WHEN SOCCER BECAME FOOTBALL!!

Guess what?

(Get prepared to sing loudly!!)

“AUSTRALIAS GOING TO THE WORLD CUP, THE WORLD CUP, THE WORLD CUP, AUSTRALIAS GOING TO THE WORLD CUP, LA DI DA DI DA!!!!”

And that just makes me feel grand.

I don’t usually watch sport during the normal season, but I used to…

These days I occasionally, check the ladder/leader board and stuff in the paper or at the end of the news... Just to see how the old teams are fairing.

I am quite over burning in the sun for five days, applying bottles of coconut oil and listening to millions of tapes on a Walkman, (Ipod these days) while Merve Hughes scratches his balls, with the ball… I have done that and perhaps would again, given the right opportunity, but not in any hurry, I mean, where do people find the time?

But me thinks there will be something good to come out of Australia qualifying for the world cup. The World Game – as FIFA call it - the game that most countries play. Except us - until now! It's not a bad sport soccer or football - you choose... Those fast legs squabbling all over that round piece of leather. It's very simple. Don't use your hands, get it in the goal, keep in within play, don't break anybodies shins, at least not too hard, let the ball go first, then you follow it, not the other way round and that's pretty much it...

I reckon - It helps give the country a global status, a global respect, it's probably good for the economy - being in the world cup, of the world game. Who said sport and politics shouldn’t mix, probably the same people who say NEVER TALK ABOUT POLITICS OR MONEY!?

I've noticed, there is never a high profile sporting occasion that a polly in power doesn’t use to grab a photo or quote opportunity. While the opposing party leader seethes to get in on the positive, feel good and fluffy media coverage, for a change, but is never ever invited.

Anyone smell a problem?

The papers and TV media were riddled with Howard’s quotes from a South Korean hotel regarding the game last night. Also the NSW premier's Iemma's scored his two bits worth.

4-2 in penalty shootout!!

Who doesn’t remember, Bob Hawke, dripping in tears, drunk as a koala up a eucalyptus tree, wearing a white dinner jacket all covered in Aussie flags, the night Australia II and my home town of Fremantle brought the America’s cup down under?

Winning, on a tie breaker, I believe, after being two down in the start...

Oh sailing… Wherefore art thou, kayak?

At the next Rugby League or union match final, watch very little John, carefully positioned for camera, congratulating the players of both teams, hand open, giving a solid shake, (for a weedy kind of man) permanent grin sprayed onto his mug…

He’ll be at the world cup, I bet ya!

Errgh…

Anyway, let’s keep it pos!!

(Everybody singing now)

“AUSTRALIAS GOING TO THE WORLD CUP, THE WORLD CUP, THE WORLD CUP, AUSTRALIAS GOING TO THE WORLD CUP,LA DI DA DI DA!!!!”


Oooowah – feels good doesn’t it?


Have a nice day!