.gif "Sack Attack: An A-League Webcomic")
The day began with the now usual ritual of seeing off the team bus, downing as many non-stadium priced beers as possible before getting on a stadium bound train. Something, however, was different. There was an impending sense of anticipation, bordering on worry, that could be sensed throughout the morning.
This was Japan, the defending champions, our great Asian nemesis and the fourth top ten side that we've had to take on this tournament. After some strong encouragement to buy beer from a local Mounty who was empathetic to one young vender’s difficulty selling any (bloody police intimidation) we headed to our seats in conditions all too familiar to those of us who had braved numerous Sunday afternoon kick-offs in the December heat at Edensor Park or Lakeside Stadium.
In all honesty, we were outplayed. Each attack, tackle and headed clearance was followed by a sip more of nerves than relief. Still, when the Japanese hammer blow came in the second half it felt just as unexpected and just as gutting. I think there was a part of all of us that thought our girls had one more bit of magic left in them. Alas.....
Frowns permeated from our faces for the train back into town before smiles took over at the thought of the celebrations and we certainly realised all that we had to celebrate. The final evening managed to include all those who had taken part in this incredible journey and as early evening slowly faded into severely over ordering pizza at 2am, the Matilda's 2015 World Cup adventure came to a close.
That also meant the end of my journey following the team and reporting back to all of you kind or bored enough to read these fan diary entries. It's been a close bet for the most amazing month of my life following our national team during a World Cup from one side of North America to another and back again, against Yanks, Nigerians, Swedes, Brazilians and Japanese, it's been remarkable.
As I have never been in any position to give anyone a shout out in any sort of public manner I'll hand out a few now. Obviously to the good people at The Football Sack for letting me type out my experiences, to those of you who have at any point glanced over any of these ramblings, to the local Canadians and internationals I met along the way who were such great fun, to the family, friends and fans of the team I went through the joy, anger, tipsiness and sadness with; Alex, Chris, BT, Gary, Roger, Jordan, Lachie, Ann, Cheryl, Emily, Shell, Rob and, of course, Steph, T and all our Matildas who made pride the overriding feeling of the month. Thank you for everything you did out there on and off those pitches.
Anyway, I'm heading back across the continent on a pair of 767's to New York City.
Until France 2019...