Australia Takes The Game Seriously

The rest of the world sees Australians as relaxed types, always ready with a "g'day", a cold can of beer and an easy going way. Like most stereotpes, there's truth to that image. But the reality is that we can be as stroppy and petulant as the best of them. Witness Harry Kewell in the minutes after Australia's loss to Brazil yesterday. Kewell ripped into German referee Markus Merk as he left the field. There was nothing laid back about Kewell's tirade and the Liverpool winger was later booked for swearing at and insulting an official and may now miss Australia's crucial game against Croatia on Thursday.

Kewell was angry because Merk had awarded 25 free-kicks to Brazil while Australia had won only nine. The Aussie player felt the imbalance was unfair. Looking back on the game, though, most of the free kicks to Brazil were valid; there was no moment that sticks in the memory as being a particularly tough call against Australia. Indeed, Australian player Vince Grella was lucky not to have been sent off in the first half after a bruising, cleats-out strike on Ronaldo's calf.

Perhaps that's why Kewell later defended the referee and said his blow up came in the "heat of the moment". "You're frustrated, you're losing the game, every referee puts up with it," Kewell said after the match. "I mean, it's part and parcel of the game. He knows there's no harm meant by it."

The one good thing to be said for Kewell's tantrum is it shows how seriously Australia is taking their second ever World Cup. Yes, a 2-0 loss to the world champs was not a disgrace. But that doesn't mean it didn't hurt like hell. Australia — and that includes millions of sleep-deprived football fans at home — want desperately to get through to the next round. We never believed we were there just to make up the numbers — even when we got drawn in a group with Brazil, 2002 surprise packet Japan and European stalwarts Croatia.

As Kewell said after he had cooled down: "You go out there and play so well against the world champions and you come off losing, whereas you think you should have come off with something." I just hope the guy escapes suspension.

1. Why McCain Picked Palin
2. The Palin Pick: Bold or Disastrous?
3. McCain's Surprise Pick: Sarah Palin
4. Klein: Obama's Speech 'Very Tough'
5. McCain's Prickly TIME Interview
6. GM Recalling 944,000 Vehicles
7. Narrowing World Health Disparities
8. Russia 'to Absorb' South Ossetia
9. The Web's Word: Obama Is Not the Antichrist
10. Will Women Vote for Palin?