Half Time Heroes June2010 by Half Time Heroes

Half Time Heroes Contents Page Page 4

Russ Gibbs reports on

the matilda’s fantastic asian cup win

Page 20

Wayne Snowdon Cartoon

Page 22

Page 6 SALLY SHIPARD INTERVIEW

Mike Salter the best wc own goals

Page 8

Page 24

Shane Davis makes

Sunil Awasthi can read your mind

history with the matilda’s

Page 10 Nat Adamopoulous

honours Martyn Crook Page 12

Tony Tannous’s world cup extravaganza

NEW SOUTH WALES BONDI JUNCTION, RAIL BOOKSTALL BONDI JUNCTION, SHOP 2, 93 GROSVENOR ST BONDI JUNCTION, BONDI JUNCTION RAILWAY NEWSAGENCY, GRAFTON ST BONDI JUNCTION, BONDI JUNCTION NEWSAGENCY, 201 OXFORD ST BONDI JUNCTION, EASTGATE NEWSAGENCY, 71-91 SPRING ST CHATSWOOD, CHAT’S NEWSAGENCY, 569 PACIFIC HWY CHATSWOOD, CHATSWOOD NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 249, 813 PACIFIC H’WAY CNR HELP ST CHATSWOOD, CHATSWOOD WESTFIELD NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 229-230 WESTFIELD S/TOWN, SPRING ST HORNSBY , NORTHGATE NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 1066 WESTFIELD S/TOWN HORNSBY, CORONATION STREET NEWSAGENCY, 16 CORONATION ST HORNSBY, HORNSBY MALL NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 1 33 FLORENCE ST HORNSBY HEIGHTS, HORNSBY HEIGHTS NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 4, 110 GALSTON RD HORNSBY, TO’S NEWSAGENCY HORNSBY WESTFIELD SHOPPINGTOWN, SHOP 1, 33 FLORENCE ST BURWOOD, TOMKINS & GODWIN NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 2A, 16-22 BURWOOD RD BURWOOD, BURWOOD NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 7, MURRAY ARCADE, 127-133 BURWOOD RD PARRAMATTA, DALLAS NEWSAGENCY, THE CONNECTION ARCADE, SHOP 6, 162-172 CHURCH ST PARRAMATTA, PARRAMATTA CBD NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 16 MAYFAIR MALL, 272 CHURCH ST PARRAMATTA, SHOP 2 NEW EASTERN SUBWAY, ARGYLE ST NORTH ROCKS, GOODNEWS NEWSAGENCY, RAMP ON 328-335 NORTH ROCKS RD NORTH ROCKS, NORTH ROCKS NEWSAGENCY, 312B NORTH ROCKS RD LIVERPOOL, ELIZABETH DR NEWSAGENCY, UNIT 4 / 1 WOODLANDS RD LIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOL PLAZA NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 27 LIVERPOOL PLAZA,NORTHUMBERLAND ST LIVERPOOL, THAI L & V NEWSAGENCY, 64 MOORE ST HURSTVILLE, FOREST ROAD NEWSAGENCY, 308 FOREST RD HURSTVILLE, ORMONDE NEWSAGENCY HURSTVILLE, SHOP 4, 14-16 ORMONDE PARADE HURSTVILLE , NORTH HURSTVILLE NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 4 LEADER BUILDING CNR.FOREST & PARK RD, 182 FOREST RD MIRANDA , MIRANDA NEWSAGENCY, 88 KIORA RD MIRANDA, STH MIRANDA NEWSAGENCY, 94A KIORA RD TUGGERAH, SHOP 1082 WESTFIELD SHOP/TN, COBBS RD KOTARA, SHOP 133 GARDEN CITY SHOPP CTR, CNR PARK AVE & NORTHCOTT DR WARRAWONG, SHOP 4, 72-74 KING ST WARRAWONG, SHOP 39 - 40 WESTFIELD, WESTFIELD SHOPPINGTOWN WARRAWONG, WARRAWONG NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 1, 145 KING ST FIGTREE, FIGTREE NEWSAGENCY - SHOP 1, 5 BELLEVUE RD FIGTREE, FIGTREE NEWSAGENCY - SHOPS 29-30, WESTFIELD S/CTR THE AVE

QUEENSLAND WHITEHEATHER NEWS, 131 GEORGE ST, BRISBANE CITY NEWS, CNR EAGLE & CHARLOTTE STS, AMP BUILDING, BRISBANE MARA NEWS, SHOP 2, CREST INT HOTEL, ROMA ST, BRISBANE SUNCORP CENTRE NEWS, SUNCORP METWAY PLAZA, ALBERT ST, BRISBANE NEWSXPRESS CITY PLAZA , GPO NEWS, CREEK ST, BRISBANE LUCKY GOLDEN GOOSE NEWS, 140 ADELAIDE ST, BRISBANE LUCKY GOLDMINE N/A, ADELAIDE ST & CNR EDWARD ST, BRISBANE GEORGE ST NEWS, 370 GEORGE ST, BRISBANE CITY MALL NEWS, QUEEN ST MALL, BRISBANE PERRY HOUSE NEWS, CNR ALBERT & ELIZABETH STS, BRISBANE WINTERGARDEN NEWS, SHOP 166 WINTERGARDEN CENTRE, QUEEN ST MALL ELIZABETH ST ENT, BRISBANE, CENTRAL STATION SUPA, CENTRAL STATION CONCOURSE , ANN ST, BRISBANE MACS ONE NEWS, NEWSPAPER HOUSE, 289 QUEEN ST, BRISBANE LUCKY CHINAMAN NEWS, 380 QUEEN ST, BRISBANE MIDAS CASKET AGENCY, THE FOYER, 363 ADELAIDE ST, BRISBANE TRANSIT CENTRE NEWS, 3RD LEVEL BRISBANE TRANSIT CNT, ROMA ST, BRISBANE EAGLE STREET NEWS, GROUND FLOOR, 70 EAGLE ST, BRISBANE POST OFFICE SQUARE NEWS, POST OFFICE SQUARE, QUEEN ST, BRISBANE TERRACE NEWS, 149 WICKHAM TCE, BRISBANE MARY STREET NEWS, 100 EDWARD ST, BRISBANE PAPERMAN SUPANEWS, MYER CENTRE QUEEN ST, BRISBANE TERRICA PLACE NEWS, AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT CENTRE, 140 CREEK ST, BRISBANE MYER CENTRE SUPANEWS, LEVEL E, MYER CENTRE, QUEEN ST, BRISBANE BROADWAY SUPA NEWS, LG12 BRDWAY ON THE MALL, QUEEN ST, BRISBANE CIVIC ARCADE N/A, SHOP 1, CIVIC ARCADE, 65 ADELAIDE ST, BRISBANE ALBERT STREET NEWS, 80 ALBERT ST, BRISBANE MINERAL HOUSE NEWS, 41 GEORGE ST, BRISBANE GPO NEWS, 40 CREEK ST, BRISBANE RANKINS ON THE MALL, CNR QUEEN & ALBERT STS, QUEEN ST MALL, BRISBANE A28 SUPANEWS BRISANE SQUARE, SHOPS 17&18 BRISBANE SQUARE, GEORGE ST, BRISBANE SUPA NEWS, SHOP GF28, BRDWAY ON THE MALL, 170 QUEEN ST, BRISBANE

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA VICTORIA SQ ARCADE, ADELAIDE SHOP G11, 44-60 RUNDLE MALL, ADELAIDE 93 O’CONNELL ST, NORTH ADELAIDE 11-12 MALL 1 WEST LAKES MALL, WEST LAKES SHOP 7, 190 FINDON RD, FINDON CASTLE PLAZA S/C SHOP 56, SOUTH RD, EDWARDSTOWN 46 JETTY RD, GLENELG 150 GLEN OSMOND RD, FULLARTON SHOP 22/23 TEA TREE PLAZA S/C, 976 NORTH EAST RD, MODBURY SOUTH MALL, ELIZABETH SHOPPING CTR, ELIZABETH

Ben O’Neill it’s us vs the germans

WEST AUSTRALIA NOARLUNGA CENTRE, SHOP 14-15 COLONNADES S/CENTRE, BEACH RD PERTH, CLOISTERS NEWSAGENCY, SHOPS 7-8 / 865 HAY ST HILLARYS, WHITFORD CITY NEWSAGENY, SHOP 46, WHITFORD CITY S/CTR JOONDALUP, LAKESIDE NEWSAGENCY, SH 71 LAKESIDE SHOPPING CTR BOORAGOON, GARDEN CITY NEWSAGENCY, SHOP 65/125 RISELEY ST TASMANIA Ellison Hawker Newsagency, TAS Angus & Robertson, TAS Elizabeth Mall Newsagency, TAS

NOW AVAILABLE AT A CITY NEAR YOU 32

Page 14

Con Stamocostas

teams World Cup Special

Page 18 Chippy Brady’s australian football Media first 11

Page 28

Gary Robinson is all the way with USA

Page 29

UK writer Ben Halls england’s World Cup, Maybe?

Page 30 Shane Davis the wc past and future

Page 34

Sarah D is on the World cup Bandwagon

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Page 35

The Big D & Buckle up Ben

Kieran Pender reviews the la liga season

Page 32

Page 36

Kieran Pender Spanish World Cup

Paul Mavroudis Mr Cleansheets review

page 38

Dodgy back page, credits and thank you’s

The Editor makes a comment Hello football fans and welcome to a special edi-

tion of Half Time Heroes. This month we celebrate the Matilda’s fantastic Asian Cup victory with Russ Gibbs’ and Shane Davis’ reports.

The Socceroos are days away from playing Germany at the World Cup. Being a football fan can be a bipolar pursuit. One day I think the Socceroos will do well the next I get depressed about our chances.

I reckon we will make it out of the group stage and beat England in the next round followd by a loss to France in the quarter finals! Think about it much? Hell Yeah!

This month’s highlights on Half Time Heroes. Matilda’s Star and newly crowned Asian Cup winner Sally Shippard goes behind the scenes and gives us an insight into her amazing China adventure.

Nat Adampolous is in Adelaide to honour the late Socceroo Maryn Crook and speaks to former Sooceroos John Aloisi , Mark Bosnich Tony Vidmar and a host of other Australian football dignitries to find out what the World Cup means to them.

