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The Thailand soccer team were crowned champions at Auckland's inaugural Ethnic Soccer Cup yesterday, beating Croatia 2-1 in a nail-biting penalty shootout final.
About 35,000 people attended the Auckland International Cultural Festival at War Memorial Park in Mt Roskill - with the Ethnic Soccer Cup a highlight for many.
Thirty-two teams representing countries such as Fiji, Sudan and Greece fought it out in the seven-a-side soccer tournament. But there could only be one winner, with Thailand taking home the trophy.
Police officers had to step in after a scuffle broke out on the pitch between the Afghan and Somali soccer teams, but no arrests were made.
Auckland City Councillor Penny Sefuiva said the festival was a fantastic celebration of Auckland's rich and diverse cultures.
"We encourage all Aucklanders to come and find out more about different nationalities, share in different cultures, and meet some of the new people who live in Auckland's communities."
The festival is in its ninth year.
