And Queensland Roar striker Alex Brosque scored the goal that took it to overtime and finally penalties! What, you didn’t know he was in the Australian team? Well according to Fifa World Cup 2006 on the xbox he is a substitute and when Viduka broke his foot in the match against Poland I picked him to step up to the first team. He was a bloody good substitute too – better than Archie Thompson who didn’t score once when I had him playing. The aussies got through the hard group stage by beating Brazil, Poland and for some reason Korea Republic (it’s meant to be Japan). They then beat Greece, Sweden and the Netherlands to make it to the finals against Germany in Berlin. Germany scored early and it wasn’t until the 82nd minute when Alex was able to even the score with a beautiful left footed scorcher. But it wasn’t all about Alex – Harry Kewell got best player of the tournament thanks to some of his goals and set up plays. I was equally frustrated and impressed by Brett Emerton – like in real life he has his good and bad games. Schwarzer wasn’t wearing a mask either.
If you think I’ve wasted my long weekend playing games, you come pretty close to being right but when the crowd is roaring and your controller is vibrating because you are about to win the World Cup with a penalty you just can’t turn off the console. Plus this may be the nearest we’ll ever get to winning the actual real one.