'I'm happy to be relegated': Aloisi thrilled as Vine overtakes him for most famous penalty in Australian football history

that's good description Duncan. You have to think, chess on grass, tactics, probing and testing the opposition's defence for weakness, and when you find it, you exploit it. If you watch another game, my suggestion is don't so much watch the player with the ball, try to watch as larger space as you can around the player with the ball. Look for the options the ball player has. Does the opposition defence have the attacking teams options covered? My grandfather and my father taught me that and it makes a difference.

that's the difference between good players and great players in my opinion, it's what they do off the pitch as much as what they do on the pitch. Just look at Marcus Rashford.

you are so right, he's a man that resonates humility, a love of the game, and utter respect for those around him. I have never met the man but I would give my right arm to do so.

Brilliant response Grem, love ya work mate

Our transport system usually works fine. I’ve travelled most of the way home from Sydney on New Years Eve and from Homebush during the Olympics and from other big sporting events that are on there. They always have extra trains and railway staff and everything usually goes as smoothly as it can when moving large numbers. But when 80000 or so people are leaving a stadium to catch trains then some patience is needed and most people understand that. We’d have no problems hosting a men’s World Cup. Some people just like to whinge! I’m sure his pies were cold and his beer was warm as well!

some great points here. firstly, the Irish did all they could to drag that game down. They wanted a Belfast brawl because they knew the calibre of the team they were up against. Secondly, every now and then Australia has an Olympics, a Comm Games (although Communist Dan has done the damage there) a "big event". Those are great event, but I would suggest that they don't bring the fever pitch, the attraction, the fervent support that football is capable of whipping up. In that context, this is something that our governance bodies are no used, they are still trying to get their heads around a Football World Cup. They simply dont know what to do and that's why the public transport was the way it was. They're used to Bronc v Roosters or Bunnies, they're used to Collingwood v Essendon, they are not used to Australia v England in a World Cup semi final.

J.A's penalty was the first quantum leap, this world cup is the second. And some time into the future, there will be another, we just have to support our game, turn up rain, hail or shine, win, lose or draw because look how brilliant our game is.

That impressed me even more. How about the young girl who Sam Kerr face her jersey to - priceless images.

That may be your point in this piece of writing, but it wasn’t in your last piece. So I guess that makes your question redundant – there is no public transport to where I live.

So you didn't take public transport home which makes your advice redundant. My point is I usually drive but cause I wanted to have some beers watching the Matildas beforehand I took public transport. How long would it take you to get public transport all the way home?

It's an amazing game, football. No goals for, like, 120 minutes, then suddenly 13 goals in about ten minutes. I guess it never rains unless it pours :laughing:

Here’s hoping this isn’t the most iconic moment of the WC. Two games to go.

John Aloisi returned to Ingle Farm years ago in Adelaide (his first junior club). Presented my son's team with their trophies...it was lovely stuff. And he did it for a sausage in bread and a lemonade. My son do this day says..."That's the guy who gave me my trophy".

I thought the public transport worked well. I left after the game and was quickly on a train that took me to Lidcombe. I always park at the Catholic Club (Dooleys) and drive home from there. Home by midnight - and I live an hour by car from Lidcombe.

I do like Aloisi. A great player, a part of our golden generation and still giving back to Australian football – he is a legend and his goal will always be remembered. We will also remember Schwarzer, Redmane, McKenzie Arnold and Vine.

So many articles I wasn't sure where to come on with my two bits worth but this seems appropriate for the humble blokes. This world cup had a lot of mediocre football in the group stages. Against Ireland and Nigeria our Matildas were struggling with pass accuracy and ball control. Several other games I watched were similar. An exciting 0-0 draw was not what I witnessed seeing France v Jamaica, the first game i got to see. Yes there were some wonderfully entertaining games and moments of quality but they were somehow always in games I wasn't watching. But boy have the knock out rounds stepped up. Being at Olympic Park last night I watched 2 games that had sublime passing and intense defence. The Matildas v France compared to the Matildas v Ireland were like Premier league v division 1. And if they hadn't made that progress France would have hammered them. And the Columbians weathered early pressure to really take the game to the English, scoring one of the most exhilarating goals of the tournament only to heartbreakingly give one right back through a keeper fumble. But both teams were passing like Barcelona at times, with Columbia just looking a little less composed once they got near the England box England look very good moving forward and our Matildas will have to improve again to beat them On a sour note. 8.30 kick offs at Olympic Park are ridiculous. We do not deserve the World cup hosting rights with such atrocious transport options. If I hadn't left at the 80th minute in the England game I wouldn't have got home before 1am. As it was I managed to just make my connecting train and made it home by midnight. It should not take 90 minutes to travel just halfway across Sydney. I'd always driven before and will never take public transport again based on that experience.

both fantastic moments.

No Aloisi penalty is more iconic

Serendipity. Aloisi was there for a reason. Call it fate, or, the passing of the baton. Vine is the Matilda’s lucky charm now.