Day 11 – Saturday 19th June [Ghana v Australia]

Today shapes as a landmark day for Australian Football. Two huge games today, Aust v Ghana [naturally our priority – as it should be for any self-respecting red-neck Aussie Socceroo fan] but before that we have another live game to attend at the awesome Dome Stadium in Durban. Netherlands v Japan & it’s an early game [1.30pm].
We are a little late getting to the game so we don’t get to walk with all the fans, but once at the ground the colour & atmosphere is everywhere. The Dutch are famous for their very unique orange strip & the place is awash with orange. The Japanese are not doing too bad either with some of the most extremely outrageous costumes ever – actually look like human condoms. Other freaks include the sun-burnt looking orange men & the human Japanese flag – see if you can spot them.
Once again we are seated up near Pluto even though we have category 1 seats – Sep Blatter you criminal we are coming after you. Anyway at half time Sash & I took matters into our own hands & went downstairs to what are the real red-hot seats – more ways than one because we are in the sun & it is a scorcher – Sash is dropping kilos by the minute. The Japanese supporters are quite novel – they cheer their own whether playing well or not – so respectful. As hard as they tried they are no match for the Dutch giants who have marched into the next round winning 1-0.
We leave the ground very quickly as thanks to the tight scheduling of FIFA we only have 30 minutes before the Aussies kick off against the Ghanaians. We have decided to watch the game at the Cuban lounge on Florida St – go with what you know. I rush ahead to get a good seat – lucky I did as the Dutch have planned a huge celebration & the place is orange before you know it. After a standing rendition of Advance Aust Fair I am ready for the game – I think people in the bar think I am nuts. Unfortunately the Socceroos must have stepped on some sacred graves or something because they are shit out of luck with referees. We score first from a poach from Holman after an inventive free kick from Bresci [I tear the place down with my yelling – what a dick], but its not long until the referee remembers some shitty fish & chips he ate & takes it out on the Aussies by red-carding Harry Kewell for handball on the goal line. An ensuing penalty & a goal means the pints of Peroni I am downing are all I have to look forward to – shit another setback. Well we are at the world cup & Sash reminds me “keep the faith” – I do we get a 1-1 result & we are still alive.
After the game we went down the road for a coffee & a chance to catch up with our new Israeli mates – Yoav, Naama & Elad who have come to Durban for the day. Elad has only just arrived from London & is spending just 4 days following the world cup – what commitment. Nice to see you guys again & by the way South America & North America are individual continents because we say so – stubborn aussies.
We decided to continue our night of pain by going to a club called Claphem Grand [shit the place is noisy & full of house music – what the f#@k is that stuff anyway. Fortunately Sash had organised an appropriate limousine service to take us home – take a look.
Another memorable day & night in Durban, though the pattern is emerging [drink, football, drink, music, drink..............anyone have any useful liver cleansing remedies].
Seeya.