A real Aussie Battler

That tennis match just then was, in equal parts, both inspiring and depressing.

Inspiring because Nadal, who I presume would be in a world of pain with his damaged hamstring, decided to soldier on, even though he knew he would lose.

Depressing because this random injury cropped up at the worst possible time to derail what would've been a fantastic record for him to have achieved. I reckon it would've been easier to swallow if he had been fully fit, and was defeated that way (although the chances of that happening are almost non-existent, as he is quite hard to beat when not injured).

Realistically, it'll be hard for him to be gunning for all four Grand Slams at once again. But you never know. It happened once, it could happen again, him being so young and all. But I guess this is why it's hard to do. You never know when something random could just pop up and ruin it all. Better luck next time, Rafa.



UPDATE: Just saw his live press conference. Basically refused to talk about his injuries, because he felt it would be demeaning to his opponent. Also paraphrased the quote at the top of the Wimbledon tunnel, saying that he has to be able to take the high moments along with the low moments. Legendary.

I'm also quite upset that I don't get to watch Wozniacki tomorrow. I'm at a stupid NQT meeting. Sigh. I've taken a liking to her. I liked how she took care of Hewitt's daughter (or son - I still don't know which) when the fool decided to bring her (him?) on court at the Rally for Relief, and s/he started crying. Very down-to-earth. I half feel like not going. I wonder if anybody would notice. I doubt it. Usually, there'd be no roll call or any sort of way for marking attendance if I don't turn up, but if I decide not to go, they'll be making sure they get down the names of everybody attending. Murphy's Law, and all that. Hope the BIg Woz wins tomorrow, so we can see her in action again at some later stage.

Also, Australia 6 - 0 Bahrain. I don't know what's more surprising, Australia keeping a clean sheet, or Australia scoring six. Maybe they're both equally surprising, and they're secretly having a competition to be more surprising than the other. Not really that surprising anymore, now that I've discussed the hell out of it.

Also, also, Kevin Muscat. What a terrible, terrible tackle. And he has the nerve to look angry at the ref for giving him a red. He should be banned for the rest of the season. No kidding, that tackle was life-threatening. Ok, seriously, it was career-threatening. Here it is here:



Just in case you don't know, it's against the rules for both feet to leave the ground in a tackle, even if you completely miss the player and get the ball. As you can see, there are reasons for that rule.

Oh yeah, Arsenal in the Carling Cup final. Come on Gunners!!!

So a mixed bag of sporting news today. At least from my perspective.

On to personal life (the boring part).

Yesterday, I watched the Green Hornet with Paddy. One of the worst films I've seen. Seriously. Disjointed, unintelligible, not very funny, did not utilise 3D at all, and Jay Chou (who was disjointed, unintelligible, not very funny, AND was incoherent 90% of the time. However, he did utilise a little bit of 3D).

A lot of things to do, not very much time. Got to get cracking on all of this soon. Wish I had a girlfriend to help me do this stuff sometimes, but there you go. That's life, as Nadal says.

Happy Australia Day, by the way.

Word of the Day: Legend

Only in football

Only in football can a win be a defeat.

As sort of predicted by me last night, Australia got the win, but it mattered little, because we didn't score enough, and Germany didn't score enough/Ghana didn't win. It was actually heart-wrenching stuff. Comparable to Italy stealing the win against Australia last time. Although I think I actually cried then.

An excellent performance by the Socceroos, I thought. It makes me all the more sadder that we did that badly against the Germans in the first game. Their team isn't even that great. It's just when you're Australia, and you're trying to play defensively, you're usually asking for trouble. Sometimes attack is the best defence. At least then you sort of get to keep the ball, thus keeping it from them i.e. Spain style.

Anyway, the way the Socceroos were playing this morning, they could've taken on almost anybody. The pressing and the passing was all reminiscent of the way they played under Hiddink, when they actually looked like a team.

It's a shame that the golden generation should disband like this. If we had gotten a better coach in/played better against Germany, things might have turned out differently. I mean, the second-placed team in this group, which would've been us, plays the USA. While that's no walk in the park, it's manageable, especially if they play like they played today.

Ifs and buts matter not now. What's done is done. I'm going to miss this generation of Socceroos, and all the great memories that they gave us.

In all seriousness, one of the biggest regrets in my life thus far is not watching the Japan vs Australia game in 2006. All my parents' fault. That game means so much, especially because I missed it. Sigh. I never understood why they used to let me wake up ridiculously early, but not sleep late.

On a side note, I don't know why TAB and all that keep underrating Australia. You'd think that with professionals and stuff, they'd get it right sometimes. Against Ghana, Australia winning was about three times the payout of a Ghana win. Today, similar odds for an Australia win. Australia's not that much worser than Serbia, in my opinion, even before the game. I actually tipped an Australia win. Yeah. Bizarre.

Anyway, I hope a new generation emerges sooner rather than later. Doesn't look promising right now. But then again, a good coach can make a mediocre team good. Take Switzerland for example. I watched them beat Spain. Unbeknown to me, their coach has won, like, everything there is to win. And they played great.

