Tag Archives: World Cup

Has the world gone mad?

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Not only have reigning World Cup Champions Italy been bundled out in the Group Matches along with powerhouses France (neither of who won a game), but USA came out on top in their group! That’s unpossible.

And to top it all off we now have a new female Prime Minister. OK, I get it… I didn’t vote for her and all that but our system of Government is one where we vote for our local member who votes for the PM on our behalf. But still, it’d be good to at least have a say. The Facebook hate groups have already started up including How’s Julia Gillard going to run the country from the kitchen?, plus I hate it when I wake up and Julia Gillard is Prime Minister and the more humourous Julia Gillard’s first move as Prime Minister: Equal Rights For Rangas.

If she’s just do something with Conroy, the Minister for Broadband who can’t work an iPhone, I might feel a little more secure.

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That’s a funny name

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So Suzanne and I were watching the Netherlands v Japan World Cup game, and the commentators made mention of a shot on goal by Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda. He had previously scored a goal in their first game against Cameroon. Suzanne giggled, thinking this was a funny name to have.

Suzanne Hehe, what a funny name.

Brian Why do you say that?

Suzanne Honda! His name is Honda!

Brian That’s a perfectly reasonable name for someone from Japan, I’d think.

Suzanne Yeah, but what about Honda Motorcycles. It’s a brand name!

Brian Are you forgetting your own surname?

Suzanne What do you mean?

Brian Hoover is also a brand name, in case you didn’t know. And your last name is Hoover

Suzanne Hmm, yeah, but not by choice.

Brian …

Suzanne …

Brian Hoover’s a good name. Why don’t you revert to your maiden name?  Ever heard of someone famous with your maiden name?

Suzanne Well, no…

Brian No, neither has anyone. You have to marry into a good family name like mine, raise yourself out of obscurity.

Suzanne Hey, there’s a player called Matsui, like the restaurant!

Brian Good grief.

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http://www.matsuri.com.au/

German lessons for Socceroos

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So, yeah. There was really little chance that Australia could keep up with Germany, but did they have to be so damned precise and clinical about defeating us? There’s really no much you can salvage from a 4-0 thrashing. The only consolation is that it wasn’t against USA. This loss is in stark contrast to the 2006 first round win against Japan, and has Australia staring down the barrel of an early exit from the 2010 World Cup. The team that was so competitive against the might of Italy and Brazil four years ago under Guus Hiddink looked a distant memory as the Socceroos paid dearly for their inability to find new talent – particularly in defence – since the last World Cup. It could have been so different for the Socceroos had they converted a great chance in the third minute when the ball seemed to hang in mid air for an eternity in front of a  gaping goal after Cahill’s header from an early corner caused a rare moment of panic from the Germany defence. But you don’t get two chances against Germany and after that brief moment of hope, it was all one-way traffic as the younger German side did as it pleased.

Germany (GER) Statistics Australia (AUS)
16 Shots 10
10 Shots on goal 2
4 Goals Scored 0
10 Fouls Committed 19
18 Fouls Suffered 7
4 Corner kicks 7
17 Free kicks Shots (scored) 9
0 / 0 Penalty Kicks (Goals/Shots) 0 / 0
7 Offsides 1
0 Own goals 0
2 Yellow cards 3
0 Second yellow card and red card 0
0 Red Cards 1
36 Actual playing time 30
55% Possession (%) 45%

I’m surprised at the % Possession stats. I thought Germany controlled more of the ball. The quality of that possession was much higher and more effective than the Socceroos. It was really a marvel to watch this team, and I’m glad I stayed up. The The game was over long before Cahill got red carded.

Australia can’t afford another loss or even a tie, and now needs two wins from Ghana and Serbia to advance.

Tonight’s TV viewing schedule

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Football (soccer) in Australia

Image via Wikipedia

After work, I intend to immerse myself in some good old fashioned sports on TV. When I get home I’ll be watching the Fremantle Dockers v Saint Kilda AFL replay. Then I’ll flick between the Le Mans 24 hour race and the Algeria v Slovenia World Cup game.

Around midnight is when the fun starts, with the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix live from Montreal. I remember being in Montreal a few years ago for work during GP week, and I could hear the cars at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve from my hotel room across the river. I wish I had the money at the time to go and watch the race. I have a Google Wave set up ready to do some live blogging so I hope some fans join in. I did one a few nights ago for the South Africa v Mexico World Cup opener and it was great.

After the Formula 1 it’s the main event, with the big Germany v Australia World Cup game. That should take me through to about 4am. Luckily I don’t have work tomorrow. But in the afternoon I will be attending my son’s Kindy class as this weeks parent helper. I hope that I can pull it off without them all knowing I had no sleep the previous night!

One thing I’m happy with is that our kids have taken a keen interest in the World Cup games. Jett even does his African dancing at times which is just hilarious to watch.

This post is also serving as a test for a new blog content manager I’m trialling called Zemanta.

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