But players took the slipping in their stride to produce some quality, touching, and even comic football. 

Wales started the morning with a hard-fought match against Norway.  

They went down two goals early but struck back to pile on five goals in quick succession and pull away for an 8-3 victory. 

Just as exciting was their red dragon mascot, who led the passionate Welsh chants from start to finish. They included: 'I'm Wales 'til I die. I know I am. I'm sure I am. I'm Wales 'til I die' and the self-deprecating 'Oh fluffy sheep, oh fluffy sheep, oh fluffy sheep are won-der-ful' which was sung to the tune of When The Saints Go Marching In. 

Belgium might have been beating the Croatian team comfortably in the following match, but they showed touching sportsmanship that drew cheers from the crowd.  

The Croatian keeper slipped outside his area due to the wet surface and was, despite the wet conditions, under Homeless World Cup rules penalised for the out-of-bounds infringement. 

In recognition of the accidental nature of the error and as a gesture of goodwill, the Belgian player deliberately missed the penalty shot, with spectators erupting into appreciative applause. 

The goodwill continued in the Australia versus Kazakhstan games, with the Kazakhs out of competition contention. As a result, the Australians mixed it up, starting star outfield player Thom Lino at keeper. 

Kazakhstan scored first, before Nabil Hermiz, whom coach George Halkias nicknamed 'Nabiliser', equalised.  

Nicole Brennan scored Australia's second goal of the match and her second of the tournament, while Lino, who was clearly enjoying himself in goal, pulled off fingertip saves. 

Dave O'Grady subbed into keeper for the second half, while Beau Tyson, who was equally enjoying the slipping and sliding action, had a run. 

Brennan scored a second goal to level the match score at five apiece, with one spectator yelling encouragement and comedy through a witch's hat, including 'Give it to your start striker [Nicole]!' and another spectator calling out, much to everyone's amusement, 'C'mon Slipperoos!'  

Then the Kazakhstan keeper tipped the ball out of his area and then ever so slightly stepped aside so Brennan could have a crack-and score-her third goal of the match, with the crowd noise tripling in pleased reply. 

Australia will meet Japan in a third and fourth play off in the INSP Networking Trophy section while Portugal and the Ukraine will play off in the grand final for the Homeless World Cup.