To summarise, good effort lads.

Word of the Day: Socceroos

Le World Cup

I was informed by Marie, the French exchange student that Sarah has staying over, that in France, they call the World Cup...

...wait for it...

...this is so momentous it deserves a proper set-up...

"Le World Cup!"

Said, of course, with the requisite French accent. World-changing, that bit of information. You know, I don't really want to be going "Le Coup de Monde" every time I speak to a French person about the World Cup.

Speaking of accents, how funny is that Ronaldo ad? I don't know why. His accent is just funny. The first thing that strikes me (har har) is his pronunciation of places. Or, as he says it, play-cez. Here it is here, in all its glory.



I also love how he says "so do I" and "liquid engineering". "So-doh-why." "Likwud engineerink." Gotta love the guy. An arrogant, self-important, antagonistic, ball-hogging guy, but a joy to watch. The Premier League is a lot less exciting without him.

And speaking of French, a real pity about how the French team went out. Such a talent-laden team, ruined by in-fighting and politics. The would've done really well if they'd actually functioned as a unit.

And here we sit, on the eve of Australia's do-or-die match. Yes, the Ghana one was do-or-die. But this one is really do-or-die. Personally, I think 'die' is a bit intense. Having said that, it does promise to be a great morning (early, early morning at that too) of football, as so much can happen, and so much is dependent on what happens simultaneously in the other game. I love how people are talking about it as though Serbia are just waiting to be beaten, and it just depends on how much we beat them by.

Serbia, just at first glance, have one of the best defences going around. Just Vidic and Ivanovic alone would constitute a top defence. And the other two apparently aren't shabby either. One's going to Real Madrid, the other is apparently wanted at several awesome clubs too. Oh, and they also beat Germany, something which we failed to do.

However, as I have seen far too many times over the years, football is a crazy game. I've just realised at this moment how many random completely unexpected moments I've actually witnessed, and I don't even watch it on TV all that often. Arsenal v Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals second leg a few years back. Arsenal taking a one-goal lead at the Nou Camp, and subsequently getting destroyed by Messi. Wigan beating Arsenal at the tail-end of last season. Australia managing a draw with Croatia last World Cup. Chelsea getting knocked out by Barca in virtually the last minute of their second leg Champions League semi-final game. Kevin Muscat, the guy who never, ever misses a penalty, missing a penalty in the A-League Grand Final. Cronaldo, the guy who almost never, ever misses penalties, missing the Champions Leageu final.

The point is, anything can happen, and I believe that something crazy may just happen tomorrow. Yes, the odds are in favour of Australia losing regardless of what happens in the other game, but this is football, and part of its beauty is that the unexpected happens all the time.

Let's go Socceroos!

Word of the Day: Unexpected

Of Stevie Wonder and Henry

This story, for want of a better word, began on Friday after lunch.

So like, me and Linda were in David Jones, having been ditched by some unscrupulous people. Stevie Wonder came on, and we were bopping. Lo and behold, it was my ringtone. As if not recognise your own ringtone, Andrew.

To be fair, I'd only set it to my ringtone the day before. It was originally on 'See you in my Nightmares' by Kanye, but I decided that was too quiet.

It's now back to my favourite ringtone, 'Don't Go Away' by Oasis. It's very loud and distinctive, and I love the shredding of the guitar at the start. The potential for embarrassing, albeit classic moments, is reduced now. Don't know if that's really a good thing. It's a trade-off really.

So when I got home from the chill session at DJs, I visited one of my top 5 favourite websites, ESPN Soccernet, to see that the Henry storm was still in full force.

Please, people. If you're going to make such a big fuss about this, asking for replays and such, millions of matches would be replayed every season. A few off the top of my head to follow. First up, the one that touches a sore point with most Aussies: Fabio Grosso and his ridiculous dive in THAT match against Australia. Liverpool vs Birmangham a couple of weeks back, David N'gog and his comical dive.

I'm not supporting this type of behaviour. But shouldn't the ref have some responsibility, if not most of it? I mean, he missed a double handball from a player in an offside position. Surely one of the three refs should have seen one of those infringements. I don't see why Henry should take all the blame.

Of course all the Irish players are saying that they wouldn't have done the same in the same situation. That's because they were never in that type of position to do so. It's easy to say in retrospect, but I'm sure it seemed far more appealing to Henry to seal the deal in open play than to face the lottery of spot kicks. We'd all like to think that we wouldn't have done that, but if you think about it, you take a gamble, one kick, and your team is through to the biggest tournament on Earth. It's a hard offer to turn down, especially given the pressure on the team and the money involved in football today.

By extension, Henry's even taking one for the team, copping all this flack but helping his team through.

Yes, I love Henry. He was the reason that I started following Arsenal all those years ago. My opinion remains objective. My objectivity is apparent if anyone would have cared to listen to my rants. They would've heard me tell them that, although I felt the height of anger immediately after the Grosso dive, a few days later I came to be disappointed in the Socceroos for two reasons. Reason number 1: Italy are a man down. We let a fullback, playing in a highly defensive formation, get up into our penalty area in virtually the last minute of the game. What's more, the Socceroos can't even score a goal against them. Reason number 2: Lucas Neill and his flying tackle. Sure, he got the ball. But was it really necessary to go sliding in like that?

