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No sport has the power to unite all Australians quite like football and we’ve got it all. The A-Leagues, Commonwealth Bank Matildas, Socceroos, FFA Cup and Emirates FA Cup!
This week, The Water Cooler caught up with host, Tara Rushton and commentator, Simon Hill ahead of round one this weekend.
What’s the greatest football moment you’ve witnessed?
Simon: It has to be the Uruguay World Cup qualifier in 2005 – such an outpouring of emotion after 32 years of trying to get to a World Cup. The joy (or was it relief?) on so many faces showed that football has the power to unite the country like nothing else.
Tara: The ‘Miracle of Montpellier’ was one of the gutsiest, craziest, dramatic and against-the-odds matches I have ever watched unfold and will go down in history as one of the legendary Matildas victories of all time.
The Matildas had to defeat Brazil, or their World Cup campaign was over. Less than halfway through the match they were under-the-pump and two goals down. Then the unbelievable comeback happened: Caitlin Foord found the back of the net in the dying minutes of the first half giving the Matildas a lifeline, and then Chloe Logarzo scored in the second half. With the game on the line and with a contentious build up, Brazil scored an own-goal which ended up the winner for Australia.
The match had so many twists and turns and the crowd at the Stade de le Mosson rode every single one of them. It was truly unbelievable being there and a match that I will remember forever. The Matildas became the first team to come from behind and defeat Brazil in the tournament’s history and only the second team to ever come back from being two goals down to win their World Cup Match.
Who are the teams to watch this season?
Simon: Melbourne City are the reigning champions and look very strong again – especially with the acquisition of Mat Leckie to an already formidable-looking front line. Watch out though for Melbourne Victory. Under Tony Popovic they will be much improved. Sydney FC will challenge again too – they always do.
Tara: Reigning Champions Melbourne City. With their Socceroos trio of Matthew Leckie, Jamie Maclaren and Andrew Nabbout, Melbourne Victory have completely overhauled their roster, signing a glut of talent. But arguably, their most formidable signing is new coach Tony Popovic. And Perth Glory will be headlined by one the biggest A-League-Men’s signings yet: Daniel Sturridge.
For those who don’t follow football, what are three terms they can drop into conversation to make them sound like a pro?
Simon:
- Should they go with the back three or stick with the flat four?
- Riley McGree should have won the Puskas Award!
- Sam Kerr is going to beat Christi Sinclair’s record one day!
Tara:
- What a ‘Worldie’ (cracking goal)
- They ‘parked the bus’ (team plays completely defensively with no intention to attack)
- ‘Nutmeg’ (play the ball through the oppositions legs)
Who do you think is the greatest player of all time? Or is that like asking who your favourite child is?
Simon: The greatest for me was Pele. The game’s first truly global superstar in the era before modern technology. That he went to play in America when they didn’t know what ‘soccer’ really was, and sold out grounds wherever he went demonstrated his appeal – and he was an incredible player.
Tara: I have always adored Thierry Henry. He is the shining light of Arsenal’s invincible team, doing things on the pitch that seemed unimaginable; his flick, his volley, his ruthlessness in front of goal, his pace and creativity, and the way he ran rings around defenders. Thierry was just a class-act to watch and the partnership he struck up with Dennis Bergkamp was just stunning.
This week at 10 ViacomCBS we are celebrating Wellness Week. How do you take care of your physical and mental wellbeing when managing such a busy schedule?
Simon: By reminding myself that as much as we all love, and are passionate about football, nobody dies. It’s supposed to be fun. The late Pope John Paul II once said ‘of all the unimportant things in life, football is the most important’ – that sums it up.
Tara: When my little-ones nap, I try to take 30 minutes to get moving. I use the brief quiet time to roll out the yoga mat and pop on a Fluidform-at-Home or a cross- training workout to get the endorphins ticking over.
