Two minutes and one second with Craig Moore

Craig and I had a rather snappy chat right at the end when he had had moore than enough... I felt rather sorry for him that my questions were of such little importance, but anyway, I hope he enjoyed something different. I hardly felt like asking him why he left Greece just to see his eyes glaze over and punch out the same answer he would have given SBS, SMH, Four Four Two, Men's Health, Sport and Style etc etc etc... 

Craig had a easy relaxed manner with the media. As they might well have kept snapping away till the sun went down he was happy to stop them and tell them they'd surely got enough. Good strength of character! 

So, only a slight variation, but here's what I got out of him. 

If you were not a Footballer what would be your profession?

I’d love to work in property - a property developer or something like that.

Out of the ‘Big 5’ in South Africa (Lion, Cheetah, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino) which animal would you like to see?

(Thinks for a while) Cheetah. 

And which would you like to be if you were reincarnated as an animal?

Uhhhh an Elephant – ‘Cos they just stroll about in their own time... And they never forget either.

What’s worse; nothing but a critic or nothing but a dreamer?

Nothing but a critic

Did you eat vegetables when you were a kid?

Loved them!           

Bus or Walk? Catch a bus

Postecoglou or Farina? Farina! All day long, allllll day long!

Einstein or Shakespeare? Einstein

Morning training or afternoon? Morning

Sea or land? Sea

PC or Mac? Mac

Ta da! 

2 minutes and 39 seconds with Tommy Oar

Photo thanks to Matt Reed

Tommy Oar is to the Australian football media what Justin Bieber is to a 12 year old hyperventilating
 girl. He's still a spring chicken at 18 and has been given some great opportunities in the last year. With an Australian Socceroos appearance, a great season at Brisbane Roar and a signing with Dutch club FC Utrecht to boot. 

I had a little chat to him yesterday at the Nike launch. He seemed very lovely and not yet jaded by all this commotion. Hopefully the older boys don't corrupt him! 


Here are the very important questions that I asked... 

If you were not a Footballer what's one thing would you like to be?

I’ve been involved in football since I was young so I don’t think it would be a very good thing – For a dream thing definitely a Rock Star!

Out of the Big 5 in South Africa (Cheetah, Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino) which would you most like to see if you get to go?

Definitely the Lion

And which one would you most like to be?

Probably the Elephant, that way you don’t have any prey

You’re driving in a car and the light goes orange; do you speed up or slow down?

Speed up!

If you’re in a restaurant and the food isn’t what you expect do you get them to take it back or do you just eat it?

I definitely wouldn’t get them to take it back

If Australia gets to host the World Cup for 2018 or 22 which city should host the final?

Probably being biased but I reckon the Gold Coast

Bus or Walk? Walk

Postecoglou or Farina? No comment!

Einstein or Shakespeare? Shakespeare

PC or Mac? Mac

Gaga or Beyonce? Neither!

Sea or land? Land

Multi-choice or essay? Multi choice

Fruit or Veg? Fruit

Nike's Socceroos Jersey Extravaganza!

A sunny Sydney morning on the harbour was the perfect location for Craig Moore and Tommy Oar to show off Nike's new 2010 Socceroos jersey.

The lovely Nike team invited me along to the press call, which included a putt around the harbour on a nice swanky 3 level yacht, followed by a presentation to the media. This involved a little brekkie, lots of technical chat about the jersey’s new features and plenty of filming and snapping.

Now, I’ll admit that I’ve never actually been to a press call so this was all quite a novelty to me. I did my best to act like I knew what I was doing and to get SUPER DOOPER EXCLUSIVE pics and info for all of my Girl Meets Ball readers!!

The jersey in my opinion is rather nice. Understated and clean - nothing risky. The incorporation of the green across the shoulders takes us back to the true green and gold feel which I felt we was missing over the last few years with the predominantly yellow strip (although, the sea of yellow at matches did look pretty amazing). Other than that, the jersey’s main boasting rights are its super eco-friendly production, which I’m quite a fan of. It’s made out of 100 per cent polyester, diverting 13 million plastic bottles from landfills.

