Why Did Australia Miss Out On Hosting The World Cup?

Sure. You've heard the news. Qatar is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Australia, very hopeful of gaining the honour, after years of effort from Frank Lowy, scored one vote in the first round of voting and was eliminated. Japan and then Korea bowed out leaving the choice between the US and Qatar.

Maybe Japan, Korea and the US were being a bit greedy in trying to host the tournament again as they have all hosted it within living memory. But Qatar? A country with a population of 1.7 million, of whom approximately two-thirds are foreigners, and with a World Cup-time temperature averaging 46C? Over Australia? With a population of 22 million, existing stadia, reasonable transport, great destination, stable politically...?

Perhaps we were a little naive in our bid. Obviously we had no idea that money talked. Although there were rumours of improper vote-buying (gifts) for delegates or their wives from the Aussies. Maybe the bribes, as some have seen them, weren't good enough. It certainly wasn't the fault through lack of effort on Frank Lowy's behalf or the joining of the sales pitch by Julia Gillard. The result was quite seriously decided long before then. Why did we waste some $45.6m on the bid? Maybe we shouldn't have called those cheats from Italy cheats. Must have been seen as a blight upon the game or bringing it into disrepute.

Good luck to the Qataris. Nobody is going to want to play in those sorts of temperatures. Qatari football is not well known for its prowess. I'm shocked that they won the right to host the 2022 World Cup but not surprised to see that Australia missed out. Rather humiliating exiting in the first round of voting though.

Google Images - Phillipe Troussier

Whilst reading the news at lunch time today I spotted an article relating Everton's David Moyes stating that Australia deserves to host the 2022 FIFA (TM) World Cup although he didn't think too much of the pitches on offer in this country. To the right of the article was a poll for "Who is your pick to replace Pim Verbeek as Socceroos coach?" This caught my interest and I looked at whose names they were putting forward. Names included Graham Arnold, Marcelo Bielsa, Fabio Capello, Paul Le Guen, Marcello Lippi, Frank Rijkaard, Philippe Troussier, Aurelio Vidmar and Other. Had to do some searching with Google for Marcel Bielsa and Philippe Troussier as I wasn't sure who they were. Have a look at the search result, especially the images.


Images for Phillipe Troussier?

Judging from the pictures I think that Phillipe Troussier does a mighty fine impersonation of Bernd Stange, one-time much-loved Perth Glory coach. Well, there is a button to "Report images" but it's only for reporting of offensive material. Not to tell them that their image search is a little muddled.

FIFA's Stance On Technology Is Rather Like The Proverbial Ostrich

FIFA, Federation Internionale For Arse-Covering, has a rather dim view of using technology in football matches that would make the game better, fairer and save their face. I'm talking about that goal-that-wasn't from Frank Lampard against Germany and Carlos Tevez's first goal against Mexico from a blatantly offside position. What's FIFA's take on that? Just stop showing contentious decisions, or, as the case may be, non decisions, on the big screens. Yes, that will surely make the controversy go away. What about the billion or two at home watching the game who can't believe that such a fundamental part of the game, the ball crossing the goal line, can't be adjudicated upon effectively with relatively inexpensive and readily available technology?

Nothing like sticking your head in the sand, is there guys? And this from a sporting body which has even more members than the IOC.

North Korea Broadcast World Cup Live

What a momentous occasion it must have been recently for North Korea to broadcast the match against Portugal live to its people. Something that had not been done before when the team was playing abroad. I guess after the honourable loss to Brazil, 2-1, they felt that they had a chance against a, it must be said, pathetic (at least against Cote d'Ivoire) Portugal. Even I thought they were a dumb chance.

Not so. Scoreline reads 7-0. Can you imagine what what the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il, was thinking as the Portuguese slammed on three goals in a seven minute period? I reckon he would have thought about halting the broadcast. Here's what I think the justification would have been.

"We apologise for this break in transmission. We will return you to your normal propaganda as soon as possible."

우리는 전송이 휴식 대해 사과드립니다. 우리는 당신의 정상적인 선전에 가능한 빨리 당신을 반환합니다.

Proof That Channel 7 Should Never Have Soccer TV Rights

I believe a few years ago that Channel 7 had the TV rights for soccer in Australia. And then they proceeded to show bugger all matches. They did a disservice to the sport for sure. This morning further proof that Channel 7 should never be sold the TV rights to soccer/football. On the Sunrise program this morning they reported that England defeated Slovakia 1-0 in the World Cup. Such a shame that England are in Group C with the Slovaks in Group F. They even showed it on the news ticker at the bottom of the screen. Ever heard of Slovenia? I suppose we should be greatful that they've finally recognised that Slovakia is no longer part of Czechoslovakia - something that happened in 1993.

Leave the soccer/football to SBS. They are the professionals. They know The World Game and Channel 7 does not as evidenced with its latest show of ineptitude.

Hands off, Channel 7.

