I would’ve gone to the game but had to go to Melbourne for work today, which meant getting up really early (3.45 am) and I’m way too tired to cope with the journey home to the Central Coast afterwards. Therefore, I am now drinking vino at home and pouring my guts out as the night unfolds…
6.30 pm: I’ve had butterflies since Saturday morning. Couldn’t sleep last night, but they’re really kicking up a storm in the ol’ guts now. I feel confident that we are the better team and will be driven home by a passionate full house…but expect Honduras to have their moments. If Risdon starts, I hope he shows a bit more urgency to get back when we lose possession. Worried about their long ball game when our wing backs are still up field. Prediction: 3 – 0
7.00 pm: onto my second glass. They keep showing Johnny Aloisi’s penalty in 2005. I’ve seen it at least a thousand times but still get a grin on my face every time…and a bit of a lump. Still…confidence rising. Haven’t seen the team yet but hoping to see Millsy in the back three and Jedinak backing up with Luongo and Mooy. Would also like to see Leckie, Cahill and Rogic in the starting XI. Prediction: 4 – 0
7.15 pm: well, I’ve seen the team. Fairly happy with it – very solid defence-wise with Mooy, Rogic and Cahill given the scoring responsibility. If Honduras play as expected – parking the pantechnicon and hitting it long – we ought to be able to cope and break them down eventually, given the quality in our front third. Will be interested to see at what point they start wasting time. Onto my third glass and butterflies easing just a tad. Prediction: 4 – 0
7.30 pm: I reckon Timmy will score tonight – probably the first (unless we get a penalty early). I also reckon Rogic will score, and one of the big backs from a corner. Maybe also Juric when he comes on with the game already won. Trying to slow down on the vino, but the butterflies are coming back. Prediction: 3 – 0
7.45 pm: can’t bear to think about what it would mean if we screw it up. I reckon we’re too good for Los Catrachos – the only way we can lose is by failing to play to our capacity. If we play to 80% of what we’re capable that ought to be enough in front of this crowd. Prediction: 2 – 0
7.55 pm: okay, I am now totally having kittens (despite all the local cats having been spayed). Into my fourth glass. All the Fox Sports people have tipped Australia and some by big margins. I really want to see Tom Rogic finally put his stamp on a meaningful game and tonight’s the night. Prediction: Rogic for MOTM and 3 – 0
8.00 pm: very relieved the anthems went well. Misbehaviour could’ve meant bad karma this time. Excellent singing for the home ditty. Just a tad nervous to learn the referee is from South (Latin) America. Prediction: 2 – 1
8.01 pm: Leckie taken out and should’ve had a free kick, but instead, free kick against Australia! And then Jurman booked! He did get the ball first but that lunge was unwise.
8.08 pm: can hardly bear to watch already.
8.15 pm: Should’ve been two yellow cards for Honduras, but none. Starting to really worry about that referee. And now a bad offside call against Behich!
8.20 pm: we are at least playing all the football but yet to make any clear cut chances.
8.30 pm: pattern continues but I sense the time wasting beginning.
8.35 pm: two bad offside calls against us. Let’s watch this linesman closely in the second half.
8.37 pm: and Rogic should’ve scored from Behich’s excellent cut back. Has to do a lot better there for a player of his quality.
8.40 pm: more time wasting from Izaguirre? Or is he genuinely injured? Turns out he is pissed off about being replaced, so…not really injured? Karma’s a bitch.
8.47 pm: ridiculously bad decision to give Mooy a yellow card for a perfectly fair challenge. Hondurans cheating and officials rewarding them. Starting to get a really bad feeling. Prediction: 1 – 0
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