SA Footy

I watched the last half of Hawthorn v Essendon Friday night.

I watch some soccer, get bored and turn it off.

It's certainly the world game, but time to dispel some myths.

The beautiful game? - you're kidding: cheating, diving, acting.

A tough game? - lol, players writhing in agony when someone breathes on them (unless they're acting - see point 1).

A skilful game? - vastly high percentage of mistakes and the most common statement by the commentators is "how did he not score there". I'd also like to see how the skill level would stand up if they had an Aussie Rules player running at them with evil intent. There wouldn't be a player left on the pitch

Fair results? - because of the rarity of goals, referee's (often wrong) decisions often decide games. After the often 0-0 after 120 minutes, we get major tournaments decided on who can kick penalties.

I didn't watch last night's game, but saw the replay of the Kewell incident, shook my head and looked forward to watching Buddy Franklin show what skill really is, or Westies putting their heads over the footy.

There, I feel better now

redandblack wrote:I watched the last half of Hawthorn v Essendon Friday night.

I watch some soccer, get bored and turn it off.

It's certainly the world game, but time to dispel some myths.

The beautiful game? - you're kidding: cheating, diving, acting.

A tough game? - lol, players writhing in agony when someone breathes on them (unless they're acting - see point 1).

A skilful game? - vastly high percentage of mistakes and the most common statement by the commentators is "how did he not score there". I'd also like to see how the skill level would stand up if they had an Aussie Rules player running at them with evil intent. There wouldn't be a player left on the pitch

Fair results? - because of the rarity of goals, referee's (often wrong) decisions often decide games. After the often 0-0 after 120 minutes, we get major tournaments decided on who can kick penalties.

I didn't watch last night's game, but saw the replay of the Kewell incident, shook my head and looked forward to watching Buddy Franklin show what skill really is, or Westies putting their heads over the footy.

There, I feel better now

I agree. Its a no contest. The fact that soccer can be decided on a poor referee decision is a disgrace. I really couldn't be less interested in a sport

I agree that there is a lot of frustration associated with watching soccer, but probably only the same level as watching any professional sport. I appreciate both games, but the thing that really gets my attention with the current soccer being played is that it truly is on the world stage - that every game is massive for whole countries, rather than the 'big fish in a little pond' feeling of Australian football games.

If I had to choose one out of the two, I'd go with footy, but I definitely enjoy both.

Can't wait until the World Cup is over. Hopefully with Australia bowing out in straight sets, all the hype will die in the arse.

The only reason footy isnt global is that all other countries have accepted they will never reach our level!

I enjoy English soccer (Premier - League 2), but most European leagues and all Internationals are an absolute borefest where everyone is trying to not make mistakes rather than take a risk. YAWN.

My tip- watch the World Cup highlights on Fox sports. Get a whole night worth wrapped up in 5 mins...

MatteeG wrote:The only reason footy isnt global is that all other countries have accepted they will never reach our level!
I enjoy English soccer (Premier - League 2), but most European leagues and all Internationals are an absolute borefest where everyone is trying to not make mistakes rather than take a risk. YAWN.
My tip- watch the World Cup highlights on Fox sports. Get a whole night worth wrapped up in 5 mins...

Yep, that's about the only way it wouldn't be total boredom..

Bum Crack wrote:Can't wait until the World Cup is over. Hopefully with Australia bowing out in straight sets, all the hype will die in the arse.

Anyone who wishes for their country to be done is a wanker. Full stop. WANKER. No matter what sport I'd never wish for Australia to be eliminated. Piss weak comment Arsehole Crack.

Preaching (mostly) to the converted here RAB.

And MatteeG, your World Cup Viewing advice applies equally well to the cricket. Get the result off the evening news and 2 mins worth of highlights.

SJABC wrote:

Bum Crack wrote:Can't wait until the World Cup is over. Hopefully with Australia bowing out in straight sets, all the hype will die in the arse.

Anyone who wishes for their country to be done is a wanker. Full stop. WANKER. No matter what sport I'd never wish for Australia to be eliminated. Piss weak comment Arsehole Crack.

Refer to my above comment. My opinion hasn't changed. It's a crap game and I can't wait until the world cup is over. I wasn't actually saying I hope Australia is eliminated. I was saying that now that they are going to be eliminated, (which is more than likely), hopefully the hype will die in the arse. Get over it mate.

I've been genuinely enjoying the World Cup this time around. I love the fact that every country has its own distinct nuances which keeps matchups interesting and helps explain why a team like Germany can look like world beaters in one game and cream puffs the next. At this level, the general atmos, the nervous anticipation of scoring and emotional release when it comes is better than....well, lots of things!

But, as good as the Socceroos were last night, games like that really test one's commitment and go a long way to explaining why soccer will never be accepted as a viable mainstream sport equal to Aussie Rules, rugby or cricket in this country. It goes against the grain and fairweather supporters, like my Dad who reluctantly promised me he would give it a go last night, won't ever be converted.

