Cablog

Winners

Last night I took a rare Saturday night off work and attended the annual Sydney Swans/Collingwood footy match at Olympic Stadium. It was a chance to see how the passengers relax and also to catch the mighty Magpies.

Anyone who follows the AFL knows that Collingwood supporters are not only extremely passionate but the most caring, gracious and friendly people one could meet. So it was delightful to share their jubilation over crushing the hopeless Swans and their dodgy supporters.

At the end of the game my brother received a text message from a mate, a mad Swans fan. Her one-word message was unambiguous; ‘c...s’. After which a dejected Swans supporter farewelled a Magpies fan with a sneering suggestion involving a star Magpie’s mother. Choice.

A few weeks ago I collected a bloke from the Swans/Essendon fixture at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Upon inadvertently revealing that I followed the mighty Pies, he exploded, "How could you !? Have you ever been to Collingwood ? It’s full of drug dealers, thugs, prostitutes, felons, welfare cheats...they’re all criminals!"

Of course I forgave his outrageous lies; as a long-suffering Melbourne supporter he was just being vindictive. Winners are grinners. (images enlarge)

UPDATE : Supporters clueless

UPDATE 2 : I’m ashamed to report that post-game, a nephew was involved in an unseemly altercation with a completely innocent and harmless Magpies supporter. As this nephew already had 'form', he will be severely counselled at the next family BBQ.

Italy !

What a World Cup Final, one hundred and twenty minutes of football decided by bloody penalities. From a thrilling first half, with a goal each, to a classic arm wrestle for the remainder. A period France dominated and looked the likely winner but that's football.

What isn't football and overshadows a wonderful game is the sending-off of Zidane, in his final match of a stellar career. At the beginning of the game he was slated to join immortals Pele and Maradona, only to destroy it all with a brutal head-butt. Madness.

This for me is the biggest disappointment of the whole tournament, such a terrible act by a great player. If anyone finds out what was said to provoke Zidane - not that it can excuse his classless reaction - please leave a comment. I'm off to bed, exhausted.

Congratulations Italy !

UPDATE : Zidane mystery

UPDATE 2 : Zidane named World Cup best player. More World Cup awards here.   

Why Not ?

(image enlarges, original courtesy of CAULD HOTSHOTS)

Best and Worst

My favourite World Cup Blog has listed the 'best and worst' after two rounds of 56 games,

• Best goal: Maxi Rodriguez’s volley in extra time to give Argentina the win over Mexico.
• Best game: For drama alone the Croatia and Australia first round match gets my vote.

Despite my Aussie allegiance I reckon Argentina vs Mexico was the best game to date. For Worldcupblog's full list go here. Categories include,

• Worst game:
• Best team to watch:
• Worst team to watch:
• Best team not to advance: Ivory Coast. The Elephants were victims of the Group of Death.
• Worst team to advance:
• Best referee’s decision:
• Worst referee’s decision: The one were FIFA picked half of these guys and gave them $40,000 each to ruin games.
• Best fans:
• Worst fans:
• Best Goal Celebration:
• Worst Goal Celebration: Thumb sucking should be reserved for small children.

Unfortunately player categories were not nominated. Here's two of mine, plus a wildcard,

• Best playmaker: Argentinian midfielder, Riquelme
• Best goalie: Italy's whatsiname...
• Cutest fan: Mexican girl

(images enlarge, courtesy-CAULD HOTSHOTS)

It's Over

What a way to exit the World Cup, on a umpire's blatant mistake. Australia can feel robbed by this mistake, as can Italy for losing a man to another dodgy decision. In my book one cancels out the other. Unfortunately that’s world football, a game where too often umpires decisions have undue influence on the result.

That said, we must face the inescapable fact Australia played most of the second half with an extra man, dominated possession, yet barely threatened Italy’s goal. Whereas Italy, when they did attack, looked more likely to score. And sadly a lack of class depth on the bench denied us the chance to introduce a game-breaker.

It doesn’t really matter though because Australia have every reason to be proud after a memorable World Cup campaign. Just the fact we finally made the Finals was a win in itself but to advance to the second round was the cream on the cake. Ranked 44^th coming into this tournament we exit with a credible rating and new found reputation of which we can be proud. Congratulations Socceroos, played strong, done good.

UPDATE : Italian match reports in English.

