The round ball game
Go The Socceroos!
Media suggested that Fifa / Qatar were paying locals to wear Argentinian Jerseys to fill stadiums.
Truth is that Arabs, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesian + Workers are all Argentinian / Messi Fans.
Yep! They're all mad keen local Argentinian Fans filling the Stadiums.
Expect a lot of Noise!
https://wtop.com/asia/2022/12/messi-fans-from-asia-cheer-on-argentina-at...
Offset by around 6,000 "Violent" Argentine Fans that were banned from attending!
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/nearly-6000-argentine-fans-bann...
Aussies aren't so lucky with unlimited Qatar Fans on tap!
Tim Cahill forged Aussies our own slice of Paradise at Qatar's home base.
Tim is Chief Sport officer at $1.3b Aspire Academy in Doha!
Everything our Socceroos need is at their fingertips...saving time & energy!
Yes! That includes Tim fulfilling the team's requests.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/world-cup/even-in-retirement-tim-c...
Alexia's Magic Brew has proved a hit!
https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/fifa-world-cup-2022-socceroos-room...
What else is goin' our way
No team won their 3 matches (Meaning every team is beatable)
First time 3 Asian Group Sides Advanced to Top 16 (One already beating Argentina to pave our way!)
Oz has scored cracker goals from open play in all 3 games
Oz has beaten & drawn with Argentina in past games
World Cup Games are 1-1 + Argentina 1-0 (Not much in that!)
Oz qualified for this World Cup against another South American Team at this same stadium...(Ours!)
States & Cities CBD World Cup Venues
Melbourne x2 / Geelong / Sydney x2 + (Opera House Dedication 8pm-Dawn) / Liverpool / Parramatta / Earlwood / Marrickville / Maroubra / Newcastle / Central Coast / Perth / Bne x2 / Townsville / Adelaide / Canberra / Tas x2 /
https://www.sportingnews.com/au/soccer/news/socceroos-argentina-australi...
https://www.9news.com.au/national/fifa-world-cup-2022-socceroos-live-vie...
Gold Coast has no CBD gig...here's a list of Early Openers runnin' the Match.
Casino / Surfers Beergarden + Irish Bar / Cooly Hotel
https://www.tripatrek.com/where-to-watch-the-fifa-world-cup-in-gold-coast/
NT also dips out so we got you a Gig also...+ Socceroos Pub Crawl
https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2022/12/australia-vs-argentina-watch-socce...
Playing at Home
SBS
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/sports-program/argentina-v-australia-rou...
YouTube
Go Socceroos!
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/sydney-opera-house-illuminated-green-113804529...
Goal to Goodwin! They can hold their heads high.
Only saw the second half, good effort in the end! If only that stuff up in the square by us didn't happen! Almost a late one by us as well.
Well done Socceroos.
World class effort Aussies. Messi magic prevailed but faaaark, such a good fight!
yep best aussie match ive seen and they looked like they belonged out there ...finally attacking instead of defence all the time ......well done australia
Damn its annoying when work (and some surf) gets in the way of a football fiesta.
The tournament so far and my selections for the quarter finals:
Australia tried hard against Argentina but couldn’t quite…
Always those moments, kind of like getting barrelled (!)
We played well, gave 100%, but for Messi…
Special mention: Aziz Behich
The Netherlands ,a dark horse for the tournament, with a strong win against USA.
Dutch v Argies -Argentina wins. But for Messi…
An unconvincing win by Croatia against the technically gifted but ultimately feeble Japan. And for their sins they face a formidable Brazil, who went through the gears first half against Korea.
Brazil v Croatia. Brazil to win but a far tougher test than Korea.
England, initially hesitant hit their rhythm after Hendersons goal and defeated a spirited Senegal. France swatted Poland.
England v France.
Heart says England, head says France. France wins. Game should be a cracker, expect both teams to go at each other.
Morocco resolute against Spain, who didn’t read the memo that tiki-taka is dead and were awful from the penalty spot.
Portugal left poor old CR7 on the bench until after the game was won and strolled past Switzerland.
Portugal v Morocco.
As I will be in Morocco in 3 weeks, heart says Morocco, head says Portugal. Morocco to win, the celebrations will probably still be going when I arrive!!
Portugal were astounding this morning, Brazil and France also very strong. Gonna be a good final few rounds.
How good was the Dutch free kick to take the game to extra time against Argentina.
