Lots of red as Matilda Waltzes again
Australia go through to the next round of the World Cup with Brazil, following a 2-2 draw with Croatia. Japan failed to beat the reigning champions, going down 4-1, giving Australia their first chance at the World Cup knockout stage.
There were 3 Red cards that night, coming of 2 Croatians and 1 Australian. Amazingly, Josip Simunic was given THREE yellow cards. And this all happens in the last 8 minutes. Yow.
Darijo Srna opened the Croatians account early, with a powerful free kick that beat second choice keeper Zeljko Kalac. In the first minute, Captain Mark Viduka took down Captain Niko Kovac to give Croatia a free kick, and Srna wasted no time in putting the ball in the back of the net to give them a lead in the 2nd minute.
Mark Viduka is brought down by an unknown Croatian player in the penalty box, but no foul is given by the referee, or indicated by his assistant. Replays however clearly show a Croatian arm wrapped around his waist.
Australia draw level in the 38th minute however, after Stjepan Tomas handled the ball in the penalty area. Somehow, there have been a LOT of hand balls this tournament. Anyone keeping count? I have at least 5 or 6 in the penalty area. Craig Moore steps up and duly puts the penalty kick past Stipe Pletikosa to draw Australia level. They deserve it after all that pressure they put on the Croatian defense.
In the second half however, the Australians were left wondering if Zeljko Kalac was playing for them or against them. He fumbled a weak looking shot from Niko Kovac to give Croatia the lead in the 58th minute.
Kewell then defied his critics, striking with his right foot in the 80th minute. While he normally favours his left foot, Kewell showed why he earned the man of the match title by shooting past Pletikosa for the equaliser.
Then, it all became confusing.
Dario Simic received his second yellow card in the 86th minute, after a rash tackle. He had earlier received his first yellow by throwing a ball away from an overeager Australian. He goes of with the first red card of the match.
The next yellow card from the referee is given to Brett Emerton from Australia, after a Croatian kick caused the ball to contact his upper arm. He was given a yellow for the handball, and as that was his second, he too was sent off.
Josip Simunic then received his SECOND yellow card in the 91st minute, after a terrible tackle on Joshua Kennedy. He is shown a red card, but he still stays on the field and continues play.
Then, after Cahill scores, and the goal disallowed in the 92nd minute, Simunic argues with the referee on some dubious item. He is given a yellow card *again* and a red card *again*. He doesn't have time to go off however when the referee blows the whistle for full time.
Australia go through to meet Italy. One wonders what Lygon street down in Melbourne is going to be like. Knowing the fiercely patriotic Italians down there, its gonna be interesting.
There were 3 Red cards that night, coming of 2 Croatians and 1 Australian. Amazingly, Josip Simunic was given THREE yellow cards. And this all happens in the last 8 minutes. Yow.
Darijo Srna opened the Croatians account early, with a powerful free kick that beat second choice keeper Zeljko Kalac. In the first minute, Captain Mark Viduka took down Captain Niko Kovac to give Croatia a free kick, and Srna wasted no time in putting the ball in the back of the net to give them a lead in the 2nd minute.
Mark Viduka is brought down by an unknown Croatian player in the penalty box, but no foul is given by the referee, or indicated by his assistant. Replays however clearly show a Croatian arm wrapped around his waist.
Australia draw level in the 38th minute however, after Stjepan Tomas handled the ball in the penalty area. Somehow, there have been a LOT of hand balls this tournament. Anyone keeping count? I have at least 5 or 6 in the penalty area. Craig Moore steps up and duly puts the penalty kick past Stipe Pletikosa to draw Australia level. They deserve it after all that pressure they put on the Croatian defense.
In the second half however, the Australians were left wondering if Zeljko Kalac was playing for them or against them. He fumbled a weak looking shot from Niko Kovac to give Croatia the lead in the 58th minute.
Kewell then defied his critics, striking with his right foot in the 80th minute. While he normally favours his left foot, Kewell showed why he earned the man of the match title by shooting past Pletikosa for the equaliser.
Then, it all became confusing.
Dario Simic received his second yellow card in the 86th minute, after a rash tackle. He had earlier received his first yellow by throwing a ball away from an overeager Australian. He goes of with the first red card of the match.
The next yellow card from the referee is given to Brett Emerton from Australia, after a Croatian kick caused the ball to contact his upper arm. He was given a yellow for the handball, and as that was his second, he too was sent off.
Josip Simunic then received his SECOND yellow card in the 91st minute, after a terrible tackle on Joshua Kennedy. He is shown a red card, but he still stays on the field and continues play.
Then, after Cahill scores, and the goal disallowed in the 92nd minute, Simunic argues with the referee on some dubious item. He is given a yellow card *again* and a red card *again*. He doesn't have time to go off however when the referee blows the whistle for full time.
Australia go through to meet Italy. One wonders what Lygon street down in Melbourne is going to be like. Knowing the fiercely patriotic Italians down there, its gonna be interesting.
posted by Dragon_4eva at 6:42 AM
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