.gif "Sack Attack: An A-League Webcomic")
No doubt we deserved to get the 2022 World Cup, but to get FIFA's flagship event you have to play by FIFA's rules, which include bucket loads of cash.
Our faith in football returned pretty quickly (or diminished depending on who you support) on Friday night with an absolute belter of a game between Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar.
The unstoppable Brisbane shot out to a two goal lead thanks to Kemp (own goal) and new A-League equal leading scorer Solorzano, before Melbourne pegged it back and went ahead through Archie Thompson and A-League equal leading scorer Robbie Kruse. The 11,000 plus at AAMI Park sounded closer to 22,000 and felt exactly what an A-League game should every week.
Now I'll report the facts, unlike the major publications who have reported that Michael Theoklitos 'appeared' to be outside his area when he handle the ball. The fact is he was closer to the bloke fourth in line at the hot dog stand outside AAMI Park than he was his own 18 yard box. History says Matt McKay scored the equaliser and that is that. The pandemoinium after the game was something to behold, the Victory crowd ever so thankful for the great job the assistant referee did. So thankful they presented him with free beer. Free beer all down his back shirt and in the back of the head. 3-3 the final score and hopefully these two teams get to meet again come finals time. Another positive in this is that this was such a great game that the media decided to report on the game and not the crowd which in the past hasn't happened.
Now I'll report the facts, unlike the major publications who have reported that Michael Theoklitos 'appeared' to be outside his area when he handle the ball. The fact is he was closer to the bloke fourth in line at the hot dog stand outside AAMI Park than he was his own 18 yard box. History says Matt McKay scored the equaliser and that is that. The pandemoinium after the game was something to behold, the Victory crowd ever so thankful for the great job the assistant referee did. So thankful they presented him with free beer. Free beer all down his back shirt and in the back of the head. 3-3 the final score and hopefully these two teams get to meet again come finals time. Another positive in this is that this was such a great game that the media decided to report on the game and not the crowd which in the past hasn't happened.
The goals and excitement kept coming on Saturday with Central Coast dismantling Sydney FC, the game effectively over inside 23 minutes. Adam Kwasnik netted two to make it six goals in six games and a certain visit from drug testers on its way. The Mariners put four past the hapless Sky Blues with coach Latvica later publicly apologising to the Sydney faithful for what he described as a disaster. Matt Simon found the net for the Mariners and set up the other three in a best on-field performance.
The Fury were at home to Newcastle on Saturday night and like I've previously stated, if you let a bloke who has taken ninety something games to score, score, then you don't deserve to win. Nikolai Topor-Stanley scored his second goal of the year and Sasho Petrovski his second post 90 minute goal of the season. The goals gave the Jets their fourth win of the year and a shot at some finals action that looked as distant as the Nullarbor ten weeks ago. The Fury can be oh so exciting at times but can look Derby County circa 07/08 at times also.
Christchurch hosted the Phoenix v Adelaide game on Sunday in front of a very healthy 14,108 fans. Van Dijk opened the scoring for the Reds against the run of play. In what was an entertaining, free flowing game the scores could have and probably should have been more at half time in favour of Adelaide. The Reds must have caught up on some jet lag at half time as they came out half asleep with Wellington equalizing one minute into the half. Hometown boy and tweeter Ben Sigmund with the assist, Tim Brown with the goal. @Siggy2010 (twitter name) was on fire in the second half and when referee Peter O'Leary red carded Adelaide captain Travis Dodd it was Sigmund who headed home the winner in the 90th minute. Dodd's straight red was a shocker, he was clearly trying to avoid any contact with the falling Vince Lia but accidentally collected Lia in the head with his knee (the card has since been rescinded). Another terrible error by the match officials that have inadvertently cost a side a result.
Sundays late game saw the Gold Coast United play the Melbourne Heart in front of a paltry 1658 in what is an A-League low for an Australian crowd.
Heart were unlucky not to have a goal inside the first three minutes when Matt Thompson hit the bar. Rain and a sandy looking surface didn't help the spectacle but Jason Culina showed us why he is on the big bucks with an outstanding attacking display that saw him net twice (inc. penalty) and allegedly give the Heart fans the bird (not the first time this season). Bas Van der Brink also rocketed himself into fantasy football teams across the country with his second goal in as many matches. The win put the Gold Coast into third position and a possible home final which I'm sure the bean counters at the FFA will be thrilled with.
Hero of The Week
Frank Lowy - We didn't win the right to host the 2022 World Cup but you can bet your bottom dollar it wasn't due to Mr Lowy's lack of trying. The sooner this guy is knighted the better. Mr Lowy from all of us at The Football Sack we thank you for your efforts and also thankyou you for what you have dome for the game in this country to date.
Villain of the Week
You can take you pick this week.
*The fat cats at FIFA for their greed infested way of life.
*That bloody surfing Kangaroo and Paul Hogan.
*The A-League Referees for again having a bigger say in the outcomes of game than the players do (and the handful of victory fans who threw missiles at the linesman and all MISSED).
*The Sydney FC defense.
*The Gold Coast crowd.