Dad is a football junkie. And me, his favourite son (okay...better not let Tom hears this) is a football junkie too.
Yesterday, Friday June 11, was the start of the current season. Dad took us (not just me, Mama and Angelina tagged along too) to Darling Harbour. While we can be more comfortable at home watching the digital TV (with the heater on, of course), Dad wanted us to be part of the football fanaticism in Sydney.
Sydney has been chosen as one of six cities officially sanctioned by FIFA to host the International FanFest 2010. The city erected humongous screens that shows all games for the entire tournament. There are three such screens at Cockle Bay and one at Tumbalong Park. I'm not sure what the other cities are, Rio de Janeiro among them, I think. I'm just a cat, okay... don't expect me to know everything.
Anyway, the initial plan was to take the train from home and walk or take the tram from Central. Last minute, Mama and Dad decided to drive, parked the car in Chinatown and then took the tram to the harbour. We were early and managed to get good seats. The girls (Mama and Angelina) sat down most of the time while Dad and I went round making friends and taking pictures. I don't know enough words to describe the atmosphere so I'll do it with pictures instead.
Brad the handsome all rugged up for the night. That's the Socceroo long scarf I'm wearing. We got that from the Sunday Herald newspaper at just $2 a piece.
Mama was trying to read the event flyer in the dark. Not enough lighting from that giant ball.
The early crowd in front of the floating stage cum big screen. I love those flag balloons.
Mama bought this small Zakumi for me.
The real deal - Zakumi the mascot. He enticed all my lady admirers....can't compete with him as he's way bigger in size than me.
The presence of the uniformed guys was greatly felt - we need them to control the crowd.
A touch of native Australia at the opening ceremony.
Fireworks after the live from Jo'burg opening ceremony.
The crowd gets larger as the first game between RSA and Mexico was about to start.
Mama wouldn't buy those Socceroo cap cum wig for me.
The Mexico fans came in the team colours, ready for the match against RSA.
Man, I was really thrilled that Mama and Dad took us out to the harbour, albeit on a very cold night...it was 8 degrees Celcius. It was fun fun fun and exhilarating. Once we went back home, the euphoria continued with some Magnum ice creams (oohhh...I love you Dad!) and more games on TV - till the wee hours of the morning.
Woohoo! I have another 29 days to go. Angelina decides that football is not her "thing" and will hibernate the rest of winter. Fine. I'll take over. har har har *evil laughs*
31 comments:
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I love this new template sooooooooooo much and vote this one to be my favorite post!!! Viva la soccer!!! Take care and welcome to Brad! Angelina - please don't stay away too long!!
hugs and salam to all at home
Hi,
So Angelina decides that football is not her "thing" and will hibernate the rest of winter. Let us enjoy scintillating world class football then..
Am not a football junkie, maybe I'll just watch the finals...
But I'd rather watch at the comfort of home... can watch in whatever position I'm comfortable in - terlentang ke, tertonggeng ke... :-)
according to TK, a bomoh in South Africa said Argentina would win, my respond to that was that a "bakal bomoh" predicted England..hahaha...
so what's the bomoh down there tengok n nampak dlm air kopi?
:-)
Great scenes there. Over here, the Monyets are waiting for Malaysia to qualify for the World Cup finals. We think it will be in year 2516.
Common you Aussies. FAZ
Aunty Paula,
Actually I'm the more creative one in the family (obviously from Dad's genes). Forget Angelina. I'm the one to adore now....har har har *evil laughs*
Ayoh Wang,
Hibernate = Snooze! She is so "tak sporting". Let us boys enjoy the football season. Woohoo!!!! har har har *evil thoughts*
Aunty Pi,
Well, Dad is planning to take me watch the Aussie vs Germany game at 4.30am in the city!!! We'll take the 3am train from the station near home. Let Mama and Angelina continue snoozing... har har har *evil laughs*
Cheqna,
England? Their days are numbered. Did you see how they played against USA this morning? Hopeless! har har har *evil laughs*
Your Highness,
We'll pray for you... but for a country that claims to makan bola, tidur bola, mandi bola, mimpi bola, minum bola...it's a disappointment. Why don't the monyets form a team and replace the humans? har har har *evil laughs*
Heya Faz! Welcome to my world. Our loyalty is with the Socceroos.... my hero is Tim Cahill, obviously. What about you? Do you support team England? har har har *evil laughs*
I love that Zakumi that your mama bought you eventhough I am actually too old for it! It's so cute!
