Rhian Wilkinson's Official Website

RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

TYPHOON POSTPONEMENT 19th August 2007

This was an interesting day to say the very least. I am sure everyone has heard by now that our game against Australia was postponed by FIFA at the last second. The reason for the postponement is ostensibly the typhoon hitting the eastern coast of China and narrowly missing Shanghai where other group games were due to be played.

Because these matches were postponed, and following an official protest, FIFA decided, belatedly to say the very least, that we would play our match against Australia a day later as well.

We were not told the news until just as we were leaving our rooms en route to the stadium. We were a few minutes behind the Australians, as their team was already loaded up on their bus. It was a little like being in high school again and being told that the game was off due to rainy weather, or because the field was closed.

I have to say that the decision was something of a shock, especially the late timing, and especially at a FIFA World Cup. As it was, we quickly made fun of the whole shebang, and had a bit of a laugh over it. Many of us did not completely believe the news. What an awful joke that would have been.

Once the reality set in, we went straight back to business. The fact is that we have to win this game, be it the game today, or tomorrow. We now have one more day to prepare, and that is all there is to it.

We spent the afternoon doing individual workouts, most choosing the pool option. Randee Hermus led us on a half hour aqua-fitness session, some showing much more swimming talent than others, no names mentioned though…..ahem McLeod and Matheson. Some chose to use the gym instead, and soon everyone had heard about the KK test. This involved trying the weight loss machine, one of those old school things that you put around your waist and it shakes you to bits - sorry I missed the chance to try it!

Tomorrow morning we go for the win.