Street Socceroos a big hit with the Copenhagen crowds
The Street Socceroos unfortunately couldn't reproduce the magic that took the Socceroos through the group stage in the World Cup in Germany last year, none the less I am sure they fought on with the never say die Aussie spirit. First up against Scotland who are to play Poland in the final soon, Australia went down 13-0 in their opening Preliminary Group Stage match. In their next match against Finland the Street Socceroos fought hard but lost 7-3. After the Finland game the Aussies faced Liberia, having to ask the Danish keeper to stand in for the Australian keeper as he was on crutches cheering his team on from the side lines after being injured in the previous match. The Aussies fought hard for the ball but were out classed by the Liberians who kept their cool when finishing putting the Au
stralians away 5-1 in the final game of the Prelim's. Even though Australia finished without any points and at the bottom of the group this did not mean the end of the tournament for the Aussies. This being no ordinary tournament the Street Socceroos had more matches competing for other cups against other similarly placed nations. The next day they were up against Mexico and with the crowd supporting the Aussies who were said to be just as happy when they lost as they would be when they won, they remained happy although losing 9-2 in the one sided affair. Greece then continued the Aussies run by beating them 6-2. Then in a closely hard fought match against Chile, at half-time it was 3-2 in favour of Chile but Australia won through in the second half and came out on top 7-5, with their first win of the tournament! Having gained some momentum the Street Socceroos continued their winning ways showing some excellent skill and finishing touches to beat Switzerland 6-1 after going into half time with a 4-1 lead, what a great performance from the Aussies. They then faced India and found themselves a goal down in the first minute of the match, but the Aussies kept their heads high and fought back to keep their winning streak going with a 7-2 scoreline. Their next encounter came up against Sweden and it was tight at half-time with the Swedes leading by one, eventually taking the match away from the Australians, Sweden won 10-5. Australia then faced Hong Kong in the wet, as the rain came down on Copenhagen, it was their tightest match yet ending 3-3 in normal time with Australia coming out victors in the penalty shootout.
stralians away 5-1 in the final game of the Prelim's. Even though Australia finished without any points and at the bottom of the group this did not mean the end of the tournament for the Aussies. This being no ordinary tournament the Street Socceroos had more matches competing for other cups against other similarly placed nations. The next day they were up against Mexico and with the crowd supporting the Aussies who were said to be just as happy when they lost as they would be when they won, they remained happy although losing 9-2 in the one sided affair. Greece then continued the Aussies run by beating them 6-2. Then in a closely hard fought match against Chile, at half-time it was 3-2 in favour of Chile but Australia won through in the second half and came out on top 7-5, with their first win of the tournament! Having gained some momentum the Street Socceroos continued their winning ways showing some excellent skill and finishing touches to beat Switzerland 6-1 after going into half time with a 4-1 lead, what a great performance from the Aussies. They then faced India and found themselves a goal down in the first minute of the match, but the Aussies kept their heads high and fought back to keep their winning streak going with a 7-2 scoreline. Their next encounter came up against Sweden and it was tight at half-time with the Swedes leading by one, eventually taking the match away from the Australians, Sweden won 10-5. Australia then faced Hong Kong in the wet, as the rain came down on Copenhagen, it was their tightest match yet ending 3-3 in normal time with Australia coming out victors in the penalty shootout. 
After five days of matches Australia had fought their way into the INSP Trophy Quarterfinals coming up against Chile who the Socceroos had overcome 7-5 earlier in the tournament. It was another tight match as in their previous encounter, thankfully with a similar result and the Street Socceroos putting in the hard yards in the second half to come away with a 5-4 win. So the Aussies will play Kyrgyzstan in the Semi's of the INSP Trophy. The match was closely contested with the scores locked at 3-3 in the second half but the Aussies couldn't keep their opposition at bay losing to two good late goals and going down 5-3. So it was the 3rd/4th playoff for the Aussies. In a rematch against Sweden who ended the Street Socceroos winning streak earlier, both teams were keen to put in a good performance, with Australia grabbing the upper hand at half-time leading 3-1 going into the break. The second-half didn't bring any fruit forth for either side Australia winning the match and finishing 3-1 with the Aussies taking 3rd spot in the INSP Trophy. While Kyrgyzstan went on to win the INSP Trophy defeating Slovenia 7-5 in the final.
In the other Trophies Austria defeated Zimbabwe 3-1 in the Ombold Trophy Final. Mexico are to take on Netherlands in the Hus Forbi Trophy Final, Serbia are taking on Lithuania in the Cape Town Trophy, it's Kazakhstan versus Ghana in the Copenhagen Trophy final and Poland will fight in the World Homeless Cup Final against Scotland to see who will take the cup home this year. With the cup to be presented by the Crown Prince of Denmark.
Eric Cantona the famous frenchman who stared for Manchester United during the peak of his career, was also in Copenhagen after his duties with the French Beach Soccer European Cup Team had finished to support the French Homeless World Cup Team.
posted by John M @ 10:00 pm
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