LiveBlog: Croatia-Australia

June 22nd, 2006 | by: Peter |

We’re LiveBlogging for the full 90 of the Croatia-Australia match. Come in and join us by leaving your thoughts and comments while the match happens.

Final: Croatia 2-2 Australia

Final: Australia wins 2-2 in a game that they needed to tie to advance. A physical, frantic game was kept mostly under control until the final few minutes when rules were basically ignored and the ref started handing out cards like they were candy. Croatia went up 1-0 in the first minute of the game off a free kick by Kovac, and Cahill buried a penalty to bring the Aussies even at the half. Croatia went up 2-1 in the 56th minute when Kovac got his ball to hop over the goalie that had dropped to the ground. Australia tied it in the 78th minute when Harry Kewell controlled a deflected ball and put it next to the far post. My hat is off to the referee, who kept a physical game frantic but under control until the end.

To end the game, after Croatia nearly took the lead at the other end off of a corner, Australia took the ball to the corner to run the time out, kicking it out. The ref called it Aussie ball though and after Kovac pouted about it for a few mins the Aussies scored after a scrum in front of the goal. The ref had already sounded the end of the game though, (this was at 3:20 after 3 mins of announced injury time) so the goal didn’t count. Viduka gave the ref a hug and on his way off the field, Simunic stopped to say something to the ref and picked up his second yellow card. Pandemonium broke out on the Aussie bench as they celebrated their advancing, Croatian players collapsed on the field.

93:00 Simunic picks up another yellow after the end in a sequence it may take me a few minutes to describe.

91:32 Croatia corner and the goalie falls down, leaving the net basically open and Croatia with a decent shot.

89:00 Croatia keeping the ball in Australia’s third and putting pressure on the defense. Australia fans still look solemn as aaussie defense likes to clear the ball with acrobatic aerial kicks. Josip Simunic picks up a yellow and exchanges words with the ref. 3 min extra time.

87:12 Somewhere in all of those cards, Croatia VERY nearly scored a goal when the keeper came out of the net. Another player came in behind him and cleared the next shot.

86:00 Emerton picks up his second yellow and he’s out.

83:22 Simic out with a red card, he grabbed the ref as he went to blow the whistle, pulling his arm down. One could clearly read “Don’t touch me” on the refs lips and he brought out the red.

82:04 Croatia passing over the top of Aussies puts it over the endline.

81:25 Update from the other game, Ronaldo has tied the all time World Cup Scoring record.

80:21 Brett Emerton gets a yellowcard.

78:43 Harry Kewell controls a ball deflected by a croatian players head, lets it drop to the ground then puts it in by the far post. They have to hold on for 10 more minutes to advance.

78:09 Goal Australia!

77:10 Time is running out for the Aussies to tie this up and move on to the next round. They’ve had nothing but opportunities this half.

76:01 Prso all alone on the right side gets nothing out of it.

74:08 Hand ball by Croatia as a player is lying on the ground. Josh kennedy in for Scott Chipperfield, free kick for australia. On the kick, it looks like thomas got the ball with his hand but it’s just another corner for the aussies.

72:23 Almost a goal for the aussies, off the corner the Croatian goalie stops a shot and gets knocked so he lands with part of the ball on the line. No goal but I was cheering when I saw it.

70:05 Aussie subs Bresciano for Sterjovski. Ausie corner after a great shot, they’re getting closer and closer.

68:35 Stipe Pletikoska gets a yellow card. He was complaining like C3-Po.

67:00 Nice no call as both players go down. At the other end an Aussie back heel doesn’t have enough behind it. Racing back, Prso gets a cross off but nothing else. It’s tiring just watching this.

65:35 Aussies called offsides on a good looking one touch pass succession.

63:30 If I were playing in this game, I would want this ref. He’s letting players play to a point, he’s not going crazy with the cards and he’s not taking any pleading or complainging from either side in a game that is decidedly physical. It’s fun to watch and I’m guessing it’s fun to play. Jerko Leko in for Niko Kranjcar.

60:30 Haven’t seen much malicions jersey grabbing. Prso goes down in Australia’s box after tripping on the ball. Simunic gets a yellow card after meeting Cahill’s face with his hand on a run. Free kick for Aussie’s just outside the box taken by Chipperfield. Kewell and Kovac forced to shake hands by the ref after some shoving.

59:00 Corner for Australia. The Croat height advantage again comes into play.

58:00 Camera work while Prso walks off a stepped on foot shows lots of somber Aussies.

56:18 Goal CROATIA! Kovac weeves and strikes, keeping th ball on the ground. The keeper drops to his side to block it but the ball just hops over him.

55:17 My hat is really off to the referee though, not that he’s getting every call right, but in that he’s keeping total anarchy from breaking out on the pitch.

53:53 We have seen more shots of the ref asserting himself than of the coaches contemplating on the sidelines. This may be a World Cup viewing first.

52:19 Free kick from an Aussie handball. Kovac thinks he was fouled and the replay shows he was hit hard but only after he got the ball.

51:13 I get distracted by a cry of “That was almost beautiful!” from in front of the other TV in the room and Aussies have a free kick and nothing to show for it.

49:00 Shot after the free kick is just high but eerily similar in location to the first goal of the game, although that one came directly off the free kick.

47:41 Srna trying some fancy dancing and Croatia putting more pressure on Aussies than last half. Aussies are getting good looks at goal without taking too long to do it. Prso gets free kick after an Aussie drags himself along for the ride.

46:11 Croatia shreds Aussie defense then Aussies get a good look at the goal on the counterattack. Everytime I look up from the screen the ball is at the other end of the field.

45:23 After a few minutes in their corners both teams look rejuvenated. Looking forward to another breakneck half.

45:00 Ref delays 2nd half: “I want a clean, fair fight.”

