Throughout the World Cup in 2006, selected matches have been televised at the hall for all the soccer, sorry football, junkies. Our setup was sick:

• Wide-Screen Projector showing SBS's Digital Coverage, the screen was massive as the photos show!
• Loud and Crisp Stereo Sound
• Cushioned Seating
• Warm like Summer
• Caffeine: Tea, Coffee & Coke
• Nibbles: Chips, Dips, Fresh Popcorn, Biscuits, Crackers, Cheese, and some healthy stuff
• Pre, Mid and Post Match Entertainment in Table Tennis and unruly Indoor Soccer Matches with no obvious teammates
• And your friends were there too!

Australia Vs Japan

The coverage started with Australia's first World Cup match in 32 years. More than 30 YDPs stayed up late to see Australia's first (and currently only) World Cup victory and their first ever World Cup goal - three of them actually. Japan scored in the middle of the first half, with everyone feeling a bit tense as you can see below (yes Karim can't bear to look in the 2nd photo :)

But just when we thought all hope had gone, Cahill scores and we are all dishing out high five's. Quite satisfied that we were at least gonna draw, minutes later Cahill does it again and we exceed the noise restrictions for a residential area - this time high ten's were being pulled out. Ridiculously, another goal minutes after that and shouts of Aloweeeseee were the call and there was some running around the hall with t-shirts pulled over heads.. A great night of soccer action shown on a big screen with nibbles, softies, tea, coffee, and half-time, pre and post-match table tennis entertainment.

Australia Vs Brazil

So close yet so far, a great game nonetheless. Australia went down to Brazil 2-0, but most of the game was deadlocked at 0-0.

Around 20 YDPs put soccer ahead of sleep and ventured down to our hall to watch the underdogs Australia take on the defending champions Brazil ... at 1.30 - 3.30am. As you can see from the photos, an even bigger screen for this game, with the usual nibbles and drinks on offer. At half time some listened to the expert SBS commentary, others played an unofficial game of indoor soccer with chairs as goal posts.

Australia Vs Croatia

Some were crazy enough to get down to the hall at 4.30am to see Australia's deciding clash against Croatia. A tense game until the final whistle with the match drawn at 2-2, enough for Australia to go through to the Round of 16.

Australia Vs Italy

By far the underdogs, Australia dominated possession against the Italians, who were reduced to 10 after a controversial red card incident. Unfortunately the ref made a worse and by far more critical mistake when he gave a penalty to the Italians after one of their players fell over a Socceroo with just 10 seconds left. Justice did not prevail, and the penalty resulted in a goal, a 1-0 victory to Italy, and Australia knocked out of the World Cup. Now we go for Brazil :)