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.

'Tis The Season

Well I was in the Americas, Porto Alegre to be exact as I stumbled across a match that was part charity match and part testimonial for Argentine international Andres D'Alessandro. Part of the match revenue would go to a charity for street children I was told but my understanding of Portuguese is limited so apologies if it was incorrect news.

Did a bit of sight seeing and I noticed large masses of Internacional fans around so like any football loving tourist would do would naturally find the source of the congregation. Initially I thought it was a player unveiling and thought this is rather over the top for that especially when there were ticket booths open. The ticket cost me 40 reais which is roughly 19 Australian dollars and i managed to buy them without ID which apparently was supposed to happen.

So I walked in and picked my seat as it was general admission and picked a nice sport in the corner to view both goals and the action. This is the same venue where Australia lost to the Netherlands 3-2 in that very eventful match where Australia were on track to snatch victory only to take the foot off the pedal and fall asleep at the wheel like the rest of their World Cup campaign panned out to be.

The match was contested by "friends of D'Alessandro" and "Stars of the World" (English translations). I had a bit of a laugh about the world stars team as it reminded me of the Socceroos 1999 match in Sydney that was built up as the best in the world playing Australia but got watered down constantly to the point there virtually were no stars.

Most if not 95% of the players were not wearing shin guards which is very customary for these charity matches in Brazil which are quite the fixture after the football season is done and dusted in early December as the gentleman's rule is no heavy tackling. Many of these players are former greats  and internationals of the game such as Ze Roberto, Dunga or Zanetti, Amaral or Zico.

The match was full of drama to simply entertain the crowd to make them laugh. I rather liked this as it was almost like a football theatre but in an open stadium in front of 35,500 fans. D'Alessandro or Dale as he is called was instrumental in most of the action scoring two goals himself. There was a moment a World Stars player was pushing up to the box then stopped with the ball at his feet. Every player stopped and waiting for him. Angrilly he was gesturing to his team mates and the opposition to get out of the way he is now taking the shot for goal. The crowd began an enormous rapture of laughter as he took the shot but was saved by the keeper who had to dive low and to his right. After all that the player who took the shot thanked the crowd, players and referee for being good sports.

The match was 5 goals to 2 in favour of Dale's team but with 5 minutes to go the referee has had enough blows his whistle and stops play. He asks one of the players to swap shirts and be the referee while he has a go at playing. Well what happens next is a penalty is given and the referee now has the duty of taking it from the spot. He misses but the referee was informed that the keeper was off his line and a retake is required. Goal scored this time with the match ending 5-3 in favour of Friends of Dale.

Food was there and plentiful but with so many people there and the nature of Brazil it became rather difficult to get it. Popcorn was 7 reais (3) with soft drink in 600mL bottles for 5 (2) but pay 10 (4) and you get a plastic collectors cup to take home with you; I must warn you numbers in brackets are Australian dollars. Water was 4 (1.80), pizza was 10 (4), potato 10 (4) and beers were 8 (3.50).

They have people come up and down like at the baseball asking if anyone wants food. I saw a hot-dog vendor but i couldn't get to him or flag him down as my Portuguese is atrocious. All in all a good place to watch football and for an Australian perspective value for money for food and drink there.

For the pure chance of going to a football game in Brazil when due to my travel plans had me unable to attend other events in the country it was a nice pleasure to be able to watch some football in the name of charity at a world cup venue.

Cup Final That Fell Flat

Well the inaugural Football Federation Cup concluded for this season and in general it was a very big success and I for one am a huge advocate for the continuation of this tournament.

Perth Glory travelled to Adelaide United's home ground to try and defy the odds in front of a sea of red of Adelaide fans who were rather quiet until later on in the game. Perth were just never really in this contest but were competitive for the first 20 minutes. Adelaide United were just simply too good and ran out 1-0 winners. Fair credit to Perth for, despite being dominated in every facet by the hosts they held firm to only let in one goal which was rather difficult to try and keep out.

Would have to say the way the FFA conducted the match was rather poor as it did not feel like a cup final rather like a regular season fixture with a bit more riding on it. There was no match day program, the announcers were heavily parochial and the confusing switching of the away bays were a few issues that the FFA really should look at. It is the nature of Australian football to not really have a set venue like in the English FA Cup but adequate preparation of say a gap of a month or 2 mixed in between A-League fixtures can give supporters plenty of time to plan a trip to support their team and raise the capital to make an assault on the host city's many drinking and eating establishments!

