I can't see for the flags...

Korea Republic 1 v Oman 0

Saturday 10 January 2015

Canberra Stadium

Twitter @ball_sup

The first game of my AFC Asian Cup campaign. To the uninitiated, the Asian Cup is where the top 16 Asian Nations get together in one country every 4 years. Like the EUROs I say to my English friends. One step down from the World Cup.

This time around Australia are the hosts. There are games in Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle & Sydney (where the Final will be held). And, games in Canberra - where I'll be based for much of the tournament.

This will be my 3rd Confederation tournament. I've done every UEFA EURO that England have qualified for from 1988 (Germany) onwards. And I did a double header, two games back to back, in the 2002 Oceania Nations Cup at North Harbour stadium outside Auckland,  New Zealand.

Apologies in advance all round. I'm worried some of my Blogs from the Asian Cup will come across as European Centric xenophobia. That's not my intention. Funny names. Funny clothes. Lovely little fellas. I'm gonna try & steer clear of all that palaver. 

My first time at Canberra Stadium. There was, I'm pleased to say, a great Football Will Eat Itself moment. I'm guessing there's an AFC Regulation about what flags need to be displayed, in what order & how prominently. The missive seems to include "slung under the roof of the stand opposite the cameras". In my humble opinion, a fair number of despotic dictatorships on offer at this tournament. There's nothing more a despot likes than seeing his/her flag on the gogglebox.

Oh. But. The bowl & rake of the stand means that, at Canberra Stadium the myriad flags blot out the view for the prime, undercover, halfway line seats. And, they're some of the few undercover seats & we were subjected to a truly tropical downpour.

Over 12,000 there. A lot of Korean fans. The game was OK. But nothing special. Cagey, first game in a group of four. Oman put their bodies in the way. Blocked a fair few shots. I felt as the game went on that Oman might end up with chances to nick a draw. And they did. One fella missed a great chance in the 6 yard box. The Korea keeper pushed a header onto the bar.

But, all told, Korea deserved their win.

I feel pompous but vindicated. I'm pleased to say there was little of the bollocks that pervades World Cups & EUROs. No security lock downs. No seething mass of uninterested Corporate Sponsors. Loads of families. Loads of football fans.

11 fellas. Out there. Proud to play for their country. No one bit anybody. Maybe the quality of football doesn't match FIFA/UEFA. The hype certainly doesn't. But the fan experience does.

This is Ball Sup. So I need to add some detail. Hahns Super Dry & VB keg on sale in the ground. You can drink that in your seat. You can drink that watching the game. You can watch the game as you queue for your beer. The barstaff know how to pull a beer. You can get it before, during & after the game. You can enjoy yourself. Provided you can see past The Flags.

68/172