A Trip Down Memory Lane...

Indulge me for a moment...I'm in mourning remember...

Happier days when Australia beat Uruguay to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup with John Aloisi in the foreground:



Guus Hiddink - AKA Miracle Worker - embracing the boys after the win:



Lucas Neill leading the victorious charge into the Round of 16:



A poignant (for me) shot of the devastating Australia Vs Italy game:



"We came here as a lowly ranked team, lucky to make it in the eyes of the world, but the world has taken notice, big time, of what Australia has done." (John O'Neill, FFA Chief Executive)

"There are far more positives than negatives...I think we've got a lot of new followers because of the way we played. I think everyone now knows we can match it with the big boys." (Mark Viduka, Socceroos Captain)

(Photos are from - you guessed it - FIFA World Cup site)

The Red Sea:

According to Asian Info, Seoul's population is about 10.3 million:


(Image courtesy of FIFA 2006 World Cup)

It looks as though every single one of the
Korean "Red Devils"
(supporters of the Korean national football team)
turned out to watch the World Cup in central Seoul!

 

An open letter to the Socceroos:

Dear Socceroos,

Firstly, I would like to say a very big domo arigatou gozaimasu (thank you) for performing as magnificently as you have done so far. Australians everywhere - including this one - are proud of your fantastic achievements...and we know you can continue it against Italy tonight!

I have some small requests for tonight's match as follows:

I want to see Harry Kewell as ecstatic as this after Tim Cahill scores his 1st goal against Italy: (I don't care if Harry is on crutches, he can still jump like this!)



I want to see this kind of action shot at least 4 times against Italy: (Don't feel you have to restrict yourselves to 4 goals though!)



I want to see John Aloisi repeat his stripping gambol after scoring his first goal against Italy:



And finally, I want to see Mark Viduka and the entire squad bamboozle the Italians as Kewell did the Croatians:



(I'm sure you'll agree that my requests are modest!)

Whatever the outcome tonight - but I know it will be a WIN! - you guys have put Australian soccer / football on the world stage; and that can only be a good thing.

Sincerely,
Vernicious Knids

(Photos are from FIFA World Cup 2006 - seriously, what would I do without this site?!)

PS Don't forget to vote in the poll on my sidebar!

Socceroos - I salute you!

I am deliriously happy. The Socceroos have advanced to the "Round of 16" of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

We entered this competition as the underdogs, and most had written us off, but the underdog is a role we excel in...it brings out the best in us. It allowed us to defeat Japan (3-1) and score those 3 goals in the final 8 minutes of the match. It allowed us to defend admirably against Brazil (who beat us 2-0). And finally, it allowed us to draw with Croatia (2-2).

Thank you Craig Moore for scoring our 1st goal against Croatia!



Thank you Socceroos for never giving up - and being able to bounce like kangaroos!



Thank you Harry Kewell for scoring the 2nd goal against Croatia that sent us through! (And for being named Man of the Match!)



And finally, thank you to the fans who never stopped believing!



Look out Italy...we're coming to get you!

(FIFA World Cup once again provided the treasure trove of photos!)

 

Multi-task-a-rama...

I got up at the ungodly hour of 4am this morning so that I could watch the Socceroos Vs Croatia, and Japan Vs Brazil.

So I'm watching Japan being slaughtered by Brazil on TV (currently 3-1) and reading the Socceroos desperately trying to draw even with Croatia on the FIFA matchcast site (currently 1-2). I'm a bundle of nerves!

Look at the joy on Craig Moore's face after scoring:



I want to see this happen again at least twice within the next 20 minutes! Australia must win or draw to advance the next round...C'mon guys I know you can do it!

(Photo from FIFA World Cup 2006 )

 

I'm counting on you!

The Socceroos before the Brazil game:



A kangaroo fan:



Aussies:



The Boxing Kangaroo returns!



A tense first half - no goals scored and very tight defense by Australia.
I hope they can maintain this in the 2nd half!

(All photos from the 2006 FIFA World Cup)