It didn't come naturally, it was all purely accidental, as my landlord's son Lachie's friend, Ryusuke from Japan was paying him a visit, and that day Lach had something to do and was wondering if i could have the time to keep him company as well, turns out he's a football fan as well, Lach asked why not we go and watch the Grand Final in the 56,000,00 seat Etihad Stadium?
And thats when it all started...i checked the online booking beforehand and turns out the only ticket that was selling was the 75 dollar ticket and the rest are all done sold out, but nonetheless we gone there as well and to try out luck out, maybe we can score some tickets ^^ I was repeating " Onegaishimash, Ticketo!!" which means like "Please be there be tickets !" and he agree too ~~ the stadium was very easy to reach, it is just behind the Southern Cross Station which all train can go too, and it is such a big event, heaps of people turns up ...... and i mean heaps....
Theres a girl performing bagpipe as well, which is quite good actually ~~~
As soon as we got to the ticket counter, there's was this lady in front that says she's selling TWO of her ticket at original price which is 50 Dollar ~~and after some thinking we decided to grab them as 50 was the cheapest for adult and there maybe possibilities they've been sold out...the ticket itself...
People were rushing in like mad man !
Aisle 24...
The stadium was massive !! It was really nothing i had imagine, i know its gonna be big and class, but not like THAT big and class ! It gives back the feeling when i first went to the MCG(Melbourne Cricket Ground) for the Australian-Football game which i won from my orientation game, overwhelming, exiting as well as petrifying....
First look out at the pitch...
Massiveness of the stadium....
The crowds...phenomenal..
Sydney players taking their warm ups and practices before kick off
Nice being a part of a......once a year only event !
Our seat was aligned perfectly to the pitch, so we get to see everything, and anything ! It turns out, even from this picture that the players are all in green-pea-scale, but in reality u can see each and everyone of them, what their doing, and what their lil movement is, its really is breathtaking, i would imagine that i would struggle to cope with the distance from where i sit and the pitch itself as i sat at the highest row above~~ But it didn't really matter, i could literally see everything from here...
The crowd again....when they cheer ~ or when they boo (something u dun heard at the TV) u can felt the vibration and the high pitch which electrifies ur ear as well ~~~ to the point u have to literally scream to ur partner to talk to him, its not like standing beside a 1000+horsepower car, that kinda roar is very strong and rough for your ears sometimes, but the roar of a fanatic crowd, is both strong , but in the same time, u'll have the urge that may this sound never ends...as it is that....feeling that makes up all the emotions...that really bounds u in...
Me and Ryusuke
Players entering the pitch for kick off~notice the white flower like petal down beneath, those are the Sydney supporter tat came all the way from Sydney for this, waving their flag...
Singing national anthem led by a singer..
Game kick off....this is one special game, why ? Because from all the time the A-League has been established, Melbourne vs Sydney is like Manchester vs Arsenal, the clash of the titans ~ the derby rival ~ the match of the year ~ and to coincide, its the Grand Final, which is the final for their League games but is similiar to FA Cup of EPL.....imagine FA Cup final Manchester vs Arsenal.....both clubs fighting for a silverware...
Corner kick....
During halftime, kids come out to play 5-a-side football, short hand and short leg run here run there, so cute !
The match progressed till 1-1, with Sydney had a goal from the result of a counter attack from Melbourne's offside goal, and that punish the stoned Melbourne as they were recovering from the frustration of their denied goal. But 9 minutes from 90 minutes Melbourne score back with a header from a free kick and that put the game back into play ~~ I was keep saying to Ryusuke that plsssss be penalties at the end plsssssss cuz i've always wanted to see a penalty sudden death cause it is sooo rare it only happens in Finals or Semi finals and those events are rare u only get 1 or 2 Finals a year...but after 30 minutes of extra time it was 1-1 and penalty was to take place.....but sadly....at the end, Sydney goalkeeper's heroic save the day for Sydney as he saved 1 penalty with Melbourne miss 1 at the first, and Sydney continued to convert all their remaining spot kicks except 1 which was save by Melbourne goalkeeper but doesn't matter, the score was 4-2 and Sydney clinch the champion.....
The stadium canot believe their bad luck and Sydney supporter were left cheering for their lives as they've came so far from their home to support their team and watch them prevail, which think is good enough for them ~ considering both teams play so well, when it comes to penalty deciders, it really is unfair, as only luck plays a factor in that, but overall, i spended 50 dollar for 120 minute worth of exhilarating football, as well as penalty deciders that left us biting our nails, yeah i think its worth it.....My dream of playing at that stage becomes even larger as it has always been my dream to play at a stage where, my friend, my family, and everyone that has been associated with me through out my life, even if its just a short friendship, as long as those people who still remembers me, i want them to look in the TV, and say to their friend or their family: " Thats my friend~ "
For all people who have never been to a stadium watch a live football before, once u gone there, u'll come out a new man....trust me...ur level of enthusiasm for football will change forever...
After we exit the stadium i spotted this classic Rolls Royce...the front radiator grill just takes my breath away.....
Football is a thing of mystery, it has the ability to, make u delete all ur common sense, and just plunge ur self into upholding the dreams of 11 players and their team members. Over the years, people have live for football, prevail cuz of football, but in the meant times, fail because of football and die for football.....its is more than just a sport, it is a spiritual bond, one that links over states, race, religion, age, countries and everything else, it is maybe where we will see, unity in different culture and people altogether. Football, is more than just a sport.
"He refereed the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Manchester United, he cited this as his most memorable game because of the cheers at the end, which he described as 'lions' roars" refer to Pierluigi Collina
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