Halftime: Both teams look like they’ve gone 15 rounds against the defending heavyweight after one half of play. Two yellowcards in the half but a lot of rough play. Croatia took the lead 1:35 into the game off a free kick that Kovac put straight in, Australia equalized off a penalty by Tim Cahill. Very entertaining game so far.

46:21 Cahill gets in one more bicycle attempt before half and it’s done.

45:00 2 minutes extra time. Aussies keeping the ball at midfield until a pass to Viduka is taken from him. Both teams kind of jogging now.

44:00 Croatia winning balls in the air at midfield tests the Aussie defense. Some really first rate defense on two consecutive possessions.

42:34 Prso nearly gets another one as he’s all alone downfield after a replay. This premiere cable package really likes their replays.

41:19 Attempted Cahill bicycle kick is a whiff and the pace seems to have slowed just a bit.

39:18 It will be interesting to see if Australia keeps up the frantic attack with the score tied and if they can manage to pull ahead. Corner for Croatia. Aussie keeper bobbles the ball and nearly knocks it into the goal. (Sudden, involuntary intake of breath at World Cup Blog HQ)

37:18 Tim Cahill gets a penalty kick after a croatian player palms his neck for a ball in the air. Igor Tudor gets the card. KICK IS IN!

35:38 And by that I mean the worn out patch where the goalie stands.

34:48 Cahill goes after a cross and either stumbles or gets shoved in the neck. Either way he finishes the play face down in the only part of the field that’s dirt and not grass.

33:25 Jason Culina puts one just high of the net. (Update from the other game: Japan 1 Brazil 0)

31:59 Dario Simic gets the first Yellow of the match. This channel seems to be slightly replay happy and between the replays and the typing and having the sound on the Brazil game, I missed what it was for.

30:56 Chipperfield shown getting a two arms extended shove in.

29:35 Viduka drags a player down and Australia gets a shot that is deflected but not controlled by the keeper. Corner for Australia taken in by Hrvatska’s goalie.

28:13 Hrvatska may be criticized in their attack but Australia’s defense is none too assertive either.

27:26 And by “controlling the ball” I mean “roughing Croatia up.”

26:00 Australia will enter the half tied. Mark my words, they’re controlling the ball too well to stay behind for long.

24:50 Goal kick Aussies.

23:17 Australia has the slight advantage in this game so far in terms of energy and shots, but Croatia has the lead in that “having the lead” statistic.

22:21 Australia going for it every time and connecting on their long passes and runs. Corner for Australia.

20:09 This game is brutally beautiful and frantic so far. Both teams wasting little time and rarely taking the ball downfield without getting a shot at the goal or forcing the goalie to come out of the box.
18:33 These poor refs, both teams lower their shoulders going for the ball, then both teams throw up their hands like the’re being eaten by a shark.

17:05 Corner for Australia bounces out to a waiting Aussie player, Aussies proceed to get 3 shots as the ball just keeps bouncing back to them.

15:15 Perhaps Australia is feeling the pressure to score, down 1-0 with a scarce 75 minutes left. This is “Kamikaze soccer.”

14:12 Both teams showing very little of this thing called “patience” and making very little use of the “pass back.”

13:26 Tim “2 goals in 5 minutes” Cahill taken down from behind.

12:20 Croatia putting on a ball control clinic in Australia’s left corner, Australia finally trips them up and takes the ball.

10:40 Australia almost caught off guard by croatia counter attack.

9:00 Socceroos keeping the ball in the final third of Croatia’s side, but can’t seem to get a good cross. No outright violence in over 2 minutes

7:43 Ball is stuck in Australian territory in the right corner. Ball keeps getting sent out, thrown in, sent out.. etc

6:51 Replay shows Simunic with a bear hug around Viduka. No call.

5:37 This game is living up to the billing as part wrestling match and the ref looks like he’s just trying to maintain order. Throw a couple of em out ref, that’ll slow em down.

4:02 Well the ref has demonstrated that he’s not afraid to blow the whistle and Croatia seems to be taking full advantage. Srna down and I’d know if he was off the field if we hadn’t just seen the first minute goal replay four times.

3:00 That was perfect placement in the top left corner and the keeper just couldn’t keep it. No warm up time when it’s win or go home.

1:35 Kovac taken down and given a free kick, and he PUTS IT IN! Just below the cross bar!

00:00 Australia Croatia gets off to a fake start about 8 seconds before Japan Brazil, then restarts and we’re about four seconds behind.

Australia’s midfield is heavier on the penalties.

Looks like Croatia’s midfield is heavy on the penalties.

I think I saw about half of Croatia’s team singing along to the Australian national anthem. Whoops.

Croatia sure does look good in their picnic blanket kits.

As someone watching both games on two tv’s in the same room, I can tell you without a doubt that the national anthems are being played simultaneously in cities hundreds of miles apart.

I’d like to thank both of you tuning in to this liveblog. It seems everyone else has been hooked by Ronaldhino’s smile and shifted over to watch that game. I’ll take the rugby/football of Australia over the “Joga Bonito”ing Brazil any day.

2o mins to kick off. The blond german Kommentator on the free tv in Berlin has had a consistent five o’clock shadow for two weeks today. Is that even possible? Can you get stubble makeup?

45 minutes to kick off, it’s too even to predict a winner, but I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that this game will be so rough that it makes USA vs Italy look like a first date.

Pregame: This is a huge, huge game. Who do you think will win?

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http://www.worldcupblog.org/game-previews/preview-croatia-vs-australia.html Preview: Croatia vs. Australia – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] LIVEBLOG Follow the match highlights as they happen on the Croatia vs. Australia LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match [...]
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[...] LIVEBLOG Follow the match highlights as they happen on the Croatia vs. Australia LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match [...]
JW

The rotation only goes through 2010, so Africa could get a World Cup. After that, all bets are off.
mon

YAY!!!!!!!!
Dinhduy

GO AUSSIES GO!
Kevin

It’s MOORE that score the penalty. AND SRNA that scored the free kick!!
http://www.jb72.blogspot.com Ging

Go on the roos! Well done – much deserved!!!

