I’ll admit the world game is my least favourite football code. I apprecate its skill, but my craving for contact in sport has kept me from embracing it.
What really matters in sport though is the contest, and the two games I witnessed on early Monday morning – the ones that would decide the English Premier League – were close to being the most enthralling sporting contests I have experienced.
In England, finishing on top of the table is good enough to win the title. There isn’t the extra test of a dramatic finals showdown to prove your worth.
On Monday, however, the EPL had its own version of a grand final: the table topping neighbours Manchester City and Manchester United, separated by goal difference only, fought each other for the title while playing at different grounds, against different opposition.
They were also playing simultaneously, except for a two minute difference in stoppage time. What happened during that period will ensure this championship finale goes down as one of the great sporting occasions.
The inspired commentary, tracking the constant changes in fortune brilliantly, did the occasion justice.
Manchester City only had to win to claim the title but this is a club that, according to one commentator, “has in its DNA a tendency to blow things”. They were at home but up against Queens Park Rangers who were playing for their survival.
City were once the kings when they annihilated United 6-1. Four weeks ago they were dead and buried. A fortnight later they resurrected themselves by again defeating United. Then, when the championship was theirs to win, the supporters witnessed what one caller described as “a capitulation of the highest order!”
With 90 minutes and 33 seconds gone not only were they not going to win, they were going to be toppled 1-2 by a lesser opponent which had only 10 men: “What a day to be a supporter of Manchester City. Where will they hide tonight? Where will they go? Where will they find the moral fibre to get up and go to work in the morning?”
But, unbelievably – or perhaps not considering what had gone on before – they score to equalise: “Four minutes to save themselves! Four minutes to find their crown!”
Meanwhile, Man United’s game against Sunderland had been a relatively straight forward affair. Rooney had scored early and that was that. What really counted were the updates from Etihad Stadium relayed to the United players and Alex Ferguson by the fans.
Rooney’s goal was a double delight as City hadn’t yet scored. A timid confidence set in.
Then City’s first goal brought a “tentative noise” that sent Ferguson’s jaw working even more vigorously on that huge mound of chewing gum.
The extreme pores-and-all close up of the great manager fails to identity a change in his expression but it does reveal that his old mackintosh is actually a new tailored coat.
Ten minutes later the United crowd goes up with the news that QPR has equalised. Cut to Ferguson still chewing.
When QPR goes ahead twenty minutes later, however, Ferguson unclenches his nail bitten fingers to clap, and starts walking about. The title is his again, surely.
One minute into extra time Rooney is winding down the clock in the corner when news of the City equaliser descends upon him. On his third attempt to keep the ball in the corner he makes a mistake and suddenly Sunderland becomes a real danger to United’s title hopes.
They survive but as they shake hands, quietly confident the championship is theirs, the final extraordinary event takes place. Ferguson and the United players and supporters suddenly turn in terror.
The Sunderland fans, who clearly have more in common with Man City than United, have gone up cheering at the news that City have scored again to snatch the game and the title.
Let’s go back to Etihad Stadium for the goal that finally decided it: “Aguero! Staggering! Just staggering! He’s won the league with 90 seconds of stoppage time to play! Drama of the ultimate type! Tears of distress turn to tears of unbridled joy!”
Amen.
I really do have to watch more of this form of football.
micka
Guest
I'd agree with you but as an AFL fan the World game lost me when we got booted from the world cup because of one diving Italian. Losing four years becouse of one cheating b***ard doesn't sit with me. Im simply amazed Lucas O'Neill didn't level the bloke after that. He's a better man than me.
apaway
Roar Guru
Great article, Andrew. Glad you enjoyed the games. It was an amazing last round but unfortunately you've got to take the good with the bad in "first past the post" competitions. Sometimes it doesn't end up like that, though in the EPL, there is generally SOMETHING for teams to play for on the final day. And you do get dull-as-dishwater Grand Finals so I guess it's swings and roundabouts.
Paul
Guest
Yeah because AFL matches never have teams that have more possessions and more scoring shots but still losing the game because they can't kick it straight or capitalise on their inside-50s. Grow up. Sport is like life. All the talent and knowledge in the world is useless if you don't take your chances and capitalise on your opportunities!