Speaking of the World Cup, Tony Tannnous gives us his World Cup memories and predictions. Mike Salter counts down the best 10 own goals of all time. Chippy Brady rates the Australiam media first 11 (Who gets the cut?) Ben O’Neil - the German expert - pits the Socceroos and the Germans in direct opposition. Gary Robinson is all the way with the USA, Ben Halls is trying to hold back his English World Cup ambitions and Keiran Pender looks at Cup favourites Spain, plus cartoons by Wayne Snowdon and a book review! Peace and Football - I hope you enjoy the issue! Con Stamocostas

Russ Gibbs reports on the historymaking Matilda’s Asian cup victory over dpr korea in china MATILDAS CLAIM ASIAN CROWN IN DRAMATIC FASHION The Matildas secured a dramatic 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over DPR Korea to claim the Asian Cup on a wet and wild evening in China.

On a pitch that resembled a mud heap after 120 minutes of exhausting football, the Tom Sermannicoached squad achieved an historic victory when Kyah Simon held her nerve to ruthlessly dispatch her penalty into the roof of the net and secure the win.

Earlier Sam Kerr had given the Australians a 1-0 advantage in the 19th minute, slotting in coolly from an angle when put through one-on-one, which they managed to hold onto until seventeen minutes from time when Ra Un Sim headed home a teasing cross to level the scores. In a battling display in extra-time, Australia dug deep to take the match to penalties as both teams tired in the oppressive conditions.

Ultimately, Yun Song Mi missed in the shoot-out to allow Simon the chance to win the cup for the Matildas, which she achieved in clinical fashion.

Coming at the end of a testing week for the Australian team that saw wins over Vietnam and Korea Republic in the group stages and a semi-final defeat of Japan, the result was a major boost for the women’s game in this country. A goal from Katie Gill, lobbing into an unguarded net after the Japanese had made a real hash of clearing a routine cross, had paved the way for victory and a place in the final but, more critically, it allowed the team to relax a little safe in the knowledge that whatever the outcome in Chengdu their spot at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany was assured. It’s the Matildas fifth successive qualification for the big event. The victory over DPR Korea in the final was a huge achievement and credit should go to all the players and support staff involved. “I think this would be the best highlight of my career so far,” said Matildas Coach Tom Sermanni afterwards. “With this group of girls and the leadup we had this is just a fantastic result. I couldn’t be prouder of this group of girls and what they have achieved in such a short time.”

Defensive lynchpin Servet Uzunlar, who enjoyed a magnificent tournament at the back for Australia, agreed with her coach. “I think it was an amazing effort by all of us and I thought we dug really deep and showed the true Aussie spirit to win the match. “To not only qualify but to become the number one team in Asia is an absolutely fantastic achievement.”

does this look familiar? Aussies love penalty shoot outs!

(Sam Kerr scores and Sally and Kate Gill congratulate her)

Australia Squad: 1.Melissa BARBIERI (gk) (c), 3. Karla REUTER, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5.Lauren COLTHORPE 6.Servet UZUNLAR, 7.Heather GARRIOCK, 9.Sarah WALSH, 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Thea SLATYER, 14.Collette MCCALLUM, 15.Sally SHIPARD, 16.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 17. Kyah SIMON, 18. Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 19. Leena KHAMIS, 22. Sam KERR, 23.Kim Carroll, 24. Tameka BUTT, 25. Casey DUMONT (gk), 27. Aivi LUIK, 31.Teigen ALLEN Results: Pool Stage: v Vietnam W 2-0 (Leena Khamis, Kylie Ledbrook (pen)) Pool Stage: v Korea Republic W 3-1 (Kim Carroll, Lisa De Vanna, Sam Kerr) Pool Stage: v China L 0-1 Semi-Final: v Japan W 1-0 (Katie Gill) Final: v DPR Korea D 1-1 (Sam Kerr) won 5-4 on penalties Leading Scorers: 2 Sam Kerr 1 Kim Carroll, Katie Gill, Leena Khamis, Kylie Ledbrook, Lisa De Vanna

THE Matilda’s Sally Shipard goes behind the scenes during the Matilda’s Asian Cup Win Weʼve done it. The Matildas have created history of our own!!! We have earned the title of Asian champions, the first senior national team to do so. We battled, held on, backed up andproved ourselves against some of the best teams in the world.

I was striding up to take the first one for the team...an insight to my mind... “bottom right, shoulders back, head held high, bottom right, trying to walk on my toes, please donʼt cramp, please donʼt cramp, bottom right, breath Sal breath, take your time, no eye contact with keeper, stretching feels so good, bottom right, fix your socks, are your laces tied?, bottom right, serious look, line it up and BBOOOOOOM, oh Sal that wasnʼt the best but youʼve scored. TURN and smile at your team-mates!”

WE ARE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP NEXT YEAR IN GERMANY. WE ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE ASIAN CONFEDERATION. WE CREATED HISTORY.

Im sure the ladies all had a similar experience out there in the spotlight. We bantered about it briefly post-match, although dancing soon took over. I have no idea where we all found our second wind for dancing...

Tommyʼs (Matilad’s coach Tom Sermanni) freshly shaven upper lip... his greyʼs sufficiently covered by the ʻblindlyʼ chosen chinese branded hair dye. The language barrier proved an issue in the colouring stakes, we all held our breath in anticipation the end result would resemble the picture on the box. The long-awaited ceremony resulted in copious amounts of laughter from everybody. We grouped together in the treatment room - Tommy succumbed to the fact he must shave his 25-year old moustache and rid his hair of its aging grey (further enhanced by his role with our team- Iʼm sure of it). Six months ago the agreement was made - if and when we qualified for the World Cup.... Yet another bonus as a result of our success. How many emotions can one group of humans experience in just a week and a half. Personally, the level of fatigue in my legs during the final against North Korea I have never experienced before. Itʼs now three days later and my legs still feel so weary. 120 minutes of football on a pitch which was shaping up to be a pig stye. The torrential downpour weighed your boots down like lead, the ball was impossible to control, when you assumed the ball would hold up it skimmed away and vice versa. Number one rule adopted by us: NEVER assume. Just get the ball in the box was the message from the bench, the amount of times I tried to swing my leg back and punch my saturated boot through the ball, no elevation or distance. It was important for us not to adopt the ʻholding onʼ mentality. We had to believe we could dominate the play out there, rain or no rain.120 minutes of football later- no result. Penalties= Terrible way to lose but a terrific way to win.

But i wonʼt elaborate on that. No rest for the wicked- Katie Gill and Heather Garriock flew directly back to Europe to play out their seasonʼs. Clare Polkinghorne flew to the US at some ungodly hour. Aivi Luik, Servet Uzunlar and Tameka Butt will all depart Australia over the next week destined for Canada. Sarah Walsh and Lisa DeVanna have flown to Adelaide for some medical appointments (please fix them up, we need both of you). Teigan Allen and Sammie Kerr should be settling in back at school- perhaps ʻsettling inʼ wonʼt be the most accurate description, but good luck girls, speaking from experience- Schools important and it is possible to juggle your education and football. So proud of them. As for the remainder- we have flown in to our home cities- resting up for a couple of days and back in to our state programs. The next year will entail many trips away, overseas or down to Canberra at the AIS. Soon I will base myself in Sydney again. Keep my degree ticking over, complete a photography course along the way. Gain some work experience at the FFA, and just wait to see which direction the lights of the big city shine for me. I’m looking forward to all things football and life really, it’s an exciting time for football in this country. The numbers participating in the sport are soaring higher. Thus far the success of the Socceroos and Matildas combined- we are creating the perfect foundation for the sport to develop in this country. What a beautiful journey we have before us.

(Below - Mellisa Barbieri Sally and Thea Slayter)

(Below Sam Kerr and Kya Simon) (Group photo: POLKY, TEIGS, SAMMIE, KK, MEEKSY, and BUBS behindâ&#x20AC;Ś)

Shane Davis

Writes about the Matilda’s Historic Asian Cup win http://hiraldo.wordpress.com/ The above may seem like a strange statement to some while the men’s team gears up for a World Cup campaign many fear will be a depressing experience, but on Sunday the Matildas succeeded in winning Australia’s first ever major tournament outside of Oceania - the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

The final, quite fittingly, went down to the wire after a tremendously tough tussle between Australia and defending champions North Korea. 16-year-old Samantha Kerr, starting in the absence of injured forwards Tameka Butt, Lisa de Vanna and Sarah Walsh, gave the Australians the lead with a calm finish in the first half before the inexperienced-but-well-drilled Koreans largely dominated the game... until another teenager in Kyah Simon slotted away a fine penalty to win the penalty shootout.

The Matildas did well in limiting the Koreans to just an equaliser over 120 minutes and one of the big success stories for Tom Sermanni’s team in Chengdu has been an increase in defensive reliability. Against Japan and North Korea, certainly the two best other teams in the tournament, Australia conceded once in 210 minutes; against the same opposition in the 2008 Asian Cup knockout stage, six goals were shipped. Young Servet Uzunlar belied her age and history as a regular midfielder to provide Australia with an assured and often commanding central defender, while 19-year-old Elise Kellond-Knight impressed at left-back with her good use of the ball and workrate.

Being dominated by Japan and North Korea for much of the knockout stage game, it must be said that Australia weren’t comprehensive Asian champions. Yet the title is more than deserved. The Matildas had to deal with some significant player unavailability, (had de Vanna and Walsh been present, I think Australia would have taken one of their wasted chances and scored that vital second goal) and another penalty shootout heart break in a drawn final would have been harsh after losing the 2006 final in such circumstances. Over the past four years, the Matildas have deserved an Asian Cup. And the achievement should not be understated in Australian football.

Asia has a higher standing in the world in women’s football than men’s and as Melissa Barbieri lifted the Asian cup in Chengdu in front of her ecstatic team, the Matildas broke an incredibly dominant run by China and North Korea, the traditional powerhouses of Asia. Since China first entered the competition in 1986 and North Korea did in 1989, the two had won all 11 Asian Cups played before 2010. It has taken Australia only three tournaments to triumph since readmission to the Asian Cup four years ago, and it has coincided with the standard of the tournament being at an all-time high, with Japan and South Korea now also being at their most competitive. In eight months the Socceroos will partake in their second Asian Cup and the signs for a first men’s title aren’t encouraging. For the second straight tournament, there may well be as much uncertainty in the coaching ranks as there is with the players. And when it comes to the latter, it very much remains to be seen whether they will be even sufficiently motivated and eager to do the hard yards after the pathetic displays in 2007. By contrast, Tom Sermanni has provided a important steadying hand throughout for the Matildas since the 2006 tournament and his players have shown a wonderful amount of desire and endeavor throughout. And when it comes to present comparisons between the coaches, it must be said that Sermanni has been far superior to Pim Verbeek in terms of tactical flexibility and appropriation.

