I felt sick when that ended.
I cannot think of a more heart-breaking way for Australia to be knocked out. Playing above a 10 man Italy side only to lose to a questionable penalty in the final 8 seconds.
It is like swallowing saw blades.
On a totally bipolar optimistic note (yeah I know. Half full and all that) we can at least think that this World Cup has given Australia the complete fucking soccer experience.
The total shebang. Everything.
- The joy in qualifying for the WC with that dramatic shootout against Uruguay.
- The feeling of loss... the thought that everyone was right about the dismal state Oz soccer. When we were down against Japan, only to come back with 3 goals in an absolutely sensational fashion starting at the 84th minute. Elation.
- An honest loss to a better team. 2-0 down to Brazil. Still, we held our own and walked away heads high. They didn't trump us and the world's best had to give it everything.
- Fighting through awful refereeing and making the final sixteen. Against all odds!
- Dominating previous World Cup holders only to lose in the final dying seconds on a devestating questionable penalty.
Really... that is pretty much the entire football experience wrapped up in the neatest package possible. The awesome highs and sickening lows.
Anyone who has just gotten into soccer over the last few weeks has been given the works in absolute record time - kind of like Neo in the Matrix, when he gets jacked up to that head-syringe and learns Kung Fu instantly.
I was so bitter when Australia got knocked out just before that I had to pause, collect my thoughts and stop glueing leaves to my pet dog... but on the bright side I am completely confident that we were all lucky enough to witness the catalyst that will bring soccer into the Australian mainstream.
That may have been an awful way to end the dream, but it will leave an indelible mark on Australia that will have lasting repercussions for a long time yet.
Think of it as the
James Dean Death of the football world.
The tragic end will lead to a lasting legacy.
Well Done Roo's!
They rose above all expectations and made us all proud.