WOW Australia has made it to the WC!

[ASHOOR]

Amazing to see Australia has made it to the WC!!! Honestly didn’t give them much chance, especially given that they had to go through UAE first then Peru, and today they did it against the latter with some legendary heroics by the goalie.

Wow both Canada and Australia in a WC together!

 

[Crocodile Bani]

It was about 6.30 am Darwin, Australia time when Redmayne made the decisive penalty save and I screamed "YES" so loud that I would have woken up my neighbour's baby.

I did not believe we did it. I have been saying for at least 2 years, Australia have no chance. We no longer have players in the European big leagues. We barely have any in Asia's big leagues.

But Australian teams of all sports have a certain fighting spirit. Plus Peru did not respect us. They beat us 2-0 in Russia2018 and must have heard we are weaker than back then. They said that Australia is a simple team. We were the better team but as per all Australian football teams, we can't score goals, hence the penalty shoot out.

Unfortunately 24 hours later, One of the great injustices occurred. New Zealand outplayed Costa Rica and lost. Ashoor, it was like Brazil v Argentina at Italia90 where Costa Rica had only 1 chance to score and they scored but NZ was stronger. they had a fair goal disallowed by VAR. They had a legitimate penalty claim waved away by the on-field referee and the VAR. Plus they had a yellow card changed to a red card by the video referee (though that one had some merits). Still, one of the cruelest matches of football I have ever seen.

 

[ASHOOR]

Hey Bani, had no idea about NZ playing better, that was too bad honestly, would have been so nice to see them too, alongside Canada and Australia.

If it is not Brazil beating France in the final, the only other final I want is Canada vs. Australia

 

[Crocodile Bani]

Hey Bani, had no idea about NZ playing better, that was too bad honestly, would have been so nice to see them too, alongside Canada and Australia.

If it is not Brazil beating France in the final, the only other final I want is Canada vs. Australia

To be honest, there is no chance of the second scenario.

Also, if recent trends since KoreaJapan2002 continue, your first 1 will not happen.

1998 France won. 2002 Did not score a single goal in the group phase and came last.
2002 Brazil won. 2006 Quarter finalist. The only team that did not follow this horrible trend.
2006 Italy won. 2010 came last in a group that contained New Zealand.
2010 Spain won. 2014 came 3rd and did not go to the second round.
2014 Germany won. 2018 came last in a group after losing to South Korea.

So aside from Brazil in 2010, the world cup defending champions have not come out of the group. Australia has a chance against France in their opening game.

 

[Cascade]

Not a sports fan, but this news made me happy. I wish Australia does good in soccer. I honestly can't stand our 'traditional' sports here (rugby, AFL, cricket). They're such bores. Let's hope one day soccer will be our national sport.