Chrisso – you were on the tele!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.jb72.blogspot.com Ging

How come this didn’t post the first time?

Go on the roos!!! Well done – much deserved!!

Chrisso – you were on tele!!!!!!!!!!
Jass

This game was RIDICULOUS! The referees were biased, and this game was set up so that Australia would go on to the next round.

Going to enjoy watching them loose to Italy!
Deviilz.

Croatia are the fav to win this match..,1/2 goal advantage to Australia in my part of country.
(FYI. 1/2 goal adv to Aussies means Croatia gotta win by a goal or more margin)
Possible…?
http://espn ANTE

croatia will attack the hole game 2-0
http://www.pcplay.hr/forum/ Prince-Artas

Croatia is far more better team than Australia. 2-0 for Croatia.
BTW did you know that 7 players form Australian team are Croats.

PROUD TO BE CROAT!!
James

I think Croatia win the group to go through. They created some good chances against Brazil and didn’t look very sharp against Japan. Australia was shut down by Japan for 80 minutes and looked frustrated by Brazil. Should be a good game, but I look for Croatia to take it 2-1.
adam

Go Socceroos!!!!!
Beat them silly!
ETucker

I think it will be a tie.

Neither team has looked that good offensively (although Aussies did have 10 good minutes)
norm

Australia 2-1
History

PACK YOUR BAGS SOCCERWHOS!!!
jegen

australia 1 croatia nil. go aussie go
Freak

Good game this one, what’re the teams? C’mon the Croats
Matt

Everyone knows Brazil is going to walk all over Japan. I have a feeling this is going to be a great game; plus I’m rooting for the Aussies ever since I meet some while in Europe last fall.
oliveskin

croats are a shadow of what they were once, sans boban and zuker… i have a soft heart for ‘em… but i want the aussies to win… they ve a “pleasant” underdog quality.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Do we seriously expect Australia to win this?
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

i will blog this, because emotions appear to be running high here, but watch the Brazil game on tv
freakaholic

not exact quotes, but close, from ESPN2:

“this will be more of a demolition derby”
“two teams go in, one comes out in the Thunderdome of the World Cup”
James

Would the Aussies have an advantage then? Since Thunderdome was in the outback and all.
James

Guess Not.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

“two teams go in, one comes out in the Thunderdome of the World Cup”

And now let’s go to our sideline reporter, Tina Turner!
Singsing

From the New York Times’s blog:

“Eleven of the players involved [in this game] were born in Australia of Croatian parents — seven on Australia and four on Croatia.”

Anthem explained?
freakaholic

i kinda think the keeper gave em too much room on his right. he was cm away from a finger on that.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Croatia one up already !
freakaholic

u think the ref is scared of PKs after US game?
Alex

Half the Australian team are Crats because after world-war II
many croats escaped to australia running away from the allied forces after their german and italian fascist friends lost the war…croats slaughtered hundrends of thousands of people with knives,axes,sledgehammers, anything u can think of…that’s why they were singing the opposing team’s anthem at the start of the game
Andreia & Alex

Watching the game with my son and following the blogs which are hilarious. We were never into soccer so seeing the World Cup and experiencing it online too is helpful
Mark Aussie

Anyone know Graham poll’s home address for the rugby tackle on Viduka?
freakaholic

thanks for the history. always good to know the back story.
freakaholic

in soccer’s defense: this could end up looking more like a rugby game.
James

Interesting stuff. Learning is fun.
Sam

What’s the fastest goal in this world cup? Was this one it?
James

Brazil had a pretty quick one against scotland a few years back didn’t they?
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

“Watching the game with my son and following the blogs which are hilarious. We were never into soccer so seeing the World Cup and experiencing it online too is helpful”

Hallelujah! We are converting the heathen!
Sam

Andreia & Alex, this might not be the most beuatiful match this world cup, but it will probably be exciting. Lot’s of quick, reckless attacking I expect.
freakaholic

Fastest goal from kickoff: 11 seconds, Hakan Şükür (Flag of Turkey Turkey), Turkey vs South Korea, 29 Jun 2002, 2002 World Cup.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_records
James

According to Sky, Hakan Sukur scored in 11 seconds against S. Korea back in 02. Damn.
James

I remember hearing that the own goal Paraguay gave up to England was the fastest own goal ever. But I think this has to be the fastest in this tournament.
freakaholic

whos this foreign guy on espn2? “theres a lot of hair there to tug on…”
Sam

Wow. Thanks for that stat James. What about this world cup? I don’t think there’s been a faster goal so far.

Anyway, let’s see if the Soccaroos can bounce back.
ETucker

This is an ugly affair….
Dan

Once again pissweak in front of goal. Come on Aussies. Bloody CCTV have got the B-team commentating this game this morning, not nearly as good as the overexcited staccato of the guys of the A-team.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

And sadly, the TiVo is getting Brazil for me because I’m grabbing Univision.

This is like that day in the late 19th century when the kids in Rugby thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to pick up the ball and run with it?”
http://www.fussballwmblog.de/ Norbert

Now, it will be difficult for Australia.
Bobbio

Is there no communication within the team or something? Australia is playing a really horrible game!
Come on boys, get your act together!
brian34

Ah, so that’s what Stepjan Tomas looks like…
James

I think Peter must be either bored, or adept at using cut n paste (or maybe both). Because there’s no way it’s easier to type ‘Hrvatska’ than ‘Croatia’.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

no score yet in the Brazil match
freakaholic

throwing the ball when it was a aussie free kick
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Japan scored !
Andreia & Alex

So far we’re enjoying both games, switching back and forth. Just saw Japan score
Dan

Yeeessss!
ETucker

Alright…no more scoring. I bet on a tie, and a tie is what I want to see!
or at least a croatia win
freakaholic

my head is spinning. with every goal, there are 2 different possibilities for advancements.
Alessandro

