World Cup Legacy? A-League odyssey
Long overdue blog: I started this the day of the WC final and have only just seen fit to finish and publish it... profuse apologies to the diehard Thearle Army.
We have traversed the breach; that seemingly unconquerable space that exists between last season and the next season. In England it is known as the cricket season, here in Oz.... well nobody really notices. The point is though that there is for a period of at least a month, and often longer depending on whether it is a world cup or Euro championship year, a void in which no real football is played.
The 2006 World Cup came to a close over a month ago in a fashion that cannot quite be described as breathtaking, nor spectacular, but rather perplexing and with perhaps a touch of disappointment. Italy have without doubt been one of the better sides of the tournament, but their performance and victory in the final was neither glorious nor deserved.
Their route to the final included only just overcoming minnows Australia, they had arguably the easiest of the quarter finals, and they were less than impressive against the yankees. On the other hand they did fend off an impressive Germany, and accounted for the Czechs who were touted before the tournament as potential winners.
However, the point is that Italy did not deserve to win the tournament in the same way that other champions have deserved to win it in the past. But then again, none of the teams this time around really deserved to win it. Sure there were glimmers of brilliance, but no one team stood out as consistently better than the rest and thus deserving of the title "Champions of the World". In sum, it was a mediocre tournament which will bequeath no real legacy. A case in point: some of the younger players earmarked for future brilliance were truly dismal. For instance, Wayne Rooney although coming back from injury and playing in a fucked up formation only succeeded in making himself look more and more like an alcoholic Shrek. With regards to Cristiano Ronaldo, I like to apply the Shane Warne theory: that is, although he is undoubtedly a gifted player, if he couldn't play then what would he do? He would be one of those vicious skin heads you see out on a Friday night spitting and swearing like there is no tomorrow. The only talent he has is football, and even that he couldn't adequately display in Germany, the only exhibition he made was of his un-sportsman-like, vicious streak which he demonstrates through his continued diving. I truly hate him.
With regards to Australia's performance, it was probably one of the only positives that I can think of that came out of the tournament. More importantly though it has put Australia onto a steep learning curve. Australian fans will soon come to the realisation that World Cups are more about disappointment than jubilation- believe me I am an England fan, I know!!! Only one team can ever win and although Australia may do that some day, I can't imagine that it will be in the near future.
Anyway, since the World Cup ended there hasn't really been any regular football to talk of. But now the premier league has begun and this coming weekend the A-League (mark 2) will begin. What can the AUFC diehards expect this year we might ask, given their form in the pre-season cup, would it be too much to ask for a championship? Doubtless Veart and Qu will dissapoint, Aloisi will whinge, Van Condom will be shit as will Cornflake. What of Dodd? given his recent form and prowess in the Australia shirt then we have reason to hope that he may bring some light to the gloom that so often shrouds Hindmarsh. The point is though that although AUFC so often look very amateur, the opposition are quite often not alot better. We can therefore expect the red army to be in the finals. The odyssey begins again, all aboard with Kossie... destination glory.
We have traversed the breach; that seemingly unconquerable space that exists between last season and the next season. In England it is known as the cricket season, here in Oz.... well nobody really notices. The point is though that there is for a period of at least a month, and often longer depending on whether it is a world cup or Euro championship year, a void in which no real football is played.
The 2006 World Cup came to a close over a month ago in a fashion that cannot quite be described as breathtaking, nor spectacular, but rather perplexing and with perhaps a touch of disappointment. Italy have without doubt been one of the better sides of the tournament, but their performance and victory in the final was neither glorious nor deserved.
Their route to the final included only just overcoming minnows Australia, they had arguably the easiest of the quarter finals, and they were less than impressive against the yankees. On the other hand they did fend off an impressive Germany, and accounted for the Czechs who were touted before the tournament as potential winners.
However, the point is that Italy did not deserve to win the tournament in the same way that other champions have deserved to win it in the past. But then again, none of the teams this time around really deserved to win it. Sure there were glimmers of brilliance, but no one team stood out as consistently better than the rest and thus deserving of the title "Champions of the World". In sum, it was a mediocre tournament which will bequeath no real legacy. A case in point: some of the younger players earmarked for future brilliance were truly dismal. For instance, Wayne Rooney although coming back from injury and playing in a fucked up formation only succeeded in making himself look more and more like an alcoholic Shrek. With regards to Cristiano Ronaldo, I like to apply the Shane Warne theory: that is, although he is undoubtedly a gifted player, if he couldn't play then what would he do? He would be one of those vicious skin heads you see out on a Friday night spitting and swearing like there is no tomorrow. The only talent he has is football, and even that he couldn't adequately display in Germany, the only exhibition he made was of his un-sportsman-like, vicious streak which he demonstrates through his continued diving. I truly hate him.
With regards to Australia's performance, it was probably one of the only positives that I can think of that came out of the tournament. More importantly though it has put Australia onto a steep learning curve. Australian fans will soon come to the realisation that World Cups are more about disappointment than jubilation- believe me I am an England fan, I know!!! Only one team can ever win and although Australia may do that some day, I can't imagine that it will be in the near future.
Anyway, since the World Cup ended there hasn't really been any regular football to talk of. But now the premier league has begun and this coming weekend the A-League (mark 2) will begin. What can the AUFC diehards expect this year we might ask, given their form in the pre-season cup, would it be too much to ask for a championship? Doubtless Veart and Qu will dissapoint, Aloisi will whinge, Van Condom will be shit as will Cornflake. What of Dodd? given his recent form and prowess in the Australia shirt then we have reason to hope that he may bring some light to the gloom that so often shrouds Hindmarsh. The point is though that although AUFC so often look very amateur, the opposition are quite often not alot better. We can therefore expect the red army to be in the finals. The odyssey begins again, all aboard with Kossie... destination glory.
posted by Thearley @ 8:19 PM
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