South australian football writer

Nat Adamopoulos was in adelaide to honour former Socceroo MARTYN CROOK

Julie Crook (Martyn’s widow), Barry Crook (brother) and Jack Riley enjoying the night. Martyn dedicated his life to the development, promotion and education of young talented players with football ability and aspirations. He was constantly frustrated by barriers placed upon players identified to have the ability to aspire to greater heights and to maximize their abilities, but due to their financial circumstances never realised their true potential and were lost to the game.

AFRICAN SAFARI HITS ADELAIDE AS MARTYN CROOK FOUNDATION OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED You can tell the World Cup is nearly upon us – the feeling of anticipation and passion for the sport is well and truly in the air. What with holidays being locked in, tickets finally picked up, big screen TV’s delivered to their new homes, stores all over the country donning the green and gold, countdowns already ticking away, the time has come where the world becomes one and all eyes and media devices focus on South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. It was a case of perfect timing in little Adelaide town, as it was hit with a dose of the World Cup Fever on Friday 21st May, with the launch of The Martyn Crook Foundation at a gala event entitled An African Safari, celebrating the Qantas Socceroos participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. With South Australia being starved of formal football events of this nature, it was a veritable smorgasboard of local and national football identities past and present and members of the football family that gathered together at the Adelaide Hilton Ballroom to celebrate and continue the football endeavours of a man lost to the game prematurely.

The Foundation aims to create pathways without obstacles and has been modelled upon the FFA’s recently released National Curriculum. Unlike many other support programs, the Martyn Crook Foundation reaches out to indigenous Australians, young players arriving in Australia as refugees, and those young players who are financially disadvantaged, developing initiatives to promote their greater inclusion in the football family. The Foundation will work closely with all Football bodies to ensure that players that are identified to have the ability to further their skills at a higher level, are given every opportunity to do so and not be disenfranchised from the game due to their race, gender or financial standing. The FFSA, FFA, Adelaide United and SASI all endorse The Martyn Crook Foundation. It was truly a fantastic night with many highlights as the football family of South Australia celebrated the launch of the foundation and tasted what the month of June will hold for us with the world’s best players on show in the 2010 World Cup.

The evening was brilliantly hosted by Fox Sports’ Adam Peacock and featured live entertainment and attendance by many former football legends, including Rale Rasic, Jack Reilly, John Aloisi, Mark Bosnich, Tony Vidmar, Alex Tobin, Milan Ivanovic, John Kosmina, and former Manchester United and England international Paul Parker, just to mention a few. The Foundation has been established in honour of the late Martyn Crook who passed away suddenly in December 2008, while on duty in the USA as senior coach of the Socceroo Joeys.

(Above)Alex Tobin, Ross Aloisi and Mark Bosnich chatting about Australia’s chances at the World Cup. All photos are care of Joe Janko.

As I mingled and rubbed shoulders with some of the best in the football fraternity, I asked them what the World Cup meant to them.

(below) Fox Sports Adam Peacock, former Socceroos Tony Vidmar and John Aloisi talk about their memories from 2006.

A great night walking down memory lane with video footage of the 1974, 2006 and 2010 Socceroo campaigns, a photo tribute to Martyn, as well as several interviews with him thanks to Full On Football, a local football tv show. 1974 Socceroos coach Rale Rasic was as ever gracious, honest and analytical with his answer. “It’s a global game that unites the world. Its bigger than any one person, country or political power. It brings goose bumps to me just thinking about it…it is so much to me. What is pleasing for me is the role of the small countries being able to compete with the best in the world. This time it is so special because it is the third appearance for Australia and they have to do better, expectations are higher this time.” Former Manchester United and 1990 England World Cup player Paul Parker said it brought back many emotions and memories for him. “The World Cup means 30 - 31 days of solid football, it means passion, the nostalgia we go through of cups gone by, it means memories. I get emotional when I think of when I last played in 1990 for England, going over as a substitution and being picked for the second game, then righting a wrong and being involved right to the end, sort of like going from villain to hero, so many memories.” Adam Peacock, Fox FC and Foxsports presenter spoke of sharing the World Cup. “It’s late nights and good times with a bunch of mates. The passion we have, everyone gets together, everyone gets involved and it truly showcases this wonderful sport that football is. So many emotions come out in 90 minutes, it is all about emotions...oh and the beers and red bulls!” Tony Vidmar, former Socceroo and Glasgow Rangers hero, had bitter sweet memories. “Obviously for me its mixed emotions because of missing the last World Cup due to my heart condition…but life goes on. So this year it will be all about waking up the whole household at 4.30am to watch as many games as I can.” Ex Manchester United, Aston Villa and Socceroo keeper and now FoxSports football analyst Mark Bosnich said this year was a special one for him. “Every four years the world comes together in the name of football and this year I’m going to South Africa myself and I get to share it with someone very special. For me the World Cup means to win.”

Adelaide United Captain Travis Dodd said, “For Australian football it’s fantastic! I’m very passionate about it…I love it and I can’t wait to see it and I hope Australia does well.” Listening to all the stories each guest had to tell throughout the night and being able to speak to these people myself made me realize how much I love this sport – the world game – football! With each interview I became more hungry, more excited, more passionate, feeling like a young child being let out to play. Yes whether the non-believers like it or not, there is no bigger sport in the world, no other game that transcends across all nations, across all continents. Language is no barrier when you put a round ball down in the middle of the park…it’s just sport in the purest form and we just play. And for the month of June we will all witness that for ourselves, each one of us getting something different from it that will satisfy us totally. From the tears that will stream down our face to the elation and cheers of joy we will shout, we will all be involved in this huge sporting event in our own unique way. Bring on FIFA World Cup 2010 – South Africa! On a note of conclusion, the Crook family would sincerely like to thank all who attended the evening and made it such a great success. Special thanks go to Tony Farrugia and Jaimie Osbourne without whose especially dedicated efforts this night would not have been possible, and the many volunteers on the night who ensured the smooth operation of the evening despite the (at times) behind-thescenes mayhem. For more information about the foundation and how you can help please visit the website -www.tmcf.org.au

Tony Tannous World Cup extravaganza The Kreas (meathead); Gattuso is everyone’s favourite, but the biggest meathead at the Cup is undoubtedly John Terry. Elsewhere, Nemanja Vidic in our group, and, of course, Wayne Rooney, quickly followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba. Potential Stars: Really looking forward to the emergence of young guys like Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Nilmar, Adam Johnson, James Milner, Michel Bastos, Angel Di Maria, Marek Hamsik and Nigel De Jong, to name a few.

The Games

The Exciting Games: Group A - South Africa v Mexico, Group B - Argentina v South Korea, Group C - England v Algeria, Group D - Germany v Serbia, Group E - Holland v Cameroon, Group F - Slovakia v Italy, Group G - Ivory Coast v Brazil, Group H - Spain v Chile The Boring Games: Those involving defensive sides like Paraguay, North Korea, Uruguay, and err....Australia. Anything involving Switzerland, who are generally lost between defence and attack, and rarely bring anything to a tournament.

The Teams

The teams we love to hate: Not necessarily hate, but I love watching the English media build their team up, before they come crashing down, usually outplayed by a far superior passing team (I note expectations this World Cup are more muted, a good sign for England). The teams we love to watch: Everyone but Switzerland. That’s the beauty of World Cup, different styles, different strategies. The teams we don’t know or care about: None. Every team has a valuable role. Even Greece in 1994 had a role to play as the laughing stock (sorry Con, couldn’t resist, although you would have been a spring chicken). (Ed says he remembers Argentina whipping some old Greek farts who should have been at the Taverna drinking Ouzo instead).

The Players

The Stars: Other than the hope that Messi and Torres go off, it’s the managers that make their teams click on the big stage who are the stars. Think Lippi, think Hiddink, think Klinsmann, think Perreira, think Jacquet. You get my drift. Radi Antic could be one here.

World Cup Murals by http://www.wk.com/ Am I Collective

The Games that could surprise: anything involving Chile, Serbia, Slovakia and Ivory Coast.

Moments in World Cup commentary: everything and anything involving Martin Tyler who sadly won’t be on SBS. “My word”, what a loss. It won’t be the same.

Saddest moment: Zizou departing as he did.

Name your favourite World Cup cliche: The sound of my alarm waking me up. (Ed - classic Tannous)

World Cup Memories

Most awesome moment: Those eight mad minutes in the Fritz Walter, followed by the hour or two after the Croatia game. Outside the Socceroos, it was South Korea’s run in ‘02, France’s home win in ‘98, Germany’s style in ‘06, and Cameroon’s run at Italia ‘90. Oh, and the stadia in Italy and France. Most absurd moment: hearing Wilkshire’s name when the starting 11 was announced in Kaiserslautern. What do you want to see: An African team that can defend and show the requisite mental strength, two Asian teams getting through the group stages, one making it to the quarters at least, Pim having a go, and above all else, quality football in abundance. What do you not want to see: England, Argentina, Spain and Holland suffering their usual meltdown (you know it will happen to at least a couple of them), the Socceroos using only 13 or 14 players. Have you lost a job or girlfriend/boyfriend during the World Cup: No, but I always lose my annual leave.

Predictions

Who will Fail spectacularly? Domenech. Who will succeed spectacularly? My dark horse is Serbia, so Radi Antic. The other best managers are Lippi, Del Bosque, Rehaggel and Capello. Dunga, Loew and Maradona get a chance to join ‘em. Who will do a Zidane? I’ll focus on the quality Zidane brought to the pitch and say Messi, I hope. If we’re talking about his brain-fade in the final, then Cristiano Ronaldo. Who will do a Maradona? Depending on which Maradona. If we’re talking ‘86, then hopefully Messi. If we’re talking drug-bust in ‘04, then Drogba. World Cup SBS Memories: Tracey Holmes’ wonderful contribution in ‘98, Les Murray’s voice-overs during his mini travel documentaries, Martin Tyler’s poetic commentary and the on-the-spot reports from guys like Andrew Orsatti, Scott McIntrye and Kyle Patterson over the years. Cartoon below : http://www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au/

Con Stamocostas - The

World Cup teams

Algeria

Brazil

Who/what are ya famous for? Famous philosopher Albert Camus played as goalkeeper for Racing Universitaire Algerois. His famous football quote is worn as t-shirt by football hipsters or nerds (mostly nerds). Prediction: They have England and USA in their group. Pundits say you’re out! Romantics and Algerians dream of causing an ‘absurd’ upset.