Portugal Does To DPR Korea What The US-Led UN Couldn't Do

Portugal has just done something that the US-led UN couldn't do to North Korea from 1950-53. They put them out of their misery. Seven goals. All to Portugal.

And to think that I fully expected PBR Korea (Powered By Rice) to put in a great defensive effort and even score a goal for a 1-0 victory. Portugal had been pretty disappointing in their first effort against Côte d'Ivoire. PBR Korea played well against Brazil. And PBR played well in the first half and were only down by a goal at the half. But what a second half Portugal played. Pure pleasure to watch. And to think that it was also very wet. Skills were sublime. Ronaldo would be a bit embarrassed by his goal with the ball accidentally balancing on his back and then giving him time to score. Not pretty but quite funny. A case of the highlights taking longer to play than the match.

No special fried rice for the North Koreans tonight, methinks.

What Is It With Italians, The Penalty Spot and Australia At The World Cup?A

What is it with Italians, the penalty spot and Australia at the World Cup? Last World Cup [Germany 2006], in case the bitter reality has been erased from your memory, Italy was awarded a penalty in the second round against Australia in the final minute of additional time. It didn't matter that Fabio Grosso had dived. Odds-on favourite to take out an Academy Award for his acting if the playing theatre had been a movie set and not a football pitch.

I knew from the outset of the match last night that it wouldn't end well for Australia. The referee and the linesmen were from Italy. I couldn't forsee that our hope up front, Harry Kewell, would be sent off for handball on the last line of defence. Kewell's lower arm moved slightly before the ball impacted upon it from a firmly struck kick but the top of his arm didn't move and that's where the ball struck. To the referee, in the heat of the moment, it probably appeared that Kewell had blocked the ball with his arm. Not actually the case, in my opinion, but unfortunately the ball struck the arm. The red card was unwarranted but would have looked pretty clear cut to the ref. Still, he's Italian and he pointed to the penalty spot. Understandably.

Pride has been restored to our football team, the Socceroos. To play for over an hour with only 10 men at the World Cup and not get beaten was a brilliant effort. Especially on those aging legs. Mind you, if the referee had sent one of the Ghana players off for a tackle from behind to Marco Bresciano, as he should have, that would have evened things up a bit. It was a straight red incident but he just issued a yellow card. If it had been in Ghana's penalty area he most probably would have booked the Aussie for diving.

Italians, the penalty spot and Australia at the World Cup don't mix. We were robbed. Again. As The Sunday Times put it- "RED-ICULOUS" and "ARMED ROBBERY". Couldn't have put it better myself.

After the 1998 World Cup match between Cameroon and Italy where Australian referee Eddie Lennie controversially sent off Cameroon defender Raymond Kalla FIFA was criticised in Cameroon for appointing officials from "non-footballing nations" [source - Wikipedia]. It's not as if the Italians should have a grudge against us.

Unfortunate as it was we Aussies will have another four years to whinge and lament. Gosh, we're the new England. Perenially disappointing at major tournaments and wanting to blame our bad luck on others. That would be sad if it wasn't so true.

England vs Algeria at South Africa World Cup 2010

Glad to say I didn't stay up to watch England vs Algeria. I think that Google and FIFA should be charged with false advertising. Just check out Google News Australia this morning. Who are they trying to fool?

England vs Algeria score - Highlights?

If I Were Robert Green's Career Advisor

Unless you've been living under a rock you would surely have seen Robert Green's goalkeeping error which cost England a win against the USA at this years World Cup.


Robert Green's goalkeeping error.

If I were Robert Green's career advisor I'd be making the following suggestions:

- Take up professional tunnel ball and give the football caper away.
- Don't take up shooting as a profession. You've only got one foot left to shoot.
- Become a pin-up boy for overpaid and underachieving Englishmen everywhere.
- Don't match the code switch to rugby as you have to hold the ball when crossing the line to score.
- Take up cricket instead as you look to have a future as an English fielder.
- Star as a teenage vampire in a movie called "The Howler". Unfortunately it will be R-rated and contain horror not suitable for English people to watch. Much like watching your exploit as England's keeper. Made for the part I reckon.

World Cup Umpiring

Is it just me or has the umpiring in this years World Cup been **cough cough** ordinary? And believe me, I've seen ordinary. Eddie Lennie used to umpire at Perth Glory games. Sorry Eddie, I never could stand your umpiring at our home matches but you didn't do badly at the World Cup when you officiated. Actually, having read the page on Wikipedia about him he'd fit right in at South Africa 2010.

I think that the Yanks were robbed last night by umpiring worse than in Germany vs Serbia game. There were at least three instances of holding in the penalty box by the Slovenians that should have led to a penalty but Edu put the cross into the net and they still weren't awarded the match-winning goal they so richly deserved.

Miroslav Klose's second yellow card, when he accidentally clipped one of the Slovenes from behind and tripped him up, was a disgrace. How many officials do they have in a match and no common sense seems to prevail? You can't make a mistake like that with such quality players as at a World Cup and it not have consequences.

