大象传媒

The match was surprisingly a lot more entertaining that some would have thought.

But what made it extra special was the way the Aussies never gave up. In contrast to the , the boys from down under were fantastic (and were buoyed by the addition of Tim Cahill to the field).

Cheers,
The Gaffer

Good luck to them. They didn't impress me at all. No flair in the play, but the coach put in three fresh legs and that made the difference.

Zico didn't, hanging on to tired legs. Nakamura, for instance, their best player, could hardly kick a ball late on. That told.

Guus' done it again though. If only Ericsson could learn from the great Dutch.

Well the Aussies made history, thanks to the Premier League players.
The impeding of the Aussie goalkeeper by the Japanese forwards was erased when Cahil brought a Japanese forward down but not awarded a penalty against.
2 wrongs won't make 1 right, though the Socceroos thoroughly deserved the victory by being the last man standing.
Let's see now that they had the first hurdle cleared, if they can do any better no on.......

Just scoring a goal was good in itself, but winning, that was great!
Having said I think Japan were their own worst enemies by defending so deep for a very long time. Now they have to beat Croatia if they are to make it to the second round.

Well done Aussies,they were very impressive,never say die attitude got them through.Remember this was against the asian champions,the previous freindly when they drew 1/1 with the dutch was a sign of things to come.3 weeks agon beating european champions Greece,was another pointer.
If we need any more prrof this team is the real deal,go back a year or so when they played
A..Brazil
B.. argentina
Scores,,,Aust 4 Brazil 0
Aust 3 Argent 0
No they havent surpried me ,they have just confirmed the 3/1 win over England last year was a true indication of the 2 teams fluctuating fortunes and a change in the world order of football.
Well done,beware Brazil of a team that has nothing to lose and are expected to be beaten well.As most sports lovers know,this is a recipe for disaster,take them lightly at your own peril.\Good work Guus Hiddink you are a modern day marvel and a tacticle genius...

Well done Aussies,they were very impressive,never say die attitude got them through.Remember this was against the asian champions,the previous freindly when they drew 1/1 with the dutch was a sign of things to come.3 weeks agon beating european champions Greece,was another pointer.
If we need any more prrof this team is the real deal,go back a year or so when they played
A..Brazil
B.. argentina
Scores,,,Aust 4 Brazil 0
Aust 3 Argent 0
No they havent surpried me ,they have just confirmed the 3/1 win over England last year was a true indication of the 2 teams fluctuating fortunes and a change in the world order of football.
Well done,beware Brazil of a team that has nothing to lose and are expected to be beaten well.As most sports lovers know,this is a recipe for disaster,take them lightly at your own peril.\Good work Guus Hiddink you are a modern day marvel and a tacticle genius...

Whoa there John, hold yer horses!

Sure it was a good result, but let's reserve judgement until after their next two games. I don't think you can read too much into 3 and 4 nil victories over Brazil and Argentina (haven't checked up on this, but I'm assuming they must have been against somewhat weakened sides)...

As for the 3-1 victory over England last year (funny, I remember it being in February 2003, over three years ago), again, this cannot in any way be seen as a 'changing of the world order'. Besides, we all know how seriously Sven takes friendlies...

I find it odd that Aussies keep dragging this one particular game up over and over again- yet in the next breath they are always so keen to point out that England beating Australia in the rugby final is ancient history, and counts for nothing these days (which incidentally I agree with, going by the current state of Andy Robinson's boys!)....

That match actually took place more recently than the 3-1 game at Upton Park. Can't have it both ways...!

Whoa there John, hold yer horses!

Sure it was a good result, but let's reserve judgement until after their next two games. I don't think you can read too much into 3 and 4 nil victories over Brazil and Argentina (haven't checked up on this, but I'm assuming they must have been against somewhat weakened sides)...

As for the 3-1 victory over England last year (funny, I remember it being in February 2003, over three years ago), again, this cannot in any way be seen as a 'changing of the world order'. Besides, we all know how seriously Sven takes friendlies...

I find it odd that Aussies keep dragging this one particular game up over and over again- yet they are always so keen to remind us that England beating Australia in the rugby final is ancient history and counts for nothing these days (which incidentally I agree with, going by the current state of Andy Robinson's boys!)....