Cheating happens in football. The only way to stomp it out is with video replays, but FIFA seems so intent on letting match fixers have an easier time that this does not look like eventuating any time soon. In the mean time, the ref must bear most, if not all of the responsibility for failing to call up such a blatant foul.

Word of the Day: Henry

Just in case there's ever a war in Australia

Over the last couple of days, due to increasing amounts of time being holed up in my room, I've come to the realisation that I could live in my room, without ever leaving it, for at least three days.

I have a laptop with Wi-Fi, so I can stay connected to the outside world. I have a mobile phone, so I can stay connected to the outside world in a less nerdy way. I have a charger for said mobile phone, so I don't run out of power when communicating with the outside world. There's a PSP AND a DS, both of which I can download games for from the Internet on my laptop. I can even watch TV on my laptop, like I was doing last night. I have massive speakers, which I can hook up to my laptop or iPod, and fulfill my music needs when I don't want to communicate with the outside world, or when I'm watching TV. On the floor, there are about five soccer balls, two decks of playing cards, a shelf of Lego, and stacks of novels. There is a clarinet and a guitar. Just so that I don't run out of steam on either of these, I have about six guitar picks and about a years supply of reeds.

I even have food in my room, although this is due to the fact that I use two bags for uni, so when I switch I forget to take them out, then I pack too many the next time I use it, so I take them out, etc. I think I may even have a bottle of water under the bed, although cardiac arrest could occur if I were to drink from it. I can even study in my room, as all my textbooks and whatnot are right here. As for bathroom needs...well, there's a big window there leading out to the garden...

All this is fine. I could hole myself up in my room for a week, nay a month. But the thing that I can't get in my room, one thing that I can't fulfill, which I have also discovered this week, is human company. I don't know why. I'm not even that social a person. But I guess I'm only not so social around people I don't know. But I like seeing people that I do know and like on a regular basis. A week is far too long a time without exterior contact, which is exactly what's going on. So in a way, I'm looking forward to the exam tomorrow, because then at least I'll be able to see my homies.

On to the game last night. Just in case you've been living under a rock, don't possess any form of technology, have an IQ of below 50, or you're an AFL fan (snap), the Socceroos played Japan last night for bragging rights, as both of them were already qualified for next year's World Cup.

I must say that Japan has a better second-string team than Australia does. And Australia does, at times, defend terribly.

But we have Cahill.

When Cahill plays, Cahill delivers. He is the Australian Steven Gerrard. Who else scores two for you when you're a goal down?

Another standout player, in my opinion, was Nick Carle. Give him a couple of years, and he could really be something. He's the player that Australia's been missing for a while now. Someone with a bit of class, trickiness and touch. Alternatively, they could just put Isaac in the team. The other teams would just forfeit out of fear, because they know that no matter what they do, they cannot stop the inexorable might of Isaac.

Word of the day: Bedroom

You shall not pass!

Sigh. That is all.

Anyway, I made up the title of this post before I began typing, so I might as well mould (mold?) this post around it.

At the beginning of every semester, I hear a voice. Not a quiet one. Heaven forbid, I'm not that fortunate. No. It is a ridiculously, excessively loud and angry voice, that screams in my head. "You shall not pass!" it says to me, the voice reverberating around my head. Then I scream "I shall defeat you!" At which point people on the train are already calling the nearest asylum.

I bet the Socceroos feel the same way, with a voice saying "You shall not pass!" But who takes the blame? The coach, who, pardon my bandwagon-jumpingness, seems to have no idea what he's doing? Or should the players be criticised for their clear lack of enthusiasm? Or even the FFA, who should have appointed not necessarily a better coach, but someone who at least has more experience (which would, in effect make them better)? Or is it an amalgamation of all these factors, combining in what looks like a very likely early exit from the comp? I don't know the answer, and neither should you. I would be pleasantly surprised if you did. But if you think you know, then drop us a comment.

Have a good term everyone. Ignore that voice of evil that expounds the filth of dark forgotten realms. You shall pass.

Straight Outta Compton

It's been almost exactly approximately 5 months since my last post. I've decided to come back from hiatus because I seem to be gathering a massive fan base again. Not that I ever had one.

Australia 1-1 Uruguay on last update (can't afford Fox).

Anyway, I should be stressing about exams. Actually, I'm more stressed about what my tutor will say when I ask him about the contact process.

2-1 in Uruguay's favour now. Damn it. Goalie dropped ball.

Which brings me to my next point. Uruguay are over-rated. Who have they actually got? Forlan. Recoba. End list. And they're not even that good. We have better players, yet we struggle. It's amazing.

Still need formal date. Probably go scouting after exams. It's all Nigel's fault.

During the past 5 months, which is coincidentally the period of my self-imposed exile, I've discovered something. Something fantastic. Something amazing. I just can't remember what it is. I'll probably tell y'all in the next post.