Drink was pretty good as coopers were 7 dollars; cool drinks and water was 4.50 with a dedicated lane at the bar to speed up the process for those who just want something non-alcoholic which was nice. The crowds being a 16,000 sell-out made it rather difficult to try and obtain information on the food side of things, also compounded by the fact I was there with the Perth supporters and clearly was getting harassed and a few morons were trying to start fights.

Viewing at the ground is not great and you are rather exposed to the elements at Hindmarsh. It is very much like a US style sporting venue where there is no cover and it is just seating.

The royal box set up was rather amusing being a guard rail from a landing to one of the grandstand entrances. However it was nice of the FFA to try something despite getting everything else wrong for a cup final.

Well that is it for me for this Adelaide adventure I shall try and make my way to other venues this Christmas period but with me on holidays that may be difficult. May all my readers and my supporters have a safe and merry Christmas with a great New Year's celebration trailing behind!

Wickets Fall in Leafy Perth's North

Ventured to the mid-northern suburbs of Perth on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for some Northern Suburban Community Cricket (yes it is a mouthful!) Association; or NSCCA to watch Warwick Greenwood play host to Osborne Park in a C Grade one day match.

The Saints won the toss and sent Warwick-Greenwood into the field in what would end up being a very brief innings for Osborne Park. The Reds bowled them all out for 40 with a hat-trick thrown into the excitement of the early afternoon.

Warwick Greenwood were always in control after that bowling effort and posted a very strong score of 213 for the loss of 8 wickets, some valuable bonus points there for the end of the season I was told.

Drinks are always affordable at the ground and with cool drinks at 2 dollars you couldn't complain. No food is provided but plenty of drinks around the 4-6 collar mark to keep you at the ground and watching the entertainment on the field.

All in all a good afternoon and if you are needing some sport to fill in the void between NPL, or between A-League matches then a enjoyable few hours at the cricket can certainly help cure that itch.

Perth Shine Bright Against Victory

Perth Glory battled it out against the much fancied and strong Melbourne Victory at nib Stadium on Wednesday to progress to the semi finals of the Football Federation Cup.

Melbourne were the better side for most of the match with the visiting side pushing forward and providing the troops at every opportunity. Perth were not connecting passes or were simply too slow in moving the ball around and Victory were able to negate any challenges. However much like Perth's performances in their last home match against Brisbane not so long ago did have moments of brilliance and were able to stun Melbourne's defence and delight the 3900 odd crowd.

Hersi's work rate was a major positive and combined with Thwaite's defending, Dulbic's tough no-nonsense approach and Keogh's deft skills caused all sorts of issues for Melbourne. Barbarouses was causing a lot of problems for Perth down the flank which was a concern but when Da Silva came on combined with Jamieson, Risdon and Maclaren working hard the match was taken to extra time and Perth won 4-2.

nib never fails in the food department. Why you ask? (of even bother to ask) ;) Well the drinks are stupidly expensive and the food is also the same with very little in return. Once again cool drink was an insane 5 dollars with small chips at 5.70. All burgers were 10 dollars and I have forgotten how crazily priced the other items like chicken wraps were, but they had a variety of crafted pies not the Mrs Mac's style which might be a nice touch but so expensive.

My advice like always is to either eat at a local pub, restaurant before hand, fast food joint, home or even get something and smuggle it into the ground. Yes it isn't allowed or fair but why part with little change when you have to bring 50 dollar notes? I know Perth is becoming ridiculously expensive but we shouldn't have to just complain and put up with it. We have to vote with our wallets by boycotting.

Country Football at Bunbury

After a taste of grand final country football in Wongan Hills I had decided that a visit to bigger pastures were in order, this time Bunbury. The South West Football League was hosting their final match of the season between the Eaton Boomers against the South Bunbury Tigers at Hands Oval in South Bunbury.

Eaton were in control of the match from start to finish with South Bunbury having a few moments where they could have mounted a challenge but Eaton ran out back to back winners.

Was incredibly busy being the grand final but beers were at 7 dollars for Carlton Dry and Draught with hot dogs at 4 dollars. Queues were too busy for me to get anything else. Cool drinks were at 2.50.

The drive to and from Perth is much better than what it used to be but with such a bland and uninspiring landscape could do with a break in scenery with a service centre.

The drive down to Bunbury was still a great drive as I haven't done it for a little while and it is great to see life outside of Perth.