Who/what are ya famous for? Being the most famous football team in the world and for their ex-players falling to earth with a thud! Garincha (the drink) Ronaldo (the lady boy) and mostly beating every other team at half pace. Prediction: Will make the final of the World Cup where they will be beaten by Argentina.

Argentina

Cameroon

Who/what are ya famous for? Maradona has chosen a very weird squad. Omitting experienced players and including unknowns from the Argentinean league. After Argentina won their last two WCQ matches a demure Maradona gave it to the press: “They can suck it and carry on sucking it, This is for all Argentines, minus the journalists.” Prediction: Will meet Brazil in the final and beat them.

Australia

Who/what are ya famous for? Having a cool nickname, Roger Milla goal celebrations and sleeveless shirts. Prediction: Will get knocked out by Italy in the round of 16.

Chile Who/what are ya famous for? Dodgy dictators and being overshadowed by Argentina and Brazil. Prediction: Will be knocked out by Brazil in the round of 16.

Denmark Who/what are ya famous for? Playing funny sports, an assortment of animals that will kill you, bogan (wannabe) gangsters and racist politicians. Prediction: Football pundits in Australia and around the world give us no hope, the opposition don’t know who our players are and the conservative coach is scared to death of playing any attacking football. I reckon we will make the Quarters after beating England and lose to France by some dodgy way in the quarters.

Who/what are ya famous for? Drawing cartoons of famous religious figures and making me and the rest of the world go to sleep while their games are on. Prediction: Will not make it out of the group stage. Some groups will fall asleep, others will want to blow them up.

England

Who/what are ya famous for? After trying to colonise the world, what remains from the fallen Empire is the phrase “fuck off” and the game of football. Prediction: Will be beaten by Australia in the round of 16.

France

Greece

Who/what are ya famous for? Let us see: modern civilization, democracy, music, art, theatre, maths, all that stuff. But then rested for a couple of thousand years, did not pay any tax during that time, sang the same song and danced the same dance and now is broke. Prediction: My dad says Greeks are good for two things: dancing and drinking ouzo. With Argentina, Nigeria and Korea Republic in their group they will be lucky to score a goal ala USA 94.

Honduras

Who/what are ya famous for? Making the 2010 World Cup by cheating their way past the unlucky Irish. Prediction: Will lose to Brazil in the semi final.

Who/what are ya famous for? Fighting a football war with El Salvador in 1969! Prediction: Will struggle to make the round of 16.

Italy

Germany Who/what are ya famous for? Upon hearing that their captain Michael Ballack was ruled out of the World Cup it made me wish that there was a German word that describes the joy you feel from somebody else’s misfortune. (Thanks Sid Lowe for that one). Prediction: Will make the quarter finals where they will be knocked out by Argentina.

Who/what are ya famous for? Will be fitted with the tightest shirts and shorts of any team in this Wold Cup. They are openly proud of being a bunch of mummies’ boys. They love late drama, cheating and cattenacio (10 defenders and a goal keeper). Prediction: Will be beaten in the semi final by Argentina.

Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire) (Orderves) Ghana

Who/what are ya famous for? Hopefully not knocking Australia out of the group stages. Prediction: Will be knocked out in the group stages.

Who/what are ya famous for? Didier Drogba and the only country besides Holland that has more than one name. Prediction: Lose to Spain in round of 16.

World Cup Review: Part two -the teams

Nigeria Japan Who/what are ya famous for? The land of Hot. Hot ladies, hot food and their strikers always melt when in front of goal. Prediction: Will be knocked out in the group stage.

Mexico

Who/what are ya famous for? Gardening and illegal aliens with rights. Hosting two of the best world cups on record (1970 and 1986). Prediction: Knocked out by Argentina in the round of 16.

Netherlands

Who/what are ya famous for? Preferring to win and look good than winning and playing ugly. They are so arrogant, they wear orange and think it looks cool. Prediction: Q) What does a Dutch player do after they win the World Cup? A) Turn off the Play Station.

New Zealand

Who/what are ya famous for? Not being able to beat Argentina in three previous world cups. Prediction: Will lose to France in the round of 16.

North Korea

Who/what are ya famous for? Egomanic Dictators Wanting to start World War Three and bowl haircuts. Being able to dance in synch with large groups Prediction: Will be knocked out in Group Stage

Paraguay Who/what are ya famous for? Being confused with Uruguay Prediction: Knocked out by Holland in round of 16

Portugal Who/what are ya famous for? Pretty boy footballers who speak English in Castrol advertisements very badly. Prediction: Will fail to reach the group stage.

Serbia Who/what are ya famous for? Not laughing at sheep jokes. Hating Australians and being nice to everyone else. Prediction: The Kiwiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have nothing to lose except pride and being the butt of more sheep jokes.

Who/what are ya famous for? Getting confused with Croatia and hopefully being kicked out of the World Cup by Australia. Prediction: Will be knocked out in the group stage. .

Slovakia

Who/what are ya famous for? Getting confused with Slovenia. Prediction: Will be knocked out in the group stage.

Slovenia

Who/what are ya famous for? Getting Confused with Slovakia. Prediction: Will be knocked out in the group stage.

South Africa

Who/what are ya famous for? The institution of apartheid. The iconic Nelson Mandella (played badly by Morgan Freeman in the 2009 Movie Invictus) was arrested in 1962 and released in 1990. After that, apartheid was dismantled in a series of negotiations from 1990 to 1993, culminating in elections in 1994, the first in South Africa with universal suffrage. Mandela became president in 1994. Have you heard that song I’ve never met a nice South African? Here are some lyrics: No, he’s never met a nice South African And that’s not bloody surprising, mun ‘Cos we’re a bunch of arrogant bastards Who hate black people. Prediction: Will be knocked out in the group stage, the only home team to suffer that fate in the history of the world cup.

South Korea Who/what are ya famous for? The South Koreans are the worlds best break dancers and made the semi-finals in 2002 with some of the dodgiest decisions ever seen in World Cup history. Prediction: Will be knocked out in the group stage unless they get the same refs from 2002.

Spain

Who/what are ya famous for? Having one the best leagues in the world of football and always failing at the big time events. Except two years ago, when they beat Germany to win Euro 2008. Prediction: Injuries to key players will mean they will be knocked out by Italy in the quarter finals.

Switzerland

Who/what are ya famous for? Being neutral. Which is ironic since the neutral fan hates Switzerland. Prediction: Did Switzerland really play in this World Cup?

United States

Who/what are ya famous for? Being the World Champions in sports where they are the only country that participates. Trying to bring democracy (steal oil from) to other countries. Prediction: Will be knocked out by Germany in the Round of 16

Uruguay

Who/what are ya famous for? The first winners against Argentina in 1930 and winning the World Cup against Brazil in their own back yard (1950) and then not much else really. Prediction: Will be knocked out in the group stage.

Chippy brady rates Australia’s footall team of experts Same team for the World Cup in South Africa?

First Germany now South Africa. Same game, same team only more experienced or maybe just a tad too old. Sound familiar? Well it would if I was talking about our football team but I’m not, I’m talking about our media! Last time in Germany we pulled out all the stops. Channel Nine headed over, former Wallaby and anti-football writer Peter FitzSimons was there, and of course more hardcore football writers than the nation ever knew existed. What did they do in the old National Soccer League days one wonders? This time we’re up for it once more and we’ve got a fine team on the park. They all scream to play 1-4-3-3 but it’s the 1-4-3-2-1 for them, the lot of them!

1. Craig Foster: Our one World Class Aussie. The Mark Schwarzer of the team. And with the team the way it is Fozzie must play in goal. Like Schwarzer, he’s an author and like the big man, he sticks to his guns and rarely drops the ball. Dependable, he’s the guy to stop the onslaught from the other codes er I mean teams. Never a hair out of place the guy leads from the front. He’s our Number One. 2. Aidan Ormond: Good all rounder. Yes he’s Luke Wilkshire bar none. He can play short, long, with a twist but like Luke he’s already reading the play and he’s always there. Where did he come from? Like Wilkshire the guy was floundering in an IT haven, Wilkshire in Bristol Aiden in the web; but both seemed to flourish at the same time. Aidan can play anywhere for any team, if selected. If there is a job to be done, Aidan’s you’re man. Guaranteed to start thanks to his previous employer. With more games coming this guy has a job for life. 3. Michael Lynch: A real star, unsung outside his

home town. He’ll play, like Scott Chipperfield at left back. He knows the game backward, understands its ebb and flow and like Chippers, Lynchy always puts in a strong performance. Been around along time, won a few medals in the old NSL, and if he can keep away from the horses he’ll be right. Chipperfield has the passion for buses, for Lynch it’s the cars; he should be good for another campaign.

4. Ray Gatt. Well he has to play somewhere, he’s

been around so long. He’s our Vinny Grella. A star in his younger days but now flatters to deceive. Recent comments suggest Vinny maybe no fan of the ALeague and similar to Gatts they both have lost their pace. Did they ever have it? Both should start just because of their experience and ability to cover the yards, both is a tad slower now. Ray doesn’t have the bite of Grella and may retire after the World Cup. Seems to be mis-reading the local game but who could play instead?

5.Les Murray: Hate to say it but he’s our Craig

Moore. He’s been there done that. Like Craig he’s never quite reached the mainstream. Craig played for Rangers in Scotland, just below the real top level, and Les has done much the same on SBS. Like Craig he may never have cracked the mainstream but has seen all the major games, World Cups, Champions League and Euros. His experience is vital to any team, signs of slowing but don’t tell Craig, er I mean Les. How long can this guy go on? Like Craig he reads the game well and his books reveal he likes a tipple. They love to be around friends, Johnny Warren and Fozzie in Les’ case or Charlie and Big Bob Malcolm in Craig’s. He’s past his best but there’s still one last outstanding World Cup in this guy, particularly if he gets a good rest between games. A true Aussie, go Sir Les.

