Popa’s Juneteenth nightmare ends in limp defeat

USA 2 Australia 0

Master tactician Tony Popovic was left contemplating his selections as the USA romped to a two-goal half-time lead against a hesitant Socceroos team, and there was no magical antidote to the first-half malaise as his misfiring side stumbled to defeat in the Seattle sun. A stupid own goal by Cam Burgess had the visitors on the rack, but it took until just before half time for the hosts to double their lead, Alex Freeman first to a deflected free kick to knock the ball past the otherwise untroubled Patrick Beach. A reaction was needed in the second period, and it did come, but promising moments came to nothing and tempers began to fray in the summer heat, time being easily managed by the home team until the jubilant final whistle. The crowd played its part, vocal and loud, while the Aussie fans behind the goal had to grin and bear it and hope that there is a marked improvement in the final group stage game in just under a week in San Jose.

  • Open up, it’s 7am
  • I’m in. Got the stamp.
  • Morning pies
  • The boys in celebratory mood
  • The party is underway
  • Independent Boys Australia
  • Fancy dress – very fancy
  • Scenes from pregame
  • It’s getting rowdy
  • Shoeys, table surfing, beer and pies
  • Good system at the beer tent
  • Packed but ready to head off soon
  • Where did all these Aussies come from?
  • There must be a good reason for this
  • Bunnings on tour
  • Shoey!

The doors to Victory Hall weren’t even open and there was a line of thirsty Aussies at the gate, ready to take advantage of the early opening and abridged pre-game for this massive Group D fixture at Seattle Stadium. Pregame frivolity completed, the fans made their way through the streets to the stadium, responding to good-natured jeers and heckles from the USA fans, many in fancy dress, in similar form. “Stand up if your schools are safe” and “We’ve got free healthcare” were two silly chants, although the “Aussie boys on a bender” chant did continue and was sung with glee, even after making the media in the States.

The stadium was filling up quickly, even an hour out from the game. Two young fans were picked from the crowd to make their predictions, the Aussie choosing a 3-1 win for the Socceroos and the young US fan cheekily predicting 10-1. The crowd loved it. Australia had three distinct sections of the stadium, one up in the heights, another in full sun behind the goal and the prawn sandwich brigade behind the dugouts in the west stand. The contrast between the red white and blue of the US and the yellow shirts and inflatable kangaroos of Australia made it easy to see who was who.

By kick-off, the stadium was looking full, access to the stadium very easy, and we were led through the now familiar pre-game routine. Australia’s changes weren’t subtle, both goalscorers withdrawn for this one, Mo Toure on his own up front, and Nishan Velupillay and Mathew Leckie brought in to provide width. Aussies again looked at the team sheet with puzzlement, but it had worked last weekend, why not again today? The national anthems were brilliant. Australia first with their full anthem with the pah-pa-pah at the start that everyone loves, and it was well received. What came next was spine-tingling, the Star Spangled Banner belted out by everyone not in yellow bringing a tear to the eye; nothing like a game against the hosts in a World Cup.

The Socceroos started brightly, the USA Viking clap filled the stadium with noise, and there were boos when a corner award was overturned for the home team. Pantomime season was well and truly open. There was uproar when Leckie was pulled up for a foul, and the partisan crowd was at fever pitch, despite the awkward chants. We didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal though, and the Socceroos was prised open way too easily. Folarin Balogan raced past Jacob Italiano and made for the byline; his cross found Burgess running towards his own goal, and he went at it with the wrong foot and thumped it into his own net, the crowd at full tilt with sheer joy at having taken the lead. Redemption could have been quick, but Leckie poked at a shot with the wrong foot to continue the theme, the ball whistling over the bar.

  • Heading off on the march
  • Leaving by the first available exit
  • Triple stacker
  • The Aussie boys

Burgess was having a tough day – an awful giveaway in midfield and then conceding a corner within a few seconds. Weston McKennie was unlucky with the effort when the ball found him unmarked in the area. Velupillay sliced down his man in front of the US bench, Mauricio Pochettino opting for a hug with the assailant rather than berating the referee, and Jordy Bos was then booked when hauling down his man on the US right. Harry Souttar and Italiano looked at each other either side of a bouncing ball; this was amateur time, even moreso when Burgess laid a lazy pass into the centre that was picked up by an opponent. The left side continued to pay dividends after the coaching break, and the uncharacteristic mistakes continued, Italiano out for a corner with no one around him. Circati was booked for a swiping challenge while the RBB-esque band droned on in the north-east corner of the stadium.

By now, the US team were so confident that Sergino Dest was taking the proverbial out of Bos and there was plenty of showboating. Paul Okon-Engstler and Burgess were the latest to miscommunicate, and the former was involved in a hefty clash of heads, neither player having to go off for the minute punishment despite needing lengthy treatment. Goal two was just as scrappy as the first, a free kick on the byline played back outside the penalty area for a rasping shot that took a wicked deflection and looped towards goal. The Aussies were slow to react, but Freeman, who had just been down holding his head, was first to react and bundle ball into the net for 2-0. The flag was proudly up to spoil the home celebrations, but after a long wait and a helping of agony, the screen displayed goal and the referee confirmed it moments later.

  • The MLS chief being grilled
  • The concourse busy at 11am
  • Aussie fans in the sun
  • US fans in the sun
  • FIFA doing a great job
  • Photographers on the balcony
  • It’s almost here!
  • The players are out
  • Military might!
  • The toin coss squad
  • Huddling, but not for warmth

The half-time whistle followed a cheeky chant of USA, USA, USA to the tune of the Japanese Nippon, Nippon; this was a carnival for the US supporters, and for the Aussies nothing had gone right, Bos and Burgess having particularly frustrating games. Popovic rang the changes, Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda on, alongside Jason Geria, but Aiden O’Neill’s attempt to win a free kick from the referee in the first minute went unfulfilled. Balogun was set free for a third, but Souttar made up the ground to make the block. Irankunda wasn’t immune from mistakes, playing a ball straight to an opponent when trying to play out; this was looking less and less like the Tony Poppvic teams we know. Cristian Volpato was introduced, but he ballooned his shot over the bar with his first meaningful contribution, Irankunda having made the run down the right. Irankunda again was played through but was bundled over, the referee seeing nothing wrong, which elicited a “Referee’s a wanker” from the travelling fans who were baking in the hot sun.

The next advertising break was marvellous, Livin’ on a Prayer played at full volume with the whole crowd joining in. Irankunda gave his defender an almighty bump by way of retribution, Okon-Engstler then pushed the ball into his opponent’s chest which resulted in a lecture from the referee. Australia were slowly turning things around, putting up a fight, but it was never convincing. Volpato was involved in a clash and was showing some youthful petulance, Bos having a chance on the half volley, but he caught it on the bounce and it was always rising over the bar. A full house of 66,925 was announced, and from there the US managed the game very well. There was a shout for a penalty, Italiano playing the loose ball back in for Geria to fire in a shot, but it was deflected away. The heat, the scoreline and the fact that nothing seemed to be going their way was causing tempers to rise. Souttar thumped into Balogan, Irankunda fouled his man going up for a header and a flurry of yellow cards followed.

  • It’s called what now?
  • The USA have won
  • Australia losing with dignity
  • Winning formula

The game was by now out of reach for Australia. Irankunda was scythed down, and the ref stumbled and was down with cramp for a moment. The Socceroos performance was typified by Volpato’s measured cross to precisely no one with a minute of added time remaining. It was all over. Last minute substitutions gave the crowd something to roar about before the referee called it a day. There were hugs for all the staff from Pochettino, boos for the referee from the Australia fans, Country Road belted out over the PA, everyone singing along, and the final U.S.A., U.S.A., was as loud as the crowd had been all night.

We waited patiently for the press conference. Popovic lamented that his team didn’t match their opponents’ power and athleticism in the first half, and by the second half they didn’t have time to get back into it. The goals were soft, the players were flat and lethargic, but he was happy with the response from all the players in the second half. It was a shame we didn’t at least score a goal. Unusually, Popa said he should have perhaps made more changes – an admission maybe that he’d got it wrong from the start.

Pochettino’s press conference was as unstructured as always. There were some facts thrown in from his aides; this was the first time that the US had won their first two games since 1930 and they were now seven wins from seven at Seattle Stadium. The US coach did say that his team was pressing as required and they forced the Socceroos to play long instead of playing their measured long passes. He then treated us to his belief that the IQ of his players was well above normal, which appeared to have no context, and failed to answer any of the questions with a straight answer, other than agreeing that hydration breaks were indeed welcome today in the hot sun.

Was there anything positive to take out of this one for Australia? Of course; the goals stopped at half time, but what weak goals they were. The number of unforced errors was worrying, the ease with which our wing backs were beaten or played around was alarming, and our magnificent defence had a leak that was plugged at half time. For all the positivity after Saturday’s win against Turkey, the negativity from the this one balances it all out, leaving us watching the second game from Group D today with worry rather than intrigue. Did Popa take the changes just a touch too far? What will the response be next week? We’ll find out soon. See you there.

A seminal moment in Canadian soccer history

Canada 6 Qatar 0

Vancouver’s unbelievable FIFA summer continued on Thursday with the host nation Canada welcoming previous hosts Qatar to BC Place for a crucial second pool game. The home team were already two goals up through Cyle Larin and Jonathan David when Homam Ahmed was sent off, ending the game as a contest; David’s second goal made the scoreline realistic at half time. A nasty injury to Ismael Kone dampened the joyous celebrations for a short while, Qatar further reduced in personnel, Assim Madibo dismissed for the leg-breaking foul, and from then it was simply a question of how many. Further goals from Nathan Saliba, a disastrous own goal from Mohammed Manai and the hat-trick clincher for David gave the scoreline a polish, and the stadium was bouncing as the players lapped the field at the conclusion of the action. This had been the perfect World Cup matchday for the hosts.

  • In Canada once again
  • Planes, trains and automobiles
  • Granville Street on game day
  • Sounds like a deal
  • 50 foot screen – thing is it’s not ready yet!
  • Civilised
  • This is more like it. Pomp and ceremony!
  • Go Canada!
  • The march for Marsch.

A day trip from Seattle, the 2.5-hour drive across the border was made with eager anticipation of a classic World Cup encounter. This was a battle between two teams desperate to make an impression on Group B and this would be an opportunity to see if Canada had the same appetite and enthusiasm for the World Cup as Turkiye and Australia had displayed in Vancouver on Saturday. Downtown was serene and relaxed as Canadian fans consumed the earlier game in the bars of Granville Street; further down the road, next to Science World and the big football, was where the action was happening. The local football ultras were assembling for a march, and with songs, smokies and plenty of animation, they set off for the stadium, emulating the scenes from match day one at this wonderful venue.

Having watched Switzerland brush Bosnia and Herzegovina aside in the earlier match, Canada knew they had to win, and the 92dB to 149dB cheers from the respective fans told the story of who the crowd were backing this afternoon. The Qatar national anthem was applauded, but the Canada national song, with French and English options, was tear-jerking, definitely a moment to puff out the chest and enjoy the patriotism on display. Football legend Christine Sinclair presented the currency for the toin coss to great applause, and she was to be cheered every time she appeared on the screen. The crowd was at full volume, the countdown took us into a manic first minute where Qatar’s Akram Afif gave us a splendid dummy and a cross from the left just evaded two Qatar players, an instant goal denied. The game was still in its first minute when Jonathan David should have controlled in space, but failed to do so, and the first ten minutes already had a penalty shout and a fine save by Mahmoud Abunada at the near post from David’s volley.

