Ernie! Singin’ In The (Torrential) Rain
How high’s the water, mama? It’s three feet high and rising.
How high are the Phoenix, mama? They’re four point clear and rising.
That had to be one of the weirdest games of football ever witnessed on a professional level. Bringing back memories of under-17 games in the pouring rain and ankle-high mud. With the few parents and supporters willing to brave the conditions all either disappeared beneath umbrellas or making the dash to their cars for shelter. When the rain fell almost horizontal and the ball wouldn’t roll a metre without getting stuck in a puddle.
That’s what we got in the second half at Suncorp. Rain like the wrath of God. So bad that after almost half an hour of diminishing standards and conditions, the referee finally called the thing off amidst general confusion and anger.
“So it's finished? We just go home?” asked Roar captain Matt McKay audibly near the TV cameras. Yep, sorry son but you’ve gotta eat it. The score stands as it was with 17 minutes remaining and the mighty, table-topping Nix had their first ever away win against Brisbane after 12 unsuccessful trips in the past.
As far as what could plausibly pass for a football game goes, it was more of the same from the Nix. They passed the ball swiftly and with purpose and were able to create plenty of chances. Burnsy was back up front and looking red hot, while Wee Mac and Roy “Still Needs A Decent Nickname” Krishna were pretty handy themselves.
However it was the home team that opened the scoring, a beautiful move turned in confidently at the near post by Andrija Kaluderovic after only five minutes. As early as that was, it still felt against the run of the play. A few chances to level were wasted or didn’t quite come off, leaving Nathan Burns to take matters into his own capable hands. He went ducking and diving through a host of defenders, skipping tackles like he was playing at the park with jumpers and shoes for goalposts. Then he flipped it to Wee Mac who could hardly have missed.
Right before half time the Nix went in front, Roy Krishna drilling a shot off the post that fell right at the feet of Burnsy and it was 2-1. By the time they returned for the second half the rain had set in for good.
They tried playing through it but the puddles were only getting deeper. Wee Mac hit the post off the end of a Roly Poly free kick. Players were slipping and sliding all over the park. Any longer and they would have been swimming. It was a weird was to finish a game but it was only right with player safety becoming an issue. And to be honest, it was hard to see Brisbane stealing anything from that game. It was always possible, but the Nix deserved their three points in the end. Four points clear, baby!
Who Are Ya!? Hey Nate. Ain’t seen ya for a little while. But damn was that a perfect example of picking up where ya left off after a week off against Perth. Nathan Burns was a step above all else, just as he has been ever since returning from the Asian Cup. We probably won’t get him back next season, but it was worth it. We’ll always have this season, Burnsy.
Nek Week it’s back home to Westpac Stadium, the Cake Tin finally allowed to go back to its officially sponsored name now that it’s finished its Cricket World Cup duties. Except that while the Phoenix are playing Sydney FC at 5pm on Sunday, there’ll be a Cricket World Cup final on at the same time. Thank the Almighty for MySky, internet streaming and quality sport.