That match actually took place more recently than the 3-1 game at Upton Park. Can't have it both ways...!

Why did the commentator throughout the Ghana v Italy match last night continuously refer to the Ghanaians as "The Africans"?
Africa is a continent.
At no time did he refer to the Italians as Europeans.
Does any one know why?

The Aussies were a bunch of thugs, if they actually played football rather than lumping the ball up to fat-boy Viduka and then kicking the Japanese when they ran and passed the ball then i would respect their victory. Cahill after coming on should've been booked for a challenge after the free kick where he was clearly late and clearly lunged - and so should've been sent off for the tackle in the box that should've been a penalty. In all fairness it deserved to be a draw with the Japanese goal very lucky to be allowed. Respect to Cahill for his second tho it was a good strike - but against a defence that refused to close him down. The Aussies won't progress as their thuggish and long-ball tactics will be ripped apart by the class and skill of the Croatians and Brazil. Japan are out, and the Aussies are going to follow them. They can't defend - and it was only refereeing decisions and the poor final ball and finishing of the Japanese which gave the Aussies a chance. They should stick to games they can be violent in.

The Aussies were a bunch of thugs, if they actually played football rather than lumping the ball up to fat-boy Viduka and then kicking the Japanese when they ran and passed the ball then i would respect their victory. Cahill after coming on should've been booked for a challenge after the free kick where he was clearly late and clearly lunged - and so should've been sent off for the tackle in the box that should've been a penalty. In all fairness it deserved to be a draw with the Japanese goal very lucky to be allowed. Respect to Cahill for his second tho it was a good strike - but against a defence that refused to close him down. The Aussies won't progress as their thuggish and long-ball tactics will be ripped apart by the class and skill of the Croatians and Brazil. Japan are out, and the Aussies are going to follow them. They can't defend - and it was only refereeing decisions and the poor final ball and finishing of the Japanese which gave the Aussies a chance. They should stick to games they can be violent in.

hi there '

go aussies

Absolutely fantastic result for Australia. They doggedly fought back in in the face of adversity ie, the Egyptian referee's decision to allow Japan's controversial early goal. Overall I thought the game was a stereotypical scrappy opener in the competition. Neither team are going to be lifting the cup with the performances they turned in last night. Sydney went balisitic today and one of my workmates threatened to have a Southern Cross tattoo if they go the distance.

Cheers

super_si @

Calm down theremate (el_toninho). How about some unbias comments for all of us to read. Capish

el_toninho,
it hurts when you know that in 10 years we will dominate the game!!

Thugs, i dont think so.

Go Aussie! One of their best wins ever.

We don't pretend to be a good soccer nation or have any experience in World Cups, but the whole of Aus is getting on board with it! Give it 10 years and we will be up there.

Can't wait till Australia play Brazil. If Australia can hold them to a draw that would be brilliant.

El - toninho

This is just the beginning for Aussie soccer! You Poms are still in denial about the 3-1 drubbing at Upton Park and we have only got stronger since then. Our team may not have many stars, but they work well together and never give up.

Although a physical side they are certainly not thugs and Viduka
is still a class act.
You are kidding about the long ball as it was hardly played! Our tactics were great (well done Guus!) and
their fitness played a big part in the win.
The boys can now approach their remaining games with confidence.

C'mon fellas..I am a naturalised Aussie of English birth..you can't assume that everyone who has to slag us off is English..that is equally pathetic.Most English I know were supporting Australia and most Aussies I know support England when it comes down to the boil.A few big mouths full of bile from either country make us all look like losers.Anyway..his opinion is his opinion and I am fine with that even if he IS WRONG! LOL

come on you Aussies!
btw 10 yrs may be pushing it but in 20..top 5.This is the beginning..now money will be spent and top coaches involved and more games played in Asia and elsewhere.More kids 6 and under play football than any other sport in Oz and it is now THE most popular sport.

I hear that a coach making unnecessary substitutions is said to be suffering from "Erikssonitis".
Well, now we have a word for a coach NOT making badly needed substitutions: It's called "Zicosis".

As for the Australian team, I'll hold my judgement until after they play Brazil.