I hope Australia will lose
http://www.flopearedmule.blogspot.com Amanda

I swear, this game will be the death of me.
asiarules

wow, australia can take top seed if they win by two goals.
asiarules

looks like brazil equalized.
Bobbio

Hells Bells! I near gave myself a heart attack when the Australian goalie nearly dropped the ball into his own net!!
ETucker

no more goals please….
http://www.flopearedmule.blogspot.com Amanda

ETucker, that will suit us Aussies just fine! ;-)
Freak

it was MOORE not CAHILL!
liam

times like this almost make me wish i was unemployed.
jegen

we scored. come on guys. no more goals in. please….
James

i hear that liam. it’ll be nice in 2014 when the cup finally works it’s way back into our hemisphere.
matthew

Tony Smith is the “foreign guy” on ESPN2. He’s rather silly, but more fun to listen to than any of the other ESPN asshats.
James

course it’s not like i’m being that productive anyway.
freakaholic

ahhh, bad pass.
freakaholic

whats the word on 2014 Cup? whos in the running?

anyone else excited about South africa?
freakaholic

so he couldnt pass last time, so he takes a crappy shot this time?
http://n/a dr.shevens

Watch the game live NOW!!
http://www.footielive.org

the best site i have found for showing live football on your PC.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

Brazil is the likely 2014 host, but if they can’t do it, they may let CONCACAF do it. In other words, either Brazil or the US.
James

freakaholic,

i’ve heard that the south americans agreed to support the bid for south africa in 2010 if the host was south american in 2014. i know brazil is making a big push for it. it hasn’t been there since argentina in 78, so they’re due.
Sam

dw, how could the US host when they just hosted recently?
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

If it’s in the US, the expectation is that the MLS cities would get first dibs, though Ohio Stadium is not suitable for soccer, so that would hurt the chances for Columbus.

And expect Seattle, Houston, and Phoenix to host some opening round games. All three have new, soccer-ready football stadiums; Houston and Phoenix have climate-controlled, real grass stadiums with roofs.
Dan

gulp
Sandra

GO CROATIA!!!!!!!
Dan

Bring back Schwarzer. Who is this Kalac clown anyway?
enzo

2nd goal for Croatia, soft goal, goalkeepers fault, Schwarzer were are you?
James

dallas and los angeles just built soccer-specific stadiums as well. but, like sam, i’d be surprised if the us hosted it again so quickly. i’d guess mexico would be the more likely choice. and, just as a lark, why not canada? is it really that much more unexpected than japan/korea? or a belgium-netherlands joint bid?
enzo

it doesn’t look like Australia’s night
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

“dw, how could the US host when they just hosted recently?”

It’s now rotated between the confederations, so CONCACAF will get it every 20 years. It’s possible that Mexico could get it, but the US has so many new, soccer-ready stadiums that are guaranteed to sell out that I think it will be hard for the Mexicans to outbid them. The Canadians are in even worse shape, with no stadium that can meet the FIFA standard for a five-star stadium.

And remember, FIFA made an immense amount of cash off USA ‘94. All-time attendance records. Big sponsorship deals.

The Cup will return to the US, either in 2018 or 2022.
Sam

dw:

Oh yeah, I guess 2014 is quite a ways away…
ETucker

The US soccer specific stadiums are wa too small. But we do have a ton of american football pitches that would work….

i doubt south africa will have its act together to host the world cup…and i am even more doubtful about brazil.

i bet both get last minute relocations to Europe, US, or Mexico
freakaholic

dw: where is the source of your fountain of info? and any word on detroit maintaining its place as a WC location?
freakaholic

ET: i think south africa is already confirmed.
Sandra

How much longer to go???
Sam

Sandra: A game is 90 minutes total, plus a few minutes injury time. The blog’s latest posting is usually pretty close to the actual game time.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Aussies are playing the game of their lives
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

With Canada, you could convert some of the CFL stadiums, but you’re probably looking at a lot of brand-new construction. Skydome would probably be OK for the finals, but it’s a little small. Stade Olympique is crumbling. BC Place would be the Silverdome all over again. McMahon Stadium was renovated for Calgary ‘88, but it really hasn’t been upgraded since.

And while the need for infrastructure isn’t anything new, I don’t see Canada spending the tens of billions on brand-new stadia, not right on the heels of the tens of billions they’re spending on Vancouver ‘10.

So, it’s either the US or Mexico, and I think a US Cup will be far cheaper and a far bigger moneyspinner for FIFA. Not that I wouldn’t like a Mexico World Cup, but I live down the road from a 70,000 seat NFL stadium that has hosted international friendlies in the past couple of years to great success, and I’d really like to be able to take the bus to a World Cup game.
James

I’d be surprised if the South African cup gets moved. Considering how hard Sepp has lobbied for it, it would be a huge black eye for him and for FIFA. I imagine we’ll see a flurry of last minute construction, a la the Athens Olympics, and everything will work, more or less, as planned. DW, makes a good point, and so I will now be less surprised if the US winds up with it in 2014.
Sandra

Thank Sam:)
Its 8 o’clock in the morning here no bars are open so cannot watch live game!!
Henna

Sandra, it’s 4:30 in the afternoon here & lots of bars are open & we are stuck in our offices … grrrr
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

The ref is Graham Poll. He did a damn fine job with a game last round, but I can’t remember which.

It looks like at least someone from England has a chance at the finals.
Dan

Oh Harry you fail to deliver again
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

what a save by the Goalkeeper ! two saves actually !
freakaholic

could we call that a scrum?
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Pletikosa has to be the man of the match if Croatia win
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

“dw: where is the source of your fountain of info?”

It helps to live near the Canadian border. And I’m a bit of a stadium architecture nerd.

“and any word on detroit maintaining its place as a WC location?”

