Asian Cup Glory

Decided to venture to Sydney to watch the 2015 Asian Cup final between South Korea and Australia. This was Australia's second final in a row with Korea's last appearance in a final since 1988. The crowd was excited and there was a sea of yellow with pockets of red making this game's build up very much like the last Asian Cup final, minus the confusion of the ticketing fiasco.

The game was incredibly intense, perhaps as Australia being the host nation chasing their first title against a much stronger Korean side really proved to be a great contest. With the Koreans pushing for an opener with the Australians countering with some attacking play of their own it wasn't until close to half time Australia broke the dead-lock with a wonderfully threaded pass to shrug off the defender and a calm well stuck and placed ball to put Australia in the lead.

Second half was as intense as the first with Korea trying to burst open the Australian defence where at times it looked like they were just about to score, only to be denied by a lunging boot or head to clear. However Australia couldn't extend their lead either as the Koreans proved just why they had one of the tightest defence in the competition. Australia in the last 15 minutes of the second half were stretched and were starting to wane but the defence still held firm.

However with a few seconds to go deep into stoppage time Korea pounced on a severely tired and over stretched Australian defensive line and equalised. The Korean support erupted with jubilation as the Australian fans fell silent thinking that this cant be happening to the fairytale. Australia must of found some extra juice in the tank as they picked themselves up and pressed during extra time. The first half was incredibly solid despite Korean attacks, it was an opportunistic goal created by belief to beat the Korean defenders then cross the ball and then to just slot the ball into the back of the net. Although it was hit on an upward trajectory, so many of these type of shots missed and placed on the blooper reels not this time as Australia went two goals to one and held out for the last 10 minutes of the game to win their maiden Asian Cup victory!

Food was as usual in Stadium Australia average with two hot dogs and a coke being 18 dollars with no sauce. Bread was dry and the sausage being all right but lost in the terrible bread. Sauce would have most definitely soften the bread to make it rather enjoyable. Instead the coke had to break up the bread instead.

Pizza, sandwich and water amounted to $22.50 which wasn't excellent but when you're drinking alcohol it is nice to wash down. I didn't drink at the ground as they were small cups and not value for money where I consumed many schooners at the Palace Hotel and Cheers Bar in the city before heading out to Olympic Park.

As I write this I am still stunned with the fact Australia are the Asian Cup champions. To now possibly think about Russia in 2017 was almost unthinkable at the start of the tournament. Well done Australia, deserved Asian Cup 2015 champions!

A-League Returns, Also The High Prices.

A-League decides to rudely return after a two week break while the Asian Cup is on being held by Australia under warm sunny conditions in Perth today. Why do I say a rude return? Well as far as I know no host nation of a continental tournament or a world tournament would even dream to dare running their league while such a big event is on. This just shows how the Football Federation of Australia think about the continent is compared to the local league. It is such an insular view of the game almost thinking that the game only exists with any meaning in our own borders and the outside world is full of savagery?

The A-League should have been on break for the FULL duration of the tournament as we are still learning the ropes of what its like to be in the AFC and for such a momentous occasion we should honour this correctly. Although I am glad that football is back the timing isn't quite so right and leaving me feeling guilty about siding with the fools in their ivory tower at the FFA.

However back to the game at hand I was watching.

Perth were never really in a dominating position throughout the game against the Victory and though some fortunate turns in the storyline for today's match ended up being an eventful 3-3 draw.

Melbourne should be rather annoyed for letting a very dominant 2 goal lead slip when the score was 3-1 to the visitors who were lucky not to slip to 4 or 5 goals to 1 scoreline in the second half.

Food and drink was the usual expensive bank loan style prices. For a hot day water was 5 dollars, so was Coca Cola. What message is the state government trying to convey through live lighter when cool drink and water are the same price as a product they are spending millions of dollars through advertising campaigns and sponsorship? It defeats the whole purpose of the campaign, plus people who genuinely are thirsty due to the warm conditions with a limited budget will have to forgo the basic right to be hydrated to keep their body working and alive? I know its an extreme conclusion but bottled water in this country really needs to be looked at and reviewed.

I did not buy anything today due to the stupid prices.