Is there any stopping Bresh and Timmy?

With the former pin-up boy of Australian Soccer, Harry Kewell, touring NSW warning kids to go easy on the pies, Marco Bresciano and Timmy Cahill seem to be playing a game of one-up-manship in their bids to take the celebrity crown.

Last night Timmy Cahill’s Everton put in a dogged display to earn a draw against Arsenal after the man “with a face you’d like to punch” (according to Noel Gallagher) smashed home his 5th Premiership goal for the season from three yards- his seventh for the season in all competition. The kid is on fire for the sixth-placed side in the English Premier League.

Similarly Bresciano is in cracking form with his new side Palermo who sit second in Serie A with a game in hand on leaders Inter Milan (Palermo play Fiorentina tonight). Bresciano’s three goals in seven Serie A games isn’t half good. Palermo, pink tops and all, are the surprise packet this year and by all reports Bresh is a major factor. Let’s hope he can keep up the good work and become the first Australian player - not counting our Christian Vieri – to win the Scudetto.

In any case loyal reader(s), we ask you who you think is more deserving of the Socceroo “Top Roo” title, Bresh or Timmy?

Australia 1 Paraguay 1: A Disappointing End

With only minutes to go last night, the Socceroos seemed to have clinched victory with a late Tony Popovic header from a set piece. The retiring centre-back was then substituted for Michael Beauchamp whose only touch erased the Socceroos advantage; heading the ball into the Australian net at the death.

Throughout the game there was barely a decent shot on goal by the Australians. The highlight of the first half was a lovely run by Stan Lazaridis that left two Paraguayan defenders for dead. Unfortunately his pull-back narrowly missed the two Australians joining the attack from midfield.

Second-half drives by Grella and Culina flattered to deceive as they flew well wide of the far post while Bresciano stuck tamely into the keeper’s arms when the ball fell kindly for him inside the box.

Despite the wealth of possession and the control the Socceroos exerted over the Paraguayans they again looked like they lacked the teeth to win the match. Archie Thompson’s introduction was the turning point with his pace, energy and trickery lifting Australia’s game. Indeed, he won the free-kick from which Poppa headed home.

Poppa’s joy was obvious but then came the unfortunate goal by Beauchamp. It would appear that Schwarzer was at fault as it was duty to call the ball his own as he came off his line, yet none seems to have been made. Poor Beauchamp’s name ends up on the score sheet though.

A decent game by the Socceroos however their lack of creativity and chances overshadowed a dominant performance possession-wise.

Farewell Poppa, Laz, Spider and Tony “Dry your eyes mate” Vidmar. We will miss you all.

Stop Press: Chippers NOT going to Charlton

After months of transfer speculation we can reveal that the Scott Chipperfield will not be going to Charlton. In a shock decision…

Apologies to our fan(s) that the Soccer Squirrel has been so lazy recently. He has been hibernating or whatever it is that Squirrel’s do once they finished playing with their nuts (it’s sad but we’ve actually spent the last few months thinking up quality gags like that one).

We are back. After the World Cup correspondent had his laptop stolen/left at the airport in Germany and was almost deported from England he had a particularly hungover and emotional viewing of “Bend it like Beckham” and once again the fire burns for the Soccer Squirrel.

Meanwhile the man with his eye on the local scene is back in the country and having purchased a greyhound and landing a plum job running an Ireland-Australia dating service he is once more trying to while away the hours at work.

Sadly however it seems the Football Flog has undertaken a misguided mission to rid the earth of stingrays so we won’t be hearing anymore from him.

Please be patient as we sort our s(h)ite out and apologies to all who’ve become frustrated with our lapse. In the meantime we recommend you visit Hamish’s great site here.

Stayed tuned.