The boys (Craig and Tom) did a great job of standing around in their T-shirts. Sydney has made the most pathetic attempt of an autumn but today was one of the first days that had a bit of a nip in the air so I hope they don’t catch a cold! They were also very gracious to hang about and have a chat to the hounding (but loving) media. I even got amongst it – My first two interviews ever! I asked some pretty hard hitting questions… you just wait! 

Asian Cup Draw

Australia has drawn South Korea, India and Bahrain for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar. I think this is a pretty good outcome. 

It’s amusing how every time a significant draw is done the media grumbles and rumbles about how ‘tough’ our group is. Since when has an international competition ever given an easy group? Unless you're Italy playing New Zealand...  

There’s been chat about the Socceroos not taking on the Cup with a full strength squad. This is due to the possibility that European based players will not be released by their clubs for the tournament next January.

In my eyes this is not a problem we need to fret about. We can’t keep belting out the same team. This Asian Cup is an important one for Australia for a couple of reasons. Firstly, to help us further cement our relationship in the Asian confederation and also to prove ourselves on a worldwide scale as a strong team internationally (that CAN hold a World Cup), however, we’ve got to get our youth off the bench. They need the experience of a big competition – it’s no use playing our 28+ year olds, by Brazil 2014 they’ll be in the stands… Ultimately if this means we don't do so well, then so be it - we can't keep masking our way through.

Asian Cup Draw

Group A: Qatar, Kuwait, China and Uzbekistan

Group B: Saudi Arabia, Japan, Jordan and Syria

Group C: Korea Republic, India, Australia and Bahrain

Group D: Iraq, North Korea, UAE and Iran

Get your Socceroos face on!

Every time I read '3 steps to a sexy smokey eye' in a magazine I just know that it's unachievable - I end up looking like a Raccoon (I know all of you boys out there will be with me on this one). So, in light of this I've decided to create my own fool proof guide to getting your Socceroos face on! 

OR go all the way... Not for the faint hearted.

 

Thanks to the beautiful Simone for being my guest photographer! 

GMB XO


P.S. Please note yellow and pastel green nail polish!! Bussyyy! 

Rustenburg Week: Other things to do...

Rustenburg's Fan Fest will keep us occupied for a lot of the evening hours but if you're after some non-football adventure options then there are a few other activities to check out. 

The Sun City Casino complex claims to be South Africa's 'Las Vegas' and is located just outside of Rustenburg. If you're sick of the natural landscape of South Africa you might just be able to hide yourself in this place. It's a wholllee lota man made.  A huge entertainment complex with nightclubs, cinemas, golf courses, an artificial surfing beach, a crocodile park, a waterworld for parasailing, water skiing and sindsurfing, a Disney-inspired Lost City... The list goes on...


Sounds like a cross between Crown Casino in Melbourne and the Gold Coast... Here's an article from The Age. 





Another destination is Hartbeespoort Dam which offers paragliding and handgliding, lots of water sports, an aquarium, private zoo, a snake park and a cable way! The area seems to be a bit of a weekend get away with lots of touristy things, local art galleries and events going on. 

The Magaliesberg Mountains offer a breath of fresh air. With canopy tours, hot air balloon trips, abseiling, horse riding this might be a good option if you need a break from the football fever. 

Also, while you're here - Botswana is only about an hours drive from Rustenburg, I really wanna go there! 

Rustenburg Week: Fifa Fan Fest

The Fifa Fan Fest in Rustenburg will be located at the Primary School of Fields College on 226 Klopper Street. I guess the kiddies get the month of school?! 


The venue will have space for 20,000 fans and will be kitted out with giant screens with sound, lighting, security - the whole she-bang. 


As well as this there'll also be a strong cultural dimension with markets, local food and arts as well as musicians that inhabit the North West province. 


