Sekine smashes Sydney FC into semis

SD Raiders 0 Sydney FC 1 A superb strike from silky Japanese import Takahiro Sekine guided Sydney FC past the stumbling block of NPL side SD Raiders at Fairfield Showground on Wednesday night. On a perfect winter’s night for football, the home team kept themselves in the game until the bitter end, but coudn’t findContinue reading “Sekine smashes Sydney FC into semis”

All stars get the Blues

Chelsea 3 A-League All Stars 0 The A-League All Stars were swept aside by a silky Chelsea women’s team on Wednesday night as the Sydney Cup concluded in a low-key manner at Allianz Stadium. Two goals in the first ten minutes from Sandy Baltimore and Sjoeke Nüsken had the Blues in the driving seat earlyContinue reading “All stars get the Blues”

Yee haw – FIFA World Cup 2026

I told myself I wouldn’t write an account of our 2026 World Cup trip to North America, but here we are. When I’m in my 80s I’ll be able to look back at the cool things I did in my life, and this was definitely one of them. I wrote a book about my lastContinue reading “Yee haw – FIFA World Cup 2026”

Rusty Spurs edge Hiro’s Sydney

Tottenham Hostpurs 1 Sydney FC 1 (4-2 on penalties) Sydney FC followed up their Australia Cup victory in Western Australia last week with a spirited performance against London’s finest at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday night in the Sydney Super Cup. Under heavy pressure and trailing at the break thanks to an immaculate free kick fromContinue reading “Rusty Spurs edge Hiro’s Sydney”

Missed opportunity as Socceroos crash out

Australia 1 Egypt 1 (2-4 penalties) Australian football missed a once-in-a-generation chance on Friday, falling once more at the first knock-out stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a penalty shoot-out against a wily Egypt team in Dallas. Emam Ashour headed the Pharaohs into an early lead and there was scope for more damageContinue reading “Missed opportunity as Socceroos crash out”

Popa’s progress : the grind is real

Paraguay 0 Australia 0 Australia marched into the knock-out stages of the FIFA World Cup with a battling draw in Santa Clara confirming second spot in Group D and an exciting trip to Dallas. A game of few chances but plenty of action gave the capacity crowd marvellous theatre, but once both teams had tradedContinue reading “Popa’s progress : the grind is real”

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 BurgessContinue reading “Popa’s Juneteenth nightmare ends in limp defeat”

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 eveningContinue reading “And that’s why we go to World Cups”

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 theContinue reading “Imperfect Matildas get the job done”

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 wasContinue reading “Something’s come along and it’s burst our bubble”