  • Les voyageurs ready to march on BC Place
  • Proud Canadians love a flag
  • National pride on display
  • Smokies come in red too
  • The march is on
  • La’eeb is here!
  • Top atmospehere down at Science World
  • A rickshaw pulling huskies. Of course.
  • Photo ops
  • Kids banging a drum sponsored by a beer company. Only in Canada.

Ooh aah Canada rung around the magnificent stadium. A stray pass from the Canadian defence went straight to Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui, dressed in black and prowling the sideline; maybe a different choice of shirt was warranted. Derek Cornelius was booked, and the resulting free kick wasted by Qatar, but their fans were upbeat, the Viking clap rippling through their small pocket of fans decked in all white robes.

The opening goal saw Cyle Larin pounce when David thumped in a shot, Abunada spilling the shot with only Canadians around him, and there was a massive roar from the crowd to announce his name as the first goalscorer. The first signs that things were not going Qatar’s way was when Yusuf Abdurisag was penalised for a non-foul, and when Boualem Khoukhi was down with a head knock, he left his team a player short. The referee was displeased with the coaching going on at the stoppage, and the crowd responded with a well-timed Mexican wave. There were boos for the hydration break; after all we’d just had a break for the injured player and momentum was totally shot to bits now. We didn’t have to wait long though for another goal, Tajon Buchanan with the shot that sat up for David to volley home brilliantly for 2-0. Canada were hustling, giving Qatar no time in defence; it was upbeat and energetic, much like the crowd.

The game changed complexion just after the half hour, Buchanan crumbling conveniently under the slightest challenge from Homam Ahmed. Penalty and yellow card said the referee, ‘no’ said the Qatar players, free-kick and red card said VAR and Jesse Marsch’s dancing on the sideline looked a little silly now. The hustling continued, Canada able to press in pairs to win the ball with the man advantage. Buchanan stretched to get a shot on goal but it was hacked off the line, David turned and shot but it was deflected over, this was already a duck shoot, the Qatar fans doing their best to stay engaged. The six minutes of added time gave us a header across goal from Buchanan that was cleared from underneath the bar, before a carbon copy saw Abunada save brilliantly only for David to bundle the ball home. It was one-way traffic, Alistair Johnston firing in a shot that was pushed away and Qatar simply couldn’t get out of their half. The scoreline was generous to them at 3-0, and the crowd was certainly baying for more.

  • Takes me back to Qatar 2022
  • Qatar ultras taking BC Place by storm
  • TV celebrities from Qatar
  • What a stadium
  • Qtara is all white
  • Awesome display at an awesome stadium
  • Goal celebrations – one of six
  • Getting heated down below
  • He’s okay folks, he’s okay!

The second half started as an attack vs defence drill. The Qatar players were camped in their penalty area, the Canada players were stroking the ball around but failing to penetrate. Just after a check for a possible penalty was waved away, we had the big talking point of the game. There seemed to be little in a challenge by Assim Madibo on Ismael Kone, but the referee was quick to book the Qatar player. Suddenly the stretcher was on the field, the Canada players were a little frantic and they were surrounding their stricken teammate. The Qatari player was looking shocked, players and staff were getting heated on the sideline. The fans, in the meantime, had no idea what was happening. No replays, no explanation when the yellow card was upgraded to a red, and only the sight of Kone waving to the crowd in true Evel Kneivel style suggested that he was hiding something very serious.

So, eleven plays nine. We’ve seen it before. It’s often not easy for the advantaged team to find a way through a locked door, but the crowd were baying for more. “We want four!” The entertainment level had diminished, now it was just a case of how many goals and Qatar sacrificed their danger man Afif to preserve him ahead of the final group stage game. Canada’s Ali Ahmed was taken out at the knee, Ahmed Fathy lucky to escape further sanction. Nathan Saliba’s clever free kick made it four; he was handed Kone’s shirt to lift to the crowd, a gesture showing the togetherness in this blossoming Canada squad. “We want five…” came the shout.

The wave went around the stadium again and again. The fans were lapping it up. Mr Brightside had the whole stadium dancing, Jesse Marsch revved up the crowd to greet the substitutions, the occasion was more than just the football. Canada toiled but were found wanting, Qatar’s Mohammed Manai slicing a shot from Jacob Shaffelurg into his own net to set the capacity 53,497 crowd off again. “We want six…” Canada still couldn’t beat the first man at the near post from their series of corners, and there was a huge cheer for Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau when he finally touched the ball. That cheer intensified when Christine Sinclair was shown again on the big screens, not realising that she was onscreen.

  • That goal was for Kone
  • Another goal celebration
  • Rowdy Canada fans enjoying the soccer
  • Flashpoint. Fight! Fight!
  • Was it one? No…
  • Scrum down
  • Happy fans saluting happy players
  • Marsch going mental. He knows how big this is!
  • Thanks for watching. There’s more to come!

Canada’s urgency picked up in added time, the shouts for six were answered when Saliba fired in a shot that was controlled by David, and the finish completed his hat trick. “We want seven…” went the crowd, urging Crepeau to shoot when he ventured upfield. The crowd were already on their feet at the final whistle, there were flashpoints between the players, and some haymakers being thrown. When it finally died down, Canada took a knee in a circle to hear from their coach as the crowd sung and danced, the Qatar players heading to their bank of fans to commiserate with them. Freed from Desire filled the stadium with song and dance again as Marsch punched the air, acting as though his team had already won the whole damned thing.

He explained afterward why he was in such high spirits – this was a watershed moment for Canadian football – everyone will remember this game, the aim of changing this sport and creating an identity for the national team is high on his agenda, and he spoke with the elegant confidence of a match-winning coach. Kone was already in hospital preparing for surgery, his family with him, Madibo had already been into the dressing room to apologise. He also explained that he heard the snap when Kone broke his leg, and despite the celebrations from outside in the stadium precinct as he spoke, he expressed his love for his players.

“Kone was waving to the crowd, making everyone feel at ease; that was a statement about the player and it showed the special character of the group. He wanted us to finish the job.”

The disagreement with Lopetegui at the end was not something he wanted to discuss. He also didn’t understand why the Qatari staff were so aggrieved and angry after the second sending off. The squad had a family barbecue tomorrow, so they would take stock and begin preparations for the Switzerland encounter after that.

Julen Lopetegui wished Kone the best when asked about it in the first question of his press conference. The player did not mean it. It was an accident. The Qatar media were less sympathetic and wanted answers. Whilst he did lament the loss of two key players for the final group game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he was not going to dwell on the events and decisions of tonight. When asked if his players had the spirit to win the final game, he reminded the media that this was the first time the country had ever qualified for the World Cup, and that the fans had enjoyed the good times against Switzerland to go with the bad times tonight. The Qatari media pursued him after the conclusion of the press conference, but he was off after a quick handshake and a smile, a difficult week ahead of him.

So, what had we learned today? We saw Qatar hassled and they couldn’t cope; we saw a borderline penalty decision that was unpopular with everyone, especially when it resulted in only a free kick and a red card instead of a yellow; play on may have been a better option. We saw the Qatar defence battle with nine players and we saw Canada struggle to work out how to break them down. It should and could have been double digits by 5pm, but the Asian team escaped the ignominy of a record-breaking thumping. This was all about Canada though, and for their fans and the whole population of this hockey-crazy nation, their heads were turned, hopefully forever.

Red Devils and Pharoahs light up Seattle

Belgium 1 Egypt 1

Belgium rescued their opening fixture of the FIFA World Cup with Egypt, playing their joker midway through the second half to bring instant dividends. A bullet of a finish from Emam Ashour had the impressive Egypt in the box seat, but with Belgium dominating in the second half, the introduction of Romelu Lukaku changed everything, the game level within a minute thanks to the powerful striker’s presence forcing an unfortunate own goal from Mohamed Hany. The biggest football match ever in Seattle (until Friday) couldn’t find a winner, despite Lukaku’s late free header, and the enthralled locals were left to remember a fabulous event at this impressive sporting arena.

  • In the middle of town
  • Religious guff being pedaled
  • More politics
  • Messages for everyone
  • Nothing unusual to see here
  • Walk like an Egyptian

You know you’re running on empty when you’re relaxing on the couch watching the end of the early morning game and you suddenly realise your game is the next one, not the one after. An emergency Uber into the centre of Seattle, a quick swap of tickets from the windowed, unexciting press box to a media seat amongst the fans, and this part-time journo was in front of the national anthems with moments to spare. No time to see anything of Seattle, no time to soak up the atmosphere that a 3pm game would have afforded, although the amount of free speech and Bible paraphernalia being handed out en route to Gate 5 was puzzling and completely against everything that FIFA normally allows.

  • Flag ceremony
  • Blazing sun
  • Pack away
  • FIFA being removed
  • The action is underway
  • Celebrations for Egypt

The Egypt fans were in the south end of the stadium, a strip of Belgium fans at the foot of the bizarre triangled end at the north end, with a big pocket of fans up in the nosebleeds behind them. Contrary to those heady days of Qatar 2022, there was no air conditioning to help with the scorching sun, and both ends were completely exposed to the height of the midday sun. Egypt started brightly and looked as though they were matching their more illustrious opponents, and winning the physical duel. We had VAR overturn a corner after pleas from the Egyptian players, and Egypt took the lead soon after, Emam Ashour launching a screamer that hit the net before Thibaut Courtois could get down to it. The stadium loved it; the perceived underdog in the lead and the big European nation now chasing the game. Courtois saved his team soon after the drinks break, or “coaching break” as Rudy Garcia was to coin it in the press conference afterwards. The stadium screens showed the clock advancing through additional time, a welcome addition; honestly I’ve never understood why that’s not normal. There was still time for Nathan Ngoy to gift the ball to Egypt, but they couldn’t capitalise, and their players went to their knees at the break in prayer. The stadium was abuzz at half time, the concourse packed, the triangular end deserted as fans escaped the punishing sun.

  • Going to be burnt tonight
  • Remember we’re by the ocean
  • Sounders are the main team around here
  • You’ve walked the summit of Mt Rainier by the time you get here
  • It’s busy alright!

Belgium had a great chance soon after half time, a free kick awarded on the edge of the area, and with the Egyptian players arguing about who was going to be the draught excluder, Kevin De Bruyne stepped up to smash the ball off the post for a thrilling moment. Egypt were under the cosh, but did break on occasion, their finishing wayward from low percentage efforts. Belgium stepped up the attack, Youri Tielemens shot just wide, De Bruyne should have scored seconds later from right in front; Egypt were hanging on. Ngoy somehow escaped a yellow card for leaving a foot in on Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, and the game was definitely in the balance.

Lukaku came off the bench, a huge roar greeting his appearance, and moments later he appeared in the area as Leandro Trossard’s cross was fixed in, and the ball ended up in the net courtesy of defender Hany who had tracked the big forward all the way. Lukaku raced to the halfway line, signalling his team’s intent for the rest of the game, but the second hydration break curtailed the enthusiasm.

