Australia
1 - 0 Uruguay
Take that cocky Alvaro Recoba <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />
We just need a draw and we are through, please God say it will be so, please
Just under 85,000 tonight at the MCG, just got back about 90 minutes ago. Very happy indeed. Had a beautiful seat to watch the game, behind the goals at the Punt rd. End, 3rd level, saw Muscat's penalty from a great view.
The MCG was something tonight. Probably thought the atmosphere at the Iran match was a bit better, but i have been going to the MCG for over 12 years, and this was one of the best moments on the ground i have ever witnessed.
So much for extra security, granted no one ran onto the pitch and spoilt the game, but we had about 6-7 flares go off, the police said that there would be no flares at all that would go off during the match
. Massive fight on the first level at the Great Southern Stand, probably M2 or M3 seats it was in.
Unfortunately i was sitting in a very much AFL dominated area, a lot of people around me didn't have a clue what was going on. In the major paper today, there was tips to following the match which includes what a corner was, to what a throw-in is and what is meant by a yellow and red card.
As for the game, we played well. It is a credit to the lads, probably didn't like the substitution at half-time of Lazaridis off for Agostino, but in the end we won so that it is all that counts.
As for the individual players.
Mark Schwarzer did his job, nearly was caught out early on in the match from a shot from half-way out from Recoba i think it was.
Craig Moore, i never gave this guy credit, but he is real good player. Is an attacking threat from set pieces, very good defender, hardly put a foot wrong all night.
Shaun Murphy, i thought he done well, a few times i thought he was struggling, but he came through the game alright.
Kevin Muscat, the goal-scorer. Well nice penalty take, went down the middle. Received a yellow card, was always pushing up down the right wing.
Tony Vidmar, didn't really see him push up as Muscat did down the left sided wing.
Brett Emerton, think all this Leeds/Liverpool/Arsenal speculation is hampering his game a bit. Have seen him obviously play for Australia before and have seen some of his Feyenoord matches and he is capable of so much more than what he displayed tonight. Seemed very reluctant to cross. Always battling to take 2,3 players on. Was able to win a few corners for Australia. But a good attacking player.
Harry Kewell, the mere sight of Harry on the ball brought the crowd into the game, everyone was wanting to see what Harry would do. Prefer him on te left-side of midfield with Viduka & Agostino up front. Worked very well tonight, made the hard look simple, was great to watch as he went past defenders. Sometimes his crossing left a bit to be desired.
Paul Okon, captain, he still looks a bit underdone, but with 2 matches under his belt now at top international level, it should help him for Monday morning our time at Montivideo. Very good defensive midfielder.
Josip Skoko, Okon's parnter in the centre of midfield, i wish Australia had a free-kick just outside the box, just to see his free-kick ability. Played very tight, seemed reluctant to take a shot from distance, perfect partner with Okon, really could be a decider for the next match.
Stan Lazaridis, had much of the ball in the first half and was surprised to see that he was taken off at half-time. Took all of Australia's corners, produced a beautiful corner where Moore headed towards goal, that the keeper Carini had to tip over.
Mark Viduka, in all the media was very excited about playing in his home city again, thought he was a bit quiet, definetly showed us though his body strength, was able to turn defenders with ease on occasions.
Paul Agostino, will always be the man remembered as the guy that earned us a penalty.
Uruguay, a bunch of sissy diving wankers. They tried to con the referee on occasions with their acrobatic impersonations, didn't work, only Muscat was booked and that was near the end of the match.
To the referee, thanks mate for calling the penalty, from my vantage point is was obvious, haven't seen a replay yet though.
Thanks to the MCG for showing the adidas commercial non-stop with David Beckham and Harry Kewell.
But what an atmosphere when Muscat scored.
So 1-0, the job is half finished only 90 more minutes to go.
