The Suba-roos (Australian Men's Team)
I think we should focus on what we have in common: Hatred for Italy!
Now let's get into the second round!
everyone over here loves seeing a team like the all whites get up, the sooner you stop ignoring the flogs on fourfoutwo etc. is the sooner you'll realize how stupid the resentment towards Australia looks from outside.
I have been reading all your comments with interest and some of the replies. Some people are saying that they are anti aussie in the last few months eg. it was the way the FFA have treated the AW's but mainly because the aussies got stuck into us in the friendly last month. The fact is that Rory Fallon came out before the game and was quoted in the NZ Herald as saying there was no such thing as a friendly against Australia and all bets were off. If there were any injuries, so be it.That is not to excuse the Grella taclke which was as bad as I have seen. Should have been sent off and replaced in the socceroos. Tim C was also a shocker.
I believe that this resentment goes back to something that happened in 1981.
As an Irishman you are probably not aware of this incident, but at the MCG in 1981 there was a one day cricket international between Australia & NZ.
With one ball to go(NZ batting)we needed a 6 off the last ball. The Oz captain made his brother bowl under arm,the ball trickled along the ground and there was no run scored.I remember watching in on TV in Auckland and wanting to kick the TV in.New Zealanders were outraged and a lot of Austrailians were very embarrassed. It was not illegal(have since changed the rules) but was very unsporting.
Before all this I had been to a few football matches between us and Oz. In 1976 they beat us 1-0 in Auckland and there was no problem, but a few months after the under arm we played them in Auckland in a World Cup game.
The moment the aussies came out onto the pitch the booing started. It seemed to go from there
In the early nineties I went into the football club after a game and there was a live rugby match from Sydney, I can't rememder who Australia were playing but the room went wild when the oppo scored the winning try.
The saying goes 'I support whoever plays Australia'
I used to think like some of the guys on this forum but I would rather get on with my life that hold these grudges.I am a big AW supporter and that is all I care about. If Oz do well, good on them.Of course there could be another reason as well.The Oz government spend a lot of time and money on sports and unfortunately for us they beat us at most sports, not all of course, and sometmes this becomes tiresome.
I agree about the Canadians/Yanks. Think it is similar.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=10734313/
Does this story sound familiar to anyone????
Aussie u20's had a 1-1 draw with the South American champions, Colombia this morning. Sounds like Okon had the team playing some very nice football. Reading reports from the game, the stand outs for Aussie seem to have been De Silva (Glory), Irvine (Celtic) and Brillante's beard (Jets).
Colombia were considered one of the heavyweights pre tourney. Good young bunch of Aussies coming through by the looks of it (about time!). Most of them learning and plying their trade in the A league which says something about the league and the Aussie player development pathways.
Colombia were considered one of the heavyweights pre tourney. Good young bunch of Aussies coming through by the looks of it (about time!). Most of them learning and plying their trade in the A league which says something about the league and the Aussie player development pathways.
Craig Foster blog on U20s
I think it's very easy to get over-excited by these kind of results at this level.
Two years ago, we drew with Uruguay 1-1. Did that mean that we had suddenly turned into a footballing nation because we earned a draw against a 'powerhouse' of football? No.
Look at the manner in which the result was achieved. Says volumes.
And El Grap - I'd be excited if NZ achieved a draw, playing football, at this level.
Look at the manner in which the result was achieved. Says volumes.
And El Grap - I'd be excited if NZ achieved a draw, playing football, at this level.
Look at the manner in which the result was achieved. Says volumes.
And El Grap - I'd be excited if NZ achieved a draw, playing football, at this level.
Didn't see the Australia game so can't comment on that, but my wider point was really that 'this level' ain't necessarily all that impressive.
I watched the game and was hugely impressed....Foster was not blowing his trumpet over this performance.
OK this is only a youth tournament but anyone who watched the game would have had to be impressed by the Aussie kids. It was not perfect but they played with considerable skill. It was not "lets play tikki takka like Barcelona".They played out comfortably from the back. They passed accurately and mostly forward along the ground....loads of one touch passes. But what was impressive was the player movement...fantastic to see players pass and move. The 16 yo di siva???? what a talent. Pain on the left flank, Taggert and Brillant were also very good.
These kids are mostly A-league players....the future looks very bright for Australia.
Also you have to take your hat off to Okon, the coach. If that guy ever comes available as a Nix coach then we should grab him. Give him a few years to develop a squad and then watch the results.
Austin I agree with everything you say except your last point about Okon. Since when does being a good Youth development coach mean you are a good professional club coach? They are completely different beasts with different expectations and realities. If NZ were smart you might make him the NZ or Nix Youth Devt coach, but not the Phoenix coach.
Perth Glory 16 yr old Daniel de Silva, youngest player at Under-20's, scores for Australia in 1 - 1 draw with Colombia.
So. Interesting result then. Is this Australian football revolution still on the cards?
So. Interesting result then. Is this Australian football revolution still on the cards?
Australia 1 El Salvador 2. No.
The other result went against them also. They will do well to make it out of the groups now, even as one of the best 3rd place getters.
2-1 loss to Turkey. The Aussies will be waking up very grumpy this morning.
2-1 loss to Turkey. The Aussies will be waking up very grumpy this morning.
Chooks 1 Turkeys 2
"gilt-edged chance for Australia to score from 14 yards missed by Corey Gameiro of the Wellington Phoenix" - FIFA match round-up
FFA follow NZF in not understanding basic elgibility rules
I've always wondered how this rule would affect youth rep participation. What benefit do you get tying yourself to a particular country at youth level?
ahahahahahahahaa
6-0 down to France after 70 mins, ouch
Ends 6-0. only saw the last 20 minutes but only Langerak stopped it hitting double figures.
a pantsing.
great to see Giroud keep his Arsenal form going.
ahahahahahahahaa
It is funny, but at least they will definitely be at the WC in Brazil.
Tom Smithies reporting Holger has been sacked.