The Jakarta Schools Football is about to start again... http://twitter.com/JakartaFootball

Australia vs Indonesia in the Asian Cup Qualifiers

One perk of living in Asia is that going to the world class sports games is relatively cheaper, about $10 for front seat tickets to the soccer! The stadium, Bun Karno as it is affectionly known as was about 3/4 full and boy did they make some noise!

A-Leaguers grab point in Asian Cup qualifier

THE Socceroos' hastily assembled A-League outfit have pinched a 0-0 draw against Indonesia to start the country's Asian Cup campaign. In a match which was a 90-minute arm wrestle with few chances, the Australian team, featuring seven debutants, battled manfully to take a point from their first Group B qualifier.

The squad was thrown together within the past 48 hours with little preparation, and looked solid defensively but lacked cohesion in the final third. Indonesia had perhaps the two best chances of the match, while Australia put the ball in the back of the net in the second half only to have it ruled offside. The home side, ranked 144 in the world - 115 places below the Socceroos - gave the Australians a huge fright in the 35th minute when striker Talaohu Musafri shot just wide after the Socceroos lost possession in midfield. Then striker Budi Sudarsano found himself in a great position on 62 minutes, but his close range header from a Musafri cross lacked power.

Socceroos striker Archie Thompson tested goalkeeper Markus Horison three minutes later - his long-range shot spilled by the keeper and just falling short of substitute Matt Simon's despairing boot. Adelaide United midfielder Paul Reid went close in the 69th minute, bending a free-kick just wide of the left-hand post, before Central Coast's Simon headed home a cross 14 minutes from time which was correctly ruled offside. In a four-team group comprising the Socceroos, Indonesia, Kuwait and Oman, the top two sides qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup finals in Qatar.

The Socceroos will bring back their European-based stars for their next match - a World Cup qualifier against Japan in Yokohama on February 11. Their next Asian Cup qualifier is against Kuwait in Canberra on March 5, when Australia are again likely to field an all-A-League outfit.

Contact Sports: Fun or too dangerous ?

I was playing football (aussie style) over the weekend. Towards the end of the game, one of the fellows injured himself, I was nearby, didnt quite see what happened, I think he just fell funny.

However, he didn't get up, so wandered over to help, his foot was at a 90 degree angle sideways, the tibia bone pointing up. Ouch. It looked like one of those horrible worst sporting injuries emails or youtube videos. (out of respect for the guy we didnt take pictures of him.)

It did get me thinking though, over the years, I've seen a number of damaged knees, torn or stretched hamstrings, a team mate had his head caved in (needed 3 plates in it i think) a few dislocated shoulders, broken nose, and a few concussions.

Makes me wonder, is playing footy (or rugby) worth it? I enjoy the sport, I enjoy playing, I enjoy the contact. But makes me worry about getting a serious injury.

Perhaps I should just work on my golf or cricket instead....

Off to Thailand....

Tomorrow....

It's gonna be a busy trip, gotta a game of cricket in Chaing Mai, also some golf, catch up with some friends, then return to BKK to catch up with my son, plenty of thai food to be eaten, some shopping, more friends, Essendon vs Melbourne AFL, then Bledisloe Rugby, and also State of Origin.

Oh, and, eat some thai food, of course! moo ping, kao neow, kiteow, the list goes on, but I am going to eat so much pork (since Indonesia does not have much)

A Thai-Australian Chamber of commerce networking meeting (read a big piss up for men in suits ;) )

Then the grand finale of the trip, the Asian Champs AFL - 10 footy teams about 300 Aussies.

here's my player profile for this tourney....

"Liam “Sledge” Hammer – former Tiger who is champing at the bit to take his much-celebrated tattoo, drinking and martial arts skills back to Bangkok in the red, black and white jersey. Likes to have a chat on the park and, as a former kung fu champion, has the skills to back it up."

This is what I love about Asia - sports, mates, beers, travel.

and a reminder that all these fantastic sports clubs have websites should u wanna have a read... just check out my links to the right....

footy in hong kong

a letter from one of the footy boys in china, i'm due to join them in hong kong in 2 days time!

Dear all

The Bintangs are still on tour in China, preparing intensively as we speak at asecret training venue in Beijing in readiness for this weekend's big clash withthe HK Dragons, our first full length game in the Special Administrative Region.

We played a three-way tournament in excellent conditions in Shanghai on the weekend. The local team, the Tigers, beat an undermanned Tokyo Goannasoutfit by about 6 goals in the opener.We then flogged the Goannas by about 80 points in our first game. Fester wasBOG with 5 goals before Gracey took him off to prevent him from breaking anygoal-kicking records.

In what was then a play off for the Cup, a brave Bintangs outfit went down byabout 6-7 goals to a larger and rested Shanghai squad after being right in ituntil boom Yogya SFE recruit Ray "the Reverend" Terns was knocked out cold in a nasty clash in the third quarter. With a limited bench, Fester playing on with a broken finger and our on-ballers stuffed, a pretty decent Shanghai side tookover in the last quarter to run out deserved winners.

I am pretty confident wecan turn the tide on them in Bangkok, however. Incidentally, Ray has made a full recovery after a night in hospital for observation. The full squad played very well and will continue to improve. TheBintangs are on the march in 2007.

Going to the Football

(local) Football in Indonesia is a serious affair, supporters clamour onto busses trucks etc all dressed in their teams colours and the already busy roads became even worse (if that's possible in the Big Durian)

I'm not all that certain its particuarly safe, look at this picture, the bus inside is virtually empty and this, presumably poorly maintained rattle trap, is chugging down the highway with about 25 kids on the roof!