Stand up for the Socceroos

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There may be only one Timmy Cahill, but unfortunately, I didn't get to see why as he was injured and unable to play in the Australia v Ghana clash on Tuesday night.

But all was not lost, I did get to see many of the well known Aussies play - Aloisi, Bresciano, Chipperfield, Emerton, Grella, Moore and Schwarzer play (maybe more - but these are the only ones I have learned since I jumped on the bandwagon in the course of Australia's awesome success in the World Cup). Oh - and Viduka was watching from behind the players box.

A group of 11 of us (there were meant to be 12, but one of the crew was stuck at work) made our way out to Shepard's Bush (home of the Antipodes) to see the game. We had fantastic seats - in the second row about 3/4 of the way along the sideline.

The game was a great opportunity to wear my Socceroos jersey again and to get at least a taste of what it must have been like at the World Cup. Actually - apart from the opportunity to see the game live (my first Socceroos match), I don't think it was anything like the World Cup - while it was fun, there was nothing like the air of excitement (even compared to standing glued to the TV at the Oaks in Sydney during the World Cup).

John Aloisi scored the first goal of the match (making him Australia's second highest goal scorer ever) but Ghana equalised in the 75th minute. Unfortunately the Aussies could not score again (despite lots of attempts) and the game ended in a draw.

In terms of world rankings - Ghana is ranked 24 and Australia is ranked 37, so a draw is a pretty good result.

Only disappointment was that I did not really get to learn any of the Aussie chants as the crowd only said the chants I already knew -

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Let's go Aussie, let's go

And, of course, the old favourite

You are a wanker

(directed at the ref).

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Photos

Team Australia
Singing the anthem

Goal!!
(OK - so it's faked)