At the moment I can't find a photo for the school - However, I found their Facebook page!! I'm going to befriend them and ask if they can send me a picture!! 


GMB XO 

Fast Facts: Rustenburg

• Population 395,539 [according to 2001 census]
• Geography: North West South Africa
• Nestled at the bottom of the Magaliesberg mountain range
• Economic Sectors: Mining, Agriculture. Two largest platinum mines in the world. Cotton, tobacco and citrus fruits are the main crops farmed
• During June Rustenburg will be quite pleasant ranging from 14-23 degrees.
• The English Football team will be resting their heads close by at the Bafokeng Sports Campus during World Cup
• 120km north west of Johannesburg
• Local football team is the Platinum Stars, also knicknamed Dinaledi (Tswana for Stars) 

Rustenburg Week!

It’s Rustenburg week here at GMB so I’m getting busy finding all of the sweet spots of this little city.

First things first – the stadium. The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace will host Australia vs Ghana on the 20^th of June.

The stadium opened in 1999 as a multi-purpose Track and Field/Field sports centre and had an upgrade (completed march 2009) which increased it’s capacity from 38,000 to 42,000 to host matches for the World Cup.

Not quite as flashy as Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium but I like stadiums with an Athletics track around them – brings me back lots of memories of my Athletics days!

GMB XO

A 3D World Cup?

There’s been quite a bit of talk about making World Cup 3D so I’m going to join in on the conversation...

SBS are apparently looking into buying the rights to bring the World Cup to Australia in 3D. 

I can see a few problems at the moment... Not only will SBS have to buy the rights to 3D game footage, they will also need to purchase the equipment needed to broadcast to Australian viewers. Of which I would think would be quite a small number considering, as far as I know, the public also need to buy a 3D television (unless this is for public venues? Who's got glasses?). Another thing is that, as most viewers will be watching in 2D I don't think the coverage of the games in 3D would be as good. There's already enough equipment running about the pitch I can't see how they're going to fit in another whole set of 3D cameras. 

That being said, it would be pretty cool, I suppose 3D will be a big part in the future of our digital lives, so why not test it out on the biggest event on earth!

In traditional fashion I've doctored up an image of relatively random relevance... A Na'vi playing football! How cool would that be! 

Socceroos’ home amongst the Real Yellowwood tree

These photos were released a little while ago now but I came across them today and decided it was important information!

This will be the Socceroos’ home sweet home while in South Africa. The Kloofzicht Lodge is all fitted out; water hole, rolling hills and native trees – somewhere I think a roo might like to hang.

I had a perve on Google Maps to suss it out, like the good little Blogger that I am, and unfortunately it seems that the resort isn’t very close to any little towns that might chuck a party for the Australian fans… In Germany 2006 the gorgeous little town of Ohringen hosted the Australian team and I think after the World Cup they all claimed Aussie citizenship! The whole town got amongst it with Aussie flags everywhere; I love Australia banners in window shops, locals walking around saying G’day mate and then to top it off a big party day with music and dancing and the whole she-bang!

Anywho, not to worry I’m sure we’ll make our own fun over in South Africa!

More of the lodge here.

Pim's Off

A slight case of bloggers block for most of the week… Finally back on board! So, here are my thoughts on Pim leaving.

After a sturdy and tiring two years with the FFA Pim Verbeek has decided he will not be re-signing as coach of the Socceroos. I think this is a good decision on all accounts. Pim’s done a very good job – but as he’s said the job is quite a demanding one and I think the pressure of holding such a good record bears a little too much weight.

In his 27 matches as boss Verbeek has lead the team to 15 wins, 8 draws and only 4 losses as well as qualification for both World Cup and Asian Cup. I think a lot of this success, although of course the players have a lot to do with it, is thanks to his hard work. Scouting across Europe, Asia and Australia as well as games in these three continents whilst having your family back in Europe is no easy task.

