Socceroos

What a tremedous effort.
The Socceroos have made it through to the final 16 of the world cup coming into the event they were ranked 42nd on FIFA's listing. Congratulations to Ghana who have also made the final 16 from a ranking of 46th.

The game this morning V Croatia seems like the most anticipated event in Australian sporting history, Considering the game was at a 5am kick off time its remarkable.

My brother and a mate came by to watch the game this morning, my brother said on the way he didnt see a household that didnt have a light on, everybody was up and watching. Reports of upto 20,000 people gathered in and around Federation Square, and after the match streets of Melbourne Victoria were blocked off for the party to fully kick on.

This mornings game against Croatia got off to the worst possible start in the 2nd minute a beautiful strike from Darijo Srna from a dubious free kick had Croatians going crazy. 5 Minutes later Mark Viduka was rugby tackled in the penalty box and play on was the call. Australia received a penalty for a hand ball and it was tucked away by Craig Moore in the 38th minute.

The score at halftime was 1-1

56th minute and Croatia retain the lead, Kovac turns Cahill and offers a weak shot that Kalac has covered, Oops Kalac turns into a spastic at this point and the ball goes straight through him 2-1 Croatia and there fans were singing.

Zeljko Kalac gets his name change made official


79th minute Aloisi flicks on by head a cross that lands at the feet of Harry Kewell, he uses a touch to control the ball and then slams it into the back of the net.

Harry Celebrates


2-2 a draw, Securing Australia 2nd position in group F.

The Referee in this game can only be labelled as "PATHETIC" two games in a row now Australia have had to deal with sub standard decisions. Mark Viduka was continually scrubbed and pulled down all day yet anytime the ball went near him he was penalised. There was a clear Handball a second time which should have been a certain penalty to Australia not picked up on, Ive seen the golden palm (maradonna once scored from his hand) and this was more blatant.
An Australian born Croatian player (bet he wishes he stayed in Aus) Josip Simunic was yellow carded 3 times by the end of the game, he was remarkably yellowed twice and able to stay on, he finally got his marching orders after his third yellow.

Hopefully FIFA take a long hard look at referee's Graham Poll and Markus Merk.


Poll and Merk should also consider name changes.

Poll was dreadful today and made constant bad decisions. Markus Merk has now put in two shockers, the Game where he crucified Australia against Brazil was bad however I watched the game between USA and Ghana this morning which he officiated in and it was worse. Both these gentlemen clearly need to be struck off whatever roster it is FIFA get there referees from.

It was worth the flex day off

All Images Copyright: AFP / afp.com
Editing on Zalac By Geeva