UPDATE 2 : Penalty scorer Totti celebrated by sucking thumb in a dedication to his son.

Football Magic

Just a quick post before rushing off to work, late again after staying up this morning to watch one of the best games I've ever seen. Undoubtedly the game of the Cup so far. Namely Argentina and Mexico in a superb performance worthy of a World Cup Final.

A game with two goals within the first ten minutes, thence drawn until extra time when the goal of the Cup, to date, was scored. Simply stunning. Do yourselves a favour and watch the replay tonight, or at least tape it for posterity. You won't be disappointed.

History !

It seemed that English term, 'a glorious defeat' was going to be today's catchcry. Instead it's now, 'Yous bloody beautys' !!!Everyone take a day off in celebration, sporting history has been made.

Some Positives

Yes, we lost to Brazil this morning (live-blogged/comments) but there's three positives for Austalia's last and crucial round-match against Croatia :

1. none of our players threatened with suspension for the next game through additional yellow cards, received any against Brazil
2. Japan held Croatia to a draw in the earlier match meaning we only need to draw with Croatia, rather than having to beat them to advance to the next round
3. the credible performance against Brazil will give the team added confidence against Croatia

We're alive for another week. Go the Socceroos !

Australia World Cup Blog

Soccer Heaven

A real bonus for me this World Cup (blog) is being able to watch live games from Germany, due my 'sleep all day-up all night' routine. Yet being sick during this period one forgets very quickly who’s who. So many games, so much talent, it’s bewildering yet I’m really impressed with those teams fielding predominately youth squads, like Equador, and someone else I forget...

I’ve just awoken thinking about a sensational game I saw this morning, Argentina v Serbia/Montenegro, and I’m trying to recall if I’ve seen a better team to date. No matter, so impressive were Argentina I’m picking them to go all the way to the Final. And if there’s a classier midfielder in this competition than #10 Juan Roman Riquelme, please let me know.

Now, England, what’s to be done ? They are such a star-laden team yet produced the most frustrating football to watch. I know their style is hitting long balls up front to towering strikers or releasing overlapping wingers to slot vicious crosses into the goal square. And yes, they usually produce the desired goal but geez, one wonders what a more tactically imaginative coach could have done with such talented players.

One thing England do have going for them is their fans wonderful repertoire of songs, funny, uplifting or ridiculing. Compared to say...Australia ! Who can forget the Barmy Army's devastating taunt last Ashes cricket tour with, ‘You’ve only got one song !’.

Which has me wondering if the Aussie fans in Germany have been able to add some variety to their limited chants. Here's a collection of classic English chants, helpfully translated into German (trust the English). Further to this, can anyone, English readers especially, nominate more English chants, and the music they’ve adapted ?

UPDATE : Australia to bid for 2014 World Cup ?

Dream Start

Well the Socceroos last night proved my pessimism wrong. In the end. To win with three goals in hand gives us a real chance to make the second round, if we can hold Croatia. After watching the first half at City hotel I returned to work depressed at the 0-1 scoreline. And sick with the flu which, after threatening for the last few days, went ballistic with a running nose and heavy head. Call it karma for writing off the Roos plus having sushi for dinner. Un-Australian.

With twenty minutes remaining in the match and still one-goal down, I stopped to watch the final quarter at a Bondi Hotel. It was absolutely sensational and little surprise the Japanese capitulated after conceding the equaliser. That's the price paid after flooding back to defend a one-goal lead for sixty minutes, rather than maintain earlier attacks.

Earlier, at the fifty-third minute I came across this young Japanese couple anxiously watching the game alone in a Bondi Junction kebab shop. At this point of proceedings they may have been the loneliest Japanese fans in Australia, hoping they could just hang on. Yet with few cabs about and my pessimism still intact, I continued working around Bondi. May as well make some money I  reasoned if we were going to lose our first game. No faith.

Twenty minutes later I pulled into the Beach Road Hotel at Bondi Beach, and caught three Aussie goals in quick succession, sending the patrons wild. Australia 3 - Japan 1. This win also gives Australia regional bragging rights in beating the Asian champions.

From thereon in the City erupted in joyous celebration with masses of fans marching down George Street singing and dancing. What a buzz. Now I'm off to bed for a few days to serve my sentence for my shameful lack of faith. I'm a happy, sick puppy. Go the Socceroos ! (cough, sniffle, cough)