6. Andy Harper: God love our Captain. Well spoken, spruiks the media and loves a bit of promotionm or sponsorship when it comes along. He’s our Lucas Neill. The guy sets the tone and when he gets it wrong from the back the whole team seems to flounder. But mostly Harps is reliable, intelligent and able to repel the most vicious attacks with deft flecks, or outright aggression when required and let’s face it he’ll need to be at his best in South Africa. Proven at the highest level, Harps is a fine leader. 7. Jesse Fink. He’s our ever-ready, our Brett Emerton. He just keeps to the line and keeps going up and down, up and down. It’s usually about Nicky Carle and boy is he persistent. Cracked the big league like Emo, with his job at Inside Sport but like Emo often thought of as one-trick pony. In reality you need to have much more to survive at this level. Yes we know Nicky won’t be there, so like Emo, Jesse maybe short of a line; but

8. David Basheer: He’s our Jason Culina. Locked away in that midfield role. Stunted by his bosses. Let the guy out we say, release the attacking intelligence that is Basheer and who knows what he might achieve. Competent, unsung in many ways but we think he has more to give. Will Pim send him forward in this World Cup? No chance but he’ll start. 9 Mike Cockerill: He’s up front, our Josh Kennedy.

Plays a lot of football, but like all big men despite leading from the front he’s still a bit brittle. Lucky to be in the team some say. Mainly covers the A-League and despite some forays overseas with the international team we know what Pim thinks of the A-League. Lots of games, but sometimes like Josh his finishing just isn’t there. Should start.

10. Paul Trimboli: He’s our tricky Nicky Carle isn’t he? He loves the ball, exudes excitement, has clever insights. This guy was born with a ball at his feet. Like Nicky, he has work rate issues. Does he cover the hard yards, or enough of them at least. Whenever we want Trimmers he’s usually headed off to his other job, or a family gig. Like Nicky, the people’s choice, but will Pim pick him when the work rate isn’t there or at least not where we can see it. But Pim, everything he touches turns to gold. Is he destined to remain in Australia, the A-League and nothing else. No! Trimmers must start if Australia is to have any creative voice. The game is about passion Pim, bring him on!

11 Simon Hill: He’s our Harry Kewell. We need him to play everywhere all the time. Pure class and well travelled, Simon has spent most of his time in the North of England, like Harry, but has played in Asia and Africa. Sometimes frustrates when he doesn’t turn up for the odd game, maybe we expect too much of him. If he’s not on the park what chance Aussie football? Sub. Robbie Slater: A national outcry surely

if Slater doesn’t start. Our Tim Cahill, he loves the media, exudes confidence and knows how to talk himself up. Certainly shines in the domestic game, but this is different. Can Robbie, can Timmy deliver at the highest level? It’s not just about the odd tap-in or nodded winner it’s about the graft, the work rate and delivery. Can Robbie play without Simon, Timmy without Harry? Will definitely play a key role.

Sub: Mike Tuckerman: Could never make the team or could he? He’s our Joel Griffiths without a doubt. The guy just spent too long in Asia trying to build a football career. He knows his football and can produce time and time again, but Pim and Asia just didn’t help Mike. Could go to the Asia Cup? Don’t be surprised if he gets the call.

Mike Salter

“the footbal Tragic”

THE GREATEST OWN GOALS OF THE WORLD CUP http://thefootballtragic.blogspot.com/ Another World Cup, another overflow of glossy colour liftouts, all featuring a little “Greatest Goals of the World Cup” article.

These breathlessly worded anthologies have become obligatory over time, but let’s face it...they’re all a bit predictable. Yep, we all know that Maradona’s incredible slalom against the Poms in 1986 will be there at No.1. Somewhere in there will be a teenage Michael Owen’s stunner against Argentina in 1998, Saeed alOwairan’s once-in-a-lifetime run against Belgium in 1994, Robbie Baggio’s classic from 1990. Yawn. And so, to break some new ground and honour some World Cup goalscoring heroes who have never received their due, I hereby present Half-Time Heroes readers with:

THE GREATEST OWN GOALS OF THE WORLD CUP Take those hands from your faces, gentlemen, and take a bow... 10. Berti Vogts (West Germany v. Austria, 1978) Actually something of a run-of-the-mill own goal this, a right-wing cross deflected in by Vogts in the midst of a crowded box, but rendered special by Vogts’s magnificently Teutonic reaction. No covering of the face or lying prostrate on the ground with eyes closed: Vogts, sandy moustache bristling, simply walks away with hands glued to hips and grim, downcast eyes. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjKm-nq2haE)

9. Col Curran (Australia v. East Germany, 1974) Tim Cahill may have been the first Australian to score for his country at the World Cup when he whipped in a loose ball against Japan in 2006, but few fans remember the first Australian to get his name on the scoresheet at the tournament. “Bunny” Curran, an adventurous left-back who had a fine World Cup in 1974, was left in a race with the ball once East Germany’s Jurgen Sparwasser prodded a smart through-ball past the advancing Socceroo keeper Jack Reilly. Curran got there first - by a whisker - but could only send a thundering clearance into the side netting of the goal. ( Pic from:http://cards.littleoak.com.au/index.html) 8. Youssef Chippo (Morocco v. Later to become a mainstay in the English Premier League with Coventry City, Moroccan midfielder Chippo provided a splendid demonstration of how not to execute a clearing header against Norway in the second match of the 1998 World Cup. Henning Berg had beaten Morocco’s keeper Benzekri to an aerial ball, but Berg’s header was drifting harmlessly across goal when Chippo decided to nod it into his own net. (Pic from http://footbik.narod.ru) 7. Jeff Agoos (USA v. Portugal, 2002) The veteran USA defender certainly looked a goose after this superb finish past his own keeper from Pauleta’s cross from the left. What elevates this own goal to classic status was that Agoos even had enough time to take a touch, but instead blasted an unstoppable shot into the goal. Happily, it proved irrelevant, with the Americans holding on their 3-2 lead to post a major upset. (Pic from http://soccermemo.com)

Norway,

1998)

6. Andoni Zubizarreta (Spain v. Nigeria, 1998)

3. Andranik Eskandarian (Iran v. Scotland, 1978)

Yes, yes, I know that the history books indicate that this goal was scored by Nigeria’s Garba Lawal. Absolute bollocks, but perhaps whoever was responsible for awarding Lawal the goal wanted to spare a great goalkeeper further embarrassment. Lawal’s cross from the left was, in fact, going nowhere near the goal, and there was no Nigerian following up. Instead, Zubizarreta’s maladroit attempt to gather the ball ended with it rolling gently into his own net. A shocker. (Pic from http://www.planetworldcup.com)

Most own goals are scored from a distance of a few feetonly, but Iran’s defender Eskandarian broke new ground against Scotland, blasting the ball into the goal from a full fifteen yards after a collision between Joe Jordan and Iranian keeper Nasser Hejazi had left the ball loose in the area. Actually, there was little danger, but Eskandarian wanted to make sure of things. A pity his clearance had the power but not the direction...

5. Andres Escobar (Colombia v. USA, 1994) Better known for its tragic aftermath, of course, but this effort still ranks pretty high, with Escobar’s impressive stretch to clear Eric Wynalda’s cross comprehensively wrong-footing Oscar Cordoba in the Colombia goal. RIP, Senor Escobar. (Pic from http://www.rankopedia. com)

4.Ivan Davidov/Ivan Vutsov (Bulgaria v. Hungary, 1966) These little-known Bulgarian players deserve a high placing for this sublime double-act in the 1966 World Cup in England. A ball comes across the box from the left, and Comrade Vutsov is well-placed to clear. But Comrade Davidov is charging back from midfield to deal with things, and so Vutsov decides to leave the clearance to his determined colleague. Davidov joyfully thumps the ball straight into Vutsov, and it fizzes past the Bulgarian goalkeeper. (Pic of Ivan Davidov @ 1970 World Cup)

(Pic from http://www.teammelli.com)

2. Christian Zaccardo (Italy v. USA, 2006) The swivel of a world champion-to-be. An attempt at a massive left-footed clearance from a free kick ended with the hapless Palermo defender pirouetting impressively on the spot while the ball dribbled past Gianluigi Buffon and into the goal. Incidentally, Zaccardo is the only player from a World Cup-winning team to have scored an own goal at the tournament. 1. Erny Brandts (Netherlands v. Italy, 1978)

There are many reasons why this effort deserves to be at the top of the pile. Not only because Brandts managed to injure his goalkeeper and put him out of the tournament while scoring the goal. Not only because it was scored in a virtual semi-final, the only own goal to be scored at such a late stage in the tournament’s history. The main reason why it wins the prize is that, in many ways, it was the goal which won the game...for the Dutch. Holland’s substitute goalkeeper did much better than his crocked colleague, Brandts actually managed to score at the other end later in the game with an amazing shot, and a game which Italy had dominated up until the goal suddenly turned, with the Italians sitting on their 1-0 lead and allowing the Dutch to dominate.

Oh, and the goal wasn’t bad either. Italy’s Roberto Bettega has nipped through the defence to connect with a deflected ball, and Brandts dives in full-length to slam it past his keeper from fully eighteen yards, outdoing even Iran’s Eskandarian (see No.3 above). Unsurpassable.

Sunil Awasthi reads the nation’s mind on the eve of South Africa 2010 KNOWING WHAT TO THINK

Emotions are powerful things. Raw and distinctively human, they drive us and shape us, influencing us greatly on life’s journey. Sometimes it’s easy to say how you feel. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes you don’t even really know how you feel! But how does the Australian football fan really feel, so close to the Socceroos’ first-ever appearance in back-toback World Cup Finals tournaments? And how should he or she feel? Well, it’s not my job to tell you how to think (that’s the job of my evil overlord superiors). But, reading the mood, as one must, I sense two distinctive emotions emanating (amongst other things!) from football fans around the country as the green-and-gold gear up for their South African sojourn. The first is one of excitement. This is football’s ultimate stage. It’s the biggest sporting event on earth - not even the Olympic Games compare nowadays. It’s an event that - thank goodness - has grown in stature, exposure and respect amongst the Australian public and media in recent years. And, of course, it is a stage that Australia’s national team will once again be on. Only 32 nations out of roughly 200 have the privilege of treading these sacred boards once every four years. And four years ago, our team - there for the first time that most folk could remember - captured the imagination of the country by doing quite well. Sporting many of the same stars four years on- and many of them four years better- the Socceroos will again fly the flag in the world’s brightest spotlight. It’s a moment of great pride, and something that naturally generates much optimism amongst the waiting public. But there’s another school of thought, a group of people approaching the World Cup with not so much bated breath, but something of a sigh, a hope, and a touch of cynicism. There’s not the unbridled praise and optimism that there was four years ago. We qualified not by a lastditch penalty shootout at home, but with a 0-0 draw far away.