Is Ford Field wide enough? Seems like they built it to NFL dimensions. I don’t think the Silverdome will still be standing in 12 more years. So, probably no dice on Detroit.
James

At what point do they send home refs from countries that are still around? If England sticks around long enough they’ll send Poll home. Which sucks, since there hasn’t exactly been a surplus of quality refs this year.
enzo

Well, if that wasn’t a handball penality, what is? Almost as good as Maradona handball touch.
Sandra

Hi Henna,
you should finish work soon!! and then you can party on:)
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

And 2010 will not be moved out of South Africa unless the construction delays get really bad.

Most of the stadiums are in OK shape and just need some updating and fan amenities. They built a bunch of them for the Rugby World Cup in 1995. And Soccer City just needs a roof.
Henna

hand of God strikes again?
enzo

You bloody, bloody, beauty, Kewell, I feel like giving you one big kiss.
Dan

Harry our saviour! Sorry I bagged you before
James

darn, just when i started thinking my prediction might actually have been right.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Aussie knock-out punch that !
ETucker

what a game!

I hope the Aussies tie and advance!

Go socceroos!
mon

GO GO GO
Henna

Sandra, I’ll be here until midnight, sadly. (Last WC was bliss though — go home, watch three matches, sleep, go back to work — so can’t really complain this time.)
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

Well, well, well. The Aussies have some life left.
Yevy

As a fan of the U.S. team who’s rooting for Croatia, I’m extremely envious of the Aussie squad. Well played mates, no matter how it turns out.
Foobar

Australia is a great team given such relative inexperience. What scrappers!
Henna

arrgh chewing my nails down again …
Sandra

NO NO NO!!!
Ukrainian Hooligan

Screw ronaldo that fat f%^& comment this game where people trying to win.
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

Congrats to AUS, here’s hoping they hold on…. Maybe I’ll have to adopt a new team besides Brasil and Espanya.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

Well, that’s about it for Croatia.
Tom

ouch, emerton’s gone
James

Dueling reds? Should make for an interesting finale.
jegen

kewell is my PRESIDENT….!!
Henna

what was the second yellow for?
Tom

Handball
ETucker

Note to self: World Cup referees have been instructed to ruin any chance the Croats and the US may have had of advancing.
Sam

Poor Croatia. They’ve played really well.
Henna

thanks Tom … I’d kill for visuals right now …
Sam

ETucker: The refs are always against the losers, I guess. I mean, who else are you going to blame losing on?
ETucker

Australia just needs to play keep away now…
Tom

wow, kovac just wide
James

Sam’s right. It’s easy to blame ourselves for the loss, but it’s even easier to blame the blind, slow, incompetent refs.
ETucker

Hey: I am against all the yellow and red cards given.

In the US-Italy game, I was the first to say that Totti should not have been given a yellow card.

if FIFA is going to call teh World Cup like this, then they need to make sure the qualifiers are called the same way.
Trinichica

brasil triumph again..
freakaholic

nerve racking.

“Is Ford Field wide enough? Seems like they built it to NFL dimensions. I don’t think the Silverdome will still be standing in 12 more years. So, probably no dice on Detroit.”

-this is where i saw my only WC game ever. Sweden vs someone…
Raybron

lmfao 3 red cards for simunic
Tom

This ref is embarrassed. Game over. Aussies in!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

so..Italy vs Australia now
freakaholic

can u give cards after u call the game over?
ETucker

The US deserved to lose all three games for negative tactics and the lack of any decent attacking central midfielders.

Bad players plus bad tactics = losses.

Here is how it is: the winner says the ref was right, the loser says he was wrong.

I have no interest in this game, but think the ref was going a good job up until ten minutes ago. Call it tight early to keep it from getting ot of hand!
enzo

You rip tootin hootin mootin fantastic Aussies oi oi oi believable, not unbelievable, great job, well done.
freakaholic

what? they cut away before we find out what the hell happened?
mon

YAY!!!!!!!!! Aussie advances!
Well Played!! Well Played!!!
freakaholic

what does pressing shift do when reloading?
Yevy

Wow, what a strange match. I thought it could get no wierder than Italy-U.S. but I stand corrected. Did David Stern hire these referees?

In any case, props to Australia and good luck against Italy.
Tom

What do you mean freeak?
ETucker

congrats Australia!
Wayneo

Is Suminic the first player in the world to receive three yellow cards in one game? Surely a world record?
James

what exactly did simunic do? in my head he pushed the ref backwards where he tripped over another croat player crouched behind him.
Tom

At the end, I think the ref got too caught up in the game. He called a good one for 97% of the game.

At the end Simunic looked like he shoved the ref, which prompted the ref to red card him. But the game was over before the final goal. So the final red card was just the ref saying “F you” you Simunic, I think.
James

was the three red cards a typo? or did he really not get sent off after his second yellow? damn you job!!! why must i wait to watch it on tape?
Foobar

Bad sport, Simunic. Nobody like a sore loser.
Tom

He didn’t get sent off after the 3rd yellow. I presume the ref lost count? That’s a firing.
freakaholic

most of the time, when i reload, i get an error screen that says to press “shift” and reload. then it works. just wondering why “shift” is better.
freakaholic

just happened again:

Hold Shift Key and click ‘Reload/Refresh’

And the page you’re looking for should appear. Due to massive numbers of people visiting World Cup Blog, we’re trying to keep up. Refreshing the page should get you where you wanted to go.
Tom

I believe shift+f5 resets the socket connection or something.
Soccer

That second goal should have not counted. Croatia deserved the victory.
Tom

err not socket connection…I mean the web browser cache.
AK

F**KKKKKK YEAH
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OI OI OI
AK

Croatia deserved nothing…Second goal made up for all the sh** the ref missed!!!!
Mason

Wow… Just switched over from BRA-JAP to catch the last two minutes of this one. That was um… Weird? I didn’t know you could get three yellow cards in a game.

Anyway, major props to OZ.
Foobar

Something is seriously wrong with these FIFA refs. He missed two fouls that were penalties for the Aussies. He allowed an offside goal by Australia. He should have sent Suminic off after the 2nd yellow card, but gave him a 3rd and a red after the final whistle.