The Belgium fans were in full voice, Trossard’s impeccable flick so close to unlocking the Egypt defence again and giving the Belgium fans up in the top section a reason to make noise. Barely an empty seat, the 66,775 attendance was impressive; the locals in the west stand started their own chant “Let’s go Belgium”, which was followed almost immediately by “Let’s go Egypt” – top marks for trying! Belgium had their chance to wrap up the win when Lukaku was free in the penalty area but headed tamely over the top. The Mexican wave had it’s one lap with two minutes remaining, Let’s Go Egypt rang out again in added time, but there was no winner today and we had to settle for a 1-1 draw, the two favourites getting the best result to go into the remaining ‘easy’ fixtures.

Quelle surprise, Emam Ashour got man of the match as the only scorer of the game in the right goal, maintaining the time-honoured tradition of the FIFA man of the match award going to the highest scorer, albeit not for the winning team.

The press conferences after the game were entertaining, if only for the US journalists describing San Jose Stadium in detail as we waited for Belgium coach Rudi Garcia and warning that fans get fried in that stadium. Garcia had no excuses, and indeed when asked about the temperature today, his clever response was that had they won, he would have told the truth, but as they didn’t, he didn’t want to give any excuses. Apparently the grass was very dry, the ball braking, and he had asked for it to be cut the day before to get it in prime condition. He knew they had to win this one, but being 1-0 down against Egypt made it difficult to come back into it, with them dictating the pace of the game. He was surprised by the number of cheap giveaways and admitted that they were bullied physically in the first half. Talking over a very noisy mixed zone in the background, he continued to say that if you only hit the target with 20% of your chances, it’s no shock to only score one goal.

  • The second half continues
  • Belgium fans in good voice up in the clouds
  • It’s all over, what a good game
  • Hundreds of Sounders shirts, including this one
  • Rudi Garcia – straight talker
  • Hossam Hassan – man of the people
  • Surrounded by journalists, but it’s all good-natured

Getting the FIFA translator app ready, the second press conference with Hossam Hassan was lively. He had promised to be aggressive, and he was grateful for the positive result. Thanking God, this result was not due to coincidences, it was two years of hard work, and they relied on the whole squad, not just individuals, to get this result. Hassan is clearly revered in Egypt, and he explained that with Belgium a nation of 11 million people and Egypt a nation of 120 million people, they needed to have ambition. He was thanked by his media, who asked why it was not the same for an Egyptian coach – a foreign coach would have been lifted on the players’ shoulders after this game, but as an Egyptian, he had the trust of the people and knew that it was football that they lived and breathed. He was already an AFCON legend, and he instilled in the players that it was their duty to perform for the team. Such is the format of these press conferences, a third-party usually dictates the number of questions asked, and there were still a dozen hands in the air when the last question was offered. That was about Hamza Abdelkarim, the new Barcelona signing, coach Hassan assuring his media that he will be a great addition to the Barcelona squad.

Normally a coach would leave by the back door, this coach stepped into media pack and enjoyed hugs and pats on the back. It almost felt like they wanted to kidnap him and ask all the questions they had not been able to ask, but he knew it was time to get out and left with a huge smile and even more respect from the Egyptian reporters.

This had been a marvellous spectacle. A stadium not unlike Lusail in Qatar where the last FIFA World Cup final took place, locals who clearly want football to succeed and a cracking atmosphere for an exciting football match between two very talented teams. The World Cup is here, everyone; despite what you wanted before the tournament began, this is going to be incredible. Get on board! Next fixture here is on Friday, the US hosting Australia in a game that has been given added spice by the home media. Don’t miss it.

And that’s why we go to World Cups

Australia 2 Turkiye 0

The Australian invasion of Vancouver brought Granville Street to a standstill as thousands of football fans bedecked in green and gold showed the locals just what the FIFA World Cup is all about and why the host country’s people should be excited. The incredible hedonistic atmosphere on this glorious Saturday evening continued down to the stadium at BC Place, and by the time Nestory Irankunda had stunned the noisy Turkiye fans, the party was reaching new heights. Connor Metcalfe’s stunning strike with 15 minutes left was the icing on the cake, the players and fans uniting after the final whistle to celebrate a most professional performance and a result that changes everything. What a win, what a weekend, what next?

  • At SYdney airport
  • We’re the kids in America
  • Hold your breath! We’re going in.
  • Yeah, no scavenging.
  • Not cool if the oldies are doing it!
  • FIFA tat at the airport

Months of preparation were put into practice as Australia’s fans descended on the West Coast of Canada, groups of gold shirts popping up days before the first game. Our own journey went via L.A. and Seattle, but fans were arriving even on the afternoon of the game and by all manner of route. The first four fixtures of the tournament, sandwiching a Supporteroos game against a local Turkish outfit, gave travelling fans opportunity to gel before the big day, the bars in the centre of town heaving with fans of all nationalities. A timely tour date by Aussie legends Cat Empire attracted many supporters on game day eve, but Saturday was the big one. Different tour groups congregated at venues near Granville Street before meeting up in front of the Dublin Calling pub for a smoke-filled sing-along scrum in front of disbelieving locals and tourists. The 2005 qualifier had been replayed on some screens, eliciting joyous delight alongside the action of Brazil v Morocco, its conclusion sending the pub into a frenzy. This was fantastic, exactly the atmosphere for the nay-sayers and the doom-mongers who had been so critical of this World Cup.

  • The Ladies League represent
  • Not the Niagara falls, but impressive none the less
  • Stuff being brought in to the stadium.
  • Go Canucks!
  • Half and half freebies handed out.
  • Silver bear

The march was policed, safe smokies were encouraged, and thousands of Australians made their way down the hill to Vancouver Stadium, where $25 beers and $12 Cokes would be completely out of sync with the pricing of the rest of the city. The drum was banging, a local bus driver caught in the unexpected wave of people tooted his horn to the beat, this truly was a marvellous happy occasion. Once inside the stadium precinct, the best place to be was in the stadium itself, and the strange sight of a full supporter bay an hour before kick off gave the lead-up to the opening whistle a carnival feel in what is a wonderful venue.

There was an air of familiarity with the pre-game routine, the stadium quite warm. The first drum activation didn’t work, and when the teams emerged for warm up, it was clear who the home team would be, the two sets of goalkeepers getting vastly different welcomes. Turkiye were straight into song, and when the rest of the players emerged, the noise levels were fantastic. It was great to see everything translated into French as per the Canadian rules. When Land Down Under was played, the whole stadium was into it, but it was the Turkiye fans who would win the battle of the decibels, coming in at 149dB compared to 101dB for the Aussies. No wonder, the majority of shirts were red, the yellow stood out, and there were pockets of gold all around the stadium as is always the case with World Cup fixtures.

  • Yes, not in English!
  • The big FIFA ball
  • There’s the ball again
  • The halfway house near our digs
  • Canada with the goal!
  • Army supplies – safe smokies!

The photographers were blessed with a raised platform for the entrance of the players, although there were less in number than the last Matildas game in Parramatta. Eminem’s beat welcomed the players to the field, the players went around the circular emblem in the centre, the ref cam allowed the toin coss to be shared by everyone, and the comedic match commissioner welcomed in the opening whistle like a member of ZZ Top. Game on!

There’s no point in going through the game details – you will have already watched it over and over again and the action would have been captured beautifully by far superior writers sitting at home watching on TV with the commentary. Well, okay, just a little bit…

  • The Supporteroos warm up ahead of their big clash
  • Supporters of the supporters
  • U.S.A! U.S.A!
  • Hello, hello!
  • Fantastic night at Cat Empire.
  • Go Canada Go!

The shock of the starting line-up setting in, Australia were on the front foot from the start. Nestory Irankunda decided not to shoot with his first sight of goal in the first minute and stuffed up his pass. Harry Souttar was involved in a clash and was egged on by his colleagues to get up, the Australian physio team not familiar with the dark arts and running onto the field only to be waved off by the Australian players. Jacob Italiano got into a great position on the right but crossed way too deep. Arda Guler was the artist in midfield for Turkiye, dictating the tempo and looking very comfortable in possession. Jordy Bos sprinted like a roadrunner to keep a ball in and was unlucky when it cannoned off him for a goalkick.

There was an odd bit of refereeing on the quarter-hour, the officials bringing play back for an offside when the advantage had already been played. Alessandro Circati was involved at both ends, spraying the ball to Mo Toure who won a corner; Circati won the header but it dropped wide and then he was in trouble with the referee for delaying a free kick. There was a moment after 19 minutes when the Socceroos maintained possession at the back to whistles from the Turkish fans, who then erupted into voice to will on their players. An early hydration break was called when Toure was brought down, and this time the drums were working correctly and we had some entertainment while the viewers at home enjoyed their adverts.

  • Granville Street is FIFAfied
  • One way to travel!
  • Ultras in Vancouver
  • Killer whale
  • A selection of balls
  • A stark-looking [regame festival venue

When play resumed, Baris Alper Yilmaz whipped in a cross-shot, but the Socceroos pounced, Nestory Irankunda setting off on a race to latch onto a long ball, getting a toe to the ball to take it past the last man, and just when it looked like he’d not have the legs to get there, he turned on the boosters and finished past the bemused goalkeeper for 1-0. He raced to the opposite corner from the main Aussie bays, but there were plenty of yellow shirts to celebrate with him, the whole bench sprinting to join the celebrations of an absolute cracker of a goal. He was at it again soon after, almost beating the keeper to the ball, but Turkiye went close soon after, Patrick Beach at full stretch to seemingly tip the ball onto the post in a thrilling moment. The battle was on, and it was all hands on deck, Irankunda taking great delight in hoofing the ball way upfield to ease the pressure.

Harry Souttar’s little drag back to bamboozle his man brought great cheers from the crowd, Jordy Bos raked in a shot that wasn’t over by much, and Turkiye had their chances, Guler showing great feet to fire wide. When Yilmaz won a contentious corner, we saw the special VAR rules in action and it was overturned. Irankunda then slipped as he danced around the last man almost on half time, and he embarked on another thrilling run, beating two but firing straight at the goalkeeper. Another huge cheer came when Turkiye got it all wrong and played the ball out for no reason, but they had a great chance soon after, Circati making a brave clearance as the Aussie Aussie chant filled the stadium.

  • The A-League needs these
  • Football and beer
  • Aussies singing – yes, you’d better believe it!
  • Aussie boys are on a bender
  • It’s kicking off as the 2005 penalty shootout looms
  • Celebrating being at the World Cup.

Half time had Live is Life, that famous song that accompanied Maradona’s warm-up antics, the lights off and the mobile flashlights on, and it was a nice touch having a presenter in the stands with the fans to gauge the atmosphere. The queue for the bathrooms was insane – something that Aussies have come to learn about Canadian venues, bars and pubs included, is that the amount of space given to bathrooms here is incredibly small.

The second half onslaught was expected but never really materialised after the first attack, Beach making a good save. When Bos and Toure combined to win a corner in front of the huge bank of Australian fans, Toure geed up the crowd to a huge roar. Italiano sent a speculator into the stands, but it was all Turkiye. The next time the Socceroos made it upfield, there was plenty of action, Souttar making space for a header that Toure almost turned in, and Circati made a fool of himself, crumbling under a challenge looking for a penalty. Bos repeated Souttar’s sweet turn and left his player on his backside, Paul Okon-Engstler was lucky to escape a yellow for a robust challenge – the free kick was pushed away and there was an appeal for a penalty waved away.

