World Cup Finals - 2006 - Australia v Croatia

WE'VE MADE HISTORY!!!! AGAIN!!!!

2006 heralds as one of our Nations greatest historical moments as Australia will proceed into round 2 of the world cup finals and personally one of my biggest highlights for my mid semester break.

A touch over 3 hours ago, in a match plauged by referee controversy, Croatia scored in the first 3 minutes of the game leaving the underdog Aussies fighting an uphill battle right from kick off.

I sat with my cup of hot soup, surrounded by my msn with many who are awake commentating through the game.

The penalty came around and Moore took it; GOAL!

The msn conversations errupted with mostly "OMG!! EJIFEWFJAEWIFJE~~~~~!!"
and left many of us who was awake to witness that speechless.

Half time and we were sitting our equilizer, relieved that Australia will make it through. I fired up my HR and raced to my local 7eleven for smokes... needless to say i was swamped with a large crowd how've put off snacking and cigarette essentials until half time... nevertheless i was emersed in green and gold including myself.

I raced home, and the second half just started.

If i had to sum the next 45 minutes up in a few words it would definately have to be "intense, breath-taking and completely at the edge of my seat".

And i wasn't the only one.

Why? Croatia scored leaving us to re-take our well deserved victory... penalty shots not called especially on a handball incident, red card for emerson and a red for a croat who was still allowed to play?!?!?!?!?

Bresciano, Aloisi and Kennedy were subbed in. Our attack force is complete and as soon as i thought "hmm, we could actually do something...."

a goal came in by no other than Harry Kewell putting us in fighting chance on 2-2. The rest of the match was purely tooth and claw as the Croats fought back and they indeed nearly succeeded with a few VERY close calls but it was defended.

10 minutes on the clock.... this is where i rememebered myself experiencing involuntary shaking... if i was 60 i'm sure my heart would've stopped. Yellow cards started flying, and so was the ball... the crowd on both sides in suspended animation.

... the longest 10 minutes of any footballer / patriot's life. Then... it was over. We did it. We didn't win the match but we won the war.

Next up, Italy. MY friend who was online at the time is a big fan of football but he's Italian... when i asked him who he went for in the next match he said "Austrlia man. All the way" and i was very proud :)

We're rounding the cheeering troops as we speak and i reflect back and it's funny that indeed we're all from different nationalities!
Palestinian, chinese, vietnamese, cambodian, filipino, italian.... I've never felt prouder to be who i'm. I'm Australian. :)

I'll also be there to see how we will develop over the years thanks to the Socceroos this morning. School kids might choose to play more football... and it might start a chain reaction where in 10 years time we will be a force to be reckoned with and i', keen to see us go through all the way with 30 odd years in the making.

This cup doesn't just represent a sporting event; it signifies unity, tolerance and respect for other nationalities and cultures and helps unify our world with peace and understanding. Something that could never be achieved with politicians and handshakes. If world war 3 would ever happen... it would take place in a football stadium.

Fuck i love my country.