He constantly called fouls against Viduka when it was obviously him getting fouled.

Maybe if the refs aren’t getting any respect in this series there’s a good reason!
madne0

This is blatant robbery from The Guardian’s (UK) World Cup coverage page, but it’s just too hilarious to let it go:

“90 min: Another red card! But… Graham Poll, who is a stupid bastard, is not getting the final, we can tell you that for nothing. After fouling Kennedy, Simunic is booked for a second time. He walks… then comes back when he realises Poll isn’t going to show red. Ho ho hoh dear.

FULL TIME: Croatia 2 – 2 Australia Ha ha ha, Graham Poll is a complete clown. After a scramble in the box, Viduka sets about forcing the ball home for Australia… but Poll blows up for full time, Clive Thomas style, with the ball about to cross the line. He disallows the goal – not that it matters – but then he decides to book Simunic for a third time – and sends him off. He then blows up for full time AGAIN… before driving off the pitch in a car with square wheels.

Honk! Honk! The doors have just fallen off Poll’s car, and there are jets of steam coming out of the engine. Let’s hope nobody agrees to smell his funny flower!”
Jon

Now, if Croatia had scored at 91′, 92′ and Suminic was in any way involved, would Australia have reason to protest the game? Because that has to be an obvious situation where NON-SUBJECTIVE referee error would’ve screwed the game.
Kevin

MOORE scored the penalty, and SRNA scored the free kick
Yonatan

Where is Australia?
Bobbio

Simunic got three yellow cards! hahaha!
http://www.cablog.com.au adrian

Err, post match summary has Cahill scoring Australia’s penalty, scored in fact by Craig Moore.
hoa

Socceroos deserved a draw. The ref was awful, I bet FIFA will send him home after this game.
http://australia.worldcupblog.org vlado

All I can say is “BRING BACK SCHWARZER!!!”
AK

Give kalac to the croatians
Luc

Yonatan asks where is Australia, I ask where is Mexico. Such an ‘important’ country filled with beaners who smuggle drugs and illegally enter their closest neighbour. Where’s the honour in that. At least everything Australia has, she has worked for, the hard way. Whether it be fighting the Japanese back in World War II (good allies btw) to entering the final 16 today, it never comes easy. But in the end, the underdog pulls through.
Gus

That has definetly got to be a world cup record, THREE YELLOW CARDS TO THE SAME PLAYER IN ONE GAME (Simunic), if you don’t believe me read the blog, 60:30, 89:00 an 93:00. I also taped the game so I have video proof!

Excellent result for Australia, bring on Italy! (who is the other team that has played a game with 3 red cards, but not 3 yellow to the same player). I guess we all know what to expect :) Though I hope it’s played nicely and fairly.
Bobbio

Australia is that small island next to New Zealand, I think.
Trapper

Luc, there’s no need to bag Mexico because of the statements of one half-wit.

If you want a WWII reference, if the Third Reich had started in Mexico then the US would be the “cheese-eating surrender monkeys” they deride France as.

Just enjoy being through to the Round of 16. God, I love saying that.
Aunt Samuela

Ewww, Luc, why are you hating on Mexicans? Don’t turn potential fans away from your team. “Beaners” is a very offensive term. And most of the southwest US was once part of Mexico so learn your history.
Luc

Let’s get those Italians Mussolini style. Drag them around town behind our jeeps, then hang them by their heels upside in the town square.
Gus

@Luc

Hey, c’mon, keep it down. Yonathan only asked where Australia was. He didn’t start insulting the country or it’s people.
Anyways, as a Mexican-Australian, I can tell you most mexicans neither smuggle drugs and are indeed hard workers. 20 million mexicans (equal to the population of Australia, BTW) are currently earning a hard living in the USA, while 100 million more are doing the best they can in the country of their birth. Australians are luckier since they can earn their their living in their own country thorugh their hard work, and indeed have every reason to be proud of it.

Credit to both Australia and Mexico to making it to the second round, both with 4 pts BTW (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss). Good luck to both in the second round against previous WC winners! Go Australia! and Go México!
Bobbio

Luc, you’re letting Australia down.
Sunny

Somebody ban this arsehole Luc.

Great game Australia. Good luck against Italy!
Trapper

Hear, hear, Gus.

(nb I shouldn’t have responded to him as I did, politics has no place in this blog)
Aunt Samuela

Ah, Gus it sounds like you or your family picked a good country to emigrate to. My Aussie friends say you all get like 4 weeks of paid vaction and other social benefits.
Anyways, my family didn’t cross the border, the border crossed us.
Arriba Mexico! Arriba Australia!
matilda

Poll was doing fine until the end. Then he lost control and it turned into The Twilight Zone. Did he blow the final whistle twice? 3 yellow cards given to the one player!? Oh dear, oh dear. It took me a minute to realise we’d actually made it through…

Spider is a great guy off the pitch but for the love of God somebody please put Schwarzer back in goal for the Italy game. That second Croatian goal was like slapstick comedy…. but not funny.

p.s I know about 5 people have said this already but Moore scored the Oz penalty.
konno

simunic

you sound like a collingwood supporter! open your other eye man.

drunk refs!
invalid penalty!
offside!

you do know that players cannot touch the ball with their hands
dont you? or do you!
Simunic

Well, well, well… does anyone still believe that the world cup isn’t fixed?

Let’s see.

Australia plays, and they have not one, but three, English referees.

But never mind the conspiracies. Let’s look at the results:

Australia manages to draw 2-2 to go through to the next round, which is all they needed to do. In other words, they didn’t play to win, and they wouldn’t even have drawn under normal circumstances. But these were not normal circumstances. Their goals? One false penalty and one offside goal.

Three English referees, and none of them see anything.

The main one, Graham Poll, appears to be drunk (again).

