05 November, 2008
04 November, 2008
Cold, wet and glorious
Women's World Cup: Ghana 1-0 Costa Rica and New Zealand 3-1 Colombia
The Ghana game was splendid, even if it was a case of women against girls - Ghana were simply bigger and stronger, and the dominance in 50/50s was a boon. But they won this with good football. In fact, they should have won by more.
Then there was the NZ match. Hopefully this will put an end to the ridiculous and repetitive observations that this is so different from the likes of the Phoenix or the Premier League. The NZ team was physical and aggressive, and the Colombian team was cynical and professional. But a big thanks to Brendan for the access to the box or the second half. I'd had enough of the cold. And what a game!
03 November, 2008
Found a wallet today
Does anyone know Jacobus Andries Bester? He's a student at Vic and a customer at Westpac and Dick Smiths. I guess his wallet will be heading for the police station or bank tomorrow...
26 October, 2008
Phoenix 0 -1 Queensland
Frustrating, but okay. Queensland had a good penalty shout turned down and scored a good, if predicted, goal, but generally the Phoenix matched them and really should have stolen it at the end, but first Bertos, and then Smeltz missed good chances.
I really couldn't say why it didn't work. I like the selection, the structure was sound, no-one played badly, but we still lost. Along with Wellington, Newcastle and Forest. Sod it.
I really couldn't say why it didn't work. I like the selection, the structure was sound, no-one played badly, but we still lost. Along with Wellington, Newcastle and Forest. Sod it.
Dave and Karin get married
A long day (not assisted by a long night just before... ahem) that was also simply wonderful. I oly took a couple of pictures as the official photographer took all the best positions and we can hopefully share those. Instead you lust settle at this stage for these images of the dashing groom and his bouncer/best man. The ceremony itself, after the fashionably late arrival of the beautiful bride, was intended to be short to suit the number of children in attendance. It was resonant, emotional and utterly charming. And when their two children (Rebecca and Cameron, flower girl and page boy respectively), exhausted after performing their roles impeccably, had a big long hug during the exchange of vows... well, it was perfect.
The meal, at Island Bay's Cheeky Pipi, was also excellent, although the chocolate pudding seemed almost too much. Almost. Heh.
I finally met David's sister Jen, who is very much like him, and Dave's parents didn't recognise me with my flowing locks (or short Michael Bolton hairdo, depending on whom one asks).
It was exhausting just for me, so I dread to think how the guys will be. But I cannot express my gratitude enough for letting me attend, now how much I simply enjoyed it.
And I suppose I should apologise to Leanne and Chris for making them the butt of a couple of jokes, but I meant no harm, and surely a brief mention on a blog, the existence of which they don't even know about, will surely suffice.
The meal, at Island Bay's Cheeky Pipi, was also excellent, although the chocolate pudding seemed almost too much. Almost. Heh.
I finally met David's sister Jen, who is very much like him, and Dave's parents didn't recognise me with my flowing locks (or short Michael Bolton hairdo, depending on whom one asks).
It was exhausting just for me, so I dread to think how the guys will be. But I cannot express my gratitude enough for letting me attend, now how much I simply enjoyed it.
And I suppose I should apologise to Leanne and Chris for making them the butt of a couple of jokes, but I meant no harm, and surely a brief mention on a blog, the existence of which they don't even know about, will surely suffice.
02 October, 2008
Pictures
28 September, 2008
Phoenix 2 - 1 Sydney FC
Sydney were flying and the Phoenix struggling to play with any fluency or style. Surely this would be an utterly predictable game?
Well, no. It started that way. Pretty even, but the Phoenix a little fragile. It was an odd line-up. 4-4-2 (which was nice) and no Ferrante (even nicer) but different keeper, Dodd returned to his rightful centre back slot (harsh on the better ball-player Durante and McKain, but they were injured/ill). Moss replaced by Paston (a better dominator of the area, but weaker on shots). Brown (finally!) and Johnson in the middle with Gao and Kwasnick on the flanks.