  • The atmospehere is even crazier outside
  • Sunshine, beers and football
  • Family reunion
  • Hanging from the rafters
  • Shed end!
  • Just packed in the streets
  • Friendly coppers in Vancouver
  • May not be safe, but definitely smoky
  • He bangs the drum
  • Road closed
  • Stopping traffic
  • Breath in that atmosphere
  • Bus driver knows the drill
  • Arriving in the vicinity of BC Place
  • Little drummer girl whipping up a storm

The dark arts took a twist on 66 minutes, Toure pulling up lame, looking as if his World Cup was over – the referee took the opportunity to give us the second hydration break, allowing the physios on to treat the injured striker. Mr Brightside played and the crowd loved it, everyone joining in. Coach Tony Popovic had his players in a tight huddle, giving some animated instructions, the referee unable to break up the huddle to restart the game, and Popovic was quick to remind him that Toure could come on, as it was a drinks break, not a stoppage in play. Sly. Clever. Under-handed, call it what you may.

Turkiye had their tails up, Beach saving well at the near post and Guler striking over from distance. Australia made subs, and it paid dividends almost immediately as Metcalfe turned to find space in front of him. He shaped to shoot once, twice, and then unleashed, right into the bottom right hand corner of the goal for a sensational second goal. Again the whole squad joined the celebrations, it was incredible!

  • Early arrivals
  • The Aussie team comes out
  • That corner is already full.
  • It’s even more full!
  • Pregame tension
  • The new pre-game ritual – we’ll see this again and again
  • Lovely curves
  • Teams on a collision course
  • Team shot

The Socceroos survived a handball shout that would have been nailed on the Champions League, Beach was right behind a glorious chance right in front, and the capacity 52,497 crowd was announced and completely believable. Tet Yengi was on now and was a handful, Jackson Irvine and Aziz Behich waited patiently to come on for two minutes before the ball finally went dead. Irvine’s first contribution was to bring down his player with a lunge, but Beach was equal to the shot.

The Socceroos had ten minutes to fill. They did it brilliantly, ekeing free kicks from their frustrated opponents, and when the chances did come in the penalty area, Souttar was immense, throwing himself at the ball to block the way. The final whistle sounded with Behich holding off his man, and the arms went up, an incredible result achieved and Men At Work again filled the stadium, the Australian fans and players scarcely believing what they had just achieved. The Turkiye players went straight down the tunnel in disgust. It looked at one point that the Socceroos would do the same, but they spun around and headed to the corner where the wall of Socceroos fans were going crazy. AC/DC belted out Thunderstruck over the PA, Irankunda was shoved in front of the pack of players to rev up the fans even more, and the interaction ended with a Central Coast Mariners team shot with the crowd, a real Aussie tradition.

  • Whole squad celebrations
  • Doing it again at the other end
  • Onfield man hugs – brilliant!
  • The players can scarcely believe it.
  • They were tall…
  • No surprises here, I don;t know what you’re talking about!

There was time to get to the press conferences. The Turkiye conference was a three-way translation, their Italian coach translated into Turkish and then to English. What we could glean from the rough literal translations was that the height of the Aussie team was considered a factor, but the Turkish media’s questions were particularly acidic, real questions being asked of the decision making and starting line-ups. The Turkish contingent were very gracious in defeat, congratulating the Socceroos for their success, and they conceded that the spectacle had been a marvel, spoiled only by the result.

Tony Popovic was a proud man when he walked in a few minutes later. And he had every right to be. They were leaving on a chartered plane tonight, due to get back in the early hours to base in San Francisco. He didn’t believe that his selections were a shock, the team was selected to perform well, and the satisfaction was in the performance, the result was the bonus. The defence was singled out for praise, Patrick Beach too with his composed performance; this team is nowhere near its ceiling – the suggestion was that there is more to come. Clearly tired after a big day, he had the look of Fat Tony from The Simpsons in the harsh downlights, but the articulation of a master orator. Everyone was healthy, bumps and bruises but no concerns, and the focus was on recovery ahead of the USA fixture next week.

Popovic admitted that they would need to step up to get a result against the United States, but they had already taken a big step from the two pre-tournament friendlies against difficult opponents. It was all positive. It was refreshing and just made you want to do it all again, just like tonight, and be able to secure a West Coast round of 32 fixture and avoid the cross-country dash of the third-place play-off roulette.

The fans could still be heard singing outside. The vibe outside the stadium was still of celebration, the Turkey fans having accepted their fate and the Socceroos fans making their way back to the Granville Street hub to continue the party into the early hours. Football fans were replaced by regular Saturday night party-goers, pubs had non-World Cup events on, hopefully the World Cup is not just a blip in the Vancouver way of life and the next game attracts as much attention as this one. The locals know what it’s about now. The fans are here to party, and there’s nothing going to stop them!

Tonight was something special, the whole Vancouver experience was incredible, and as we prepare to head off to Seattle for game two, we’ll all look back fondly on our time in Canada. Game one, tick! Let’s go Socceroos! Stay tuned!

Imperfect Matildas get the job done

Australia 3 Mexico 1

A generous Matildas defence weathered a rocky first half and an early second-half scare at Commbank Stadium to finally put Mexico to the sword with a direct attacking finish to help mend the damage from Saturday’s no-show in Newcastle. Two scrappy goals at the away end from Alanna Kennedy and the unfortunate Mexican goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras sandwiched a horror moment for the Matildas defence where they hit self-destruct and 2-1 at half time was perhaps generous. Once the referee had waved away a potential foul on the last man by Kaitlyn Torpey and Ellie Carpenter had recovered from a fierce blow to the ribs, Australia came out of their shell, Caitlin Foord doing brilliantly to overcome heavy pressure to score the third goal and wrap up the victory for Joe Muntemurro’s faltering team. The crowd was entertained, goals were scored, but the mistakes were there for all to see, especially in the first half; against more capable opponents, the Tillies would have been made to look as ordinary as they did on the weekend.

  • Light rail all the way, baby
  • Tempting you in for a kebab
  • Some people look settled in for the night
  • Impressive structure
  • Big heads, all the rage
  • Go the Kangaroos!

An advertised early 7pm kick off, midweek just after a long weekend, might have put a lot of people off this one; for us though, the close proximity to Parramatta via the light rail made this one a breeze. The tram deposited us a minute’s walk from the Royal Oak Hotel and there was time for a very quick drink with the Matildas Active before setting off for the short walk to the stadium through the back streets. The precinct was busy enough, the Qantas kangaroo mingling with fans outside the main entrance and the Sports Heads giant faces bobbing up and down as people made their way through the gate.

  • Crowded concourse
  • So much happening on and off the field
  • No queueu at the facepainter? Lyserle sneaks in…
  • In costume
  • Forza Sydney FC
  • In the quiet corner, away from the crowds
  • This is something I’ve never seen before – delivery to your seat
  • Heaving
  • Miniature active section

The concourse was certainly busy, although at the away end, where the majority of Mexico fans had congregated, there was at least a chance of grabbing some food and a beer away from the masses. The Paramount Plus team was in its usual corner away from the fans, and the stadium was starting to fill up; the main eastern stand was looking very full approaching kick-off, although the clever colouring of the seats does mask that very well. The opposite side was almost deserted, fans blocked from entering through the one entrance, the area maintaining its usual air of exclusivity. The Matildas Active fans congregated behind the goal in the RBB end, no exclusive block this time, so people sat in their seats alongside the active fans, who traditionally don’t sit down all game. Awkward. The stadium went dark green for a light show before smoke filled the air and the players came out to huge acclaim – this stadium always has an atmosphere, thanks to the steep pitch of the seating and the proximity to the field.

Following the rousing national anthems, Mackenzie Arnold went through her final warm-up while the rest of the players did their own thing. The scene was set. The noise was good, the playing surface looked decent, and the Matildas were straight out of the blocks on the attack. There were surprisingly few changes to the line-up from the weekend, Clare Wheeler in for Emily Van Egmond and Hayley Raso in for Amy Sayer, and we saw Kaitlyn Torpey continue on the left. The ghosts of Saturday were in full view though after only six minutes, Winonah Heatley playing a suicidal cross-field ball that was easily cut out and Mexico’s first shot on goal was an easy one for Arnold. Kennedy was visibly frustrated, urging her team forward. Heatley played a blind backpass soon after that was picked off by the Mexican forward line, but they were forced wide and the danger snuffed out immediately. This was not good at all.

It didn’t take long for a Mexican wave to start, a sure fire sign that things aren’t engaging enough on the field, but Raso won a corner on the right as the noise circled the stadium. The short routine didn’t seem to work, Wheeler’s shot ballooning into the air, and there was a mad scramble – our view was not great – and somehow the ball ended up in the net to muted celebrations from the players. We had to wait for the replays on the big screen to see Kennedy swivelling to fire home a deflected shot. Kennedy took hold of the renewed confidence and pirouetted past her player to get out of trouble; that set the Matildas off on a counter attack, Torpey racing through onto a perfectly timed pass by Foord to romp clear, her low shot saved by the feet of Barreras. This was more like it from the hosts. The viking clap started from the Active fans, but just as it did, Australia made a complete mess of playing out from the back. Arnold sold Heatley short, she was beaten to the ball and when the cross came in, Diana Ordonez, Saturday’s match winner, turned the ball into the net to replace the viking clap with disbelieving expletives.

Heatley then sold Arnold short to return the favour, the Aussie keeper booming the ball away, and again Heatley played Kennedy into trouble with a needless ball into the centre and Mexico went close. This was an accident waiting to happen, but the Matildas turned up the heat, Raso bundled over as she went through, and as the players paused expecting the whistle, Carpenter grabbed possession, got herself into a crossing position and delivered the perfect cross for Kerr, who seemed to get in front of her player to steer the ball goalwards, the ball somehow ending up in the net. Again the celebrations were small, on the field at least, and the replay showed the ball cannoning off the post and hitting the diving Barreras on the back for an unlucky own goal.

Kennedy sent in a rasping drive as the half entered the final five minutes, although it may have looked better from our position behind the goal at the far end. Wheeler had a chance from a tight angle that Barreras saved, Kerr had a tricky chance that went over, and Australia finished the half well. The referee gave no additional time and the players disappeared down the tunnels to applause.

  • Filled up quick!
  • Going green for the light show
  • Here come the players, here comes the smoke
  • Arnold with last minute warm-ups
  • The Active bay goes wild
  • Too much action up this end
  • Merch going cheap
  • Show us your posters!
  • I guess no one is having sushi tonight

I made an unusual call at half time to abandon the active area – the view was rubbish, the stadium had thousands of spare seats with marvellous views of the action, and the active fans didn’t need my voice, so after a circuit of the stadium to marvel at the incredible queues for food and drink, I watched the opening stages from the away end. A bold decision from Joe Montemurro saw the fragile confidence of Heatley removed, hometown star Charlie Rule on for the second half, but the first moment of action had Ordonez played in across goal only for Torpey to collide with her, suggestions of a last-man red-card offence, but play was waved on despite the protests in the stands and on the field. When Kennedy strode on to Foord’s excellent low ball and Kerr’s instinctive dummy to smash a shot straight into Carpenter’s ribs, there was plenty of time to walk back up to the home end, grab a meat pie and find a lofty position in the upper tier above the RBB. What a view!

