The Coffs Harbour Stadium is visible from Pacific HWY, but not accessible from Pacific HWY. It took me a 30 minute process of elimination of streets in Coffs Harbour to actually find my way into the Stadium. The stadium entry is actually behind the main part of the city where you find the Airport and tertiary campus. It is an interesting point, as many places in Coffs Harbour are visible from the main HWY, but not accessible in Coffs Harbour, after a couple of days, you get used to it. It's a rural thing, kind of like Taree and some other town where you must reverse park your car at all times or be fined. Not to say people in rural Australia are backwards or anything. :)
Crowd, 450. We could play the game at Green Gully Reserve and get a better crowd. We could play Green Gully against Tonga and get the same crowd. But I won't harp about it, there are enough people who have this on there mind right now, and some action I believe will be taken. The local advocate in Coffs now has an advert - Coffs Harbour, "home of the Wallabies... and the Socceroos..." But like I said in another post, the most patriotic of supporters do appear to be from Melbourne, at least we were the ones decked out in Socceroo shirts and flags, etc.
NBN news was at the game. And I watched NBN news last night with great anticipation. They showed no highlights, and the news presenter stated the Socceroos had won 22 points to zero. She failed to mention John Aliosi scored 5 tries aswell. NBN news? Newcastle Braindead News? Newcastle Bigoted News? I only managed to see very short snipets of the game highlights myself, but if anyone does managed to get extended highlights, look out for my Eureka Stockade flag on the fence in front of the Stadium grand stand. Quite rightly, there was no objection to my flag from any officials. Unlike at Epping for Carlton's last match against N.Spirit.
Onto the game. National anthems. Kline pointed out from the start, that although the Tongas faced humilation, they stood proudest at the playing of the national anthems. Hands on hearts and lungs loud and audible. The Socceroos looked half interested. Not a biggie, but one to certainly make note of. Seriously if the players do not know the words of the anthem, then they can at least stand up straight and face the direction of the countries flag, and hold their right hand on their heart. It only takes 20-30 seconds before a match to decide which action to take. For God's sake, get it right.
1st half, 10-0 to Australia. 2nd half, Archie on, Boutsianis on, and somebody else... Both Archie and Boutsi scored. The Socceroos showed no emotion or celebration after scoring except for the first goal. Fair enough. Archie did give us a customary Kung Fu display after the match. 22-0, record score.
Mustcat and Chipperfield played one after another of top quality crossing, which was a positive sign for me. In previous matches, the Socceroos have failed here, more so under Raul Blanco and the Olyroos. Aliosi looked very sharp.
Next up American Samoa. I saw half of their game last night against Samoa. They have a very aggressive goalkeeper, and who wouldn't be in his position, not afraid to run upto 20-30 yards out of his box and just take people out of the game. The Americans (nationals) have a player (number 16) with long pony tail, who does have some ability dribbling the ball, but spends too much time with his head down focusing on his control of the ball, and thus suffers poor disposal of the ball.
Good to congratulate many of the team after the game. Also met up with Bonnie and heard an amusing story about the Socceroos training gear, but I'll leave that a personal joke, :). Thanked Tony Vidmar and Craig Moore to for giving up their time away from Rangers for Australia, Craig Moore responded by saying he was happier to be back here anyway.
Ex-CSC supporter Trumper, tounge in cheek, thanked Clint Bolton for saving the match for us against Tonga.
Last but not least, I shook Frank Farina's hand and congratulated him on his world record start to our World Cup campaign. Frank does appear to be very tense at this point in time. Quite understandable!