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Post by Jimmydinho on Jun 27, 2006 6:35:00 GMT 10
so close, so so close. the ref was great up until the final seconds. all he had to do is let us have one more thing sway our way. but no.......... we were all over them for the whole second half. they played well above their levels, except wilkshire and dukes who should of came off. if only we could finish the job and put it in the net. i went to sydney. walked from central to the quay, people everywhere and i mean everywhere, cars honking horns, songs being sung at every single corner. horns, drums, whistles, dancing, you name it, it was there. the quay was absolutely packed and someone with my hight would of found it hard to see, as i did, so i moved back up to central park, a good turnout there aswell, they used the screen that we get at our home games. ended up seeing a few mariners fans including kevs daughter. just got home and heading for bed. twas a long long night.
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Post by MrCelery on Jun 27, 2006 7:23:01 GMT 10
That sick, sick, sick feeling of 'so near yet so far'. First at Aussie Stadium for the A-League Grand Final, and now this.
Same story - a wealth of the play, but unable to convert chances.
2006 will go down as the best of times and the worst of times.
While hugely disappointed in the result - God I love this game!
I'm off to get a hanky - serviously.
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Post by blackadder on Jun 27, 2006 8:33:16 GMT 10
How often does heartbreak and the Socceroos goes hand in hand The guys have done the country proud, having to be qualify through the play off with Uruguay and then making the Rnd of 16. Bring on the Asian Cup qualifiers and the A-League
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Post by DJ on Jun 27, 2006 9:15:10 GMT 10
That's the worse possible way to lose a game, I couldn't get back to sleep for ages even thou I was tired!
However, it wasn't a sending off IMO and Australia created very few clear cut opportunities, mainly due to some great defending from Italy. It's all very well having 60% possession but you need to do the right things with the ball.
In saying that I don't believe it was a penalty but I can see why it was given, Neill came across the attacker, missed the ball and the ref saw his leg hit Neills body. He was looking for it and in true Italian fashion won a penalty, all over!
Well done to the team thou, they have boosted awareness of the game over here and I cannot believe the number of people who got up in the middle of the night to watch a game which is only the third most popular football code. Lets pray that this kick starts an even more popular A-League next year!
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Post by dibo (pron. "DIB-OH") on Jun 27, 2006 9:50:11 GMT 10
shouldn't have been a send-off, should have had a penalty for italian handball about 85m, call on neill was fair.
that's football, but we've mixed it with the best, and came away with no disgrace.
...and the italians are going to get smashed by the argies or the krauts...
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Post by pipray on Jun 27, 2006 9:57:13 GMT 10
Can't believe it-soooo close At least we showed the world we are capable of so much more than they gave us credit for. Did us proud Socceroos!
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Post by pom pom on Jun 27, 2006 10:31:50 GMT 10
thanks to everyone who was worried about me last night....as you should of guessed i got home in one piece . i really was a mess wasnt i.....hahaha anyway..... im so i dont know if this is the right word but....sad but we will be there next time and do even better. we are just giving them a taste of what we have. it was the absolute WORST way to end a game that we seemed like winning, on so many chances that were just lost. i agree 80% that dukes should of come off. the other 20% is because i think they needed their captain on the field.....but he just sucked so bad sometimes. they made australia so unbelieveably proud to get that far. WE LOVE YOU SOCCEROOS ;D
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Post by sugerfreak on Jun 27, 2006 10:48:27 GMT 10
it was sad but we did prove to the world that we are entitled to compete just as much as everyone else!Can also understand why Dukes was allowed to stay on but even so he should've come off. We'll do better next time. We still love you socceroos
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striker 9
Local league player
best striker ever!
Posts: 58
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Post by striker 9 on Jun 27, 2006 10:48:58 GMT 10
...and the italians are going to get smashed by the argies or the krauts... bullshit!
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Post by Auburn Mariner on Jun 27, 2006 10:54:25 GMT 10
This quote is from espn.com in America:
""Winger Harry Kewell, man of the match in the 2-2 draw with Croatia that earned Australia a place in the final 16, missed the game with what turned out to be gout in his foot. He supported himself with crutches as he watched from the bench.""
Gout!! Are you serious?? You have got to be kidding!!
Striker, Italy will get sorted out by teams with world-class finishing, which we did not have last night, unfortunately. Crespo, Klose, Podolski etc, will pick apart Italy's defence.
Glad to see you are OK, Pom Pom.
BTW, I vote for Lucas Neill as captain over the next few years, what a player. And that was NOT a penalty!!!
