Very early hours for us here in Oz but being a light sleeper at my age it doesn't make much difference. The excitement here was to see how the "Socceroo's" would venture against Chile and we were in for a bit of a surprise. Given absolutely no chance in our group we were a bundle of nerves and gave 2 goals away quickly but the ever present Cahill pulled one back and we were back in the game. His equalizer could so easily have stood but on this day it was declared offside by the minimum of margins. We pretty well matched them in the final quarter but like always, when you press up front you leave yourselves open at the back and we paid the price with another goal against. Good effort from the side but with the Netherlands and Spain to come we have little or no chance of qualifying. I watched the Netherlands v Spain game and it was worth it just for Van Persie's goal - what an absolute screamer and what an end result! Mexico made hard work of it after having two perfectly good goals judged offside and deserved their 3 points. Will be watching England v Italy with interest as despite England being written off my most I think they will surprise. I usually don't do 'mornings' but the "Child-Bride" has had early morning 'pick-ups' through her on-line sales business so brings me tea and bikkies at 8.00am as I watch the World Cup. I am usually joined by one of our Birman Cats who has no interest whatsoever but enjoys crawling under the doona for a kip. Looking forward to some great games.
The Oz lads did their country proud yesterday. In fact, I thought the game was the most exciting of the tournament so far. Even the officiating was well handled. It's a tough group, but if they play as well as they did they could have a major impact on which teams progress.
My thoughts exactly. I think a few will be having a skeg at him. Especially top end championship clubs
The first 2 games suffered very very poor refereeing and IMO the Brazil game had Fifa interference written all over it. The Spain v. Holland game was superb and Chile v. Oz not that shabby either. RVP goal will take some beating already. What a header. Superman has arrived in Brazil as one tweeted picture showed. Brazil and Spain look so poor in defence so far. Still early days mind.
SSN just reporting breaking news that Spain's Cesc Fabregas could be heading home early from the World Cup. No reason as yet known.
Despite the disgrace of the opening match, this has been the most exciting opening to a World Cup I can recall for years.
Have to agree. Even that last game between Ecuador and Switzerland was brilliant. I thought Ecuador sat a bit deep later on which probably lead them to losing but it was clear both teams where going for the win up until late in the game.
I find the banishing of fans' flags from pitchside to be a small but significant step in 'cleansing' football of its colour, quirkiness, character and soul. Which **** thought of that?
Another little touch of magic by Lionel Messi to score only his second goal in his World Cup appearances. Beautiful to watch. Here in Oz, 'soccer', as it is called here ('football' is Australian Rules Football) is the only thing that actually unites a nation. People who have settled here, descended from different nationalities, proudly wear the 'Green and Gold' of Australia to unite behind the team. Their is still a place in their hearts of course for the nation from which they trace their ancestry but it is still nice to see.
TigerRoo - are you based in Melbourne? As I'd agree with what you say in terms of the word football if you're in Melbourne/Victoria I find that Football is football if you're of English or Italian descent - and more people are calling football football (as opposed to soccer) If you live in NSW or Qld football is usually the term for rugby league (afl is called afl) Rugby Union followers call their code 'football' with rugby league being called 'league' and afl called 'afl' It's ****ing confusing!! But football is football
I do try and educate the Aussies when they say Footy and don't mean the correct version...... When they say its soccer i like to mention how the ruling body doesn't called itself FISA (although I'm sure if you was to offer an anonymous donation to certain peoples bank accounts, they would consider it) .....
When they then go on to ask why the Football Federation of Australia calls its National team (men) " The Socceroos" and the womens National hockey team is called "The Hockeyroos" and they play hockey, how do you reply?
You're 'doing an Allam' and confusing the team name and the nickname. They're actually called the Australia National Association Football Team.
Precisely.... There is one Federation called a Football Federation in Australia and they kick a round ball
I was based in Melbourne but have retired to a place called Traralgon in South Eastern Victoria. Our ethnic TV Channel, SBS, have overcome the 'football' being only associated with Australian Rules by referring to Association Football as "The World Game" which tends to infuriate die-hard Aussie Rules fans. You will remember that when Australia put in a bid for the World Cup the powerful AFL said that they would not move their season back which meant we would be extremely limited to available stadiums. I believe that there was some talk of Government intervention regarding this. As you are well aware, 'soccer' here is referred to as "The Girls Game" by the prominent AFL minded media as well as "A game for Girls and Gays" and "W**ball" as it wasn't a 'bloody' all-in body contact sport like the AFL.
