With qualification in the bag we were down to our last group game for the qualification process. And it was against perhaps our biggest rival in Asia, Japan. The Blue Samurai had also qualified and some pundits were wondering whether there was anything in the match
PRIDE
I would say that the pride of both nations was on the line, for the players as well as the fans. Both managers had hard decisions to make regarding the make up of the starting teams. In the end Australia still sent out a very strong side along with some new blood and the re-emergence of Nicky Carle to the starting line up, which pleased many. Whilst Nicky had a solid game and did not do anything wrong, he also fell short of some of the hype generated by some journalists.
After going down a goal prior to half time, it took K-Town hero, “Super Tim” to level the slate and then WIN the game. I think the Blue Samurai nightmares came flooding back at this point.
FOR THE FANS
I was in the crowd on Wednesday night and had a fantastic time. Mid winter, freezing cold, mid week and a dead rubber, but the fans turned out and just shy of 70,000 people enjoyed a great night in Melbourne. The GGA organised a meet up at The Corner Hotel in Richmond and we all had a great time catching up.
Muz, a Newcastle boy and GGA Nutter came up with a great banner that was displayed at the end of the match along the fence. Says it all really.
CHANTS
Some of the chants were great. “You only sing when you’re whaling”, “10 Kamikaze’s in the air”. It is a great atmosphere in the home end at Aussie matches these days, despite the efforts of some twats to stir up interstate rivalries (perhaps the topic of another post).
For me it was just great catching up with a group of people I met in Germany and have kept in contact with ever since. For me, that is the real benefit of following the Socceroos.
Australia will be a fantastic venue for the FIFA World Cup, whether that be in 2018 or 2022. I personally think that England’s will get 2018, but we are in a great position to get 2022.
What is not to like about Australia? We have some of the best tourist destinations in the World. We have proved without a doubt that we can host the biggest events the world has to offer. And we are one of the safest destinations on the planet.
JOIN UP
So come on people, get behind our bid, join up and show your support.
Last Wednesday was party time in Sydney. It was not the best game and the crowd was fairly poor. There has been plenty written about the game itself.
Friends
The best part for me was catching up with all my fellow Socceroo fans. It is the biggest benefit for me, making so many friends with like minded people. We started at the Lowenbrau in the Rocks for some lunch. Have a go at the platter here.
We took away the leftovers in a doggy bag and had a snack on the train on our way to the match.
Last Qualifier
We are off to Melbourne on Wednesday morning for our last qualifier against Japan. This is for bragging rights as we have both qualified. Will need to look at Asian Cup Qualifications now to work out when we will next get together for a few beers and pork knuckle.
With Qatar and Qualification out of the road, the boys landed in Sydney today to prepare for our next assignment against Bahrain on Wednesday Night.
No Let Up
I don’t expect any let up from the players this Wednesday. Although we have qualified I feel we will want the psychological edge over arch rivals Japan. I certainly do as a fan. I think only injury’s will keep Pim from fielding the same side he did on Sunday morning.
Party Time
This Wednesday will give us Aussies, who could not get to Qatar, a chance to party and celebrate our Qualification for the greatest sporting event on earth. I will fly to Sydney with my wife to join in the festivities, and am looking forward to celebrating with my GGA friends.
It started out against Qatar on Feb 6, 2008 in Melbourne. We won 3-0 that night. In the early hours of this morning, we again faced Qatar in Doha this time. The 4th time during this WC campaign. We settled for a 0-0 score and with that, “QUALIFICATION” For South Africa 2010.
It was not all that pretty, and the Qatari’s certainly came out swinging. They took the fight to us and gave us the toughest match against them yet.
Nothing to do with Rod Stewart, and everything to do with the Socceroos. 1 point from this match and we are off to South Africa, guaranteed.
It brings back memories of November 16, 2005 for me. Although I will not be in Doha tonight, I will be in my lounge room at 2am tomorrow morning (after a nanna nap) to cheer the boys on. And when it happens I will more than likely wake up my household and possibly my neighbors.
Pim Verbeek
There has been much written about Pim since he took the reigns. Most people had never heard of him at first then a great deal of the media and some fans have been highly critical of the way we have played during qualification.
Facts
We are top of the group
We have 4 wins and 1 draw, zero losses
Zero goals against
We need 1 point from the next 9 on offer to qualify
It beggars belief that people could be unhappy with this. Many managers and countries would be ecstatic at this position. 4 years ago we were looking to qualify for the first time in 32 years, and only the second time in our history. I for one am extremely happy at our position, and am extremely happy with Pim as our manager.
Players Frustrated
You could hear in the players voices this week, their frustration at the Australian Media who continue to snipe at Pim and his style. They are very defensive of Pim and of how they have played thus far. It is great to see the players back their manager to the hilt. I also like how Pim backs himself and is no puppet of the media. he tells it like it is and does not back down from his style.
Technical Ability
There is no doubt that our players are capable of playing a more technical style and perhaps scoring more goals. However, Pim’s brief is to “QUALIFY” our team for the World Cup. He is 1 point away from that.
We will qualify either tonight or on Wednesday night against Bahrain in Sydney, either way, Pim has done his job.