Countless times the game was stopped to award Australia with free kicks out of the blue, even when there was no player contact. Countless times this was done at either end of the pitch. Three English referees, and none of them called each other out??? Try three blind mice, or rather, three blind rats.

Let me repeat: an invalid penalty, an off-side goal, and at least one drunk referee (and three Brits, which will never guarantee fairness or sober (pun intended) judgement).

The cretin of the match, Graham Poll, couldn’t even keep count of the amount of yellow cards he was awarding Croatian players. If that doesn’t suggest deliberate intent, I don’t know what does. All that can be said, however, at this point is that anyone who thinks the World Cup isn’t fixed to one degree or another is a blazing moron.

Remember Peter (goal awarded for pulling hair) Crouch, anyone?

Oh yes, another Brit…

What a f#$%ing joke. The only thing that remains to do is to applaud Croatia for a match they truly won and to think of them when Australia embarass themselves against Italy.

Unless, of course, there will be drunk Brits refereeing.
Mason

@ Gus
Hopefullly the USSF will start tapping into that population for it’s player pool. All the more reason for quicker citizenship. :-P
Bobbio

Oh come on, Croatia got away with countless fouls committed in the penelty area, and Poll forgetting to send Simunic off was actually a huge advantage to Croatia. If the ref was favouring anyone, it was Croatia.
Trapper

Simunic, did you even see your name-sake pulling Viduka down for a penalty that wasn’t given?

Did you see your name-sake being allowed to stay on the pitch after two yellow-cards?

Do you understand that Croatia only got their 2nd goal because of a woeful error from Kalac?

I’m not sure what the shots-on-goal stats were… Do you really think that would favour Croatia?

Croatia was lucky to have nine men on the field at the end.

On the plus side I hear the Croat fans hung around in the stadium to sing with the Aussies. Nice.
hoa

I think the bad calls go both ways. Both teams play well but the Socceroos (you should love this nickname!!) deserved a draw if not a win. They attacked more and have more chances than Croatia.
Italy should watch out for Australia. if they dont give the socceroos due respect, nobody will be surprised if Italy go home after the second round.
A Final note: Although I do not think Socceroos got favor from the refs in this game, I do think that England refs was a poor choice for such an important game.
matilda

Awwww that’s cool Trapper. It’s football not World War 3. ;)

Poll didn’t do us any favours and we deserved to get through.
Trapper

Thanks matilda (I’ve noticed your posts before, you ‘lil voice-of-reason you *S*)
boca

I think simunic is the one who’s drunk Poll had a terrible game, even comical towards the ends but not funny.
Australia played to win! We had 4 strikers on plus all of our attacking midfields, geez
the shot count at half time 9-2 in favour of the aussies. Its Croatia who were defending the lead.
Mate, were you watching the same game? I guess if you lose, your first reaction is denial! Its understandable!
Australia should have got another penalty for another handball by the same Croatian player. I reckon that guy wants to be a goalkeeper.
Last Point, SUCK it UP! you lost!
Johann

“croats escaped to australia running away from the allied forces after their german and italian fascist friends lost the war…croats slaughtered hundrends of thousands of people with knives,axes,sledgehammers, anything u can think of…that’s why they were singing the opposing team’s anthem at the start of the game” – Alex

No Alex, you’re wrong. Croats came to Australia fleeing Communist persecution. Just because they were nationalists doesn’t make them “war criminals”. The worst war criminals of post-ww2 Europe were the Marxist filth who took advantage of the devastation and slaughtered and raped millions of Eastern European Christians(which was the worst genocide of the 20th century). If someone was a Christian(esp Catholic) they were immediately labelled a “fascist” by the bigoted anti-Christian anti-European left-wing scum who were put in control of rebuilding Europe(aka raping it) after the war.

So don’t judge people who fled to Australia in the face of genocide until you know the facts.
Jezza

Three things:

1) Graham Poll had the mother of all shockers – and roger me sideways if he didn’t have it coming. Economy class back to Tring, and no mistake.
2) Kalac is actually under contract with AC Milan. What!?
3) It remains unlikely that Saint Guus will take a team to the semifinals for the third time in a row, but if the ‘Roos get a result against Italy all bets are off. You remember what happened to Italy in the second round last time, didn’t you? Actually, get Graham Poll on the blower – I might have a job for him…
Johann

Also, i assume “Luc” is an American living in Australia. We don’t use the word “beaner”(if we did, we’d have to apply it to ourselves as the national diet is 50% baked beans) and he/she said Australia was “a good ally” in WW2, implying a good ally to his/her nation.
pimpmyPR

Fantastic stuff from the Aussies. Wish I was “down the rocks” tonight. As a Scot, living in California, it’s good to see one of the colonies doing well. ;-)

Now please STUFF the horrible boring Italians.
David

Well done Australia. You showed the world that you’re capable of playing with the big boys of soccer. You dominated Croatia almost from start to finish and thoroughly deserved to go through. Even though there were a few valid penalty calls for Australia that were not called, you kept on fighting and eventually received the rewards. You’ve done the nation proud!!! Continue the good run. You’re no longer the Soccerwhos.
pimpmyPR

Can I just say this referee is no longer in Poll position to ref the final?
aussiesinthe16

Sour grapes from the Croats…no surprise. Hope you enjoy the taste of them while the aussies are still competing in the WC and you’re back under whatever rock you crawled out from…

Go aussies, you blooooody beauties!
Nicolas

I’m not croatian i just hate racists

Ohh and on a lighter note:

Very embarrassing…when Kewell scored I punched the ground in celebration (why I did this I don’t know) anyway long story short I think I’ve fractured my hand I’m about to go get an X-ray. AND IT GETS WORSE: I had a Law exam today!!!! And now I can’t write…. Anyway very embarrassed.

Peace to all.
TeoCorkalo

Croatia could not defeat
a girls high school team.
go back gypsies and play for your yankee rock bands
and leave the football to professional footballers.
Luc

What? Me racist? Nah man. I just get a bit sick and tired of people trying to kick the underdog. Asking a question like “Where is Australia” Is almost as ignorant as not understanding things like Southwest USA once being part of Mexico.