Sydney took the lead fairly early on, but didn't really look any better than our lot. Paston is strong in the air, and Dodd is so powerful and good at judging headers. Ben Sigmund was a surprise selection at centre-back, being a short and muscular midfielder by trade, but he put in a very effective performance. But I can't help feeling this reflects badly on Sydeny. They were niggly and poor, assisted by an inept referee. But their goal was pretty good, a looping header over the tall but non-jumping Paston.
But the Phoenix stayed strong. Sydney had a bit of swagger about them (helped by the referee's tolerance of their antics), but didn't really threaten again. Gao was easily the stand-out player of the half, showing self-belief and no little skill to constantly probe, but Brown and Johnson were failing to get up there. The equaliser was more of a surprise because we have scored so few, rather than because it wasn't deserved. Kwasnick getting good mileage out of the full back and crossing for Smeltz to glance a fine header home.
I don't recall Sydney getting much of a sniff after that. There was a worrying sign that the Phoenix might be settling for a draw when the ordinary Coveny was withdrawn to be replaced by Christie and Gao (either marked out of the game or not supported by his teammates) by Ferrante. Christie's lack of pace was more than made up for by his superb first touches today, and Ferrante showed glimpses of quality in his gaining of possession. Both were instrumental in the attacks that, eventually, led to the winner. Brown had had a good game. Nothing spectacular, but doing the job imagined of him. Uncompromising and old-fashioned, he thundered around without showing any great flair, but an indomitable attitude. He then picks up the ball just outside the box and, seeing the typical lackof movement, has a go. It wasn't hit the cleanest, but it was aimed right in the corner and the keeper must have been unsighted by the defender and it rolled into the corner. That felt soooooo gooooooood.
MoM was Leilei Gao for me: he played with heart and skill through the first half, when there was precious little to cheer about. But Brown and the centre backs deserve much credit as well.
Well, no. It started that way. Pretty even, but the Phoenix a little fragile. It was an odd line-up. 4-4-2 (which was nice) and no Ferrante (even nicer) but different keeper, Dodd returned to his rightful centre back slot (harsh on the better ball-player Durante and McKain, but they were injured/ill). Moss replaced by Paston (a better dominator of the area, but weaker on shots). Brown (finally!) and Johnson in the middle with Gao and Kwasnick on the flanks.
Sydney took the lead fairly early on, but didn't really look any better than our lot. Paston is strong in the air, and Dodd is so powerful and good at judging headers. Ben Sigmund was a surprise selection at centre-back, being a short and muscular midfielder by trade, but he put in a very effective performance. But I can't help feeling this reflects badly on Sydeny. They were niggly and poor, assisted by an inept referee. But their goal was pretty good, a looping header over the tall but non-jumping Paston.
But the Phoenix stayed strong. Sydney had a bit of swagger about them (helped by the referee's tolerance of their antics), but didn't really threaten again. Gao was easily the stand-out player of the half, showing self-belief and no little skill to constantly probe, but Brown and Johnson were failing to get up there. The equaliser was more of a surprise because we have scored so few, rather than because it wasn't deserved. Kwasnick getting good mileage out of the full back and crossing for Smeltz to glance a fine header home.
I don't recall Sydney getting much of a sniff after that. There was a worrying sign that the Phoenix might be settling for a draw when the ordinary Coveny was withdrawn to be replaced by Christie and Gao (either marked out of the game or not supported by his teammates) by Ferrante. Christie's lack of pace was more than made up for by his superb first touches today, and Ferrante showed glimpses of quality in his gaining of possession. Both were instrumental in the attacks that, eventually, led to the winner. Brown had had a good game. Nothing spectacular, but doing the job imagined of him. Uncompromising and old-fashioned, he thundered around without showing any great flair, but an indomitable attitude. He then picks up the ball just outside the box and, seeing the typical lackof movement, has a go. It wasn't hit the cleanest, but it was aimed right in the corner and the keeper must have been unsighted by the defender and it rolled into the corner. That felt soooooo gooooooood.
MoM was Leilei Gao for me: he played with heart and skill through the first half, when there was precious little to cheer about. But Brown and the centre backs deserve much credit as well.
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