My mates and I watched the pitch invasion in disbelief for a few minutes, but the instant I said: "Fuck it, let's get out there too." The announcer started telling people to get off the grass.

Don't think anyone said he was rubbish. Most said he was good but some noted he was less effective in the second half - and he was. But so were all of them.

I remember us growing into the game second half and gradually taking charge, but we did that a lot last year with Nizzy and Balard calling the shots. But yes, Victory were strangely lethargic second half and only one nil up.

That was a great night!

Mad Eyes Miller has a short fuse also and is prone to flopping for free kicks that he doesn't always get (left us vulnerable at least once last night). The Hibs fans don't rate him despite the occasional excellent game. Way too inconsistent. He's good in attack though.

So we should learn from that.

Teague (and Irvine) last night were like microcosms of the entire performance. Both were excellent first half but both were largely ineffective second half. As for Boyle and Borello second half - I was shouting at my telly to get them off and get Caceres and Arzani on. I was also shouting at my...

Love that team with the exceptions that it's over for Leckie and hasn't quite started for Kuol.

We had some very shaky moments - especially from Miller and Degenek in the 2nd half - but China weren't good enough to test us. Both Japan and Saudi will. We desperately needed an outlet - someone who can hold the ball up the park - and the only players of that type were left on the bench until...

Good first half dreadful second half and Popa took forever to make changes. Our win was down to China being crap more than anything else. How did we not once test the keeper second half after his woeful first half? Very disappointing.

I have an awful feeling Saudi could jag a win...

Dealing with parents was not something I ever had to do. My mate though was coach of CC Lightning though from U12s through to 18s and was constantly besieged by parents to play their kids who were clearly the next Harry Kewell.

Yes, that was very clearly stated. Patrick Croke oval at Kincumber will also be turned into a 35,000 seat stadium... which will deeply disappoint those who currently bring their dogs there to shit.

Quite impressed with the budget speech. More importantly, only two hours to kickoff.

Now to settle back and watch the budget speech to really get me in the mood for football.

Whatever anyone says... the MLS is very much a success story by AL standards and whatever works over there should be looked at very closely. Like Oz they have a massive problem getting past the mainstream sports but they've succeeded by focusing on the subculture that DOES enjoy football...

The adrenaline's kicked in, I'm wearing my lucky Socceroos shorts, I'm onto my third vino (after a cleansing ale) and it's still 3.5 hours to kick off. I'm gonna be rooted tomorrow - either way.

It's at set plays we can most expect their dark arts (unless they do get their noses in front). They'll stop at nothing to prevent us from getting to crosses and that's where a red card could happen, if the ref was confident of getting out of the country alive.

The sight of my star striker lying on a bench with a damp cloth over his eyes while his girlfriend laced up his boots is an image I can never forget... Sigh...

Speaking of penalties, I'm pretty worried about home town decisions tonight - for all sorts of reasons. However, given the desperately (recklessly) passionate way the Chinese can go about the game, I wouldn't be surprised to see them cop another red card. Of course, it would be a brave ref to...