Soccer mayhem

Well, I've been getting into the Asia Cup big time here - it's soccer fever in Hanoi and the city is going wild!

Went to see Vietnam play United Arab of Emirates last Sunday - it was myself, Michelle and John, Brianna and Kathryn - that was a brilliant match. And so much fun to be there barracking for Vietnam. Had so many fun interactions. Vietnam won 2-0.







After the game, in soccer frenzy, John, Michelle and I looked seriously to go to Bangkok to see them play wither Iraq on Friday night, or Australia tonight... while it would have been relatively cheap with flights, accoms and tickets to go, we decided to risk the chance that Australia might still come to Hanoi to play. There seemed a likely chance given they weren't doing famously.

Was meant to go see Qatar and Vietnam play on Thursday, but the tickets fell through.

Then by chance spoke to a Japanese friend on Saturday night and he invited me to the game tonight - so went and saw Japan and Vietnam play. Just returned. Was another brilliant match, and so exciting to see the two nations battle on the field. Japan won steadily... and it looked like it was going to be a sad end for Vietnam's play in the finals - but because UAE beat Qatar in Ho Chi Minh city, it gave them another chance.

And then, bless, Australia beat Thailand!!! So the socceroos are coming to Hanoi - would you believe it! Would you seriously believe it! I'm so stoked. We oz ex-pats here are so stoked. It's fabulous.

So there are now two chances to see my country play in Vietnam - this Saturday for the quarter finals and then the semi finals the following Saturday.

So funny, out at dinner, when the news came through that Australia won and so Japan and oz were playing this Saturday - Toshio and I had much banter... so funny that there we were together, having gone soccer mad for the evening - and then it turns out that both our nations will be facing off this Saturday.

Classic, classic, classic.

Go socceroos, go!!!!!!