Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie

[kipper]

OI OI OI


Congrats to the Aussies on their 3-1 win over Japan. It was certainly a great match with the temperatures being around 38degC on the stadium pitch. The Australian team did very well to claw back from a 1-0 deficiet and I guess most people thought they were down and out. However with Gus bringing on Tim and John I thought maybe they stood a chance as I remember these guys certainly did wonders during their qualifying. The last 10 minutes of this match have probably been the most exciting I've watched so far in a WC match so far, and I've watched everyone of them. One thing I did notice and I think Australia really need to improve on is passing and going for the ball when nobody has clear possesion. There were many a times when the Australian players did some silly passes that were very dangerous (eg. not enough power in the pass or the other player not reading what his team mate was doing) and resulted in the ball falling short and sometimes being picked up by the Japanese. I believe against better teams such as Brazil they will make a meal of such opportunities and annihilate them. Which I'd like not to happen, anyway it was a great opening match for the Aussies (in the end), and the most goals scored since the Germany match where they scored 4-2.

Asides from that this World Cup so far has been really affected by the heat. I'm not sure what the temperatures were at the 1998 French World Cup but this one seems very hot. I'm not sure how the other teams are going but from the news the English team were pretty much getting unofficially warned by FIFA officials for stopping for water. Some of the players lost around 8-10lb in a match, even though taking on around 70lt of water per player. The decision sounds like a stupid one, and from what I've seen since they're now allowing the players to take on water. They even have tactics where players if tackled badly will stay down so the rest of the team can go to the sidelines and take on water. Why they don't just allow for a 15-30sec water break ever 15min I don't know. I think if this heat keeps up the South Americans might do well this WC. Not sure if the Ozzies will be used to playing in this weather seeing as seven of them play Premier League and so are probably climatized to the English conditions. Which are finished before summer anyway so they're most likely socializing/holidaying/sinking piss in the off season. Anyway that's pretty much so far, can't wait until tomorrow night. It's Brazil's first game and I'm interested to see how they start their WC effort.

[huynhie]

It's been a long time coming just to see Australia score a goal in the World Cup, but three in one game gave me a warm fuzzy feeling all round.

[Matt. K]

Is the soccer on?

[birddog114]

Is the soccer on?

Yes, was on last Saturday evening at Mudgee

[kipper]

Is the soccer on?

meh......I hope that isn't the general feeling of the majority of Australians, doesn't really send a good message to the boys.

[Link]

I reckon it's been a beautiful start for the World Cup, not only for Australia but for the whole game... I mean, lot of goals scored in those first few games, really exciting to watch!

Link.

[ABG]

meh......I hope that isn't the general feeling of the majority of Australians, doesn't really send a good message to the boys.

I reckon most people are watching and supporting the Socceroos Darryl, especially if the traffic this morning was any guide. A trip that normally takes me an hour only took 45 minutes this morning. Looks like there were plenty of people sleeping in.

You're right about the boys needing to be crisper with their passing and also about going in harder for the loose ball. I reckon the Japanese did a great job of putting some doubt in the mind of the referee regarding the Aussies being unnecessarily rough. The benefit of the doubt seemed to go the way of the Japanese on numerous instances. I reckon this may have had a bit to do with the boys being a bit hesitant at times too. The biggest worry for mine was the numerous defensive lapses. They're not going to get away with a game like that against a quality side. That being said, they did a great job of creating opportunities and finishing them (finally) Most pleasingly, the poor quality of refereeing didn't adversely affect the outcome of the game.

[gstark]

A wonderful match, and a fantastic result, marred by a hopelessly inept referee. I was wondering which game he was seeing.

[kenny12]

the last 8 minutes of the match was the best 8 minutes i've had this year

yes the ref needs glasses

[smac]

Rumour has it that the referee has apologised to Guus and the team......

[kenny12]

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,86 ... 15,00.html

no rumor !

[ozczecho]

A great game and a great result The pub went totally mad in the last 10minutes...good to see

[DJXtreme]

I don't think I've ever been so excited by a game of soccer as I was in the last ten minutes of that game! Fantastic!

I certainly looked to be damn hot on the ground. did anyone else see what looked to be a Japanese player drinking from an aussie's water bottle down near our defensive goal in the second half? The aussie looked none too pleased about it!

[cyanide]

I even got the convenience of watching the game at a civilised hour...

Fantastic result, had me jumping about the lounge for a few seconds.... glad I was alone!!

[RICPIC]

the sizes of these lenses used by the official sports shooters seem to be getting bigger, the front elements are the diameter of dinner plates. 95% are those grey numbers made by the bubble jet printer company.

[leek]

I take it that Korea are playing tonight... I saw about 5000 Korean fans making a hell of a noise on George Street - making their way (presumably) to one of the "Live" sites...

[PiroStitch]

Korea vs Togo....yay...

[cyanide]

*clap* *clap* *clap* *clap* *clap*

Tae-han Min-guk!!

Ooooh, I feel like I am back in Korea...... Go the Reds....