So, now the FFA is on the hunt for a new coach… It seems to be a shared consensus that at this stage it’s still critical we have an outside influence, I think a European is best. It’ll be interesting to see who comes up…

I think a coach needs to be a lot more than an ex-player with a FIFA coaching certificate. A professional player’s insight into the game is invaluable, however, it’s not enough. Besides the technical and tactical aspects of the game the most vital aspect to a good coach is his people skills and I think Pim did a good job of this.

Of course, I don’t really know – in the end only the players are the only ones who can really assess this, however, through the media’s eyes (always a little warped) he’s done a good job of appearing to be calm, collected and never too irrational. He seems to be calculated in the way he shares information and the choices he makes. Although, sometimes a little harsh I think his honesty is refreshing, however, at the same time he does come across with some warmth – I think it’s important to always be a little bit human.  

Anywhoo, our next Socceroos coach has a big job ahead. With a lot of the older boys nearing the ends of their careers the search will be on for our youngsters to pull through with some talent, as well as this, we’ve got the Asian Cup to contend with – before we know it it’ll be time to qualify for Brazil 2014! 

Where's the Love?

Mark Stevens  - The only photo I could find of this happy fellow.  

Not up to my blog's standard - Mark if you're reading can you 

send me a better photo that I can alter? 

I feel quite a strong need to poke a stick at this special man – Mark Stevens.

It seems that the idea of ‘Australian Football’ is making Mark squirm in his seat, so much in fact, that he’s written a fine piece of journalism in the Sun Herald to share his distaste. Unfortunately Mark’s ‘article’ has come across sounding similar to something of a bitchin' 15 year old school girl.

When the FFA decided to re-shape Football to what it is today in Australia they made a conscious choice to leave the ‘Soccer’ era behind for many reasons. I think the fresh change was a necessary one as a lot of stigma was attached to the word. It can not be denied that there are several other games in this country that involve a ball and some feet, however, I don’t feel that it’s really that tricky to differentiate between them all.

Mark feels that ‘it’ should just be called Soccer and his reasoning for his anger is that ‘it’s the way it’s always been’. What a perfect rebuttal. Let us never change anything in this world because it works so perfectly at the moment!

I just get all cranky when people like this have to come and put their big cloud of doom and gloom all over the place. Mark's choice of the words, ‘our’ (referring to 'his' game), ‘other’ and ‘they’ (both referring to football) really cast him off as a Class A Muppet. It really is kind of unnecessary – Can’t we all just keep to our own game, and hey if something’s in the good of the nation why not support it?

The squirming on Mark’s behalf does give me a cheeky little grin, after all I think I know why he might feel this way. 

The calm before the storm… 

World Cup Outfit Trial Two: The Stock Standard

It’s time for World Cup styling advice again... In order to fill in the full spectrum of outfit possibilities I feel that it’s necessary to include the stock standard; Aussie jersey accompanied with Green and Gold Scarf.

This will probably be the most common option amongst World Cup patrons. Practical, comfortable and affordable…

As you can see, when I get my jersey on I am instantly in Hooligan character… Maybe this is what happens to all of the English fans? They may well be charming young chaps without the football jersey on!

I hope I don’t offend with the spewing antics… Just to clarify with anyone who may not be aware this is the infamous and affectionately named ‘Spew Shirt’ worn proudly by the Socceroo’s in around about 1992.

Keep posted for future World Cup fashion advice!!

GMB XO


T-shirt: Green and Gold Army Spew Jersey re-make
Scarf: Old School Soccer Australia 
Photographer: Tomasz Machnik 

SBS's Golden Ticket

SBS are being rewarded for their forward thinking back in 2006 to buy out the TV rights to the World Cup up until 2014. 


In a decision by FIFA, all TV networks without rights to official World Cup broadcasting (everyone bar SBS) will not be permitted into traning sessions, stadiums and after match press conferences. 


FIFA justified its decision, which seems to be out of the ordinary, by explaining "Due to the large interest of confirmed media rights licensees. . . no non-rights holder accreditations can be considered."