Certainly our coach has not drawn many plaudits - in some senses, rightly so. His stubbornness, reflected in some of his selections, has a lot of people forecasting doom and gloom once the heat gets turned up in South Africa. And make no mistake, the heat will be turned up, in what might be the tournament’s toughest group. Our team’s style is thought of in some quarters as almost criminally conservative, one-dimensional, and dull. And what of the effect on the game in Australia if we put in a dark performance on the dark continent, becoming one of the sixteen nations to shuffle off the World Cup coil at the end of the group stage? This would represent regression from four years ago, and the game is supposed to be moving forward in Australia these days. The game in Australia lacks the tough veneer of the game in most other countries- Socceroo failure in 2010 will be much more harmful to football as a whole in Australia than a Maradona meltdown, Brazilian bellyflop, or Spanish suckiness in South Africa would be in those countries. But which of these schools of thought is right? The answer lies in a mixture of the two. This is only our third World Cup- we are not yet such regular qualifiers for the world’s greatest sporting occasion that cynicism should be allowed to set in. We were one of the first to qualify this time. And even the most cynical of the cynics will be pumping come kickoff time against Germany in Durban, I’ll bet. But cynicism, criticism, and debate are part of a healthy football culture, and as long as they’re not too over the top, have their place. We are right to be wary entering this tournament. But we should also hold our heads high and hope for the very best. Go the Socceroos, and enjoy the World Cup!

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Ben O’Neill previews the Socceroos and Germany Durban Date The countdown is almost over. 14 June, 2010. Australia v Germany. Excited? Super. I’m sure you’ve been keeping in touch with both camps. You’ll have no doubt watched, heard, read, even analysed for yourself the Socceroos performances against New Zealand last Monday night. And I’m sure most of you through various sources would have noted the Germans scored an extremely impressive 3-0 win over Hungary in Budapest in their first World Cup warm up. But with my deadline fast approaching and ideas as to how I can add something new to the forum regarding this game of games, I figured it was high time we compared likely starting 11s – player for player, spieler fur spieler. For the purpose of this exercise, I’m assuming our best (and thus reasonably predictable line up) will be fit and ready to go. For Germany, I’ve picked the 11 I reckon Jogi Low will choose come our Durban date. **** Mark Schwarzer (GK) v Manuel Neuer (GK) The battle of the number 1s is one of the few areas I actually believe we are definitively stronger. Neuer – who plays for Shalke 04 in the Bundesliga – is competent and has decent distribution but would only have been second choice for the Deutsch had Rene Adler not been ruled out with injury. Schwarzer, as we know, had one of the seasons of his life with Fulham and I see no reason he can’t continue to produce the goods in South Africa. Luke Wilkshire (RB) v Mesut Özil (LM/W) How do you describe Werder Bremen’s wing wizard Mesut Özil in a word? Freakish. This guy is one of the hottest young talents on the continent and make no mistake, the big clubs are watching. Luke Wilkshire will need to draw on all his experience in order to contain Özil. Craig Moore (CB) v Mario Gomez (FW) Brisbane Strikers v Bayern Munich. That’s the reality here with Moore having been training with the state league club while Gomez was preparing with the beasts of Bavaria and playing in the UEFA Champions League final. As such, I’d back Gomez to be altogether sharper than Moore, and this could prove telling.

Lucas Neill (CB) v Miroslav Klose (FW) It’s been well documented Klose didn’t have the best of seasons in Munich, but let’s not forget he’s amassed 10 goals in two World Cups. By the same token, Neill was awesome in 2006, the heart of Australia’s relatively stingy defence. It’s hard to pick a winner here. Scott Chipperfield (RB) v Lucas Podolski (RM/W) ‘Chippers’ is a wily campaigner and on form with FC Basel (he was named their player of the year recently). Moreover, I’d say he’s the Socceroo with the most consistency coming in to the cup. But Podolski, still only 24, has already played in two Euros and a World Cup and has performed consistently in these tournaments. He raised his confidence with a goal from the spot against Hungary. Vince Grella (DM) v Bastian Schweinsteiger (CM) On his day Grella is our guy. But Bastian from Bavaria is brilliant. Transformed from a wide-player into central midfield maestro by both club and country coaches, Schweinsteiger performed so well this season there’s been murmurs some other European giants are keen. Conversely, Grella didn’t have the best season with Blackburn so I’d favour ‘Schweiny’ here. Jason Culina (CM) v Sami Khedira (DM) A story in the Daily Telegraph recently brandished Khedira an “unknown” player, suggesting Aussie scouts would have to quickly grab tapes of the midfielder because he’s coming into the side for the injured Michael Ballack. My answer to that? If the Aussie scouts don’t know Khedira by now, we’re doomed. He captained the German U21s to the European Championship last year and was part of the Stuttgart side that were knocked out only by Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. I didn’t think Culina was particularly impressive with Gold Coast this year, but his training stint with PSV may have enlivened him enough to make this contest a split points decision. Harry Kewell (LM) v Phillip Lahm (RB) The problem for Australia here is that Lahm loves to get forward. He’s extremely fit and nippy, and is now German captain. If he’s at his best, I worry he’ll cause real problems for us with Kewell having to track back onerously, potentially taking away from his attacking game. But we all know what Kewell is capable of, so expect the unexpected.

Tim Cahill (AM) v Arne Freidrich (CB) Freidrich will be looking for a fine tournament having been relegated with Hertha Berlin last season. A towering centre back, he’ll have his hands full and opportunity to raise his stocks when he comes up against our key man, Tim Cahill. If Cahill can get the better of Freidrich – even on just one or two occasions – this will enhance our hopes of an upset. Brett Emerton (RM) v Marcell Jansen (LB) Jansen spends much of his time at his club (Hamburg) at left midfield, but is utilised more by Low in defence. Like fellow fullback Lahm, Jansen loves to get forward and whip crosses from wide. Emerton is the perfect player to nullify this threat. His well publicised engine means he has the ability to track all day, which he’ll do with glee. From defensive situations, I’d suggest Emerton v Jansen is the perfect outlet for the Socceroos on the break.

Josh Kennedy (FW) v Per Mertesacker (CB) Kennedy is top scorer in the J-League and Mertesacker a man mountain. Their relatively similar heights cancel either’s advantage out in the heading department but what worries me here is that in a decade playing against the likes of Mertesacker in the Bundesliga, Kennedy scored fewer goals than he has in less than a year with Nagoya Grampus Eight. Germany will be completely familiar with Kennedy and I think his better showings may come against other group opponents.

World Cup Mural below by: http://www.wk.com/ Am I Collective

gary robinson World Cup Bolters - USA all the way Are Team USA finally ready to win the World Cup? After being the only team not to lose to Italy in a disappointing 2006 World Cup finals, South Africa could well be where they finally shine through. The Stars and Stipes have proven themselves on the international stage in 2009, ending Spain’s record run of 35 matches unbeaten, on their way to finishing 2nd behind Brazil (losing the final 3-2) in the Confederations Cup. In the group stage the only other big name is the currently underperforming England. So getting to round 2 and bettering their 06 campaign shouldn’t be a problem. However if once out and into round 2 their true colours will be revealed, with a possible match against the Germans, who were the side that knocked them out of their successful 2002 campaign in the quarter finals. That said, should they manage to overcome the Germans, they will prove that they are in fact real contenders and they may even go better then their previous best. This time around the Americans have a few things that they have lacked in previous WC finals. They now have a team with players who are involved in some of the biggest leagues in the world, with 6 of their players (including all 3 keepers) in the EPL. They also have another 10 who play in the top league of their respective European countries, with the likes of Oguchi Onyewu at AC Milan and Jozy Altidore at Villareal, which means that these players will be accustomed to the big match atmosphere they will be playing in. Manager Bob Bradley has managed to carefully put together a team that has some exciting young players to go with experienced leaders like Landon Donavon (122 caps), captain Carlos Bocanegra (78 caps), and EPL goalkeeping veteran Tim Howard (50 caps). The USA also now have a team that has played quite a number of international matches together, which means that the players will have a good understanding of how each other play and where their strengths and weakness lie.

In my opinion the biggest danger for USA is going to be their depth and consistency. It is one thing to come out and beat Spain, but to win the World Cup it is possible they could face a run of Germany, then Argentina in the quarters, followed by Spain or Italy in the Semis, and maybe Brazil or possibly England again in the final. I have no doubt that on their day, the USA could beat any of those teams, however if the WC curse strikes and they end up with an injury and/or suspension to a key player they really don’t appear to have the talent to cover it. Can they win it? Absolutely. Will they win it? It’s the World Cup, anything is possible!

World Cup Mural below by: http://www.wk.com/ Am I Collective

Ben Halls - Maybe, Just Maybe for England to win the Cup Maybe, Just Maybe...

For the last few months a British newspaper called The Sun (you must have heard about it, it has nude women on Page 3 like any respected publication should) has been running an ad campaign about the upcoming World Cup with the slogan ‘Maybe, Just Maybe...’ Then again, the same adverts also feature Terry Venables singing swing music. It’s hard to take them seriously. Not as hard as the Carlsberg team talk adverts, but Terry Venables singing Rat Pack numbers while Harry Redknapp and Ian Wright do back up vocals does dull the point somewhat. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah... Whenever a major tournament rolls around England are always discussed alongside the contenders. We believe that this could be the year that we finally break our 44-year long wait for a major International trophy and nothing from common sense to reality will stop us. I guess that assumption isn’t really all that far fetched. I mean, between Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney we have some world class players. The backbone of the team, the likes of Terry, Ferdinand, Lennon and Johnson aren’t all that bad either. Plus we have the Swedish Chef from the Muppets managing us. On paper we aren’t actually a bad team. Plus on top of that you have the intangibles, and it is often those unquantifiable qualities which win World Cups. This will probably be the last World Cup for Rio Ferdinand, David James, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, while others such as John Terry and Ashley Cole will be looking for redemption in glory. You can’t discount the Beckham effect, either. Everything he has done for the last few years has been engineered so that he could go to South Africa. When his Achilles exploded, his dreams seemingly died. However, despite the fact that he won’t be on the pitch, he will be in the England camp as a coach and you can guarantee that he will make sure that every part of his drive and passion is installed in his former team mates. Maybe, Just Maybe... See, I bet you now think we can win it, don’t you? Well, don’t head to the bookies just yet. The sad truth is England won’t do anything, and are probably doomed to another quarter or semi final exit on penalties.

