Friday, May 28, 2010

3D Socceroos add a new dimension to their game

The game and associated foul weather may have been located at the MCG, but Monday night's clash between the Socceroos and New Zealand’s All Whites did mark an important technical milestone, becoming the first football game in Australia to be played entirely in 3D.

Previously soccer has been strictly a two dimensional experience, with play restricted to a flat plane in which players have height and width, but no depth.


However manufacturers have recently introduced a series of new 3D televisions, thereby encouraging FIFA to amend the laws of the game to allow for three dimensional play.

Players and spectators were amazed by the new third dimension – the “z-axis” as it is becoming known.

“It will take a while to get used to,” said Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

“Previously as a keeper I only had to worry about judging the height of the ball. Now I have two factors to assess. I let in a cheap goal early because the ball turned out to be heading for the opposite side of the goal from where I was standing.”

Spectators at the MCG were similarly awed. “I had a seat in something called the ‘front row’,” said long time Socceroos fan Ken Robertson. “It was amazing. When the ball went out of play on my side of the field, I felt like I could just reach out and touch it. So I did.”

However Robertson did concede there was a downside to the new 3D system. “When the players are on the other side of the field, they look really small and are quite hard to see. You need some kind of special glasses to see them,” he said.

Sony has since confirmed that it will shortly release a new product called “Binoculars” to counter this problem.

FIFA is hoping that the upgrade to three dimensions will bring a new excitement to the world game and boost viewing numbers for the World Cup.

“We hope that players and teams everywhere will embrace the z-axis and use it to make the game even more exciting and vibrant,” said FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

And it seems some teams may be doing just that, with rumours abounding that the Brazilian national team is experimenting with a new tactic called “wingers” which would involve the team trying to advance the ball along the sides of the pitch in order to confuse or disorientate its opponents.

However not everyone believes that the change is a positive for the game.

“It’s a gimmick and nothing more,” said former England captain Bobby Charlton.

“Everyone seems to be obsessed with high scoring games these days. The 1966 World Cup Final was one of the greatest games of football of all time, and that was played in two dimensions and in black and white.”

“I can accept that the introduction of colour was useful for telling teams apart, but this just seems to be about selling people more expensive televisions,” said Charlton.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Rudd delivers knockout blow to Cup hopes

Victory for the Airline Socceroos in next month's World Cup now seems virtually assured following a rousing speech to the squad from renowned football obsessive, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Visiting the training ground where the team was preparing for a forthcoming friendly with the Waikato Reserves (playing in the World Cup as 'New Zealand' ) Rudd drew upon all his reserves of Churchillian oratory to implore leading stars like Mark Schwarzer and Tim Cahill to "enjoy the experience" and "listen to what Pim says".

"The nation's hopes are all on your shoulders. So, no pressure," said Rudd, delivering one of his razor sharp quips that resulted in a group of assistant coaches falling on the ground holding their sides.

The PM then also delivered an exhaustive appraisal of the Socceroos' draw, noting with keen insight that Germany would be a "difficult opponent".

Mark Bresciano appeared to be particularly enraptured with Rudd's speech although it was later revealed he had successfully wagered that Rudd would say "And you know what?" at least three times during the speech.

Tim Cahill, who like most of the squad seemed to be looking closely at his boots for most Rudd's talk, was generous in his praise for his country's leader.

"When I step up to take a penalty at this World Cup" he said, "I know my first and only thought will be of Kevin watching the game The Lodge with his complementary Socceroos scarf tied around his head."