogin and Albany with each side competing as a different country to bring an international flavour to the event.

A Karen team representing Myanmar were the eventual winners, overcoming the wildcard Katanning locals playing as Vietnam, Katanning High School, playing as India, Narrogin (England) and two Albany sides — the Sharks, representing Honduras, and Caledonian, playing as Switzerland.

The Karen people are Indigenous to southern and south-eastern Myanmar.

Also supplementing the activities was former Australia and Perth Glory star striker David Williams who ran fun-filled sessions for young players.

Katanning Soccer Association president Reece Salter said it had been a great success and called for senior men and women players to come forward with a view to establishing a regular competition in the town.

The event, on March 21, was a seven-a-side tournament hosted by the Katanning Soccer Association at the town’s top oval.

Narrogin played some entertaining football but lost to Myanmar in the opening round and despite winning their next three matches just fell short of a final berth.

The showpiece featured the two unbeaten Katanning teams with Myanmar edging the Vietnam wildcards 2-0 to take the trophy.

The tournament was supported by Football West.

Salter said it had been a great event – and hopefully the first of many to come.

“The tournament showed that football is alive and strong in the region, providing a platform for bigger and broader events in 2027 and beyond,” he said.

“Having teams play as different countries just gave a nod to the World Cup and also to the town’s Harmony Festival.”

He said the association wants to kickstart a regular competition for men’s and women’s sides in the area.

“We are looking for men’s and women’s players because it would be great to have competition throughout the year,” he said.

“Katanning is a multi-cultural town so it seems ideal for soccer, so hopefully the Harmony Cup will create some interest.”