Stage 2
His next mission will be to prepare our team to play in South Africa and get to the next round or even the Quarter Finals. How ever he does this, he has my 100% backing.
This time 4 years ago, we Aussies had already clinched the Oceania group and were eagerly watching the South American qualification group.Who would we play in November? Uruguay again? Paraguay or Columbia? It went down to the wire and history shows that we played Uruguay and showed Reccoba that his “Divine Right” was to put his head up his arse. A special night in Sydney on November 16 2005 polarised Australians like no other match in our sporting history.
Qatar, Guitar? Whatever
Next Sunday morning our time (2am), we take on Qatar in Doha. We need 1 point from this match to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa next year. That is a draw. And if we don’t get the point there we have 2 more matches in the following 10 days to gain that point, and both of them on home soil.
AFC has worked for us.
By moving out of Oceania and into the AFC, Australia now plays more games against more creditable opponents. OK, we won’t play against a top South American team for a playoff but we may find one at the World Cup.
Excitement
The excitement is building for me. I have tickets to the World Cup now so all I need is for the Socceroos to qualify. And I will watch that in the early hours of Sunday morning, June 7. I may not be at the ground this time, but you still may hear me from my lounge room when the final whistle blows.
Celebration
The following Wednesday I will be in Sydney for our match against Bahrain. It is here where I will catch up with my many Aussie mates, some of whom will be in Doha. I don’t know if it will be the same as 2005, but I intend to give it a real shot.
Is this what Nemanja Vidic thought this morning my time when Samuel Eto’o drifted down the right flank to out step Vidic and score at the 10 minute mark? Perhaps Sir Alex has watched all 12 episodes of Fawlty Towers too many times and was lulled into a false sense of security.
Clear as Mud
It would appear to me that if you give the likes of Messi, Iniesta and Xavi room to move they will hurt you. And when you do it in Rome at the UCL Final, the world sees it. Apart from the opening 10 mins, Man U was totally out played by a far better Football team. Congratulations Barcelona.
Sour Grapes
For what was a game played at a very good standard of fair play, there were 2 incidents that had no place in the match.
1.Ronaldo’s two footed, studs up tackle on Carlos Puyol
2.Scholes two footed hack.
It was obviously frustration, but the game did not deserve such cynicism. Both ended up with cards.
It seems that Ronaldo’s sour grapes continued after the match, by indicating that his “father like” figure, Sir Alex had blundered with the tactics. I assume he meant playing Ronaldo as a lone striker. This did perplex many football pundits I am sure. But is this the key Ronaldo needs to unlock the door and flee to Real Madrid?
For the Record
1.I tipped Man U to win this morning
2.I am a Ronaldo fan. He just needs to “Harden the Fuck Up” and stop whinging. Play football Cristiano, that is what you do best.
“You’ll have to forgive him. He’s from Barcelona.” – Basil Fawlty
Just had e-mail confirmation that my ticket application is successful. It is still pending payment, but they just have to run my credit card details through. Gee I hope I gave them the right numbers.
I was so excited last night seeing the online status with a Green tick beside it. I do believe the rush I felt was better than sex.
It is now time to dive further into planning my trip. 391 days until it kicks off.
This morning at Stamford Bridge saw a UEFA Champions League semi final between Chelsea and Barcelona. a nil all draw at the Nou Camp last week really set this game up to be a classic. And by all accounts was just that.
Shame
The shame of it all is that it will be more remembered by the absolutely disgusting display by Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba towards the referee. The Chelsea players were incensed at up to 4 decisions not going their way, with the most damaging being a late hand ball claim that would have given Chelsea a penalty and the match. For the record, it was a 50-50 for me, there was no intent and the player had turned his back.
Disgusting
The scene of Ballack chasing the referee up the field screaming at him is just not needed in our game. It shows utter disrespect for the officials and for the game in general.
Then after the whistle we see Terry approach the ref and then Drogba lets loose with the most unprofessional tirade I have seen on a football field in a very long time.
Cheating Referee?
Drogba’s comments suggest he thinks the referee was cheating and then his coach, Guus Hiddink (I love the man for what he did for Australian Football) goes and backs him up by agreeing with Drogba in a press conference.
If you want to make such allegations make sure you have the evidence to prove it.
Enough time to win it.
Chelsea went 1-0 up in the ninth minute. The highlights suggest that Chelsea had a number of chances to increase their lead but failed to do so. At about the 70th minute Barca had Abidal sent off for a professional foul. I would argue that it was not even a foul. And I am sure if Barca lost we would hear a lot about that incident. Nevertheless, Chelsea played against 10 men for the last 20 minutes and still could not score.
The facts are that Chelsea had enough time and possession to win a place in the final and did not. A 93rd minute strike put Braca through on the away goal rule.
Stop Whinging
Chelsea fans should stop whinging about the referee and focus on why one of the most expensive Football teams on the planet missed golden opportunities.
In the end the referees and the players are humans beings and humans make mistakes. The referee could have given another penalty just like Essien could have scored a second goal. Neither did.
Disciplinary Action required
UEFA should take a hard line against Drogba in particular but also Ballack and Hiddink to a lesser extent. All for bringing the game in to disrepute.
Cheers
Tezza
PS: Why do women love Chelsea?
They can stay on top for ninety minutes and still come second!
