It was just like watching Brazil

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A rare opportunity to see Wales in action this morning against Brazil.

Looked quite good, not sure about Earnie & Bellamy as a pair. Maybe John Hartson will be part of future squads to add a more physical dimension to the attack.

Collins seems to be developing into an international class defender. Rubbing shoulders with the premiership stars seems to be knocking the rough edges of his game. Tough tackling, uncompromising and not afraid to stick his body on the line.

Paul Jones exceeded expectations but not sure he’s the solution for the Euro campaign although the alternatives don’t really scream out for inclusion. Can’t see Brown getting many first team opportunities at Blackburn unless the ever dependable Friedel picks up an injury.

Simon Davies seems to have lost his away a bit over the past couple of seasons. He didn’t perform very well.

Giggs was great, shame he didn’t come out again in the second half.

Bale's a great prospect and Nyatanga looked comfortable in exalted company.

Hopefully, the results on Wednesday will be kind to Wales (Go San Marino!) and they can put back to back wins together in their next two home games to keep us interested.

Didn’t see the Czech game although it sounded like history repeating. Dodgy decisions and denied at the death.

Still hope springs eternal.

Boobs on Bikes

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We are top of the league said we are top of the league. All Cardiff City fans the world over are walking with a glide in their stride and deservedly so... but I want to blog about Boobs on Bikes.

A couple of years ago in Auckland a lady was taken to court for exposing her chest in public, she claimed discrimination as men were allowed to bear their chests in public the court agreed and then an enterprising man decided to promote the annual Auckland erotica exhibition with a convoy of topless porn models on Harley Davidsons down the main street of Auckland.

Imagine that happening on Queen St in Cardiff or The Kingsway in Swansea, not likely.

There's was a deal of consternation in the media around the ethical implications of this. With the debate polarising into the pro and anti boob lobbies.

But 50,000 people turned up in Downton Auckland to witness the spectacle and I wasn't one of them unfortunately which is a shame as I could have given you an eyewitness account of the procession.

I definitely promise to go next year, I'll take a camera.

An alternate route to South Africa 2010

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The Socceroos move to the AFC (Asian Football Confederation), to allow them to play for automatic qualification to the World Cup 2010, has given New Zealand a gilt edged opportunity to become the powerhouse of the OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) virtually guaranteeing them a defeat over two legs to whichever country comes fifth in the South American qualifying group.

And are the Kiwis intent on taking the bull by the horns and investing in making this footballing dream a reality… the answer is a resounding no. In the land of the long white cloud, Rugby is king and the focus is very much on the Rugby World Cup, which they stand the chance of winning with one of their teams, although we all know what happened in previous RWC’s, where the All Blacks peaked too early. Just don’t call the Kiwis inbetweeners, they get a bit upset.

So, the Socceroos have set the precedent of moving into a football confederation that they don’t reside in geographically and the Kiwis don’t seem bothered about football.

Why don’t the FAW withdraw from UEFA and apply to join the OFC where we’ll play American Samoa and the Solomon Islands and the like! We can then get to a play off situation where we can bottle it at the last hurdle again or maybe even get to play in a World Cup final.

What about the travel? I hear you say. All the Socceroos play in the European leagues and they’ve managed it in recent years. Wales could even volunteer to play their home games in the oppositions back yard.

All I’m saying is we need to be a bit more creative about finding the best way for Wales to play at the highest level.

Squatting in limbo

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Time to get carried away with City’ early season form (erasing whatever happened against Barnet from the memory banks). Imagine the season ends with Cardiff occupying the same automatic promotion place that they currently hold. Cue dancing in the streets, the keys to the city for David Jones and the prospect of top flight football in Wales. Exciting stuff!

But hang on a minute, I don’t want to pee on your parade but didn’t somebody somewhere mention once that only English clubs are eligible to play in the Premiership.

Would a chairman in the third from bottom relegation spot of the Premiership staring down the barrel of a loss of funds, loss of profile, loss of star players maybe weigh up a legal challenge to the veracity of Cardiff City’s promotion? The opportunity cost of the legal fees v the loss in revenue of falling into the Championship.

And while we’re at it what happens if City win the English FA Cup (again)? Will they be eligible for European competition or will the English runners up (discounting the unlikely scenario that it’s an all Welsh affair!) take precedent.

I wonder how the Old Firm clubs view this, perhaps it’ll open the way for a fast track into the Premiership, on the basis that a team from a different governing body (FAW) is playing in the FA run Premiership should Cardiff be accepted.

We live in interesting times…