The action was superb from then on, Foord showing us a lovely dummy, a huge ooh from the crowd accompanying the replay of a Torpey tackle, but it was Torpey’s wayward control when coming to meet the ball that left her out of position, Arnold saving the day. Rule was rightly booked for a clumsy challenge, the crowd disbelieving but the replay found her guilty, and the resulting free kick caused panic in the penalty area, Arnold somehow dealing with it and the Matildas clearing their lines. Raso and Kerr ambushed the last defender from the clearance, but Raso waited and waited for support and the cross was deflected away. Torpey seemed to have moved into a more advanced position, and when she intercepted brilliantly midway inside her half, she set off through the hole in midfield. Foord was making the sprint on the outside, Torpey played her inside with a delightful pass. Foord was in the area, the last defender holding on to her shirt in clear view of the referee, but she managed to turn and shake off the challenge before delivering the perfect finish for a superb goal, and the clincher on the night. Superb stuff!

Odronez was left clear to reduce the arrears but the bank of Mexico fans behind the goal couldn’t suck the ball into the net, before the game started to fracture with substitutions. Holly McNamara and Foord combined well on the left, Remy Siemsen’s first contribution was to shove her defender into Barreras for a foul and then she tried various lay-offs and touches, none of which found the target. The game was over as a contest, although we got to see good moments from Leticia McKenna, who gives off Mini Gorry / Lisa De Vanna vibes, before the referee brought the game to a close. The disappointing crowd of 18,441 told the story of the declining interest in the Matildas in between major competitions. Just three years ago this would have been a guaranteed sell-out. The young female-based fanbase is still there, but the casual fans seem to have dropped off, and perhaps that’s just a sign of the difficult times we live in right now.

  • Queue for food and miss the game
  • A different view from the Mexico end
  • Goal! And what a good one it was from Caitlin Foord
  • Hold on, aren’t these games always a sell-out?
  • The view is so much better from up here
  • Post-match soul-searching and meditation session
  • Almost felt like a Wanderers home game with so many empty seats up high

The players did their standard lap around the stadium, as if to prepare the young fans for disappointment, while the Mexican players all went to the away end to salute their noisy supporters. Eventually Charlie Rule raced to the home end to say hello, Remy Siemsen broke away for an extended signing session, eventually offering up her boots, and Caitlin Foord joined her to offload hers. Amy Sayer spotted a friend in the photographer pack and teased the eager crowd, Hayley Raso rescuing the situation with an exlusive signing in the awkward corner bay that seems to be separated from the rest of the stadium. The winner of the half-time best poster competition was ushered from the home end to meet Alanna Kennedy to no fanfare at all, while Mackenzie Arnold ran over to the opposite corner to say hello to friends and family.

A couple of kids ran past behind me : “I’m forging the signature,” said one. “Me too.” said the other. It was time to leave, and we headed back to the Royal Oak on Church Street to complete the night, eventually timing our departure well with the light rail and hoisting two drums through the suburban streets to base camp in the north western suburbs of our beautiful city. This had been a good night.

  • Loads of signatures sought, not enough autographers
  • You put the effort in, you get rewarded
  • Kennedy meets the creator of the best poster
  • Siemsen and Foord go bare foot
  • Hayley Raso sneaks in a signing session
  • Credit : Ange (AMG) – Texi in the stands
  • Lugging the Socceroos and Matildas drums through the suburban streets

Did the Matildas repair the damage caused by Saturday’s horror-show in Newcastle? Three goals, one of those on the 150th appearance of one of our star players, celebrations for the crowd, the big names all on display, yes, this was a good evening. But the fragility of the defence when trying to play out from the back is truly a concern. The giveaways were spectacular, the lack of awareness, the weak passing, it was still there, but masked by more potent attacking from the forward line. Should we be concerned? Yes. Did we see our coach react accordingly? Yes. And in Clare Wheeler we have the sort of player that the Matildas need going forward to Brazil next year; momentum is building, we’re a year out, get excited!

Something’s come along and it’s burst our bubble

Australia 0 Mexico 1

The Matildas showed just how much work there is to come to transition from the old guard to the new wave in an unimpressive one-goal reverse at one of their favourite venues, McDonald Jones stadium in Newcastle, on Saturday night. The visiting Mexican team showed a determination and conviction that was sadly lacking from the home side, stout defending and sustained possession earning them the opportunity to deliver the killer blow in the closing moments as the home defence went AWOL. And it’s just as well Australia lost; a draw would have papered over the cracks and allowed Joe Montemurro to explain his way out of it. This tees up a marvellous second game on Tuesday night, and a chance to see what this Matildas team is truly made of.

  • Easy entry
  • No queues for merch
  • A poof of smoke and the Matildas wave crashes down
  • Phil with zero f*cks given
  • Sold out but not at capacity
  • FA staff meet and greet

At 4.45pm, the final whistle sounded on a superb 4-2 victory for West Ryde Rovers Over 45 Division 4 at Meadowbank Park; by 7.05pm we were parking the car at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. Following a quick change in the car park, and an easy entry (as everyone was in already), ducking down one of the aisles allowed a quick view of the anthems before heading towards the Northern hill and the designated Active Bay, right down at the front. There were signs warning of the fact that this was a standing and singing area, but the miniature turnout from the burgeoning active community showed that this one was a tricky fixture to get to for most out-of-towners, an earlier than usual kick off and maybe just one friendly fixture too far. The tiny drum was not going to fill the stadium with noise, but when MMTV got her hands on it, at least it was going to try.

Mexico were shooting towards the Active Bay in the first half, but all the action was happening at the other end, the Matildas enjoying a lot of forward momentum without having an end product. The view from down at the front of the hill was absolutely terrible as usual (hey we’re not there to watch the game, we’re there to sing!); whenever the ball came close to the Matildas’ goal, the ball disappeared behind the advertising hoardings and you just had to guess what was happening. The first 15 minutes though was all Matildas up the other end, but we saw some unusually low-percentage passes into the box, Caitlin Foord guilty, and when Ellie Carpenter got some space she decided to pass instead of shoot. Sam Kerr headed one over but it came at her quickly, and Foord waltzed through from her own half to the penalty area, ignoring everyone and was easily stopped on the edge of the box.

As the half wore on, Mexico looked more and more dangerous. The misplaced confidence, even arrogance, of the Matildas’ players was easily countered by the crisp and decisive passing of the Mexico team. When Carpenter cleared a ball straight to the attacking team, Mexico had their first good chance, the ball fired wide, and when the home side tried to play out from the back they were again found out, Steph Catley able to clear after a calamitous giveaway. The free role of Amy Sayer wasn’t reaping rewards, and Mexico had another chance, a cheeky pirouette almost unlocking the Matildas’ defence, although we had to use our imagination to see the footwork until the big screen showed the replay. Alana Kennedy’s long raking ball to the advancing Kerr went in completely the opposite direction, but when Mary Fowler cleared up a Mexican attack, Foord and Kerr combined to set up Sayer, who hit the post with a seemingly scuffed effort, but the flag was already up.

A horrible passage of play at the back where Winonah Heatley and Alanna Kennedy both made unforced errors culminated in a huge switch from Kennedy to Kerr out left, but the attack ended with Kennedy somehow giving the ball away again, this time in the opponents’ penalty area. Fowler continued to look the main player on the field, Sayer was perhaps the other, but even she was guilty of playing overly hopeful balls around the defence that led to nothing. Mackenzie Arnold had to palm a shot away at the near post after some exquisite control and a low shot, Mexico with their tails up, but when Emily Van Egmond played in Carpenter, Australia had a great opportunity, the ball eventually falling to Kaitlyn Torpey whose stumbling shot was way wide of the goal. The half was concluded without additional time, Van Egmond giving the ball away with the last touch, and the players headed to the tunnel with a somewhat bemused crowd wondering where the goals would come from to unlock this game.

  • “This is a big hit in our country,” said no Mexican ever
  • A beautiful sight
  • Queues as far as the eye can see
  • A full stadium, lovely.
  • Much better view than ours
  • The “home” end on the hill

Time for a walk around the stadium – all the stadium facilities were open, the main issue though was the queue for the ladies’ bathroom – always the way when the female-heavy Matildas crowd are in town. The gents’ bathroom was a breeze, plenty of room at the trough, while the queue for everything else made the concourse quite an unpleasant place to be with people blocking the way every few metres. Ice creams seemed to have the biggest line, bizarrely enough, on a winter’s evening in New South Wales.

The half-time break must have been a little extended, as there was time to go right around the stadium and grab a bite to eat too; the second half was underway with the Matildas running towards us, Foord gifting possession to Mexico by holding onto the ball too long but the offside flag saved the day. Kerr was unusually shot-shy when presented with a run on goal, and the home team’s passing was a mixture of measured balls to feet, awful crosses and woeful giveaways. Van Egmond had a great opportunity on the edge of the area but got her shot all wrong, as the Mexican Wave started to circle the stadium to create an artificially hyped atmosphere – is that allowed when you’re playing Mexico? Carpenter gave one away and Mexico had a great chance, the young striker having an unfortunate bobble as she hit the shot (as we saw on the big screen) and the shot whistled past the corner of post and bar.

By now the Oi Oi Oi chants were multiplying, while the Active Bays were starting to get anxious about what they were seeing from their heroes. This was not the Matildas experience, but an exquisite outside-of-the-boot pass from Kennedy, impeccably controlled by Foord seemed to inject confidence. Kerr met a corner on the leap, but there was no power. Hayley Raso came on to rapturous applause, Sayer making her way off and around the field with a face of thunder. Mexico made a couple of subs in response, the stadium announcer not even trying to pronounce the names and only using their numbers – perhaps a bit of disrespect there? Kerr tried an audacious flick from a low cross from the right but the Mexican keeper was down to smother.

  • Injection of belief required
  • How’s the view?
  • Exasperated and frustrated in the active area
  • This man dodged a difficult moment – twice
  • Smaller than usual crowd here
  • Trying to look for positives from this shoddy display

Charlie Rule had been warming up, enjoying the attention of the Sydney FC contingent in the crowd, and she got her chance, coming on to replace Catley. Izzy Comez had waves for the crowd, Alex Chidiac’s chant “My neck, my back, my Alex Chidiac” brought smiles from the player, who must be pinching herself being back in the frame after a while on the outer. Van Egmond ballooned one over, the first of a few shots that gave the security guard in front of us a near miss and a wry smile. Mexico countered with the move of the match, stretching the Matildas out and playing intricately out from the back, the end-to-end break cleared up eventually by Rule. The crowd were incensed when Carpenter raced through to win a corner, only for the referee to rule a goal kick. Foord, Kerr and Fowler played triangles trying to prise open the Mexican defence to no avail, before the stadium announcer changed tact and announced the names as well as the numbers for the next window of Mexican substitutions.

Mexico’s ball possession was far superior to their rather wasteful oponents, and they prised open the Matildas defence, the striker slipping at the wrong moment and unable to get a meaningful shot on goal. The visitors were winding up to something, keeping possession patiently and breaking at the right time. Their footwork and close ball skills were miles ahead of their hosts, and it was hard not to enjoy their football more than that of the Matildas. Alex Chidiac and Courtney Nevin came on to give an X-factor, but it was still all Mexico; Rule had to adjust her feet to avoid slicing into her own goal. Kerr did dispossess her player and stride off in search of a shot, but she delayed and delayed and in the end kicked the ball too far in front of her to lose control.