What’s the story though with Messi having different rules?! Puts the hand up, drags the ball down. When has that ever not been a yellow card.
He already had a yellow card and they don’t want Messi to be suspended I guess.
Timed the Brazil V Croatia game perfectly. Woke up at 2am, flicked it on 10mins into extra time, just in time to see Croatia's equalizer, followed by the hectic penalty shootout. Brazil seemed like a very selfish team from the games i saw. Also did Italo copy Neymar or did Neymar copy Italo's look. Spewing that a player of Neymars quality will likely never hold a world cup aloft but....great to see Croatia get up and having seen Brazil dominate world surfing, not too bad seeing them bow out early again.
Oh dear, Harry Kane. That will hurt.
the arg v netherlands game was a great game , 2 epic penalty saves by the argy keeper , i bet virgil wants that penalty again ,that ball by messi to provide the argy's first goal proves why he's still right at the top imo,
Thought Brazil were far superior to Croatia, but were only able to to unpick the stout defense once, via some Neymar wizardry. Ultimately unable to break down the stifling "war of attrition" style football of Croatia. Penalties lottery. No gripes with the result, but the Croatian method is awful to watch.
Morocco who were also set up defensively, but were athletic and exciting on the counter, deserved to beat a Portugal who were a shadow of the team from their last match. Seemed to lack ideas and overhit passes.
England came out to play in a thoroughly entertaining game versus France. Kane coulda, shoulda, woulda. Tough result.
Messi did what Messi does against the Dutch...innovative free kick though.
Pointy end now.
Argentina to beat Croatia - in normal time. de Maria to have a big influence if fully fit.
France to beat Morocco - probably a bridge too far for the Moroccans. France comfortably.
Couple of days off and they go at it again...
Nice breakdown @sanguine. Cheers! I would love to see Argentina get up for Messi but hard to go past the sentimental favourite Morocco. Imagine that, Ramzi qualifies for the CT and Morocco takes out the biggest title in football. Saw a mates insta who's in Morocco at the moment and they were going mental in the streets. Looks like a hell time over there at the moment. Only problem...is he's French!
How good is Messi? Twilight of his career and does that.
He was good but marked very well throughout the whole game. Let’s not take the shine off Alvarez who’s an incredible, top player. And an immaculate Argentinian defence, I was impressed with the defence, they won the game for them.
I've not watched much of Messi, but wow, he put on a show today. And Alvarez, the finisher.
Yeah what a freak. The mercurial attack of Messi and Alvarez are looking irresistible for the title. Makes me feel better about Australia losing 2-1!!
Argentina very comfortable in defence against Croatia who lacked a cutting edge and a plan to break down a very solid Argentine backline. Also, the Albiceleste were solid in the midfield and gave the Croatians very little to build from.
Best game the Argies have played this tournament.
Messi genius, frees up Alvarez and off they go.
Fantastic to see Luka Modric play so well in the twilight of his career, unfortunately his team weren't up to his standard.
flollo wrote:He was good but marked very well throughout the whole game. Let’s not take the shine off Alvarez who’s an incredible, top player. And an immaculate Argentinian defence, I was impressed with the defence, they won the game for them.
Agree totally. I should have said I was referring to his set up for Alvarez and the 3rd goal. Moment of genius.
Bugger. That French goalie is something else.
How France repelled wave after wave of Moroccan attacks and still managed too score two goals is baffling.
Looking forward to a good final between two top dogs.
The French back 4 were awesome. Great team result. Morocco gave it everything as well. Played in good spirits too. Would have made a worthy final.
bluediamond wrote:Bugger. That French goalie is something else.
How France repelled wave after wave of Moroccan attacks and still managed too score two goals is baffling.
Looking forward to a good final between two top dogs.
This is one of the reasons, will be number 1 on that list on Sunday.
Most ever #WorldCup match appearances by a goalkeeper:
— ⚽ FBref ⚽ (@fbref) December 14, 2022
🇩🇪 Manuel Neuer: 19
🇫🇷 Hugo Lloris: 19 pic.twitter.com/UiYL1SwAZa
blackers wrote:flollo wrote:He was good but marked very well throughout the whole game. Let’s not take the shine off Alvarez who’s an incredible, top player. And an immaculate Argentinian defence, I was impressed with the defence, they won the game for them.
Agree totally. I should have said I was referring to his set up for Alvarez and the 3rd goal. Moment of genius.