SJABC wrote:

Bum Crack wrote:Can't wait until the World Cup is over. Hopefully with Australia bowing out in straight sets, all the hype will die in the arse.

Anyone who wishes for their country to be done is a wanker. Full stop. WANKER. No matter what sport I'd never wish for Australia to be eliminated. Piss weak comment Arsehole Crack.

I'm hurt that you called me a wanker too.

They are both great games .. I don't think soccer is a tough sport but I certainly think it's highly skilled.

As for the diving, cheating, feigning injury etc yeah that's my biggest grievance with the game .. But it's not too dissimilar to watching Aussie rules blokes stuffing the ball under an opponent and getting him HTB, or dropping to their knee's in a tackle

CP, my main problem is that people keep saying it's highly skilled.

I've watched a lot of soccer and I'm just not convinced about the skill level. Of course, like all sports, when you see something special, it's great, but most of the games I watch seem consistent in that the skill level is disappointing. This is part of it being such a frustrating game. These types of sports are often good to play, but not so good to watch.

It certainly is the world game, no arguments there, but that's more an accident of history and culture, rather than anything else.

I'd venture that our game is vastly more skilled than soccer and the skills have to be executed under extreme physical pressure usually.

As for comparing trying to get a holding the ball decision with the cheating and feigning injury, that's drawing a very long bow.

How many people play Soccer.

How many people play Aussie Rules.

With the right marketing, soccer could have improved in Australia.

It is a Great Pity that Soccer in Australia didn't have the right people running it from the beginning.

We had many prejidices just after WW11 when the immagrants came out to Australia.

And very good soccer players.

Dog_ger is probably wrong again.

I for one, was educated in Aussie Rules and never encouraged to play soccer.

It's not wrong, but thats the way it was.

There is room for both.

Not a huge soccer fan, I enjoy watching the attacking games.

I just think there is something nice in allowing yourself to be swept up in the hype of a major sporting tournament.

I shared the same view of a number of other posters regarding soccer being a crap game. I never got into it at all .... then I moved to London. After living in the UK for 6 years I now love the game, although the diving, cheating etc does still sh!t me a bit.

I know that this isn't a super serious debate, but what is wrong with enjoying all the ball sports we play in Australia? I'm not a massive fan of Rugby League, but I enjoy watching football on tv and at the game regardless of which code .... AFL, Soccer, League or Union.

As for skill level/physical attributes/decision making, for me AFL involves the greatest. A good player needs good hands and feet skills, physical strength and toughness and superior aerobic fitness to the other codes mentioned.

Constance_Perm wrote:They are both great games .. I don't think soccer is a tough sport but I certainly think it's highly skilled.

As for the diving, cheating, feigning injury etc yeah that's my biggest grievance with the game .. But it's not too dissimilar to watching Aussie rules blokes stuffing the ball under an opponent and getting him HTB, or dropping to their knee's in a tackle

CP, I actually am one to disagree that it's a highly skilled game. Blatant misses from close range, blasts that go over the bar, or wide of the goals, when no pressure is applied.... I really don't think it's as highly skilled as everyone talks.

redandblack wrote:CP, my main problem is that people keep saying it's highly skilled.

I've watched a lot of soccer and I'm just not convinced about the skill level. Of course, like all sports, when you see something special, it's great, but most of the games I watch seem consistent in that the skill level is disappointing. This is part of it being such a frustrating game. These types of sports are often good to play, but not so good to watch.

It certainly is the world game, no arguments there, but that's more an accident of history and culture, rather than anything else.

I'd venture that our game is vastly more skilled than soccer and the skills have to be executed under extreme physical pressure usually.

As for comparing trying to get a holding the ball decision with the cheating and feigning injury, that's drawing a very long bow.

Couldn't agree more R&B... unless I'd written it myself

redandblack wrote:I watched the last half of Hawthorn v Essendon Friday night.

I watch some soccer, get bored and turn it off.

It's certainly the world game, but time to dispel some myths.

The beautiful game? - you're kidding: cheating, diving, acting.

A tough game? - lol, players writhing in agony when someone breathes on them (unless they're acting - see point 1).

A skilful game? - vastly high percentage of mistakes and the most common statement by the commentators is "how did he not score there". I'd also like to see how the skill level would stand up if they had an Aussie Rules player running at them with evil intent. There wouldn't be a player left on the pitch

Fair results? - because of the rarity of goals, referee's (often wrong) decisions often decide games. After the often 0-0 after 120 minutes, we get major tournaments decided on who can kick penalties.

I didn't watch last night's game, but saw the replay of the Kewell incident, shook my head and looked forward to watching Buddy Franklin show what skill really is, or Westies putting their heads over the footy.

There, I feel better now

disagree, footy fan but enjoy the big soccer games, united and the aussies!