(Pic by http://www.wk.com/ Am I Collective) Want to know why?

It’s our cricket team’s fault. I have a theory which says that only one of England’s sports teams – out of Cricket, Rugby, and Football – can do well at a time. Want proof? We miss out on the European Football Championships and then reach the Rugby World Cup Final. We win The Ashes and we lose the Six Nations. We qualify for the World Cup and get spanked in the Rugby Winter Tests.

Last week, our cricket team won the ICC World Twenty20 and they are currently spanking Bangladesh in a Test Match. Therefore, they are the England team with the luck and they will do well, leaving our poor football team to suffer. Want to know if England are going to win the World Cup? Follow the progress of our cricket team. It’s a flawless system, and it’s what I’ll be doing.

Shane Davis

World Cup Extravaganza http://hiraldo.wordpress.com/ Saddest moment? If we’re including qualifying, the undoubtedly Iran ‘97. If we’re just talking about the tournament itself, then probably the nonsense of the penalty shootout leading to legends like Robertio Baggio and Franco Baresi basically ending their team’s campaign in the 1994 final.

Most awesome moment!

Tim Cahill’s second goal against Japan in 2006. As a whole day the Croatia game was more of a highlight, but I remember exactly how hopeful and then jubilant I felt in the second or so of watching Cahill’s shot from the edge of the box go from his boot, off one upright and then inside the other upright.

Have you lost a job or girlfriend/boyfriend during the World Cup? It tends to be the other way around funnily enough.

Moments in World Cup commentary?

The Croatia vs. Jamaica game in 1998, the camera focusing on a large scantily clad Jamaican lady showing a lot of leg and Barry Davies exclaiming “Oh, say!”

Name your favourite World Cup cliche

“Brazil, the kings of carefree samba football” - rather misleading for one of the more results-orientated teams in world football.

Predictions :

Most absurd moment?

Who will fail spectacularly?

Easily Graham Poll’s three yellow card trick and whole end to the Croatia game.

Close call between France, Germany, Italy and Portugal. I’ll actually go with Germany being eliminated in the opening stage for the first time since 1938.

What do you want to see?

Who will succeed spectacularly?

A World Cup worth its salt for the first time since 1998, with more teams playing to their potential than in 2002 and 2006, and a team or two in the latter stages that prefers to play in their opponents’ half rather than wait for a counter-attack or set-piece.

A lot will bizarrely fall in place for Argentina and they will win it after not getting past the quarterfinals since 1990.

What do you not want to see?

A star who leaves the tournament in disgrace? Maybe C. Ronaldo.

Another World Cup with almost all of the top teams exhibiting more fear of the opposition than confidence in themselves.

World Cup SBS Memories?

Fantasy World Cup in 1998, and trying to do watch all the games and do all nighters as a 12-year-old then.

Who will do a Zidane?

Who will do a Maradona?

Carry his team to the World Cup title? Kaka or Rooney if anyone.

Buckle up ben looks forward to the world cup in South Africa while the Big d tries to sabotage another one closer to home...

World Cup fever is hitting, well the World and Football Federation Australia Boss Buckle-up Ben is focused on the coming trip, to win the group, the cup and even the bid. That’s his official line, but his real AFL mission is to kill the bid, the A-League, even the Socceroos themselves. AFL Chief Big D and his best man Buckle-Up Ben caught up in Melbourne last week before Buckles flew out. Buckles: Farewell Big D, I’m off to the World Cup. Big D: Good luck Buckles, stop that bid for us and your FFA salary will start to look like mine. You know, I get $2 million for a 16 game season, we don’t start until March and have it all wrapped up in September. Time to party, time to spend and I never have to get on a plane, ever. Buckles: What about Perth and Brisbane? Big D: Nah, never go. Who cares, why would you? Melbourne for me mate. Now, about Archie Fraser, see the FFA sussed him. Okay, no probs he did his damage for us and he might still pull a few Queensland sides under, although see the Roar are reducing prices already. But the new guy, Child Lawmen, he’s all football. Buckles, you gonna be stuck on your FFA salary if you don’t do something and quick. You even got to a million yet? And I ain’t talking Frequent Flyers! Buckles: Didn’t see Child Lawmen coming I must admit, but the Mariners could sink with him gone. Big D: Sink! I’d like it Buckles, like it. Buckles: Sink, oh yeah get it I do. Anyway I’ll be out of touch for a while with the Cup and the bid. Big D: About the bid, you gotta kill that thing. December 2, the bid loses, you come back to AFL Dec 3 - got it! We’ll even get the wedding photos out again. The missus is steaming about them being hidden but gotta stick to the plan. Buckles: What should I do?

Big D: Kill that bid, just do it. We nearly pulled it off with the stadium bluff, but the Feds got involved and it got too hot. But think we’ve deflated it somewhat. And when FIFA’s Splatter sees we’ll get new AFL stadiums in Perth, Adelaide and even Geelong, can’t believe the Fed bought the Geelong gig. Nice one Ben, but FIFA will never buy it will they? Buckles: Been working hard on the media Big D. Got them all onside, talking about boring games, only 55,000 to the NZ game, it was a record crowd for an NZ game you know but everyone talked it down. Even some geezer from the ABC Jon Green started talking about AFL in his Socceroos report and you can expect the usual suspects like John Bermingham, Peter FitzSimons, Roy Masters, Patrick Smith, Phil Rothfield, Rebecca Wilson and all the AFL journos to stick the boot in to the bid and the team when they fail. And fail the Aussies will Big D, they’ll never win the group. We banned Pim from taking Nicky Carle, he can play, and also said it was no bonus or Scott McDonald. Didn’t think Pim would stop at that one, but he bought it, didn’t even take one goalscoring striker. They’ve no chance. These Dutch are mercenaries, always have been I guess. Big D: Well done Buckles, you’re doing well. Buckles: So what you up to when I’m on safari, around Jo’Berg mixing with the prime ministers and presidents in South Africa, killing the bid wherever I go. Off to Geelong to watch North Melbourne, or maybe take in a couple of games at the G. Richmond Carlton? Big D: You are joking, that’s for the locals. I’m off to South Africa. You can stick the AFL, World Cup junket here I come, and FitzSimons, Masters and Smith are coming too. Here we go, here we go, here we go! Buckles:All class Big D, all class.

La Happenings!: World Cup spain Special

Kieran Pender

http://an-aussies-view.blogspot.com

Along with Holland, Spain is one of the better teams to have never won a World Cup. But now, after winning the 2008 Euros, Spain have gone on to win 10 from 10 in qualifying and were unlucky to go out in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup. However, some believe that the shock of losing to the USA in South Africa has only served to spur Spain onwards. Now, with the big-stage experience of Euro 2008 behind them, and boasting a line-up including Casillas, Puyol, Xavi, Fabregas, Torres and Villa, Spain is ready to exorcise past demons and put their name on the FIFA World Cup.

The good: Where to start? Two of the best strikers in the world up front, a midfield where Cesc Fabregas isn’t even assured a start, and Iker Casillas, one of the best keepers in world, in goals. The current Spanish national team manage to combine two elements vital to any good team, quality players and quality reserves. If Casillas is out of form, Vicente del Bosque can decide between either Victor Valdes or Pepe Reina, two undeniably top-class goalkeepers. In the midfield, del Bosque can choose between Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Alonso, Sergio Busquets or Javi Martinez, all extremely talented players in their own right. Xavi and Iniesta have been widely credited for Barcelona’s recent success, their passing opening up space for Messi to shine, and Fabregas was one of the best players in the Premier League this season (despite injuries). Up front, del Bosque can either play David Villa on his own, or can play with Torres as well. Any team that can have Fernando Torres, one of the best strikers in the world, on the bench, is a team brimming with quality. They also have a plan-B for goals, with Fernando Llorente offering a different approach (a more battering ram approach), along with impact substitute Pedro Rodriguez, who has had an impressive season for Barcelona.

Finally, Spain has a wealth of options at the heart of the defence, with four different world class centre backs. Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, robust Valencia defender Carlos Marchena, Barcelona sensation Gerard Pique and finally one of Real Madrid’s more astute signings last year, Raul Albiol.

The bad: Spain’s weaknesses, although well hidden, will still need to be protected if they are to triumph in South Africa. At fullback, Joan Capdevila and Sergio Ramos sometimes struggle, with Capdevila getting older and Ramos having a propensity for charging forward and getting caught out. Their backups aren’t great either, with Alvaro Arbeloa the most likely replacement (he can play on either flank), or playing Carles Puyol. Against a team with two quality wingers, the lack of solid fullbacks could hurt Spain. They also lack a world class winger, and may find it difficult to exploit other teams down either side. David Silva and Jesus Navas are both quality players, but Silva has spent most of his time this season playing as a central attacking midfielder, while Navas is yet to shine on the international stage, due to personal issues (Navas suffers from chronic homesickness). Juan Manuel Mata could be a breakthrough after an excellent season with Valencia, but lacks experience at the highest level. Finally, they may suffer from what Barcelona felt against Inter Milan in the Champions League this season. Even the best passing football can still become unstuck against a team with 10 men behind the ball, and Spain looked flustered against Iraq in the 2009 Confederation Cup, until some David Villa brilliance put them ahead in the second half. However, Spain does have the long range threat that Barcelona lacked, with Fabregas and Silva both possessing long range blasts.

Watch out for:

The verdict:

After making his big-money move to Barcelona at the end of the season, former Valencia striker David Villa will be eager to impress the international crowd and demonstrate his 40 million euros-plus price tag is a bargain. After a great start with Valencia this season, Villa tailed off towards the end, and despite leading the golden-boot ladder early, Villa ended the La Liga season with only 21 goals (13 off Messi’s total). Despite that, he still showed the quality that makes him World Soccer Magazine’s best striker in the world, and with Villa upfront either by himself or with Fernando Torres, other defences in the tournament will be quivering with fear.

Spain’s time has finally come, and after years of being the ‘coulda beens’ or the ‘shoulda beens’, La Furia Roja are finally ready to shine on the world stage. Victory at the 2008 European Championships have given a fantastically talented group of players the confidence to press on for higher glory. If the team stays concentrated and injury free, Spain’s first world cup trophy could await.

