Forza and I headed off to Parramatta Stadium yesterday afternoon, not just lured by the prospect of copious amounts of free food and booze in the sponsor's box (Coca-Cola) - we also wanted to see if the general standard of play in the EC was as poor as the fare we are being served every week at Bossley Park.
Actually we saw some pretty good football although a couple of dubious decisions by the ref and one linesman left a bit to be desired - the penalty and the send-off were both justified, although I thought Saad was two yards offside when he scored the second goal, which really sickened Cosmos.
On arrival in the corporate box, our host Fred Dagg displayed the contents of the fridge - Six cases of assorted beer, six bottles of Chardonnay and assorted soft drinks. Arrayed on the bar were several bottles of spirits. This for three drinkers - there had obiously been a serious mistake made when stocking up.
Fred, Dagg that is, being the perfect host was obviously embarrassed and volunteered to "go easy". Forza and I, being perfect guests, accepted his offer - but allowed him any light beer he could find.
Our two sons, Lethal and Lurch, with some help from Mrs. Forza took care of the sponsor's products.
THE MATCH: Canberra started off like a good team, going right at United and but for a combination of inept finishing and some brilliant goalkeeping by Spider could quite easily have been two up after ten minutes.
An unnecessary penalty, a send off, and an "off-side" goal, saw United up 2-0 after 20 minutes and the game virtually over.
A quick goal just after half-time by United should have finished the game, however Cosmos fought on gallantly to the end and managed a consolation goal before Sydney United finished them off with a fourth.
Being a man down, Cosmos ran out of legs towards the end, Moric in particular looked out of condition, and how United did not bang in another half-dozen is a mystery.
Best players on the night:- Abbas Saad - a class act - the best striker I've seen in the EC this year. Jason Culina - at seventeen years old, this kid has a huge future. "Spider" Kalac - great! Gordon Hunter - showed some hints of real class, but with a mid-field, which was walking, the defence was under constant pressure. The Canberra number three - blonde, left back, didn't catch his name - did some really good work at the back.
We had a chat to Gordon Hunter after the match - He was relieved to hear that Forza won't be able to get to Seiffert Oval next week for the Canberra v Marconi fixture - Canberra have lost 8-0 and 4-1 at the only two games which Forza has attended - Fred will be up north at the Brisbane game. Say G'day to the Forza clan if you notice them at the game, all you Strikers fans - They should be easy to spot - they'll be with Fred.
The air in the car on the way home was pretty thick. Not just with discussions about the game - in fact a lot of it had to do with the Fosters and curry consumed.
All in all - a pretty good match. Sydney United, love them or hate them, are a pretty good side. Don't be surprised to see them feature again in the last game of the season. Canberra Cosmos - a far better side than their position in the table indicates - with the addition of a couple of strikers they could start to climb. Marconi - we will have to improve 1000% on this week's game to beat Canberra next week - No, I meant to type four zeros.
P.S.
Forza and I were a bit disappointed that there were no dancing girls at
half-time - the crowd did not miss out entirely though. That debonaire duo
of legless legends, Forza and GKW did a spontaneous synchronised John
Travolta impression in front of the sponsor's box.
The prematch entertainment consisted of little boys - I hope this is not indicative of the Sydney United fans' sexual preferences. Actually the kids put on a demonstration of ball skills and were very good.
A big pat on the back for the Canberra fans, travelling or otherwise. For most of the game they "out-voiced" the United contingent, and as Forza pointed out - the misplaced "CRO-AT-SIA" chant only seemed to come from a small minority. The rest of you United fans will have to come up with another chant though.