Go, Aussie, Go...you f$#@*& RIPPA!!!!

[boban]

Not a bad game at all. That Viduka nearly cost us though. He is no good in a crisis. That goodness for Schwarzer.

Would that be when Viduka held off two players to flick the ball to Kewell who fluffed his shot for Bresciano to slot it home for our only goal.

The worlds greatest players miss penalties. Thats why they have penalties to decide a match. Otherwise they would still be going.

I've watched Viduka play since he was teenager and let me assure you my friend, he is all class. That's why he always has players hanging off him.

The other thing. While Schwarzer did a great job, he can't lose can he. If they score its expected. Otherwise he's a hero.

[himzol]

You'd better not ask that question when your time is up and you stroll up to yhr Pearly Gates.

NOt going there anyway, too cold for me..

[Stubchain]

Best thing that could have happened in Australia. There is a definite move by SBS to wipe out that stupid name soccer. At least they are calling football by its proper name these days. After all it is the FIFA (football) world cup.

The name "Socceroos" should also be dropped and the team should simply be the Australian Football Team. They are on the world stage now and entitled to use the name football, stuff the AFL.

As for Viduka, well I'm no professional footballer but I have played the game at a reasonable level in the past. The golden rule of penalty taking is very simple, you never approach the ball straight on, you can only kick the ball to the left (for a right footed kicker) or right (for a left footed kicker). If you approach the ball from the side it gives you options. Viduka went straight at the ball, the goalie (and Viduka) knew the only place he could go, Viduka then tried to put it as wide as possible with the enevitable result.

The important thing was the result, Australia outplayed Uruguay for most of both legs and were deserving winners.

The result will put the AFL under all sorts of pressure over the next few years, especially if the team performs well in the finals. They also now will be playing in the Asia Cup, and the Australian League winners in the Asia Champions League, football fans will have the international flavour that the AFL cannot deliver, they cannot call that rubbish thing with the Irish a proper game.

Proper Football is the fastest growing sport in Australia, when the new international matches are broadcast it will grow even faster. The writing is on the wall for the AFL.

[martrix]

oohh stubs, thems fightin' words!
By the way, does anyone know where and how World Football got its name "Soccer" in Australia?

[boban]

Soccer is an abbreviation for Association Football. That is the 'soc' in association.

[bennylaird]

You can have your Football name if you like, I'm gunna stick with footy, mate.
It's not a competion anyway, both can coexist. Just keep crowd violence out of all the codes and I'll be happy.

[Grunt]

I tend to agree with Subchain. Soccer will put a lot of pressure on AFL and Rugby Leage not Union. In 30 years time AFL will be a curiosity. It is a pity because AFL is a much better game.

[bennylaird]

Schools prefer soccer as it means smaller grounds and less injuries. Also the melting pot here in Aust is bring more attention to the games played in the "old Country" where-ever that may be.

Not a problem, we can follow whatever we like, thats the beauty of Australia.... but keep it a sport not a battle of diffferent ethnic backgrounds and varoius state supporters in the crowd. This applies to all codes, and AFL supporters are as bad in this regard.

[bitingmidge]

In 30 years time AFL will be a curiosity.

Don't you mean "In 30 years time AFL will still be a curiosity?

P

[himzol]

In 30 years time AFL will be a curiosity

Well I for one hope not. I don't agree with the statment that it's a better game, it's just a different game.

I will admit to being a football (soccer) tragic (sp), but I grew up in Australia and have followed Aussie rules during that time as well as the fortunes of the Walabies, sorry still not keen on League.
I've spent the last thirty years waiting for the sleeping giant to wake and it seems now it may well be stiring, I just hope it's not going to fart and roll over and go back to sleep.

[Stubchain]

In my opinion no country that calls football soccer has ever or will ever win the world cup, and yes this means the USA and Australia.

No country that has league teams named "heat" "Power" "Force" "Jets" or "Glory" will ever win the world cup.

Australia is heading in the right direction but just needs a little more nudging. Another thing I hate is AFL commentators saying things like "Hurd soccers the ball", never heard anything so ridiculas.

[Daddles]

Sorry Stubs. The poms have won the world cup and they were the ones who coined the term 'soccer' ... mind you, they've only managed the trick once and call it 'football' back in pomdom.

Richard

[Driver]

No country that has league teams named "heat" "Power" "Force" "Jets" or "Glory" will ever win the world cup.

Whereas names like Wanderers, Rovers, Wednesday and (the late and much lamented) Stanley are far more logical, of course.

You're not happy, are you?

[bitingmidge]

and Arsenal, Hotspur and Athletic would sure as heck put a country behind in the world cup stakes too I suspect.

P (Soccer fan)

[bitingmidge]

Actually Stubchain, you may consider writing to the English Soccer League, and complaining about this outrageous description of the one true football, (if you don't count HackeySack which the Seppos commercialised and which actually does away with a few unneccessary things like penalties, goals and of course the "dive".)

Cheers,

P
http://worldsoccer.about.com/