World Cup Murals by http://www.wk.com/ Am I Collective

Sarah d gets on the

socceroos band wagon express The Australian bandwagon is an almost parallel world for four weeks. The cringe worthy media puns, in every newspaper, everybody thinking they’re expert and this year McDonald collector cups. Then after it’s over people either leave the bandwagon or there are more converts to this wonderful world game.

In 2006 I jumped on the bandwagon that is the World Cup. I’m not ashamed of this as it has never crossed my mind to jump off. I was seventeen and hungry to learn everything and anything about the Socceroos. I had some elaborate plans to watch as many games as I could and then I realised I needed to sleep at some point so I simply settled for the Australia games. I loved Simon Hill’s silky and enthusiastic voice as he commentated the games. After it was over, I begged a friend to take me to a Sydney FC game (I’ve become a regular ever since).

Even though I wasn’t at the showdown against Uruguay for qualification the replays still bring an overwhelming sense of pride and unwavering support for the Socceroos. Without the Socceroos I wouldn’t have found Sydney FC, Tim Cahill and an almost unnatural love for Simon Hill. I know of some people who love their club unconditionally, but since the 2006 World Cup act like it’s fashionable to shrug off our national team. I love supporting my national team in a sport I love. I love the entire squad, especially the younger members who have worked hard to be noticed. Now friends have started to leave for South Africa, the anticipation is building. I’m even excited for the 4am wakeups although I may change my mind when I actually have to get out of bed at 4am.

The 2006 Sooceroos Band Wagon Express - what will the 2010 version look like?

La Happenings! Spanish season review Kieran Pender http://an-aussies-view.blogspot.com An own-goal from Luis Prieto in the 3357th minute of Barcelona’s La Liga season all but secured a win over Real Valladolid, and in a rather unspectacular way, their second consecutive title. The scene was set for the last round of the season. The title was still up for grabs, none of the three relegation spots were certain, and the final Champions League spot was also open. Real Madrid was heading to Malaga, while Barcelona had to fend off a Valladolid side desperate to fend off relegation. But in the end, it finished with almost abject normality. Of all the positions still available at the end of round 37, only a minor change in the battle for mid-table mediocrity occurred, and Valladolid slid into relegation. Barcelona went on to demolish the team from Valladolid, with Messi scoring a brace, while Real Madrid ended their disappointing season with a one-all draw at Malaga. Madrid’s spectacular season has seen them spend more than a quarter of a billion dollars on player transfers (most notably Ronaldo and Kaka) but still go out of the Champions League in the round of sixteen, and lose to third division side Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey. At the time of writing, Madrid have sacked manager Manuel Pellegrini despite him amassing a colossal 96 points this season and speculation is rife that he will be replaced by current Inter manager Jose Mourinho. ‘The Special One’ has won the Champions League at both Porto and now at Inter, and will be hoping to repeat that feat at the Santiago Bernabeu. In third place finished the mighty Valencia, a truly remarkable feat given they staved off bankruptcy and only just prevented the sale of Davids Villa and Silva last summer. Behind them in fourth was Sevilla, who had a fairly indifferent season and will be thanking their lucky stars that they scraped fourth. The team who Sevilla fought off for fourth place are sadly the team that probably deserves it most, Mallorca. At the beginning of this season it appeared as if the island based side could go under, and despite a thread-bare squad, Gregorio Manzano managed to keep the side in fourth for most of the season.

Alas they fell at the final hurdle, and spent the last three rounds in fifth. They finished the season in agony, sitting on the pitch watching the final minutes of Sevilla’s game against Almeria, with champagne in hand ready to celebrate the possibility of Champions league football (fourth place in Spain goes into the CL qualifying stage).

But Sevilla scored in the 93rd minute, leaving Mallorca shell-shocked, and the ensuing weeks have seen them go into administration and admit that they will not be able to keep on Manzano due to financial restraints. At the other end of the table, Real Valladolid’s loss to Barcelona coupled with Malaga’s draw with Madrid saw the two sides change places in the table. Unfortunately for Valladolid, it moved them into 18th, and Segunda division football next season. The two sides who will be joining Valladolid in the second division are Tenerife and Xerez. The Canary Islands side fought valiantly all season, and a win over Valencia on the final day would have seen them stay up, but an Alexis header in the 90th minute cruelly put an end to their season. You really have to feel for the side, they struggled all season and just missed survival. As their coach Jose Luis Oltra put so elegantly “How beautiful football would be if it wasn’t for matchday.” Xerez also suffered a cruel blow this season, as the Azulinos, who were stranded in 20th place since round 12, finally started to close the gap on their relegation rivals in the last few games, only to draw with Osasuna on the last weekend. Sadly, the eternal memory of this La Liga season will be, other than Barcelona’s magnificent displays, the two horse race that the league is fast becoming. Third placed Valencia finished an astonishing 25 points behind second placed Madrid, and with the sale of David Villa to Barcelona, Valencia is even less likely to push either of the top two next season. The other traditional challengers, Sevilla, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid all had rather poor seasons, and Sevilla only just scraped into the last Champions League spot. Almeria coach Juanma Lillo summed up the situation brilliantly when he said that “The rest of us have been reduced to suppliers of players for the big two,” while Sevilla sporting director Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo (also known as Monchi) concurred “It reminds me of Scotland.” Sadly, until the television deals can be fixed so that they are no longer negotiated by individual clubs, the chance of change is unlikely. The focus in Spain now switches to the national front, with La Furia Roja heading into South Africa as favourites. With such a strong squad (see my preview of their chances elsewhere in this edition of Half Time Heroes), Spain will be looking to erase memories of past World Cup failure by taking home the cup in South Africa.

Mr Cleansheets by Adrian Deans Review by Paul Mavroudis Sometimes dreams can come true... Adrian Deans’ Mr Cleansheets

During the past two decades, mainstream Australian soccer writing – and for that matter, most other Australian sports writing - seems to have almost inevitably returned to the twin pillars of the shortsighted rants of your so called ‘professional’ analysts, and the ghostwritten autobiographies of local and overseas veterans. The recent emergence of the blogosphere has taken the wind out of the professional’s sails to an extent, by showing that simplistic and alarming analysis can also be done for free; but where is the counterpoint to the reliance on biography, the works that show an imaginative and creative response to our soccer lives, and which is not directed solely at children? Adrian Deans’ new novel, Mr Cleansheets, may very well herald the arrival – or at least the return, for those with very wide reading and memory – of the Australian soccer novel to our literary consciousness. The novel’s protagonist, Eric Judd, the titular Mr Cleansheets is on the verge of turning 40, a labourer during the working week and amateur goalkeeping legend on weekends. After winning the title for his basement New South Wales side, his coach forcibly retires him. So Eric makes the foolhardy decision to head off to England to fulfill the dying wish of his Uncle Jimmy – to take up the outstanding offer of trialing for Manchester United – made when Eric was still a teenager. Things don’t get off to a good start; he gets into a fight at the airport, gets no further than the merchandise store at Old Trafford, and finds himself more or less where he started, albeit on the other side of the world – working as a removalist and illegally playing non-league football for the hopeless Bentham United. But his luck does start to change. He lands himself a new girl. The team starts winning. And in his own mind, he’s starting to live the dream. But things can never be that straightforward. The past and the future catch up to Eric in all manner of alarming and hilarious ways. Deans has a breezy and natural flair for this kind of writing, which allows the reader to get swept up in the amazing coincidences which the story throws up. His descriptions of the match action itself, while perhaps a little neat, nevertheless ring true; it’s a difficult art to tell the story of a game that does not exist, one with a predetermined result. His strongest work though, comes in his descriptions of violence, especially those of hand to hand combat. The aforementioned breezy manner gets pushed aside for visceral and sensory writing that is at odds with most of the rest of the novel.

There are a multitude of accents in the novel – Irish, Cockney, French, Toff, Portuguese, Tcherman - which for the most part Deans handles well enough, but they are there more for comic effect rather than any sort of meaningful cultural exploration. Mr Cleansheets himself, being an Aussie, has no dialect issues whatsoever – his neutral tone assumed to be natural. Irvine Welsh this ain’t, and at times the accents blend into each other, so that characters, especially some of the more minor ones – and there are many of them - can seem interchangeable. Some readers, though crucially, not what I imagine is the intended audience, might blanch at Deans’ explorations of masculinity – a very old school, protective form of it, with a few edges shaved off. In its own way, Mr Cleansheets is a love letter to masculinity – and the bastions of that masculinity that women can’t ever enter or understand. In this case it centres on sporting clubs and the drinking and mateship culture – and Deans combines it with the classic ‘you’ll only go in for your mates’ line, the sacrifices and camaraderie that can only be forged in battle, even if the war is fought on an enclosed patch of grass. Deans also has some interesting, and potentially polarising things to say about the place of soccer in Australia, even though so little of the novel takes place there. Soccer in Australia is almost irrevocably a game outside the mainstream – and it will likely never win its place authentically inside the nation’s sporting consciousness. Real soccer is in England or in Europe, where it is the main game, where it is in the blood of the people so to speak. For those in Australia for whom Australian soccer has always been the main game, and has (or had) its own mainstream that it has looked after for generations, this will perhaps place the novel as a work directed towards those fans more recently arrived at the game. The extraordinarily vicious portrayal of the rugby journo in particular is a classic example of the convert’s attempt to prove their belief in the cause. Being a certified intentional page turner, Deans’ attempt to write a novel on football, but also on such other weighty and complex matters such as love, international pop stardom, the criminal underworld and Aryan conspiracy theories, could have turned into a right mess; yet he’s actually managed to write something coherent and remarkably enjoyable. Mr Cleansheets is no literary masterpiece, but it is a lot of fun. By taking the notion of a midlife crisis to its logical conclusion, Deans has provided a novel for every person who has ever sat and wondered in the quiet of the night, what might have been had they taken the opportunities presented to them, instead of doing the sensible and responsible thing.

Half Time HEROES dodgy back page Thanks again to everyone who contributed. Your work is greatly appreciated. Half Time Heroes is put together by a passionate group of football fans who commit their time and energy to the cause of Australian and International round ball game. Web Designer/Logo Designer Peter Alexandrou Graphic Artist/Assist Editor Wayne Snowdon http://www.happinessforsale. org/ff/ Editor and Graphic Designer: Con Stamocostas

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The next edition of Half Time Heroes is out july 1st 2010. no football clicheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s were harmed in the making of this publication. stay tuned for a short film called: Jablunai, an african tale of poor crosses, skyed shots and pre-emptive excuses, coming to a world cup near you.