Welcome to the ALL NEW weekly sporting round up we call Circling the Drain. Each week we hand pick the sporting tidbits that tickle our fancy and provide our commentary along with some factual information. That and our best bets featuring the ever popular Super Multi and the new Ticket to Ride.
ASIAN CUP VICTORY
Finally. Australian Football (read Soccer) have won something. Not that making three consecutive World Cups and being competitive in two of them is not an achievement, but it is nice to win something for a change. Ask a South Sydney fan.
Hard to argue that Australia weren’t amongst the best teams in the tournament, and played as good a brand of football that was on offer throughout the Asian Cup foot-fest. This good football actually led to multiple goals, and not all of them scored by Tim Cahill, and his two in the semi final were certainly some of his best.
Another good sign for the future is that the side is reasonably young, with a lot of players who aren’t household names like Kewells and Schwarzers, which gives us time to grow into a strong playing team capable of beating and not just annoying the big teams at the World Cup.
On top of the achievement of winning the tournament, another proud Australian moment came from the crowd, as they greeted the introduction of Sepp Blatter with a volley of deserved boos. The surprise of the incident was the surprise on his face when it happened. Surely after the World Cup hosting fiasco he didn’t think there would be 75,000 sets of open arms waiting for his arrival. Needless to say he’ll probably miss out on Australia’s vote for the presidency of FIFA. The Aussie fans didn’t miss him though, and all power to them.
But to conclude, you have to wonder if often touted but dismissed theories are indeed correct. Like Ange Postecoglou has that X Factor after taking previously under achieving sides like Socceroos and Brisbane to success. And that NRL and other football codes other than AFL might start to get a little worried about the rise of Football. Boh have been spruiked for some time now, and often dismissed and rightly so, but the momentum is starting to grow. The next part of the A League season will indicate any progress, and level of worry for the NRL.
AUCKLAND NINES
Good taster to the upcoming NRL giving the fans a little taster before the season proper.
Some teams took it more seriously than the other, and the final 4 reflected that. South Sydney who took a decent chunk of their premiership winning side got the chocolates in the final spoiling a fairy tale competition win for the Sharks who battled on admirably in the final and would have deserved the win as much.
We still think you could add some other teams like PNG, Samoa, Tonga and some Qld and NSW Cup teams. Our expert Dr Sportz also has his thoughts on the 9 a side feast.
Aside from the football, the impressive thing was the fans dedication to dressing up, with many a Wally, various animals, and superheroes. Our favourite were the two gentlemen dressed in Arabic gear with their handwritten sign stating “Nines are the Bomb”. Cheeky and brave.
The whole thing had a real darts feel about, and one can only hope we can get a taste of it in Australia, or they dedicate an entire round at one ground like the UK Super League that we have mentioned far too many times already.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Almost forgot it was on and saw bits and pieces here and there including the finals, not quite sure if it’s tennis’ fault in general or Channel 7.
Andy Murray back to being Scottish in accent and achievement. That is when the pressure was on the Scottish accent seemed stronger than usual, and when he loses his nationality goes from British to Scottish.
Although almost overshadowing the tournament, Andy Murray’s Girlfriend swearing saga produced one of the most interesting things in a sport where boredom levels are usually reserved for 0-0 draws in soccer.
SUPER MULTI – $1 gets you $144
NEWCASTLE JETS to win v Brisbane
SYDNEY FC to beat Perth Glory
SOUTH SYDNEY to win v St George
WIGAN to win v Widnes
CATALANS to win v St Helens
LEEDS to win v Hull KR
TICKET TO RIDE
Take that Asian Cup, our first collect on the Ticket to Ride in its second week. And a $9 collect no less after a cheeky bet on Australia to win the Asian Cup in extra time.
That means to get to the hallowed turf of 5 in a row, and claim the first spot in the Ticket to Ride hall of fame, we’ll have a $9 bet this week. Our tip is below.
$9 on SOUTH SYDNEY to win Charity Shield @ $1.52
TV HIGHLIGHTS FREE TO AIR SPORTS
You know when NBL, A League and Enduro Sports Car Racing are the highlights it’s a quiet week.
FRI – 6:30pm – SBS – A LEAGUE – Newcastle v Brisbane
FRI – 9:30pm – ONE – NBL Someone v Someone
SUN – 1:00pm – CH7 – Bathurst 12 Hour Enduro
PAY TV SPORTING HIGHLIGHTS
FRI PM/SAT AM – FOX1 – NRL – Charity Shield Replays
SAT – 5:30am – FOX1 – ENGLISH SUPER LEAGUE
SAT – 4:00pm – FOX 4 – A LEAGUE Triple Header
SAT – 10:30pm – FOX 4 – ARSENAL v SPURS
SUN – 12:45am – ALL – EPL and SPANISH LEAGUE
SUN – 9:00am – FOX5 – V8’S SUPERTEST
SUN – 10:30pm – ALL – More EPL and LA LIGA
TUE – 6:30pm – FOX2 – SANTO SAM and ED’s FOOTBALL FEVER
