tasman man 742 Report post Posted April 24, 2022 ..........and they produced a beaut looking playing surface for Sundays's big Football clash involving the Wellington Phoenix. Over 15,000 people were there and the teams warmed up on a great looking surface and the teams cleared the field 10 mins before start time. Then the Turf experts took over and with some rain forecast they turned on the sprinklers for about 5 x mins ! GENIUS ! The game started and in first 5 mins several players completely lost their footing. Phoenix got a good goal to lead 1-0 but after about 30 mins a defender committed a handball in red area and Sydney were awarded a penalty. In a 'blooper' moment the Sydney penalty taker went arse up as he made his attempt and the ball went toward the corner flag. I guess you had to be there , Sydney appeared to dominate the second half but blew several other chances and 1-0 continued.Phoenix won ! Despite tight security a barechested man made it on to centre field and gave himself up when three guards closed in. But one guard could not hold back and lowered him with a very strong aggressive tackle ,which was probably the 'play of the day ' ! These thoughts make it on RACECAFE cos it reminds us that some sports events can still conjure up a reasonable crowd , while racing struggles big time ! Basil brush 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerula 1,403 Report post Posted April 24, 2022 It takes genius to spoil the best playing surface in the world. Great they were diverted from Racing! So pleased they left Puke and Te Rapa alone these last few weeks so racing has been on Good 3 and 4. Basil brush 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
poundforpound 745 Report post Posted April 24, 2022 I saw that penalty howler !!! I think Labour devised the plan on how to take that penalty. Tauhei Notts 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palliser 760 Report post Posted April 24, 2022 Was the watered pitch a possible reason for penalty miss ? .. if so Rudan would be spewing knowing him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloke 1,232 Report post Posted April 24, 2022 1 hour ago, poundforpound said: I saw that penalty howler !!! I think Labour devised the plan on how to take that penalty. National are experts in scoring own goals drewandjo, Memphis3 and Insider 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tasman man 742 Report post Posted April 24, 2022 27 minutes ago, Palliser said: Was the watered pitch a possible reason for penalty miss ? .. if so Rudan would be spewing knowing him. Certainly a huge contributing factor IMO.....but after a sunny start there were a couple of brief but decent squalls. Plus the Eden Park Hoodoo which hurts visiting teams.......though it didn't affect 'my team ' when we beat Auckland at Cricket there back in the day ! According to Herald report ,that area of the ground was affected by Dan Carter's recent 24 hr kick-a-thon....blame a Cantabrian ! To keep this thread on the Racing theme , have the Auckland Clubs [ Racing and Trotting ] ever considered having a 'horse ' promotion during a big match at Eden Park . Crusaders have had their horses running on their hallowed rugby turf for years. Trotting in particular could have the kids karts there as a 'tie-in' promotion. When the Blues moved to Alexandra Park , much was made of the possibility of cross-promotions , but to date it has just been all talk ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...