ManInBlack
Guest
you really do go on, and on, and on. granted you're replying in this particular instant to someone who replied to someone else but directed it to you. Still - my observation stands. (I think) at any rate - I do believe people can watch Man U vs Man Ciddy and enjoy the moment and not have to embrace the game. In a similar way to how people might've got caught up on the USA vs USSR Ice Hockey gold medal in 1980s 'Miracle on ice' and not turned into rabid Ice Hockey oficionados.
Johnno
Guest
Fuss we are football.
Bondy
I'm glad you enjoyed the contest Andrew, but Andrew havent you set yourself up to be dissapointed by the sport next time, you've witnessed one game where the occupants of that stadia are going to witness history any person in that stadium under the age of fifty cant recall the last time Man Cty won a premiership, and the match and championship were decided in injury time with one minute and thirty seconds on the clock ,that is not a normality to the sport .
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Andrew .. don't forget to keep those receipts for the "tax deduction" ;-) PS: I'm not invoicing you for this Tax advice!
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Fussball, I have since rectified that situation, and can now watch every game of sport on the planet incuding those City/United matches. Writing on AFL and league is just possible though watching free to air and live matches.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
UK Steve Not sure if you meant to address this post to me - it seems you get awfully discombobulated whenever you venture into a Football discussion. Perhaps, one day, I'll read a story on The Roar where a Football fan admits: "I don't watch the other 3 codes, because my craving for thuggery keeps me from embracing those 3 codes in Australia", but then writes a glowing account of how he watched a routine Home & Away match of Aussie Rules, League or Rugby and this changed his mind about those sports. PS: For me sport is more - MUCH MUCH MORE - than "talent, hard work, dedication & desire". If this were the extent of it, I certainly would not be watching sport & we'd be getting huge crowds watching the highest competitions of Netball, Field Hockey, Gymnastics etc, which all require huge amounts of "talent, hard work, dedication & desire". I get no vicarious pleasure from watching others doing their job.
David Heidelberg
Guest
Excellent article, reminding us all why we are sports fans. Thanks. One point you missed though was the drama of the relegation battle that QPR were involved in, and the reason they pushed City to the limit with only ten men. When City scored the winning goal the QPR forwards knew they were safe, but the QPR defenders had not heard the Bolton score and collapsed to the ground, thinking they were relegated. The bewildered looks on their faces when they heard the good news was great television, they didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Staying in the EPL meant they still had jobs, but they had lost an epic match and had been on an emotional roller coaster The other highlight was the Sunderland fans, who upon hearing the MC v QPR result turned their backs on the Man Utd fans and did the 'Poznan' (MCs celebration dance) reminding the Man Utd fans that they may be loved around the world, but they are hated at home.
Johnno
Guest
UK steve does have a point Fuss.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Andrew Sutherland You're kidding ... you're a sports reporter and you don't have a Foxtel subscription? You do realise Foxtel subscription is, most likely, a legitimate tax deduction for someone in your profession?
ManInBlack
Guest
from supporters of a game that employs a penalty shoot out to decide a major championship if required to accuse a premiership system that employs a finals series as being a 'lottery' surely is a joke.
Andrew Sutherland
Roar Guru
Unfortunately Ian I have previously been restricted to free to air highlights. I intend to see a match live next season.
chris p
Guest
That's because AFL fans live with their head in the sand
Ian
Guest
andrew - have you never found any A-League games exciting? the finish to the 2011 A-League GF for example? or this year? barring you think it was some sort of travesty - but that's two years of finishes in the last plays of the game resulting in goals. i love league also and have followed it at the professional level for longer but nothing at suncorp stadium has matched the 2011 A-League grand final for me.
Ian
Guest
bit generalist in saying they are all living on the poverty line watching football
Axelv
Guest
A good read, what a moment it was!
ChrisW
Guest
"That’s what the article is about, so it’s pointless bleating about other sports." When did AFL become part of this article? stop talking about it.
UK Steve
Guest
Fussball - you're not a true sports fan. You've said before that you only have time for soccer. You're getting all gushy because a non-soccer fan has complimented your game. Yes, controversy, heroes, villains..blah, blah, blah. You act as if soccer is the only sport that can produce incredible results. Sport is not about the good guys winning. It's about talent, hard work, dedication and desire. In life, maybe the good guys don't always win, but that has nothing to do with sport.