Ah yeah, that was pure magic. Messi at his best.
Wow...Morocco were great, absolutely gave it everything, always looking to turn the French.
Greizmann put in an excellent shift both as the midfield pivot but also defensively. Amrabat and Hamini were fantastic for the Atlas Lions. Dmbele was negated on the right and only had one opportunity to run at the Moroccans.
But the French are World Champions for a reason and their class eventually won out.
Argentina watching on must realise there will certainly be opportunities in the Final.
It's all about the little details at this level. This is why I love the game.
https://theathletic.com/4004530/2022/12/15/morocco-regragui-world-cup/
Absolutely flollo, when played at the highest level it is almost chess-like. The tactical ebb and flow of a close match is engrossing.
The final looks to be brilliant match up between two teams who are not possession based, have very good defences which can be 'unlocked' as both each have an X factor player. There will be goals.
Meanwhile, there are these sharks circling. Whoever said politics and sport don't/shouldn't mix?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/16/messi-business-how-sportsw...
Socceroos baptism of fire into the World Cup cauldron.
tbb argues no other Team in the world has had a tougher run to get a fair go.
We gotta play a million more matches than there are countries & then we cop this shit...
Socceroos World Cup Draws (Please don't cry all over again!)
2006 vs World Cup 2002 Holders Brazil + Croatia 1998-3rd / 2018 RU / 2022 (3rd v 4th)
Round 2 vs Inform Euro Powerhouse Italy who play their Fifa freebie > go on to win 2006 World Cup
2010 vs Inform Euro Powerhouse Germany who finish 3rd in Tournament & go onto win 2014 Cup
2014 vs World Cup 2010 holders Spain + Inform 2010 R/U Netherlands who go on to finish 3rd
2018 vs Cup winners France.
2022 vs World Cup 2018 holders France and once again 2022 Finalists.
Round 2 vs Argentina (Yep! Crew guessed it ...of course it's that other Finalist) Who else would it be!
New Even More Pissy Tasting - Now Much Lighter Than Ever Budweiser 2026 World Cup.
Dear Mr Fifa ; Please accept our fruity beer bribe to ensure VIPs can't crash our next Oz Gold lotto draw!
Or please just ban all our fruity Beer from all games / Pubs / Bottle-O's...crew 'll be stoked either way!
Oz kinda figured that FIFA would like Fruity Beer > So Here's our VIP Bully Hit List.
1.France 1.Argentina 1.Brazil 1.Germany 1.Italy 1.Spain 2.Netherlands 2.Croatia
Ripper Bonza Noice...Cheers!
tbb I reckon you'll need a lot more than fruity beer to bribe FIFA, they don't come cheap!
Tonights 3rd place match Morocco v Croatia is a repeat of the group stages where they drew 0-0. Both teams were running on empty in their respective semi-finals, so this is hard to pick, it will be close.
Croatia have an excellent midfield, but Morocco will be willing to turn them and will have the (entire) crowd on their side.
Morocco to win in extra time, just because they play more entertaining football and have been fearless against more fancied opposition throughout the entire tournament.
Go the Atlas Lions!
SPOILER ALERT:
Well played Croatia, deserved 3rd place on that performance. Morocco gave everything but were clearly outplayed. Also, not a good look from Morocco surrounding the referee when protesting a decision in the 2nd half.
That was a great game. Some great young players coming through for Croatia. Both teams were crippled with exhaustion and injuries.
BTW Orsic is a bit of a specialist for scoring from those positions, I knew he would be dangerous if given space.
Well done Croatia. That is a huge win.
Pretty fucked up seeing what happened in Melbs yesterday.
Actually kinda puts me off soccer. What is it about soccer that brings out the animal in the supporters? The lack of scoring and building of tensions? Ethnicity? Rivalries? The sports culture? I'm not sure but it's strange how you can get an easy 70000 to an AFL game every second week in the same city and the biggest story is 2 supporters fighting on a street corner an hour later...if that....
Anyway, will probably tune into the final and hopefully see a good game and would love to see Messi have a good game, win lose or draw. But if Pipes pumping at the same time and the lady chargers are out there again, i think it'll be an easy pass.
What is it with the round ball game & punters in the stands throwing flares?
So unnecessary & bloody dangerous.
Possibly about NSW sick of Melbourne winning so bought next 3 finals & filled in the Score sheets.
