The team from the Philippines made massive noise courtesy of a huge drum that has its own deckchair-like stand.  

The Irish heralded the Scots with The Pretenders' 500 Miles.  

The Australians diplomatically divided their cheering equally between the teams on the pitch at any given time.  

And the South Africans and Japanese returned the gesture, yelling 'Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi'! in stereo from opposite sides of the pitch when the Street Socceroos took on Malawi. 

There's also been plenty of cheering for the unexpected and emerging spectator sport of falcon spotting as the Milan 2009 pitches are missing the crowd- and media-protecting safety nets that proved so useful in Melbourne in 2008. 

The set up means that no one is safe anywhere, anytime. A Japanese journalist got positively nailed by a stray shot during the warm up for the event's first match, drawing audible gasps from the crowd and commentators.  

She hit the deck and didn't move for an age, with photographers and match officials leaning over her to ensure that she was ok but at the same time-it was clear-quite unsure how to help her. 

My luck ran out on day two when I was interviewing a referee pitch-side and not-as I should have been-watching the game.  

The shot hit me so hard it drew blood and plenty of titters from the crowd-including my brother, who was practically doubled over with laughter-but karma and the falcon tally caught up with him, and he was falconed twice before the day's end.  

The Australian players didn't fare so well either, encountering tough on-court opponents in Portugal and Malawi.  

They did, however, show some seriously impressive team spirit to turn their attitudes and their approach to the game around between the first and second matches of the day. 

The Portuguese played with structure and flair, holding possession and passing the ball patiently between themselves until one of the two Australian defenders committed to a tackle. The space allowed them a clear shot on goal, with keeper Beau Tyson able to do little to stop their bullet-like shots.  

It was the first time the Australians had been tested and frustration showed, with the team losing its shape and struggling to find its rhyrthm against a hustling Portuguese defence. 

Thom Lino was sent from the pitch for a short time after receiving a blue card for allowing his frustration to get the better of him, but in many ways it was the match the team had to have. Even better, it happened early in the tournament.  

A team talk before their next game refocused the players, and they entered the match against Malawi with a renewed determination to play well and have fun. It showed, with the Street Socceroos playing with plenty of cohesion and attacking momentum.  

Fittingly, Lino found the back of the net first with a cracking goal. The diminutive Nabil Hermiz, whose Homeless World Cup ambition was to score 'at least one goal' gave the Street Socceroos their second soon after, celebrating with a joyous fist-pump jump.  

Tyson too was outstanding and seemed to grow in confidence with each shot saved. While Ric Oldridge tried in vain to direct his team mates to block a shot, but then just as quickly embraced and congratulated the Malawi player on their skilful goal.  

In the end Malawi proved too strong for the Australians, defeating them 8-2, but the match marked a turning point in the Street Socceroos' Homeless World Cup campaign. 

Day 3 sees them take on Germany and Belgium.