I’ve been to America, I’ve seen the streets of LA, i’ve seen illegal aliens parade around for citizenship. By the way, I don’t think the term ‘beaner’ is offensive.

So, bring on Italy, or Mexico, or anyone, because when it comes down to it. It’s just our 11 men, vs your 11. And the thing is, our men don’t fall over and cry like little kiddy baby whiners.

:)
Pubtee

My 11 year old son said this morning with tears in his eyes, “mum, it feels like we just won the world cup”.
For us today, we got up at 4am, opened the pub, cooked a free brekkie for all, well the 40 that showed up!!! Better result than the 10 fanatics (including us) that did the other 2 games. Fear, trepidation, pride…. What else is there to say????? Go the Aussies, who said we couldn’t do it? and on a final note!
LG (Lifes Good) I mean
Lifes GUUS,
NO GUUS NO GLORY,
and GUSS WHO MADE IT!!!!!!
LUV ALL YOU AUSSIE SUPPORTERS, ;)
WATCH OUT ITALY………GUSS (cause) we’re comin
Pubtee

Yonaton

If you don’t know where Australia is, let’s just keep it that way!!!!
We Aussies are a strange bunch, love or hate the sport, we get behind and support ALL OUR TEAMS and I am just as PROUD today as I was yesterday and will be tommorrow to be Australian, but then you wouldn’t understand that!!!
May all your stubbies taste like cats piss, or at least smell like it!!!!!!!!!!
CTL

Well done Australia! Your reward is to meet Italy in the next round. Marco Bresciano, do what Ahn Jung Hwan did to Italy in the last World Cup! Knock them out while playing for a Seria A side!

For those who are familiar with the EPL, Graham Poll is a complete and utter idiot who was hoping to become the star of the match himself. Three yellow cards and an unoriginal Clive Thomas imitation? Auf Wiedersehen, sucker!

Singapore’s Shamsul Maidin (1st man to red card a player in 2006 and 4th highest yellow card tally ever in a match!) to referee the cup final!
Nuku

Memo: Mr Arena

What was that you were saying about us Aussies just making up the numbers at the WC?

Have a nice flight home…were staying for a little longer if that’s OK with you.

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
http://www.expatworldcup.com super_si

Absolutely brilliant result for Australia. I couldn’t believe the scenes in Sydney this morning at 7.00am – on my way to work. Crowds everywhere in green and gold, bars over flowing, singing, car horns blaring, flags waving – FANTASTIC.

As an Ex Pat Pom I’ve now got to confront the possibility that Australia might last longer in the competition than England – I’ll never live it down.

Do you know a good place to watch the Australia v Italy game in the States – http://www.expatworldcup.com??
Andy

Nuku! Exactly what I was thinking of writing. The only thing better than meeting the US in the next round and whipping their arses (asses) was going through on a night they packed their bags. Not that I hate the US players – I just disdain their coach! Bah bah, Brucey-boy!
http://www.soccerfairy.com/liveblog-croatia-australia.html Soccer Fairy » LiveBlog: Croatia-Australia

[...] Permanant link to this post (58 words, estimated 14 secs reading time)Original post by Peter and Elliott Back More On: [...]
http://www.pcplay.hr/forum/ Prince-Artas

Graham Poll is an IDIOT.
He helped us again Australia 2006.
He helped us win Italy 2002.

He is an IDIOT. He shoudnt be referee
TANHP

All in all, Croats only have themselves to be blamed…..they sat back everytime they got the lead and let Australia to have a go at them. Be it a bad referee, bad penalty calls, bad offside decision …etc etc, Aussie deserves it! I do not think i would like to see a defensive style of play in the knock out stage (boring!)
So, Aussie…good on ya!
timaah

Jass you are a tool. how can you seriously say that Australia was advantaged by the refereeing. get out of my country you clown.
timaah

ETucker, you’re a tool too.
timaah

By God there’s an even better contender. Simunic you’re a goddamn power plant. three yellow cards to you too. i’m guessing you’re a disgraceful traitor like your namesake. A proud Croat would bite their tongue and if pushed ackowledge that they got an armchair ride from the referee and still couldn’t win. Australia should have received two more penalties and simunic, (oh that’s you isn’t it?) should have been sent off before the ten minute mark. croatia were crap. bye bye.
Andrei De Souza

Canada would be ideal, but there lacks political will to build and/or upgrade stadiums. The last stadiums built were the Skydome in Toronto in 1988 and Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton in 1978. The Skydome is smallish (54,000) has artificial turf, and is configured for Canadian football and baseball. Commonwealth is bigger, but the stands are so far back to accomodate the athletics track.
Canada would need at least 2 new large stadiums: Toronto, Vancouver, and 4 significant upgrades/expansions in Ottawa, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Victoria. Montreal Olympic stadium is huge, but has no grass.
Prince-Artas

off topic.
croatia – england 2:0
FFS

sad a fa w awwaaw fa f nn faf bava dfda r z zzu iii a daf ea t
CROTALIAN

mate croatia is the best country in the world and harrys offside goal was a fluke and it should have been the croats making it through
CROTALIAN

mate croatia is the best country in the world and harrys offside goal was a fluke and it should have been the croats making it through
CROTALIAN

mate croatia is the best country in the world and harrys offside goal was a fluke and it should have been the croats making it through. you racist fag z im sorry but i think the socceroos are 45th in the world and should stick to the asian cup where they can play there own teams like bahrain and iraq
mad max

I guess Australia is the most racist country i have ever seen. In every forum or blog aussies are saying bad stuff about croatia that isnt even tru. This makes me sick.
Saying Australia is better than croatia is just foolish. If Aus is better then why did it take so long for us to get in to WC and why are we still in rank 40+ and croatia is 14th (was 6th a few months ago).