The game was heading for a 0-0 draw, Mexico were looking the better team, the Matildas were struggling to get forward now; the crowd weren’t budging, the public holiday weekend perhaps tempering the mums and dads with bed-times tonight. Arnold touched a shot around the post, but the crowd still believed that a late winner would come for the Tillies. Carpenter played a cross in, Kerr got a touch and appealed for the penalty, but it was waved away. There was another sloppy giveaway when Australia finally got possession, Kennedy giving the ball away and Mexico broke with pupose, the ball was played in centrally and both Rule and Nevin were attracted to the ball like moths to a flame leaving a cute ball to open up the defence and Diana Ordonez stroked the ball home with poise, racing away to hug her squad mates on the touchline as the crowd went silent and the Mexican fans finally got their moment to be heard. That was pretty much the final action of the match, and the final whistle sounded to sharp exhales of breath from the crowd.

  • Off to sign autographs in one spot only
  • Fans turning their backs on the Matildas
  • Can I have your autograph? Well, it’s the only one you’ll get!
  • Over before it started
  • Dissect that, you unlucky souls
  • We’ll have you in Sydney. Fighting talk from one of the Matildas’ finest.

The Active Bay was disconsolate. The Matildas went into their now familiar huddle, which was more irksome than wholesome, while the Mexican players made their way to the sidelines to salute their fans in the East stand. You couldn’t help feeling joy for them. The Matildas players did their cursory lap of the interior of the field, stone-faced and unsmiling, the majority of fans with their backs to them leaving via the aisles or already out of the stadium, while their adoring young fans screamed for more interaction. They did make themselves available in the main stand with their friends and families, alas nowhere else. Gone are the days of doing a whole lap of the stadium and signing until an hour after kick-off; the Matildas are a protected brand now, but a brand which did itself no end of harm tonight with their uninspriring footballing performance.

There was no point in leaving the stadium on the final whistle, with our car deep in the car park and the traffic traditionally thick leaving this venue. We stuck around until the security personnel started to shoo people away, quite disappointing given the number of young fans who were still eagerly waiting some interaction. The journey home was via a totally different route to the normal direct journey, but we still managed to be home before midnight with five hours to sleep before the Socceroos’ final World Cup warm up game against Switzerland on TV in the morning.

What did we learn from tonight’s game? The Matildas are being left behind in their accuracy, their ball retention and their deliveries into the penalty area, and tonight their eye for goal deserted them altogether. As those knowledgeable fans around me lamented : “we try to walk the ball into the net” but remembering the wayward efforts of Fowler, Torpey and Van Egmond in this one, it’s perhaps not a bad thing. Mary Fowler oozed quality as always, Caitlin Foord was dangerous with the ball, but the sloppy giveaways need to stop. Unforced errors they’re called in tennis. With a World Cup coming up in a year’s time, this is the perfect test of where we are right now; it’s obvious we are a long way from being the 15th best team in the world. We get the chance to put it right at CommBank Stadium on Tuesday, and based upon previous double-headers, the second game (think USA, New Zealand, China) is usually the one where we get our finger out after a reality check in game one. Let’s go Matildas!

A-League tipping : the Grand finale

Welcome to the final A-League tips and predictions for the 2025/26 season. What a season it has been, and based upon the season’s results and form coming into the finals, the least likely of the four semi-finalists made it through to the big one. Auckland FC, fresh from a second-half pasting of Adelaide on their own turf, and this time backed by a raucous full house at Go Media Stadium, take on Sydney FC at 8.10pm local time (6.10pm AEST). Will the late kick-off work against them? Does the extra day of recovery and the lack of extra-time come into play? Will Patrick Kisnorbo taste defeat in his first game in full charge of the Sky Blues? Is the Grand Final the most pointless game ever, with no qualification for continental football and no prize money?

Be somewhere near a TV on Saturday evening. Whether you’re brave enough to head to a venue in Sydney while Vivid is on, you’re watching on at home or you’re at the Altona Magic game, keep an eye on this one. It’s going to be a rip snorter.

Submit your tip and give yourself a shout-out in the comments section underneath. Bid farewell to The Roar’s last remaining feature article here at its temporary home. It has been a pleasure.

No Grand Final but maybe a World Cup berth for Craig Goodwin? Photo : Texi Smith

Stuart Thomas

Auckland

In search of redemption, Auckland FC hosts the 2025/26 A-League Grand Final and will have a booming local voice to cheer them on. Sydney FC have had a wonderful season to get all the way to the decider, something that did not look likely at certain moments during the course of home and away play.

Yet they have advanced and now take on one of the toughest tasks in the league; Auckland away and with just a small number of Sky Blue support to cheer them on. It looks a home win on paper, with extra-time likely. Auckland by a single goal to win its first championship.

Watching Sydney FC with interest in this weekend’s grand final is Ryan Fraser Photo : Texi Smith

Andrew Prentice

Auckland

It’s a crying shame that the best and most entertaining team in the competition won’t be hosting the Grand Final on Saturday. But sometimes winning and entertaining are mutually exclusive concepts – for solid evidence of that look no further than Arsenal’s turgid path to the English title. Still, Newcastle’s season has been exceptional. But they’re not at the big dance because Sydney FC have shown resilience and passion to come from 5th spot to occupy a GF slot in a match that has its own in-built sense of theatre. Steve Corica – an institution at the Sky Blues with back-to-back titles – will be plotting the downfall of his former home castle on Saturday night in front of what is sure to be a jam-packed Mount Smart Stadium. The Black Knights have gone one week further than their remarkable inaugural season while ironically finishing lower on the table. It was the manner of their ruthless dismantling of Adelaide last week that has me leaning towards them. Sydney under Patrick Kisnorbo have been akin to Andre The Giant – an immovable object. However, Auckland have the firepower to be the irresistible force on Saturday night, which will disrupt Sydney’s smash-and-grab tactics. If Auckland lead early, that might be enough to throw the Sky Blue bus off-course. It will be no surprise if this goes to extra time.

Where will Adam Taggart be plying his trade next season? Photo : Texi Smith

Texi Smith

Sydney

Unless you’d forked out the $1,000 for the flights and were heading over to Auckland for the grand final, the average Sydneysider wouldn’t even know there was a game on this weekend. But their premier football team has been hard at work. After all the excitement of last weekend’s incredible semi-final showdown in Newcastle that abruptly curtailed the Premiers’ chase for the treble, Sydney FC have captured their interim manager’s signature for the foreseeable future, and the scenes as it was announced to the squad told the story of how well he has done to reunite the dressing room. We don’t have to look back too far to find the last game between these two teams, a game that Sydney had to win to ensure a home elimination final but one where they coughed up the lead late on – the rest is history.

More overseas imports to come next A-League season to join Kazuki Nagasawa? Photo : Texi Smith

Auckland have been dominant in all the games between the two sides this season, their physicality, long throws, height and strike power easily too much for the Sky Blues. However, Saturday night sees a different Sydney FC, one that believes in itself, one that has no fear, no hesitation and one that has an eye for goal. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos is due a starring role, and he will power home a header from a free kick towards the end of the first half to silence the home crowd. Wataru Kamijo and Paul Okon-Engstler are purring in midfield, and Piero Quispe is on hand to poke home at the far post for a second midway through the second period. A surge from the home team sees them reduce the arrears through Jesse Randall and tee up a grand finale, but Harrison Devenish-Meares makes two game-winning stops late on and Sydney FC come away with a thoroughly-deserved Grand Final triumph.

The Crowd has romped to victory this season, but it’s the battle for second that is is capturing the imagination. Smith’s unlikely double last weekend saw him overtake Prentice and Thomas, but he’s putting it all on the line for Sydney FC. What a fool! Let’s see what happens :

Only two clicks to register your tips in support of The Crowd as they take part in a procession in the final week of tipping. Give it a click and help our tipping champion finish off the season in style…

Give us your thoughts below on the Grand Final, and let us know where you’d like to see your weekly A-League tips and predictions when October rolls around …

The ultimate fantasy away day

Newcastle Jets 1 Sydney FC 1 (2-4 penalties)

If football fans could choose a single away day experience as the blueprint for every away game, this would be very close to the top. Sydney FC supporters, who have endured some bleak times in an underperforming season, were rewarded with a breathtaking, nerve-wracking and ultimately successful trip to McDonald Jones Stadium as Ben Garuccio steered the final penalty past James Delianov at the home end to tee up a Grand Final showdown in Auckland next weekend. This was something special, a packed stadium of passionate football fans riding the rollercoaster of knock-out football; fellow football codes take note – this is what passion is all about.

  • Entertainment centre indeed
  • Arriving on foot
  • The sign that everyone wanted to see
  • Fluid lines at the gate
  • Concourse busy
  • First game of the season for most of these fans

Another tricky fixture to navigate, with the final whistle of park football sounding at 4.45pm, no time for a shower, but a quick change of clothes and we were on the M1 up to Newcastle with about two and a half hours to get there. Luckily there was no traffic of note, but the next thing was to find a car park, the parking sold out when we booked the tickets and the road next to the stadium at a standstill. A quick change of mind and we went backstreets on the north side, finding a street park a 15-minute walk from our destination. Lots of people were doing the same, this might be an option when the Matildas are here in a few weeks. As we arrived, the ‘Sold Out’ signs were up in the ticket box, this was going to be something special. The concourse inside was a sea of people, people were in party mode, Newcastle had come out to support its all-conquering team in their latest quest for silverware.

After a quick hello with some Jets fans in the home end – honestly, who needs segregation – and a look at the phenomenal queues for a beer, we found our seats under cover at the back of the away bay, the tactical purchase allowing us free rein to stand or sit to watch the game, depending on our level of stress. The bay was full. The Cove broke with tradition at this venue and were in place well before kick-off, the stadium almost full, what a beautiful sight! As was the entrance of the players, well past the allotted kick -off time of 7.40pm, and the sparkles that welcomed the two teams cast a wonderful plume of smoke like a grand entrance on the Eurovision Song Contest. The scene was set for entertainment, the Sydney fans already in full voice, trying to out-sing the stadium PA with We Are Sydney. Sentiment from both sets of fans was of apprehension and anxiety, Sydney FC’s long-suffering supporters just blessed to be here with a sniff at making the Grand Final after the season we’d had, and Newcastle always ready for the good times to come crashing down around them.

  • Party hats for the party goers
  • The home end
  • So that’s why it’s sold out. Not a full house!
  • Friendly rivals
  • Packed on the way to our end
  • Thou shall not get a beer

The toin coss had the teams running the way they should be, the Jets shooting away from their home end, and the game started at an almighty tempo, players slipping and sliding all over the field thanks to the late watering of the turf beforehand. Lachie Rose was back for the Jets, who looked at full strength, Sydney had Joe Lolley as a weapon off the bench and continued with Akol Akon out wide; meanwhile in our section a battle was taking place between the front row of the undercover section and the people standing in the wheelchair area blocking their view, the police having to intervene to move on people, and those remaining playing the part of wounded animal to a tee – the perils of a full stadium, I guess.

