Bye Bye Socceroos....
Is it just me or is everyone devastated today? I love an underdog, particularly when they’re wearing Australian colours.
But it's over. Italy one, Australia nil. The Socceroos have bowed out of the World Cup after an injury-time penalty by Francesco Totti marched Italy into the last eight of the competition.
At the Fritz-Walter Stadion in Kaiserslautern - scene of the epic win over Japan - Australia couldn't quite re-invent history, again. On the tv, you could see that the crowd was ready for a boil over….The streets and squares thronged with green-and-gold…but it just wasn’t to be….
Australia were far from disgraced. The Socceroos might be leaving the world stage but they’ve won an army of new admirers and with their reputations enhanced.
Today, in the wash up, many will argue that the Socceroos are out because of a woeful refereeing decision, but they are not the only team to claim that.
Lucas Neill, again one of Australia's best, got into a tangle in the goal square…but there was only minimal contact. The Spanish Ref must have seen something the rest of us couldn’t, because in the 93rd minute…he pointed to the spot and Totti delivered the penalty to decide the match.
There wasn't even time for a kick-off.
Cruel, tough, unjust. Maybe. But then a lot of people are wondering why Guus Hiddink was so cautious with the bench, maybe a few of the bold interchanges he has become so famous for might have done the trick. Maybe if Harry Kewell wasn’t on crutches we might have go a different result..
But it wasn't to be. No matter, the Socceroos were courageous to the end….there’s no doubt the future of the national team is in good hands…
But it's over. Italy one, Australia nil. The Socceroos have bowed out of the World Cup after an injury-time penalty by Francesco Totti marched Italy into the last eight of the competition.
At the Fritz-Walter Stadion in Kaiserslautern - scene of the epic win over Japan - Australia couldn't quite re-invent history, again. On the tv, you could see that the crowd was ready for a boil over….The streets and squares thronged with green-and-gold…but it just wasn’t to be….
Australia were far from disgraced. The Socceroos might be leaving the world stage but they’ve won an army of new admirers and with their reputations enhanced.
Today, in the wash up, many will argue that the Socceroos are out because of a woeful refereeing decision, but they are not the only team to claim that.
Lucas Neill, again one of Australia's best, got into a tangle in the goal square…but there was only minimal contact. The Spanish Ref must have seen something the rest of us couldn’t, because in the 93rd minute…he pointed to the spot and Totti delivered the penalty to decide the match.
There wasn't even time for a kick-off.
Cruel, tough, unjust. Maybe. But then a lot of people are wondering why Guus Hiddink was so cautious with the bench, maybe a few of the bold interchanges he has become so famous for might have done the trick. Maybe if Harry Kewell wasn’t on crutches we might have go a different result..
But it wasn't to be. No matter, the Socceroos were courageous to the end….there’s no doubt the future of the national team is in good hands…
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