Socceroos / Matildas / World Cup / Asian Cup

[one-eyed]

10-man Aussies came from a goal down to win in Oman.

Oman       1  ......  Ayil '15 (pen)
Socceroos  2 ....... Wilkshire '43, Emerton '82


Asian Cup Qualifying Stage - Group B

                 P   W D  L  F  A GD Pts
AUSTRALIA  4   2  1  1  3  2  1   7
KUWAIT      3   2  0  1  3  2  1   6
OMAN         4   1  1  2  2  3  -1  4
INDONESIA  3   0  2  1  1  2 -1   2

Top two qualify for the Asian Cup.

[mightytiges]

The Aussies aren't playing all too convincingly lately but are still getting results which I guess is the main thing. You'd reckon we'll need to lift our game by the time of the World Cup next year to get through the group stage again.

Congrats btw to the Kiwis. The first time ever both Australia and New Zealand will be at the same World Cup.

[Penelope]

saw some highlights, Schwartzer saved their arse again and again. If he goes down then i think the socceroos will go down

[mightytiges]

saw some highlights, Schwartzer saved their behind again and again. If he goes down then i think the socceroos will go down

This World Cup will be the last for a number of star Socceroos - Schwarzer, Kewell, Cahill, Bresciano, Emerton. It's going to be tough for a while after the current generation retires  .

[one-eyed]

The final 32 countries for next year's World Cup were finalised overnight...

Asia (4):   Australia, Japan, South Korea, North Korea

Africa (6):   South Africa (host), Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Algeria

Europe (13):  England, Italy, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, France, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia

Sth America (5): Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay

Nth America (3): USA, Mexico, Honduras

Oceania (1): New Zealand

[mightytiges]

What a farce the France-Ireland game was. Monsieur Myop must have been refereeing that game to miss not one but two handballs in a row. Thierry Henry you cheat  .

At least our Greek OERites will be happy chappies  .

[Penelope]

What a farce the France-Ireland game was. Monsieur Myop must have been refereeing that game to miss not one but two handballs in a row. Thierry Henry you cheat  .

At least our Greek OERites will be happy chappies  .

Interestingly, the AM program on ABC radio reported that Thierry Henry admitted to the ref that he hand balled
"Thierry Henry 'fessed up to the referees only to be told it had bounced off his chest. Despite the confession the goal and the result stood."
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2748311.htm

Don't know how accurate that is

[mightytiges]

Henry is supposedly now also supporting the idea of a rematch. Massive damage control on his part as his reputation is in tatters and despite a distinguished career at Ar_senal and Barcelona he will now only be remembered for this cheating incident. He knew what he was doing as he handled the ball twice. Once you could argue it was a reflex action but twice nup. It was a double action and deliberate act of cheating. Just because the ref and assistant refs were blind as bats and should have picked it up or they ignored his pleas doesn't excuse him. Once again a traditional soccer power gets through on dodgy play  .

[Penelope]

The whole thing has become an absolute farce and is doing wonders for the game's reputation world wide. At least he hasnt claimed it was the hand of god 

[mightytiges]

The whole thing has become an absolute farce and is doing wonders for the game's reputation world wide. At least he hasnt claimed it was the hand of god 

The British press are calling it the 'hand of frog' lol.

As much as soccer is the most popular sport in the world and played all around the globe IMO it really can't call itself the world game until a non-European and non-South American powerhouse wins the World Cup and that's made all the more difficult with these dodgy incidents being allowed by FIFA when it involves and favours a traditional powerhouse. What is out there to discourage such blantant cheating when the cheats aren't punished and in fact rewarded. N'Gog of Liverpool was another the other weekend who just dived to con a penalty to save a draw. In such a low scoring sport when every score is so vital there's definitely an argument for video replay of  penalties and goals or even as they do in the NFL of the opposing coach having the right to challenge a decision/non-decision.

[Penelope]

The British press are calling it the 'hand of frog' lol.

As much as soccer is the most popular sport in the world and played all around the globe IMO it really can't call itself the world game until a non-European and non-South American powerhouse wins the World Cup and that's made all the more difficult with these dodgy incidents being allowed by FIFA when it involves and favours a traditional powerhouse. What is out there to discourage such blantant cheating when the cheats aren't punished and in fact rewarded. N'Gog of Liverpool was another the other weekend who just dived to con a penalty to save a draw. In such a low scoring sport when every score is so vital there's definitely an argument for video replay of  penalties and goals or even as they do in the NFL of the opposing coach having the right to challenge a decision/non-decision.

Yeah they even refuse to use video technology on the goal line, it just reeks of stubborn pigheadeness. There is no good reason why they dont embrace some of the technology of the 21st century to remove controversy. FIFA's ivory tower dwarfs that of demetriou and co.

[Hellenic Tiger]

To call a replay in such a game would set a precedent.
Furthermore it heightens the argument to bring in technology and fourth officials making calls on whether players were off side or balls crossed lines or incidents that the officials are just blind sided and could not see.
FIFA would never agree on the replay, especially if they ask member confederations and Michel Platini President of UEFA is French. The Irish just have to suck it up. If the French win the final (which they won't) it will be one of those awful and unpopular sporting moments.

[mightytiges]

FIFA did once order a replay of a Uzbekistan-Bahrain qualifier for the 2006 WC over a technical error made by the referee.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/news/newsid=27212.html

But you're right Tucky. FIFA will not agree to a replay at the expense of a traditional power like France.

FIFA's ivory tower dwarfs that of demetriou and co.

And that's saying something  . Andy D and co. are just obstinate on issues. FIFA are pigs in the trough hooves and all when it comes to getting what they want.

[mightytiges]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScM69RcmRgg&feature=player_embedded#

 

[Penelope]

Just got to have a look at the incident. There was also one perhaps two frogs offside. What the fornicate were the linesmen doing?