Anyone But Australia

Korea Republic 1 v Australia 2
(after extra time)

Stadium Australia

Saturday 31 January 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

We're all done here. My team lost. I've always had a simple rule at FIFA & Confederation Finals. I support two teams. England & whoever is putting the hosts out. Of course, at the Asian Cup, England won't win. So, it's just whoever is putting the hosts out. My Australian cousins needn't feel aggrieved. They're in good company. Germany, Brazil, France, Italy. They've all suffered at my hands.

And of course it's not Australia or the other hosts I'm against. It's the buffoons. In the future, you'll thank me. Face painted, fancy dress wearing, gurning for the tele, me me me Buffoons. They're in your woodwork. Keep them there.

In the last year or so, I've started watching a wider range of football. More international Age Group football. More Sheffield United Age Group football. UEFA Youth League. The Asian Cup was a natural extension. Objective - swerve all the usual Bollocks - hone it down to 11 v 11 with a ball.

In the main, Australia & the Asian Cup delivered. Partisan,  ex-pat crowds. Excellently refereed. Let the game flow. Tell him to get up. Some great games. Some lovely players. Beer in the ground. Beer at your seats.

No three security cordons. No body searches. No airport style x-ray security. I was never kept in a ground for my own safety. No snarling. No touts. No half n half scarves. (Although some BrownNosing ex-pat communities produced half n half shirts in their own colours & Aus Green & Gold.)

Sighs. But.

The Jibber Jabber. Big screens in the ground. "I've got with me Local Soccer Celebrity. What do you think of the tournament so far?" "Fantastic, the atmosphere has been superb....repeat..."

"Hello, you look colourful, introduce yourself" "I'm Benny, word up"

"Who do you think will win today, Benny?" "Not sure, my mates thought it'd be a great laugh to come. Who is playing?"

"Come on East side, I can't hear you, make some NOISE"

Mate, you can't hear me because I am discussing Overlapping Winghalves with my neighbour. Do one.

Sighs. But.

Dance Cam & the divvy dancing mascot Wombat. There was some cute Clean Stadium nonsense in Canberra. And cheap ticket prices bring people in. But some people who are not really that interested in being there. They've come to be seen, not to see.

Eight out of ten. Could've done better.

I loved watching Omar Abdulrahman from the UAE. All the tricks. At speed. Playing people in. Makes things happen. Probably outside the UK Work Permit rules. Maybe thought not physically strong enough for English football.

A great game in front of a 70k plus crowd. Korea will be a bit disappointed. They did equalise right at the death to send it into extra time. But a great bit of wrestling & staying on your feet by the Aus fella created the winner.

Don't begrudge them. But today I supported Anyone But Australia. ABA.

80/193