would you believe it, i’m actually starting to get a little nervy about this afternoon’s match. a little over three hours to go and i’ve been feeling a little twinge of nerves for about an hour or so no. how ridiculous.

my heart says a win for australia, but i’m really not going to be surprised by any outcome, except i guess a big win by either side. it should be a very close match against japan and although my football (soccer?) knowledge is limited, i’m hoping that australia’s size and physical game will unsettle the japanese and that we’ll come out firing, looking for the win. our starts in friendlies vs the netherlands and liechtenstein were pretty slow and both times we payed for it, falling behind to an early goal (albeit an own goal in the liechtenstein game). i don’t think we can afford a slow start against japan or indeed in any world cup game, although if we do get stung early it might just be what’s needed to spur us into action.

i’ve also read suggestions that both sides will come out not willing to be too attack minded for fear of taking a loss in a very important game, and that a play for a draw is likely. personally (again with my limited knowledge) i think that’s suicide, partly because negative football is rarely rewarded unless you’re italy, and partly because i don’t think a draw is good enough. that really leaves us with no option but to get a result against either croatia or brazil, brazil being nigh on impossible and croatia i think being more dangerous, if only slightly, than japan.

to be honest, i don’t think japan with a brazilian coach will be playing for a draw. i doubt that’s zico’s style. i also don’t think guus hiddink will be sacrificing attack for defense. the dutch style of play seems to be well rounded across the park. solid and technical in defense, but still allowing the freedom for guys to get forward and score goals.

anyways, now i’ve got that out of my system, i just have to hope that i can tune into the game here at work and that a few of the swedes get in there and cheer along with me. carn aussies.