Kangaroo Cup | Thursday, November 17, 2005 |
I'm not much of a soccer supporter and frankly, here in Australia it very much a second (or third, or fourth) fiddle sport after Rubgy (both League and Union), and AFL.
Nevertheless, you wouldn't have known this last night as legions of fans (some 86,000 inside and a further 15,000 watching outside on a big screen) trooped out to see the Socceroos qualify for the World Cup in Germany in 2006 at the Telstra stadium not far from where we live. Aussies, just love their sport - even sports in which they have no historical success (such as soccer).
And there's an attitude thing too. Can you imagine Tony Blair saying this (from SMH?)
No, neither can I. And this is just for qualifying, imagine what he'd say if they won...
Nevertheless, you wouldn't have known this last night as legions of fans (some 86,000 inside and a further 15,000 watching outside on a big screen) trooped out to see the Socceroos qualify for the World Cup in Germany in 2006 at the Telstra stadium not far from where we live. Aussies, just love their sport - even sports in which they have no historical success (such as soccer).
And there's an attitude thing too. Can you imagine Tony Blair saying this (from SMH?)
Uncharacteristically for a man who always makes it to the big occasion, the Prime Minister, John Howard, was absent: he sent a personal apology, citing a prior engagement in South Korea. He called the result fantastic and said bosses should show some leniency today if workers did not turn up on time.
No, neither can I. And this is just for qualifying, imagine what he'd say if they won...