  • What a scene
  • The famous Sydney FC
  • Freiburg x Sydney FC
  • One last pep talk
  • Friendly police intervention
  • Full voice from the Cove

The Cove was in fine voice, the acoustics not great in our section, and on the field Paul Okon-Engstler was struggling to find his feet, passes going astray and twice he had a handful of his opponents shirts and escaped punishment. Piero Quispe was infuriating, knowing that he had to keep the ball, trying a low-percentage nutmeg that sent the Jets away on the attack when a simple pass would have maintained possession. Sydney’s flicks and tricks were all working, a back heel and shimmy by Okon wowing the crowd. Jordan Courtney-Perkins was fortunate to win a free kick when he dived head first in front of Rose when the Newcastle striker threatened to get around him into the box.

Clayton Taylor rolled a ball in up the far end that Rose couldn’t turn in, the first great chance of the game falling to the home team. There were some empty seats in the home end at the front, probably due to the fans preferring to stand at the back of the grassy hill area. The game had turned in Jets’ favour, Taylor fizzing a shot just wide, and there was a little bit of spice in the game, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos watching as his close attention on the Jets player shielding the ball sent him to the floor, and then standing over him and seeming to stand on his hand. There was a booking for Max Burgess, and Tiago Quintal stole the ball from Jets’ star defender Mark Natta before stinging the palms of Delianov. The first half would have gone to the hosts on points, but we’d been entertained and Sydney FC were resolute.

  • Get the fuck in
  • Toilet seat in the Cove
  • Giving it to the Newy fans
  • What a sight – a packed stadium
  • You’re not made of glass are you?
  • Draught excluder

The second half was moments old when Akon got away from his man only to be hauled back by his shirt, another yellow for the home side. Rose then smashed a shot just over that Harrison Devenish-Meares watched all the way. The action was coming thick and fast. Sydney had their big chance when Stama raced through on the left, beat his man, but his finish when faced with Delianov was disappointing, the goalkeeper saving easily, and Stama stuffed his pass when the ball came back in; perhaps this was not our night.

Quispe continued to irk, picking up a stupid yellow for a ridiculous kick-out on his player, and then giving away a nonsensical foul. The chant of Newcastle, Newcastle went around the stadium – why on earth they don’t borrow some better chants from their EPL namesakes is beyond me – but the Cove were singing non-stop; the Sydney FC ole ole ole chant seemed to miss a beat, the bays not synching. There was a round of applause in the 57th minute for Jets legend Chris Turner, his photo on the big screens, and that coincided with some dangerous attacking from the home side. Sydney though were bright going forward, and when Okon lifted in a looping ball, Grant appeared to keep the ball in and the ball hit a defender’s arm. We were pretty much in line with it from our position, it wasn’t out, and the referee team appeared to take the easy way out and call it a goal kick instead of enduring an impossible angle for VAR. It could be a pivotal moment though.

The game was there for the taking, and when Akon intercepted a ball by his own corner flag, he offloaded and set off on a run, Stama doing the spade work down in front of us to beat his man and tee up Akon inside. A step to the right and he got a shot away, not the most powerful by any means, but Delianov spilled it and there was Quispe, homing in to slot the rebound home and run across to the Sydney fans who were already bouncing. What a move, what a moment, the unlikely was happening : Sydney FC were winning in Newcastle.

A cheeky push by Stama as he lost the race to a through ball wasn’t punished, the riot cops were being told off for blocking the view after they had congregated to keep an eye on the Sydney fans who were giving it the big one to the Newcastle contingent in the adjacent bay. It was backs to the wall for Sydney, the hosts throwing everything forward, leaving gaps at the back. When Garuccio was freed on the left to hang in a majestic cross, Stama was all alone in front and connected beautifully, the Cove rising as one, but he directed the header straight at Delianov, a disappointing end to a superb move.

Akon was running on empty, Quispe and then Stama hooked instead, as time ticked towards full time. Paddy Wood’s introduction brought exactly what Sydney needed, a bit of shit-stirring, and he was hauled down when darting unexpectedly between the last two Jets defenders, questions of a red card answered with a yellow. Wood was brilliant, he played a one-two soon after with fellow sub Victor Campuzano to go through, his shot under pressure saved and the rebound hit him and rolled towards goal, every Sydney fan praying the ball went the right side of the post, but it rolled agonisingly wide. The Newcastle-centric scoreboard operator was messing with the Sydney fans, failing to show the highlights of the away team’s chances and moments of contention, and the vision was cut before Wood had his shot. The away bays erupted in Forza Sydney FC instead. It was fabulous.

The last few minutes were very similar to the Socceroos v South Korea final of the Asian Cup, every Sydney fan on their feet singing the boys home, only to have their teeth kicked in by a sucker punch. We looked to have survived the onslaught when sub Xavier Bertonello cut inside and smashed a fierce shot an inch past the post and the chanting continued. Some fans had already left from the Newcastle home end. But the sucker punch was to come, well after the allotted time was up, and it was a cross from the left that found Eli Adams in space in the centre and he calmly guided the ball past HDM into the top corner for an equaliser. Cue bedlam. The spice being given by the Cove to the neighbouring bay was returned with interest, beer raining down from the prawn sandwich brigade up above, cans and bottles being launched into the Cove. It was poetic, it was warranted, and it was painful. The agony was complete a minute later with the final whistle condemning us to extra time, the shutters down on the bars and only the water bubbler for refreshment.

  • Giving it back, fair play
  • The action continues for another half and hour
  • How’s the prawn sandwiches up there?
  • Lolley continues his 0% success rate in penalty shootouts
  • Get in! The price for SYD-AUK just doubled!

Extra time was exciting. The Jets were on the attack for much of it, Ben Gibson with a free header that HDM made look easy and then the Sydney keeper tipped over a rasping drive. The set pieces were taking forever – it had been a feature of the evening; so much for the eight second rule for goalkeepers, how about something similar for the refs for fannying around so much from free kicks and corners. Such a yawn-fest! There was a sweet moment in the Cove when the fans starting chanting Come On You Boys In Blue, the Newcastle fans in the rest of the stadium clapping in tune with the beat, albeit inadvertently, making it seem like a joint effort. Joe Lolley was introduced, Akon having run his heart out, and Lolley was the right sort of player to keep possession and make things happen on the break.

Wood, Campuzano and Lolley combined in the second period of extra time, Lolley’s cross from the right striking a defender and we all thought it was going in, but it dropped wide of the post again. The referee had a poor moment, trying and failing to get out of the way of a Sydney counter attack, earning jeers from the away bays – he had broken up a promising attack, definitely a card there, ref! Alexandar Popovic had a free header from an exquisite cross from Ahmet Arslan that was well saved, and Campuzano was right in front but couldn’t connect from a Lolley cross. It was hair-rising stuff. The game ended on a lull, Okon Jr letting a ball run out of play and Jets players down on the floor needing treatment – the referee blew for full time and we had penalties.

Up stepped Lolley with the first, the Jets keeper guessed right and pushed it away. Memories of Auckland FC in the Australia Cup were haunting us. Devenish-Meares brought out a Schwarzer-esque save to keep the first Jets penalty out, and we continued through the penalty shootout until Bertoncello had his saved, teeing up a John Aloisi moment for Garuccio, who made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way to rifle into the top corner for a thrilling penalty shootout victory in front of the Jets home end.

  • The players finally make it to the Cove
  • Such frivolity on the field and in the stands
  • Wooooooaaaaaahh-ey-ey-ey-ey
  • Someone getting a kicking from the cops
  • Now you wouldn’t see Ufuk doing that
  • Away fans’ buses in the car park – proper football!

The players piled on up the far end. The away bays erupted, plenty of gentle banter for the departing masses in the bays next door. Meanwhile a fan, we couldn’t tell which persuasion but he was in black, was getting a hiding from the police in the concourse behind. The majority of the stadium emptied quickly, quite a disappointment from a Newcastle point of view, this now being the final match of the season and their players and fans denied an appropriate farewell after a brilliant campaign.

For Sydney FC it was extra-sweet. The players eventually made their way to the away bays – no one was going anywhere, the majority were on the buses anyway, who wouldn’t have left without them – and the mood was boistrous. The PA system was playing the part of pantomime villain, blasting unnecessary music out. Paddy Wood got the first chant, all the players joining in, ‘Oooh Sevenish Beers’ was next and the players linked hands and celebrated with the Cove. It was fantastic! Patrick Kisnorbo was now free from his post-match media duties and the players all went to him for a hug. How different the club is now that the negativity has gone – even someone like PK getting hugs; speaks volume about his predecessor.

It was now very late, 11pm or so. We wandered down the ramp past the buses and the packed car park, the traffic stuck in a standstill as we weaved through and onto the main road and up back to the car with the crowds. It was half time in the FA Cup final when we got home, so in the early hours; what a day we’d had, and it conjured up a desire to do it all again as soon as possible. Auckland FC v Sydney FC 6.10pm at Mount Smart; a wet week is coming up, park football may be cancelled in Sydney, but the initial look at flights indicated a severe dent in the FIFA World Cup budget that is probably going to kybosh any thoughts of heading to New Zealand next Saturday morning. Don’t discount one member of the Sydney Royals popping up at Go Media Stadium, if the club was to charter a couple of flights you never know, stranger things have happened. Grand final week, drink it in!

A-League tipping – semi-finals second leg : Now or never

The A-League is reaching its pinnacle, both semi-final ties poised beautifully for maximum second-leg drama, and it’s down to the away teams to remain steadfast to stop the home crowds carrying their heroes to victory. If you’re a neutral, these games are mouth-watering, although even a neutral has a soft spot for the romance associated with Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets. The bling of Sydney FC doesn’t sparkle as it did and Auckland FC’s shiny new bandwagon is mis-firing, so two home wins are almost certainly going to give us the grand final the people want.

Make sure you tune in on Friday and Saturday for some rip-roaring A-League action as we decide who will play in the grand final and cap off the season in style.

The Roar’s A-League tips and predictions’ temporary home is enjoying having you here. This is a safe space for discussion and banter, and you can join in by submitting your tips and giving yourself a shout-out in the comments below. Enjoy this one, it’s going to be special.

Wanted man Mark Natta – another to move abroad? Photo : Texi Smith

Stuart Thomas

Adelaide, Newcastle

Well what a dud of a first leg  it was! Two draws and it all comes down to the home teams being good enough to cash in and make the statement that gets them into the grand final.

I think both can do it, with the Reds always good things at home and the Jets the form team and more than capable of knocking off the evil Sydney FC. Let’s hope it plays out that way and we get a grand final in the Hunter between the best two teams in the league across the course of the season.

Hair or no hair? Which version of Ben Gibson is your favourite? Photo : Texi Smith

Andrew Prentice

Adelaide, Newcastle

Two cracking games last week in their respective 1st legs brought us no closer to the eventual Grand Finalists. It seemed that Adelaide picked up the most momentum by coming away from the tough-to-visit Mount Smart all-square as they go into what should be a raucous packed house at Hindmarsh on Friday night. Auckland have – if not hit the skids – then have slid off-course by not registering a regular-time win in any of their last six games. The Reds most pressing issue is when to unleash Craig Goodwin, who has made off-the-bench cameos when needed since returning from injury. They will also have Luka Jovanovic available and the most pressing issue for HIM is keeping his shirt on. Adelaide to edge this, even if it takes them extra time.