Happy Hibernating Cat!
TK Sensei,
I took pity on Angelina and let her hibernate while cuddling Zakumi. Am I generous or not? har har har *evil laughs*
Morning, cats!
Am not keen on soccer but will probably consider watching if Msia or Norway plays.
The closest I come to being a part of this year's world cup junkie is watching all the hilarious waka waka videos from around the world..hhaha!
ps: A very very very nice heading picture and template :)
Aunty Naz,
Thanks for the compliments...I've always thought the blog needs my artistic touch. Angelina is so blah... har har har *evil laughs*
Heya,
Nice, a day out with the family. Sweet! Not fan of football/soccer tho' so... But I can understand the pleasure it gives to fans.
Enjoy the WC season.
Hi Cat, I guess half the World glued to their TV screens and bet that includes Incik Bin laden too, ha ha.
You have a great time. Love the pics. Lee.
Brad, you look so awesome! I'll bet the Socceroos would love to have you as their official mascot! A kangaroo couldn't hold a candle to you! Lookit that macho face -- one scowl like that and the referee would be backing away apologetically! What fun you all had! My first few days of watching the World Cup have been quiet ones -- I can't talk much after surgery, but all the same, I am mighty pleased with Argentina's performance so far!
Uncle Razee,
Long time no see! So, you're like Angelina too, eh? Football is not your "thing"? Oh well....we can't convert everyone. har har har *evil thoughts*
Uncle Lee,
I wonder if he has big screens in his cave? har har har *evil laughs* We'll never know....
CO78,
Ah...you're a Maradona junkie, eh? They played well too, I watched the game. That Messi guy...he was almost a socceroo, you know.... har har har *evil laughs*
Hi there Brad!
Lovely post and pix!
I thought it would be blasphemous to say I was not a football fan - and then I find so many others here who are the same! Lovely!
Well, you're gonna have a lovely rest-of-the-month with football all the time!!! A happy camper, eh?
Aunty Pat,
I'll be happy as a Larry the rest of the month. It's a sin not to like football....har har har *evil laughs*
There are only 3 matches that matter - the semi-finals and the finals. And there's only one team that matters - the one that is most supportive of womenkind- BRAzil!!! *evil laugh*
P.S: Brad looks so cute *drool drool* Can we have him as the header of this blog.. like.. for good? *evil laugh*
Wow!
Your Mama surely knows how to enjoy her soccer game!
Sadly, I was just commenting to Uncle Rudi the other night, where can we go for real World Cup atmosphere here in KL...not another Mamak stall, please...though it's not bad.. Unfortunately I end up the only lady in the house against all the men who don't support England...Uncle Rudi included!
Oh...yes Brad. Despite Australia being the land of tanah tumpahnya darahku, I am not [whisper mode] a Socceroos fan [end whisper mode].
When I think Australia, I'm afraid only hockey, rugby and the Great Barrier Reef come to mind!
So tell your Mum, I am unconvertable - England mali!
Andrea darling,
As far as Round 1 is concerned, my loyalty is with the Socceroos. We'll see how it goes if they don't make it to 2nd round. Argentina looks like a very likely contender for my heart. Esp that Messi...he's got that kind of hair you'd like to run your fingers in...aaarrrgghhhh....
You're my kind of woman! I'll arrange something so that I can take over this blog forever....har har har *evil laughs*
Aunty Ninot,
We don't see much hope with England this season esp with that goalkeeper around...har har har *evil laughs*
That looks awesome!
To be in that party with you family.
Those screens look great.
I'm from Chile and I need to be in Argentina for work. Here I'm staying in an Apartment rental buenos Aires but I have to see the World Cup alone, without my family like we do in every world Cup. So now i have to turn on the TV and then the computer to skype with them, and that's our "family time" together in the new world.
Thats why i'm so glad that you can be with your family in this celebration!
Hey Paula! Welcome to my ...errr...crazy cat world! Invite some friends over and watch World Cup with them. That would be awesome too. If ever Australia wins the bid to host World Cup, my Dad promised he'll take me to the stadium... har har har *evil laughs*
Post a Comment