As a side note, here's one for you English - to the tune of "You're going home in the back of an ambulance!" Altogether now - "We're so sh!t it's unbelievable!!"

Thank You Spain For Making Feel Proud To Be Australian

Following the annihilation of Australia by Germany, 4-0 if you've managed to erase that from your memory, I have regained my pride in being Australian. And it's all down to Spain at the World Cup.

Let's recap, for those that joined us late:

Spain - Lost once in previous 48 international matches.
Spain - Played Switzerland 18 times in internationals for 15 wins and three draws. I.e. never lost to Switzerland in a full international.
Spain - World Cup tournament favourites with the bookies.
Spain - Has striker David Villa who was pre-tournament favourite to win the Golden Boot.
Spain - Averages three goals a game in the World Cup.
Spain - Has four world-class strikers and they were all on the pitch.
Switzerland - Probably doesn't have enough flat land to have a regulation size football pitch.

Final score. Spain 0 - Switzerland 1. Even the irony of the surname of Switzerland's scorer is delicious. His name is Fernandes.

And I would nearly have put my house on Spain winning. Thank you, Spain, for restoring my pride in being an Australian by putting on an even more hopeless display.

Little Boy Blue - South African Version

Surely everybody in an English speaking nation has heard the nursery rhyme Little Boy Blue. It's been around for donkeys years and Wikipedia even mentions that it could be based on Shakespeare's King Lear.

Little Boy Blue,
Come blow your horn,

The sheep's in the meadow,
The cow's in the corn;

Where is that boy
Who looks after the sheep?

Under the haystack
Fast asleep.

Will you wake him?
Oh no, not I,

For if I do
He will surely cry.

Now, what if Little Boy Blue had been born in South Africa? Perhaps the nursery rhyme would be something more like this.

Little Boy Blue (and White and Yellow and Black and Green and Red),
Come blow your vuvuzela,

The dog's in the ghetto,
The cat's fighting the gorilla,

Where is the boy,
Who looks after the dog?

He's gone to the World Cup,
To cheer his soccer god,

Will you go get him?
Oh no, not I,

For if I do
Those bloody loud horns might blow out my eardrums!!

Some Thoughts on Germany's Annihilation of Australia at 2010 World Cup

In case you missed it - Germany clinically disected the Aussies at the 2010 World Cup and won the match 4-0.

- At least Australia didn't throw away a win like England did against the USA.
- We can be grateful that Germany are reknowned for being slow starters. Imagine how much worse it could have been had they burst out of the blocks.
- Nice to see Australia deliver some much needed goals to liven up the World Cup. Pity they delivered them to the opposition on a platter.
- Australia's opponent in the 2nd round is likely to be New Zealand. There will be fierce competition for seats on the plane to return home when round two is underway.
- I thought that the German blitzkrieg tactic had been ruled illegal following Germany's unsuccessful World War II campaign.

ABC Online Headline - Wilkshire key to unlocking Germany - no need to open the floodgates though.

World Cup Is Finally Under Way

Finally the wait is over as FIFA World Cup 2010 is under way. I created a sweep stake at work and had two of the ladies in the office draw the teams and names. When my name was drawn out it was matched with Brazil so I'm pretty happy with that. Brazil are my pick for second in the tournament after a the Argies.

I guess one disappointing aspect about the World Cup being held in South Africa is the timezone. They are some six hours ahead of us and so the games start quite late or very early. I think the Aussies play Germany at 2:30am my time. Luckily I'm on the west coast and the TV station, SBS, is showing games live across Australia...

[We interrupt this blog to bring you the news that South Africa has scored an amazing goal against the run of play against Mexico - Gee, I picked Mexico to win 2-1]

so after the last game of the day there is two hours of programming to be filled in. In the west they show a replay of the last game. So, I could watch the game at 4:30am, not an unreasonable time to rise, without knowing the score and enjoy the match.

At the start of this tournament I weigh 74kgs. Let's see what a month of late nights, early mornings and munchies throughout do to the waistline. Can't be anything good. Hopefully the Aussies don't smash all of their opponents and keep me on the edge of my seat using lots of nervous energy. How many kilojoules could there be in fingernails?

Bloodshed Predicted for 2010 World Cup in South Africa

Everyone has a prediction for bloodshed and fighting, acts of terrorism and vandalism, racism and horror for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Well, I will join them in this prediction. But I'm not worried about the ghettos or street violence. My concern is on the football pitch. This comes after seeing the absolutely awful tackles carried out by the Socceroos on the All Whites in a "friendly" international last night. Tim Cahill and Vince Grella tackled Leo Bertos with hideous studs-up tackles and he had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. If this is what takes place in a friendly then I expect plenty of blood to be spilt in South Africa. The players don't need to worry so much about unhappy locals as playing the Aussies might be that bit more dangerous and life-threatening.