I think this is a pretty rough choice for FIFA to make. It's a great thing for SBS, however, I think it would really help Australian Football if we had as much coverage as possible. As SBS hold the official rights they're the only ones who can show the games so they would most likely benefit from other stations referring viewers. 


Within these limits the other four major stations will still cover the World Cup.


Read the full article here.

Flip it - Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory GRAND FINAL

I thought I should pay attention to a certain game that’s going on this evening down in Melbourne… I know I was whining a little about having to watch Sydney Vs Melbourne for the fourth time in just about as many weeks but now that the time has come I’ve warmed to the idea. The crowd will be pumping and a true rivalry will be in the air. 

A little disappointed with the Sydney Morning Heralds efforts today. Page 5 of the Sports Day has a decent little wrap up on tonight’s Grand Final, however, it’s nothing compared to the usual 5-10 pages of junk when it’s a certain other code of ‘football's’ turn… I won’t even bother to glance at the Daily, I’m sure they have some more enthralling news about the Clarke/Bingle saga…

As usual I don’t really know who to go for in this clash… I’ve lived in both Melbourne and Sydney, have quite a soft spot for the Melbourne team but also feel I owe my attention to the Light Blue’s as I now live here in Sydney.

To end the turmoil I have an idea. Right here right now I’m going to flip a coin! No one can see me but I’m actually going to do it! Heads for Sydney Tails for Melbourne. A 1979 20 cent coin with the Mr platypus on it…

FLIP!

TAILS

……. GO MELBOURNE!!!! 

Stab Vest anyone?

Is it wrong of me to find this a little bit funny?

The South African authorities and FIFA don't. They have both condemned the London based business that’s trying to make a buck out of South Africa’s potential safety problems. 

Fairly so, I think it is in pretty bad taste, it’s a little insensitive and I would see it as something that might well attract negative attention and just perpetuate the negative vibe…

I’m a little bit sick of all the pessimistic, cynical buggers running about telling me I’m not going to make it out alive of South Africa… Fear is an interesting thing - I think that it is best ignored and that life is best LIVED! I think as long as people are switched on and try not to get them selves into mischief, generally (I hope) things will be fine… 

How could I pass up on not posting the gorgeous male model in the 'ole' vest?! It did make me think twice about the necessity of the vest...

p.s. Thanks for the comments! Keep them coming :)  

World Cup Warm Up AUS VS USA

Our first warm up match in South Africa was announced today. I've decided to keep running with my food theme for the day, so if you hadn't guessed already it's 
America VS Australia! The game will be played in Roodepoort at Ruimsig Stadium 
on June the 5th.

I think it's a little strange that Pim thinks that "Their style of play will allow us to test our players against similar opposition to what we will face at the World Cup"... I 
wouldn't say Germany, Ghana or Serbia have any particularly similar traits... But 
hey, it's a good start none the less. Maybe he's talking about when we get out of our group stage??..!

Anywhoo, another Tuesday gone - Good night world. 

GMB XO

South African Cuisine

Instead of holding Bratwurst in bread in one hand and a Beck's in the other, this World Cup it'll be a little different. Below will be our pre/post match eats!

A 'Braai' the South African's answer to a BBQ (Thanks to Azza on the GGarmy

forum for the cultural lesson) . The Curly sausage is 'Boerewors'.

'Bunny Chow'. Strangest looking little concoction and name, however apparently 

quite yummy. It's Curry in hollowed out bread and mostly resides in Durban.

'Biltong'. Beef jerky style. Gross!

'Frikkadelle'. Meat Balls. Cool name, looks yum.

'Ouma Rusks'. You dip it in your tea! Maybe for the day after the match?

'MelkTert'. Say this one out loud and you'll fit in in SA straight away.

'Malva Pudding'. I have such a sweet tooth so I'm looking forward to hunting this 

one down...

Happy Saturday!

Thought I'd share - I love these images!
Predicting a 1-0 win to Wellington Phoenix tonight...