Sounds fair and reasonable as it saves Dan having to fork out for more trophy cabinets.
Rest of Oz can't see why Vics would bear a grudge against deeply concerned & caring neighbours!
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/dec/12/terrible-decision-a-league...
tbb agrees ~ Certainly not worth goin' to War over...
[News] Melbourne Victory Flare Squadron take out Sydney A League HQ
This is a cracking game. France were always gonna come back but extra time, so anyones game now. Whoever wins has earnt it. Messi sooo close in the last couple of minutes there!
Mesmerizing!! wtf? What a game!!!
Top commentary bluediamond...also road out yer calls...Agree with all that!.
2-2 > 3-3 End of Extra Time...
Qatar World Cup Champs decided on Penalties
Full Time. (No Spoiler for the Early Birds!)
Bluediamond earns a Sprinkling of Silly Seasoning for his Dawn Service.
26th Nov 2022 tbb claimed Oz reached Top 12 Teams for 25 mins...(Dreamer!)
swellnetonians are dead set True Believers...So how did tbb's dream end?
FIFA World Cup Final Rankings
#11 Australia
https://www.sportingnews.com/au/soccer/news/fifa-world-cup-rankings-2022...
swellnet Hodad trades in his Pulitzer Prize for the least coveted Sceptics Society Award..."Stoked!"
Crowd : Total BS ... tbb sold out! Boo! It should be mandatory to accept a half decent award..Boo! Boo!
Quiet Please!
On behalf of The round ball game...Crew just wanna say..."Go the Socceroos! Yew!"
Haha good on ya TBB!! And what great news! #11!! Thats fantastic. Great prediction guru!!
Really excellent game full of great moments of comebacks and theatre.
France were lucky to be only 2 down at half time and laboured for 70 minutes. Second best to every ball. Angel di Maria was exceptional in his time on the pitch.
A fortuitous penalty gives France a lifeline, then a Messi mistake (!) leads to France's second goal
Messi scores a brace then nonchalantly knocks in the penalty in shootout.
Killer Argentine penalty takers, France psychologically weaker.
On balance a deserved win to Argentina.
Argentina were a proper tournament team who got better as they progressed with an amazing coach who got all the squad to buy to the Messianic message.
Politics aside, this has been an outstanding tournament.
Excellent standard of refereeing overall, barring a few VAR controversies.
Brazil all hype not enough substance, while Australia showed it is competitive at the highest level. Morocco played with audacity and then of course England blowing its opportunity!
Mbappe scores his hat trick (and secures the golden boot) but still loses?
Messi skips beatification and goes straight to canonisation.
Nice wrap San Guine. It was fun. Best team won. Nice to see Messi and Mbappe get plaudits for being game changing geniuses.
To be honest I’m glad it’s over. I miss club games. And all the elite level players who didn’t play in the World Cup. To play in the World Cup one needs to be fortunate enough to be born in at least a semi competitive nation. And even if they qualify, they need to belong to a great generation of players to achieve anything meaningful. Thinking about Haaland and Salah here. Very difficult for their countries to achieve big results in the World Cup. BTW City vs Liverpool this Friday in the EFL cup. It will be interesting to see the lineup for both clubs.
I agree that it is difficult for smaller countries to compete, but not impossible.
eg. Croatia 4 million people?
Every recognised nation has the opportunity to qualify for World Cup finals.
But I see the winning the World Cup as the ultimate achievement in football.
I'm glad I watched as many games as I did, time-wise, it coincided well with a very average run of surf. Saw about 12 games in their entirety and watched extended highlights of all the rest.
Quality football throughout the tournament with the fairytale ending (for most).
Bring on the EPL, but I will definitely be cutting down on my viewing hours!
Very insightful comments from the crew...
What & if your own Local Club could up skill players to match it with the very best in the World Cup?
Is that too much of a pipe dream...Well only just recently tbb investigated his own Local Club.
tbb played thru the 1970's for Palm Beach / Gold Coast...could they make the grade?
Palm Beach do quite Ok & do punch above their weight on the National Stage.
It was only recently that tbb pick up on some banter from a Club Coach...
Word was getting out that a local Grom was lighting up the Town.
Happy to share the Club's International performance..
Olyroos + World Cup Assistant Coaches to...
World Cup Players of highest calibre playing against best ever World Cup Teams & Players.
