We Play for the Pennant

So Phil informed me that Ryde in their characteristic inconsistency, showed up with less than a full team against Putney, and procedeed to have their arses handed back to them with a 9-0 thrashing.

With that big victory for Putney, we are pushed back into 5th place, where we will play for the Pennant; the crappy team playoff.

The guys should have a good chance of winning it again, as we did last year.

Although it’s disappointing to not have made the final four, I think the guys will feel better about the 1-1 draw on the weekend. For us to have stayed in 4th place, we would have needed an 8-0 win over Kenthurst.

The question was asked about whether or not I’d play in the playoffs, but after seeing even Kenthurst, who were a bit of a pushover first game, getting pretty physical, I’d say there’s buckleys chance that I’d be back to play. All the teams in this year’s competition are just too big for my weakened state. The only exception is Oakhill, but they are just too good.

Nervous Wait

KEN 1-1 WPH

With the result from the last game, played three weeks ago due to heavy rain, which has been sorely missed in Australia in recent years, we were sitting in fourth place, but only due to a two goal difference.

This was the last game of the scheduled season, so we had to win today, and by a decent margin to guarantee a place in the top four round robin. Pre-match confidence against Kenhurst led to suggestions of a formation change, to go searching for goals.

Somehow I managed to sleep in, missing the first 25 minutes of the first half, and I was informed that we were dominating until letting in an easy one-on-one goal for Kenthurst, the product of some bad ball-watching.

All in all it was a pretty scrappy game, one of those games where the ball just doesn’t seem to come off anyone’s boot nicely. I watched Phil miss a great chance towards the end of the half. After receiving a good ball and running wide of the penalty spot, he tried to kick the ball with the foot that was opposite to his stride, and towards the near post. Unfortunately the ball bobbled and came off his shin.

It drew a lot of criticism from the bench, who felt he should have taken a touch and tried to blast it past the keeper. But it’s what I would have done, and if he’d hit it properly, the keeper would have been beaten, because he was not expecting the early shot. That’s the difference between most players on the team, and a real goal-scorer like Phil.

The second half was mostly our ball game, but that doesn’t mean we really had the ball. Like the first half, no-one seemed to be able to keep the ball under control. In fairness it has been three weeks since they played, and it’s not like I made any contribution to the game from the sideline. I really wish I could have though.

Phil missed another difficult chance, taken on the half-volley from a cross. It drew a great save, and would have been a ripper goal to add to his eight goals thus far. Scott was probably guilty of the easiest chance gone begging, when he had some much time in front of goal, but seemed unsure as to whether the game was still in play.

Finally as time seemed to draw to a close, James made a great run from the left of defence, beating a couple of players on the way. He wasn’t able to make much of the run in the end, but won a corner (another corner, we had almost 20 I think). He then provided the initial cross, which was rebuffed by Kenthurst, but then put in a second cross, the was met by Dan Fisher, who had his first kid just the other day (Congrats!), to bring us level.

With no more time to grab a second goal, we will just have to wait to see how the Putney and Ryde pairing goes. If Ryde can get a full team, we might be in luck. But Putney only need a one nil win to take fourth place from us.

Holding onto 4th Place

STU 1-0 WPH

Sorry guys, another game I missed. This time my excuse was better, I was in Hawaii.

A Right Smashing

WPH 8-0 RYD

I was just sorry I wasn’t there to see it. I’ll have to find out who scored.

With this win, they slip into the top four teams again.

Good one boyos!

Quarter Final Time

Ok so getting past my utter disgust at Italy for the moment, I was really disappointed in the other games recently.

I was extremely annoyed to see Spain lose to France. Firstly because they are the French, and thus are pretty much universally hated. Secondly I was appalled to see such behaviour from Henry, who I used to think was quality. Until I saw him cheat. Yes Henry, you cheated. You were mildly touched by Puyol in the chest, stop clutching your face. Hang your head in shame.

This sort of thing really gives me the shits; just like with Australia, the team who has been dominating can be undone so simply. Just add a dive and some extra poor refereeing and you can win any game.

Then to add insult to to my soccer watching injury, I was greeted with another terrible game in Brazil vs Ghana. Brazil again looked lack-lustre even for their three goals. I thought Ghana were a good side who deserved more. They deserved a better referee too.

Some people I know, claim that Brazil have been saving themselves in earlier matches for the later games, to which I say ‘how about showing these teams some respect’. I think if Brazil are as good as claimed they should come out every game and show that. Come out and demolish a side if it’s in you. Maybe I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they probably just needed a good kick in the backside. And some help from the big-footballing-nation-friendly referees at this tournament.

So now for the quarter finals, and I’m left with some really unfair matches and difficult choices to make and watch.

Germany vs Argentina. This is the only game that I could care less about. I really enjoy watching Germany, and I also enjoyed some of what Argentina had to offer. I love Germany’s new found love for attacking (thanks Jurgen!) and I like Argentina’s control of the football.

This should be a hotly contested match, and I’m pretty sure we’re in for more penalties. I really am hoping the hosts can over come with the help of the home crowd. This should have been the teams for the World Cup Final.

Italy vs Ukraine. I really want Ukraine to smash these boring, negative, dirty, diving mofos. Wait, or is that the other way around? Either way I predict this will be something of a yawn-a-thon. The Ukraine should be pleased with their appearance at this level of the World Cup, but Italy should take them out of it, depending on who is officiating the match.

Brazil vs France. Brazil who have been unimpressive, France I never like. I highly rate sleeping over watching this game.

England vs Portugal. I lost some respect for Portugal after the Holland Debarcle (not excusing the Dutch either). On the other hand, I really want England to lose, to once and for all shut the English fans up about Rooney coming to the rescue, and to finally drive home the point that Sven is an idiot.

I could probably swallow England winning this game on penalties, so long as Neville is red-carded during the game, Rooney is completely inconsequential, Ronaldo shows up the English midfield/defence, Lampard misses a penalty, and Gerrard scores the winning one.

Unlikely, but one can hope for some entertainment.

Gee I’m nasty today. Holiday to Hawaii in two days should mellow me out.