It’s just gone past 7:30pm, and the Australia Cup Round of 32 has kicked off. Four matches are being played in unison, and I’m wondering how your average football supporter squeezes in all of the action.
To complicate matters, I’m swapping live updates with two mates via WhatsApp. Sydney FC have just conceded against Oakleigh Cannons, and suddenly the blame game has started.
“Grant is captain this year,” types Justin, before inserting a swear word.
I respond: “Five years ago, Rhyan was one of the best players in the comp.”
“Ahem,” Justin remarks.
Sydney have levelled the scoreline with a penalty, but the panic has already set in.
“Talay out,” types Ben. “Corica won the thing (last season) and we all know what happened next.”
We discus Steve Corica, the former coach. I insist he’ll do well at Auckland FC, purely because the owner has deep pockets.
I quickly take a peek at the Macarthur match, but the progressive score remains goalless.
The inevitable topic of “riding Graham Arnold’s coattails” pops up. I mention Graham did wonders at the Mariners, albeit a decade ago. “Bimbi’s hot-headed,” I add, comparing the two managers.
“He’s Italian,” Ben teases, attaching a winking emoji, while referring to my pasta-loving heritage.
Oakleigh has clawed back a second goal, but the unpleasant update is ignored by my two buddies.
“I don’t know why I got another membership,” Justin laments.
Half-time.
I wouldn’t mind a non-A-League club to win the trophy this year. My online sentiments aren’t acknowledged. Tumbleweeds.
Even Macarthur is having a bad day at the office. They’re one down after 57 minutes to O’Connor Knights.
O’Connor? Who? I do a quick Google check. No one’s heard of them either. Some ACT “ragtag” club, I scoff. Neither mate takes the bait. Another unapologetic tidbit of ignorance scrolls upwards.
I check Sydney’s statistics, noticing 70 per cent possession. Half an hour to go, I tell myself. Plenty of time to find the back of the net.
Briefly switching over, the Bulls have levelled with the raconteurs. A strike to Jake Hollman. I have a soft-spot for the Campbeltown lads.
Both Justin and Ben have gone quiet. This is why physically being at match has its merits. I miss the spilt beer and mockery about my baldness.
Luke Brattan for the Bulls. 2-1, and Macarthur’s new recruit is all smiles. Beforehand, I was happy to read there was a live site in Campbeltown televising the match.
(Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
Back to the main event, and Oakleigh are leading 3-1 with ten minutes remaining. Prior to half-time, Ben said buying an Sky Blues membership was a “gamble”.
Oddly, he’s now less pessimistic. “Ufuk will be good for us. New team. Only pre-season.”
I agree with him. For good measure, I post an optimistic movie quote, knowing his love of gemstones. “Geology is the study of pressure and time. That’s all it takes really… pressure… and time.”
No response. Sydney are out. They’ll be no back-to-back titles. Justin’s disappeared, and Ben probably hasn’t seen The Shawshank Redemption. Goodnight.