2010 Tommy Oar made the World Cup squad
2014 Tommy Oar played in the World Cup
2022 Kye Rowles nursing a broken foot was chosen to mark Messi ...2022 World Cup Champion.
Messi : "Australia were very strong & it was a difficult Match!"
Kye Rowles : (Interview)
https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/fifa-world-cup-2022/video/rowles-on-marking...
The World Cup is alive & kickin' in tbb's neighbourhood!
Yes! A local grom can make the grade & match it with the best on The World Cup Stage!
Of course very few Gold Coast Locals will have heard of Football or World Cup.
So! Not that big of a deal! (Kidding!) A few Gold Coast fans Salute their Socceroo!
http://www.palmbeachsoccerclub.com.au/player-honour-roll.html
World Cup #1 Coach Graham Arnold
Oz former highest rank was 2012 #25 > 2022 #11
No shortage of offers for "Out of Contract" Arnold.
FA continue talks with our Top Coach & pledged not to sound out other contenders!
2 Part SMH reports
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/graham-arnold-set-for-socceroos-cont...
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-on-course-for-decade-high-...
FA are directing bucket loads of resource to hose down their own PR disaster.
Fighting Fire with Fire
Flares are thrown simultaneously from Fans Rule camps towards each set of Goals.
Ref takes control of the Ball & stops the Game
Ref instructs Goalie to leave the pitch & lop a harmless "Off Pitch" flare towards the front of the Crowd
Ref never engaged with security & alarmed the frightened guard who required emergency assist!
At this point Ref gulps! "Holy Shit...My bad...this won't end well!"
Wind blows the flare smoke choking Fans who toss the Flare further a field onto the Goal Square.
Still with partnered Ref's consent Goalie takes liberty to again hurl Flare deeper back into the Crowd
Always with Ref alongside clearly escalating into a High Risk > Run for yer lives > Crowd Invasion.
In defence, the crowd throw Flare back into Goal Square as Crowd Invades pitch to Strike Goalie & Ref in the head.
Note the Ref & Goalie are equally Targeted...crowd were seeking retribution for Ref & Goalie's flared missile assault.
This end of the Ground clearly view the pair acted together...hence the immediate attacks upon these two!
Rest is Front Page News...so bad on every level...media are squaring up the Goalie for inciting a riot!
No Secure protocol for Flares..
Led to Ref's poor decisions of exploiting a player to incite crowd mayhem.
Ref instructs Goalie to toss Flare towards rowdy violent mob [Amber Alert Card]
Ref instructs Goalie to lop a larger Flare toss to take out a Mass of Hooligans [Code Red Card]
Ref : "See ya Mate...I'm outta here...said...ya might wanna duck!"
tbb thinks the truth will come out > FA vs Refs vs Players vs Crowds (This will get uglier!)
Media are hounding the Goalie who was supervised & coached by the Ref during the whole incident.
If the player goes under the bus then so too does the Ref & FA.
+ The commentator's (Goalie's) 2nd return serve that above Telecast edited out in the bunkers.
How hilarious is this Salt Bae situation? Dude’s out there kissing the trophy, pestering players to take selfies…Weird.
Electrifying World Cup Welcome almost ends in tragedy!
Player magically flicks the Power Cables enough to save Team from a 20kV garrotte.
Reckon everyone on that Float & surrounding crowd need to buy lotto tickets...Far out People!
So you're the boss who has spent over A$1 Billion on players (that's just this season), sit 11th in the league and have just sacked Potter, but...
"Boehly also described his approach as being “opportunistic on two verticals”, those that are “growth intact” or “distressed in value”...what does that even mean?????
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/apr/03/the-end-of-an-erro...
(Ten) A League Grand Final (Live)
Central Coast Mariners (vs) Melbourne City
Double Header : Followed by FA Cup Final (Not on Freeview)
Sam can't put a foot wrong...wins just about everything!
Chelsea Player of the Year 2x / Treble / FA Cup 3x / League Cup 4x / 2022-23 (29 Goals)
Tillies (vs) Canookies
C'mon Aussies!
Catch live...pre match talk & warm up is on now....
https://7plus.com.au/live-tv?channel-id=7Mate
Matildas are winding up Sam...you go Girl.
Probably not big with the SN crew, but this guy is the real deal. With UK 1.5 Billion pounds on the pitch (Liverpool v City, great game also) he totally shone
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2021/oct/03/phil-foden-manches...