Sports

Australia vs Serbia: The Chevaps tasted good but only if we’d sampled them sooner…along with a side of Sauerkraut

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“Don’t bother chasing women or buses…..Chances are, you’ll miss both” – author unknown.

The same arguably applies to World Cup and tournament football.

The Socceroos’ inspiring 2-1 win over Serbia was brilliant but not enough to earn qualification for the second round of the World Cup. A team only gets three bites of the cherry and Australia effectively wasted one of them against Germany. As such, it was always playing catch up football and needed a miracle to progress.

Having said that, the Socceroos earned some redemption and will go home with their heads held high. Pride in the shirt has been restored and Australia’s second ever World Cup win (and first over a European nation and heavyweight, I might add), removed any doubt they deserve a place on the World’s biggest sporting stage.

The Socceroos were (finally) due some luck at this tournament and they certainly rode it against the Serbs, who were close to their best despite the scoreline. A combination of wasteful finishing, particularly by Milos Krasic, and Mark Schwarzer’s brilliance kept Serbia at bay in a one sided first half. But a dominant second half performance by the boys in green and gold secured the points and some well earned respect.
Continue reading Australia vs Serbia: The Chevaps tasted good but only if we’d sampled them sooner…along with a side of Sauerkraut →

Sports

Australia vs Ghana (Part II): I see Red. Full stop.

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A few days ago I reviewed Australia’s gutsy performance and 1-1 draw against Ghana.  That performance gave the Socceroos a glimmer of hope going into their third and final group game against Serbia.

In short, I was impressed by the Socceroos’ fighting spirit and tactical set up to earn some redemption in Rustenberg.

All this, whilst playing a majority of the match with “10 men”……

As promised, today “The F Word” gives his thoughts on “that penalty”.
Continue reading Australia vs Ghana (Part II): I see Red. Full stop. →

Uncategorized

Sydney Colt's Mail For Randwick Sat 26 June

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If the track gets no rain before they race tomorrow we can punt with a degree of confidence.

Race 4 n 5 Hidden Wonder e/w The pro punters stepped into this one early and it is now a $4.0 fav. Backed e/w it is a bet to nothing. Third up from spell and barrier 2 will see it get the suck run. “Thriving” I’m told!

Race 5 n2 Brasileira Topical tip. Second up and they tell me Snowden has this cherry ripe. Pros believe it to be the bet of the program on ratings.

Race 6 n 10 Huckelberry Friend e/w Word is that this neddy is improving on the track after it’s last start win, so the other should watch out!

Money lost, nothing lost. Confidence lost, everything lost.

Punting

Gelding's tips for 26 June 2010

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With the end of the financial year at hand, the Gelding is looking to end it on a winning note.  This may be difficult as the weather is threatening with the cold and wet not helping predictions.

A big thanks to the Sydney Colt for his vote of confidence during the week.

Flemington

Race 4 Horse 1 – Broken (for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Race 6 Horse 15 – Doubtful Jack (also for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Race 7 Horse 10 – Sea Syke

Race 8 Horse 1 – Offenders

Good luck and good punting!

The Gelding

Sports

Australia vs Ghana (Part I): I see Red (on and off the field). But shades of green and gold, too.

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“90 minutes, 90 emotions” – A –League advertising campaign.

So imagine what a week in football does to a supporter!

And what a week it was in Australian football. The debacle in Durban, the media circus and fallout that followed, a(nother) controversial sending off and finally, some redemption in Rustenburg.

The Socceroos’ World Cup campaign hangs by a thread but Australia’s draw with Ghana was a sharp reminder of what is possible in a green and gold shirt.

Pim Verbeek’s tactics against Germany were negative and nonsensical.  Further, the Socceroos appeared devoid of pace, creativity and passion. The performance against Ghana however, was a drastic improvement and the 10 men who remained on the field at Royal Bafokeng can hold their heads high.
Continue reading Australia vs Ghana (Part I): I see Red (on and off the field). But shades of green and gold, too. →

Punting

Gelding – The King Of The Tipsters

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Going back a couple of years, I was asked by the Professor if I would be interested in providing race selections for Sydney racing. It seemed my reputation as a punt drunk was known by more than my wife and a few mates. The Professor thought it would be good to have an addition to the tipster ranks (note I didn’t use the word rivalry). I accepted the offer but on 1 proviso, the tips I would be giving are a compilation of mail I gather from those who either punt for a living or sell information/ratings/track work etc for a living. You see, the truth of the matter is, even in a life and death situation, I am incapable of backing a winner of my own picking. Like those who ring me on a Saturday or those who may glance at the Sydney Colt’s posts on this site, I punt on the information and expertise of others.
Continue reading Gelding – The King Of The Tipsters →

Sports

Some dare I say "Mouth Watering" ties ahead at World Cup

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All in all a promoters dream in the 2010 World Cup – so many games changing so many fortunes all hanging on a knife edge in the 3rd round!

  1. No bigger than Chile v Spain – a Spanish loss and they are out.
  2. Italy v Slovakia – Italy must win to get through (NZ v Paraguay to add some smeltz…I’m sorry spice).
  3. Japan v Denmark – winner through to the next round.
  4. Germany v Ghana – could the unthinkable happen and Germany not qualify for the round of 16?
  5. Our Socceroos v Serbia – Aussie win may get us through depending on results, Serbian win sees them into the next round.
  6. Slovenia v England – a must win for England or one of the tournament favourites is going home!  The spice is that if USA win, England must win by more to ensure a place in the next round.
  7. USA v Algeria – USA an unlikely member of the final 16 but should get through with a win.
  8. South Korea v Nigeria – Sth Korea will again move on to the round of 16 with a win.
  9. Greece v Argentina – Greece need to win by more than Sth Korea if they are to go through.  A tall order against an undefeated Argentinian team.
  10. France v the host nation – You would think a France win on paper but has all the team unrest and infighting taken its toll?  Besides if Uruguay v Mexico is a draw, this result doesn’t matter.
  11. Uruguay v Mexico – A winner heads the group whilst the loser may miss out.  A draw and both go through.

How good is that 12 out of 16 games with a direct result on the next round. 

Podcast

Sportzfan Radio 159.2

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Magers League Rugby Ball21 June 2010 159.2 – Fiorenti continues discussing the fortunes of the Socceroos and gives his opinion on some underachieving countries at the World Cup, Paul Dalligan highlights the AFL leading the NRL 2 to 1 in the racism stakes, is disappointed at the state of NSW rugby and believes the Cockroaches will make changes and go for youth in State of Origin 3.  He also suggests the Professor’s Canterbury Bulldogs have picked up a likely player in Trent Hodkinson (now with Manly) who kicked two field goals late in the game to help Manly down the Rabbitohs.  The Panel looks at the AFL’s suggestion of the 2012 18 team league being broken up into Conferences and Sean wonders whether that may prevent Collingwood from ever playing Carlton in a Grand Final again.