The day after

I had to wait a while before I came back. I had to wait for the feeling to settle in, to comprehend what happened, to digest the significance and then to deal with it.

Somehow the Spanish referee saw something that others did not. He pointed to the spot and sank nearly 20 million hearts. It was cruel, it was unjust and it was tough to see that this was how the Socceroos would go out of the world cup.

This was the second of two bad decisions that changed the face of this match. The first was a very harsh red card that was awarded to Marco Materazzi. It was unjustified as he made more contact with his team mate that Bresciano. With the card, the Italians tightened their defence, making it very hard for Australia to take advantage of the extra man and penetrate their box. Plus Australia did not attack the flanks enough, settling to go through the centre where the most resitance was met.

I guess as a fledgeling club in world football, we paid a price for our inexperience against one of the aristocrats. We seemed to be wiating for extra time, thinking we would have the fitness and man power to get a win. Italy played for a win. Lucas Neill provided an opportunity to Fabio Grosso to paratke in a favourite Italian past time and the rest you know.

We missed Harry Kewell who was unable to play due to injury, which robbed Australia of their most creative player, who could break down defences. Sometimes, one man can make a difference.

But after all the hate to the ref has subsided, after the furore over the penalty has dies down, Australians should be proud. We made the top 16 of the world cup. Australia gave a solid game to world heavyweights Brazil and Italy. We beat Japan and achieved a result against Croatia.

We did well and we should be proud.

The End