Cheerio,
AM
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Post by pieman on Jun 27, 2006 11:38:00 GMT 10
I'm probably going to get hammered for this but I thought Guus's tactic's we wrong, Against Japan it was the same But he changed them earlier enough to get a good win in the end. Against Brazil it was going to be tough and they had nothing to lose and played well. Croatia Game was another Good result (which could have gone either way)althought the ref overshadowed the Result. Last night Guus seemed to think the Italian's would give up and the Aussie team would win it in Extra time or Penalties. They didn't push forward enough after the sending off for my liking. IMHO
Viduka display last night justified why I dislike him so much, that match interview was disgraceful.
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Post by pom pom on Jun 27, 2006 11:47:23 GMT 10
this is one of the most heart tugging,tear jerking photos ever
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Post by omni on Jun 27, 2006 11:55:20 GMT 10
I see what you're saying Pieman, you've got a point, how many subs did we make?
Terrible decision, but maybe it'll keep more people on the bandwagon than if we were outclassed by Italy, an Asian Cup win might heal some wounds.
As much as I ahte Uruguay, Italy have certainly worked their way up the levels of hatred.
Striker: No you're right, they'll get demolished by the Ukraine
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striker 9
Local league player
best striker ever!
Posts: 58
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Post by striker 9 on Jun 27, 2006 11:55:56 GMT 10
I'm probably going to get hammered for this but I thought Guus's tactic's we wrong, Against Japan it was the same But he changed them earlier enough to get a good win in the end. Against Brazil it was going to be tough and they had nothing to lose and played well. Croatia Game was another Good result (which could have gone either way)althought the ref overshadowed the Result. Last night Guus seemed to think the Italian's would give up and the Aussie team would win it in Extra time or Penalties. They didn't push forward enough after the sending off for my liking. IMHO Viduka display last night justified why I dislike him so much, that match interview was disgraceful. Hey Pieman - There is a vacancy for the Aussie National Coach. Why don't you apply and include you article above in your resume - you're bound to get the job - coz you know all about there is to know about football..... in the mean time keep baking meat pies! IMO - Guus did a superb job... pitty we can't keep him for the Asian qualifiers....and WC 2010.
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Post by pieman on Jun 27, 2006 12:09:09 GMT 10
Striker that's my opinion i never said it was right and I knew I would get lambasted about it.
A meat pie is Lung, Bollocks and Tongue and cost's a dollar. There's none of that in my pies? 100% beef and chicken breast. that's why they cost shit loads.
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Post by Adz on Jun 27, 2006 13:02:59 GMT 10
I think Pieman is right - looked like they were going forward okay, but not really attacking like in the other games... like they were waiting for a shootout or something.
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Post by DJ on Jun 27, 2006 13:05:41 GMT 10
I agree with Pieman sorry, It appeared that the Aussies were waiting for the Italians to tire and hope to get a goal in extra time. I believe that Guus should have made a change sooner to put more pressure on their rock solid defence but it's easy for me to sit back and say that now! What Guus has achieved is fantastic and if we won would have probably said Guus is a master!
I'd rather have Guus than Sven that's for sure!
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Post by ryan on Jun 27, 2006 13:13:50 GMT 10
If we got Sven that would be a big step backwards. He has a very good squad and they look scared of attacking. They are not playing any better than they did 4 years ago and if they make the final i will be disapointed.
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Post by pieman on Jun 27, 2006 13:32:06 GMT 10
Engerland will win the World cup Why? because they're the worst side left in the Cup.
They've been grinding out results and jagging 1-0 wins. (boring the opposition in to losing)
Personnally I would love to see Portugal or any other team that play's Engerland Win. Sorry DJ it's in the blood! there's only one scot I know who supports Engerland. LL where are you?
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Post by DJ on Jun 27, 2006 13:32:50 GMT 10
Italy coach Lippi: Penalty was correct
Coach Marcello Lippi hailed 10-man Italy's determination to beat Australia 1-0 on Monday and said their winning penalty was rightly given. The turning point came when defender Fabio Grosso fell over Lucas Neill's injury time challenge in the area.
"When in the 92nd minute, our defender headed into the area and was taken down for a nailed-on penalty, I think it was something fantastic," Lippi said.
"And Totti converted it with real skill."
Pressed about the penalty decision, Lippi said: "There were two fouls on him. He didn't go down under the first and he carried on dribbling and then sustained another clear foul.
"Why?" he asked the news conference. "Does anyone have any doubts about the penalty?"
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