The Sydney-Jets clash at the SFS last week reminds us how great the A League can be. An end-to-end classic which could have given either side an advantage with the odd bit of luck but ended up playing right down the middle. Broadmeadow should be heaving for the rematch as the Jets hunt for the Impossible Treble of cup, premiership and championship. The Sky Blues marked attribute since Patrick Kisnorbo’s arrival has been defensive resilience. But this will be by far their sternest test – a packed house of rabid fans in Australia’s great football nursery, and a team that have routinely ploughed irrigation furrows through defences all season. Sydney have the experience and discipline but after the season they’ve had, the Jets deserve a finals place so this pick has a degree of sentimentality to it. Jets to win.

At the World Cup already following his team’s demise in Auckland, it’s Aziz Behich Photo : Texi Smith

Texi Smith

Auckland, Sydney

The weekend kicks off on Friday night with Adelaide United at home in their magnificent amphitheatre to welcome Auckland FC to a duel, winner takes all. The Reds were much the better team in last week’s first leg in New Zealand, they’ll be weighed down by the expectancy though and this will be a free hit for the visitors, looking to topple the bookies’ favourites on the night in their own backyard. The first half is a showcase of intricate football from the hosts, mixed with some outrageous pace down each flank, but there will be no goals. An edgy Coopers Stadium crowd can scarcely believe it when Francis De Vries delivers an in-swinging free kick which deceives Jushua Smits and bounces in without a touch. From there, it’s all-out attack from Adelaide with Auckland relying on brief spells of possession on the counter-attack. No surprises then, when Jesse Randall is played clean through with the Reds’ defence committed to attack and he completes the smash-and-grab, Auckland through to their first grand final.

A fan favourite, Stefan Colacovski, waiting patiently for next season. Photo : Texi Smith

The fleet of buses carrying Sydney FC fans up the M1 is testament to the huge interest in this game as they somehow maintain belief in their team following a season of mediocrity and underachievement. The Newcastle Jets fans are out in force for tonight’s semi-final decider, and there is a sprinkling of magic in the air as the two teams emerge to a raucous crowd at Newcastle’s premier sporting venue. A surprise start for Victor Campuzano has a defence-minded Sydney FC a little off-kilter in the first half, unable to keep possession for any length of time and making this more of a defence v attack training session for the Jets. The lack of opportunities for the home team to run at and expose the Sydney defence is telling and they remain frustrated in an absorbing first half, Harrison Devenish-Meares making a number of saves but never looking like being beaten. A change in personnel midway through the second half has Sydney FC coming out of their shell, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Paddy Wood offering a different option, but Clayton Taylor and Eli Adams continue the barrage from the home team. The late introduction of Joe Lolley, with extra time in mind, is a masterstroke, and he has a hand in the late winner that seals a one-goal victory for the Sky Blues, Wood turning Lolley’s mis-hit right-foot cross past James Delianov in injury time to send the Sky Blue travelling army into delirium.

One point separates our tipsters, after all this time. The Crowd has romped to victory, but it’s the battle for second that is as hot as we’ve ever seen. Has Smith thrown caution to the wind in an attempt to overturn Prentice? Or will Thomas storm through to tee up a silver medal showdown next weekend? Let’s see :

Again, click three times to register your tips in support of The Crowd. Your input will help make sure that the tipsters stay far behind in the chasing pack with one game to play…

Your favourite sports debate website is not coming back. The Roar is still up and running, but there is no content now for over four months and there is no one steering the ship. What a sad state of affairs. Tell us where you’ll be hanging out for your fill of football banter when the World Cup and the next A-League season comes around. Comments welcome below…

Perfectly poised after Allianz scrap

Sydney FC 1 Newcastle Jets 1

Sydney FC’s reward for their endeavours in Melbourne last weekend was a home first-leg semi-final against newly crowned premiers Newcastle Jets. What followed gave us no indication of what the final outcome will be, the visitors being awarded time and space on the break, but the hosts having perhaps the bulk of the highlights reel in a sometimes tense draw. All eyes on McDonald Jones Stadium next Saturday when our boys in blue go looking to repeat their early-season demolition of the Jets in their own backyard.

  • Bit early, but the police were there
  • The march is on!
  • Allianz Stadium and its devotees
  • One last walk up the steps this season
  • The march reaches its destination

We’re now into bonus game territory, and this one fell on a very busy football day; we battled the heavy traffic through Sydney to get to the Entertainment Centre car park which was as full as we’ve seen it, ending up on the highest level that was open. The concert queue at the Hordern Pavillion didn’t give any indication of the genre of music served up by Mariah The Scientist but we had other plans, the march at the Tibby Cotter bridge, which saw a wall of police officers block the western side of the bridge in preparation for the arriving masses out of the darkness. A superb chant for Tiago Quintal brought smiles to everyone’s faces. The march across to Allianz Stadium was incident free, instructions from authorities making it clear that any flare action would lead to the whole march being denied entry on arrival. Such pettiness, much like the removal of the drum and mega at CommBank Stadium, already suggesting an us vs them confrontation that was totally unnecessary. Luckily the police presence was limited, as it should be.

As a result of being in the march, we were earlier than expected into the stadium, drinks and dinner of champions of sushi and hot chips acquired, and we retreated to our usual seats. Great to be back after the last game when we treated ourselves to the Sydney Arms, but we were surrounded by lots of unfamiliar faces, many of them not in the least bit interested in the what was about to unfold down below. Akol Akon was in the starting line-up, this was positive, but the Jets teamsheet looked menacing and Sydney would need to be on top of their game in this one. The new pre-match experience was much more palatable, no blaring music, and the growing atmosphere and expectation was more than enough to build anticipation for the arrival of the teams. Perhaps those in charge have finally realised that football is the entertainment and we don’t need the razzamatazz shoved down our throats before the game.

There was confusion down below when our fearless capo appeared and then disappeared – luckily he was back for kick off and with his expert drummer by his side, they whipped up a frenzy in the Cove.

  • The special ticket-holders
  • Whoosh and the players are out
  • Us versus them
  • Ambience at smokey Allianz Stadium
  • Jostling from corners

The game was off to a flyer early on, Sydney having won the toin coss to shoot towards the Jets fans in the first half, and a goalmouth scramble in the early exchanges almost saw the ball bundled in up the far end. Goal machine Eli Adams warmed the home fans by taking his eye off the ball and letting it run out of play to a chorus of jeers. Alexandar Popovic showed us some silky skills to play his defence out of trouble before playing a suicidal ball across goal that thankfully wasn’t punished. We had the strange sight of Rhyan Grant positioning himself in left midfield, himself and Ben Garuccio having tracked their players to opposite sides, and it took a break in play for them to swap back and restore the balance.

The SFC chant had the drum steaming again, but Sydney should have been a goal behind from a corner that was deflected high into the air and caused a mad scramble right in front of goal, Harrison Devenish-Meares waiting for his moment to pounce on the ball. It was exciting, Sydney looked dangerous, Paul Okon-Engstler was aggrieved to have been booked for his first foul, although it didn’t look too clever on the replay. It was all to play for at half time and the crowd had been thoroughly entertained.

  • The Cove in great voice
  • The real half time heroes
  • View from the away bays
  • The Jets playing mind games

Half time is always a good time to have a walk around the stadium concourse to see the sights, the Jets fans still confident of a result, and bemoaning Okon Jr’s inclusion in the Socceroos ahead of former Sydney FC fan favourite Max Burgess. Sydney FC were out on time for kick off, the referee team was out, but there was no sign of the Newcastle Jets; perhaps this was mind games, perhaps they were getting a roasting from Mark Milligan.

After Quintal had shown some sublime skills, Sydney FC had the lead quickly and it was a controversial goal; a deflected ball high in the air seeing the excellent Mark Natta and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos challenge for the ball. From our angle, it looked an obvious foul from the Sydney striker, nudging the Jets defender as he rose, but the ball broke perfectly for Stama, who bravely connected with the header ahead of goalkeeper James Delianov and sent the ball into the net for 1-0. There was doubt about the validity of the goal, the referee was happy to award it, and the nervous few seconds before the resumption of play gave way to cheers as the goal stood.

The lead wouldn’t last long. Quintal fired in a fierce shot that was punched away and all of a sudden the Jets were on the break on the left, Clayton Taylor taking advantage of some generous defending to break clear, and his excellent cross-field pass found Adams who lashed the ball past the advancing HDM for 1-1. Attack to defence in five seconds, and Sydney’s defence was ripped wide open. Stama took a touch and curled one just around the post right in front of us, so close to a second. Delianov’s number on his shirt didn’t seem to be painted on correctly, but he was in good form.

Paddy Wood appeared and everyone shifted in their seats in anticipation, but it was Jordan Courtney-Perkins who went close from a corner, the replay on the screen perhaps justifying his appeal to the referee for the corner. Wood was free in the box waiting for someone to pass to for the tap-in and somehow emulated Eli Adams by letting the ball run out of play unchallenged, looking to the skies and the assistant referee in dismay. Sydney were building, but the Jets looked dangerous every time they ventured forward. Joe Lolley came on to great applause, Akol Akon’s injury perhaps well timed, and his trademark runs down the right started to give Sydney an edge. The players were too eager to pass to him, choosing him as the wrong option at times, but his skill on the ball was undeniable.

There was some ping pong in the penalty area up the far end, as danger man Xavier Bertoncello teed up a series of shots that were cleared; it was exciting, it was frustrating, it was everything you could hope for from a semi-final first leg. Okon Jr played a dodgy ball across field which alomst opened up the Sydney backline for a counter attack, but the Jets gave it straight back. There was a late shout for a penalty as Wood teed up fellow sub Ahmet Arslan, but he took an extra touch which invited the contact and it would have been harsh. There was further drama as Victor Campuzano was adjudged to have fouled his defender and was clean through, but the referee decided it was a foul; swap that with the Stama penalty appeal and you have two very similar situations.

  • It’s a goal!
  • The last home game of the season
  • Lo lo lo! Rubbish collection.
  • Applause for the fans

That was enough for one night, and the referee brought the game to a close. There was no big celebration after the game to mark the final home game, there was a quick walk around by some of the players to acknowledge the crowd and then some signatures. Joe Lolley was doing his warm-down all by himself until the Jets subs joined him; he was very available for selfies and signatures afterwards, suggesting that it could be his final appearance for Sydney FC here tonight. What a shame if it is!

We filtered out into the night, u-turning to go for a quick drink when we saw the queue to get out of the car park, and were back in the north west suburbs of our fair city around 11.30pm, exhausted but happy after a positive football day and a real chance at getting something in Newcastle on Saturday.

I urge everyone who can get up to McDonald Jones Stadium next weekend to do so. The lack of trains is poorly timed, but there are buses being laid on by Sydney FC – I’m sure they’re not free. It will be a big rush after a 3pm kick off to get there in time for kick off and in time to get a car spot, but we’re in. See you next Saturday for the biggest game of the season at what will surely be a full-house in Newcastle, and if the scintillating form of Wataru Kamijo and Paul Okon-Engstler continues, we’re in with a huge shot. Forza Sydney FC!

I wish I got a better photo of this. There’s some sort of metaphor, allegory or something in here. You can almost hear the police officer saying “You went to watch this shit?” while pointing at the Football Australia sign.