Kelly's World

Last night I went around to a friend’s place to watch the Socceroos v Oman game, another one of the world cup qualifying matches. It was an entertaining game with some great saves and goals, and we ended up winning 3-0. Can’t complain about that!

C came around to watch it as well, and at the end of the night you could tell he was slightly relieved it was over. He absolutely loves his sports, but I think if there was something else on offer to do that evening he may very well have done that instead. He hasn’t quite fallen for the game yet, but that’s fine. I’m not going to push it on him, and I’m happy to go to the games with my friends that enjoy it. I have to give him props for trying though. I do hope that my love for the sport will rub off on him eventually, and I know that if my team got into the finals he wouldn’t hesitate in coming to that; during the season I don’t think he’s all that keen. It’s also a bonus that the soccer season is on during the NRL off-season, otherwise I wouldn’t have a hope in hell of getting him to watch anything other than handegg.

Source: Daily Haha

He also doesn’t understand how I can talk or use my phone during the game and not miss anything that’s going on. He’s certain that I’m not watching it, but every time he’s asked me what just happened I haven’t been wrong (the moment will come, I’m sure). I guess he hasn’t figured out just how good I can be at multi-tasking when the situation calls for it

One day he’ll understand how amazing women are.

If you’re following the Socceroos in the world cup (which they’re now out, boo) you will be aware they got two controversial red cards during their campaign. One of those on the receiving end was my favourite player, Harry Kewell. He had battled himself mentally and physically to ensure he was fit to play at the cup. He had overcome negativity in the press, non-believers, and general assholes. Then to come on the field, and get a red card over a questionable handball was just cruel. I sat on the couch at home, looking at the tv in horror, completely speechless as he left the field. I felt his pain, I was gutted for him.

There’s a blog I follow, Giraffes and Kangaroos. It’s sports journalist Matthew Hall’s personal blog of his time spent in South Africa as he covers the World Cup. He covers everything, from interviews with players right through to random sights he sees around the country as he makes his way to each stadium. You could say it’s the unseen side of the world cup, the part that us viewers at home don’t get to see.

Today his quote blew me away.

I felt like getting the ball and booting it over the stand. Getting my boots, throwing it at him (the referee), just sitting in the middle of the park and not moving. Throwing all my toys out of the cot and saying ‘I’m not moving’ “.

- Harry Kewell (Source: Giraffes and Kangaroos)

In my opinion, it is a brilliant quote. I am so grateful that Matthew Hall allows us to see the deeper sides of the players, instead of just sharing biased and rude opinion pieces (don’t get me started on Michael Cockerill again). Matthew’s beyond that.

To Harry, I would say tough luck champ. I think you were hard done by. Despite what the media say, despite all the negativity you hear, there is a lot of us back in Australia that still think you’re great. We look forward to seeing you next in the green and gold, and hope you’re still around for our next campaign. Bring on 2014!

Rewind about 5 years ago and I wasn’t a soccer fan. I followed the paths of most Aussies; it was all about NRL or AFL, swimming, tennis or netball (which I loved because I was an active player myself). I perceived soccer as a boring 90min game where it was a good game if someone scored. When someone did eventually get a goal, I thought it was exciting for all of about 30 seconds while the players celebrated. Then I got bored again.

My sister did the best she could to convince me. She tried to tell me it was a game of passion, and about the struggle to get a goal. She told me of the ultimate elation when they finally did break through and found the back of the net. Still, I didn’t understand.

Then she took me to my first live game, a socceroos match in 2005 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. I was exposed to the crowds and the electricity in the air as we watched the ball going back and forth on the field. I became hooked.

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Tonight we hit the Pig & Whistle in Maroochydore for some dinner & drinks, as well as watch the Socceroos friendly against the US. Unfortunately we went down 3-1 (could have been more of a gap if the US kept their shots on goal, could have been less if the socceroos stopped making sloppy passes).

We got home just after 1am this morning, and I was eventually in bed by 3am.