Here is a small snippet of the action from Day One of the 2008 Homeless World Cup in Melbourne.

Australia vs Austria, Federation Square Pitch

The Street Socceroos knew they were on home turf when they entered the field of play as a raucous welcome greeted them in the opening match of the Homeless World Cup 2008 against Austria. The home side was under the pump early on and they needed a number of crucial saves from keeper, Lorenso Neghad to keep in the match early on. However, it was the Austrians who open the scoring in the third minute with a well taken goal. Late in the half, the home side looked to capitalise as the visitors had a player sent off for two minutes but failed to find the back of the net with Eddy Halid having the best opportunities.

Again early in the second half, Neghad was called into action to make two saves in rapid succession. The Australians started to show their frustration as they couldn’t find a way through the solid Austrian defence. These frustrations mounted as the Austrians scored two goals in rapid succession towards the end of the match to effectively kill the match off much to the disappointment of the home fans.

Result: Austria 3 def Australia 0

Scotland vs Afghanistan, Federation Square Pitch

This would be one of the matches of the day with both teams going goal for goal in what was pulsating match and an excellent advertisement for street soccer. The game was full of amazing skill, especially from the Afghanis who took it to the defending champions. Late in the match, it looked Scotland like would see off the challenge as they lead 5-4 but a late penalty to Afghanistan saw them take the game to sudden death penalties and then win it on the first two kicks of the resultant shootout. Both teams were duly applauded for a great match as they left the small arena.

Result: Scotland 5 drew with Afghanistan 5 (Afghanistan won on sudden death penalties)

Poland vs Hungary, Federation Square Pitch

Poland, the runners up from last year’s Homeless World Cup, looked very extremely impressive as they demolished their neighbours, Hungary and could very well go one better this time around. With the backing of some boisterous support the Poles never let their opposition into the game and it wasn’t until the last minute of the game that the Hungarians managed to score a consolation goal.

Result: Poland 11 def Hungary 1

Nigeria vs Italy, Federation Square Pitch

Like the earlier match between Scotland and Afghanistan, this match was full of drama with both sides playing a physical style of game. The Italians went two goals up, thanks to two long range efforts. The Nigerians, who fast becoming a crowd favourite, pulled a goal back late in the half as the Italians went into the half 2-1 up. The Nigerians took the lead shortly after the break with two quick goals, but were soon a man down for two minutes. The Italians capitalised on the man advantage scoring two goals in rapid succession and looked to have the match sown up. However, it was the Nigerians who came again and levelled the scores with only ten seconds remaining on the clock to send the match into sudden death penalties, which they duly won.

Result: Nigeria 5 drew with Italy 5 (Nigeria won on sudden death penalties)

Ireland vs USA, Federation Square Pitch

The Irish team put on a dominant display that surely would have any opposition worried about meeting them later in the tournament. Playing with great skill and an excellent passing game, they were simply too good for the United States team who were constantly under seige in their own half. The Irish lead 4-1 at the break and finished the game off in style to cruise to victory.

Result: Ireland 11 def USA 3

England vs Sweden, Federation Square Pitch

A brilliant early goal from England’s Ryan Nash set the tone for this match as the English simply had too much class for their Swedish opponents. This was probably the most dominant performance of the day as the English thrilled the crowd with their brilliant ball control and fierce shooting that had the team from Sweden camped in their own half for the vast majority of the game. Based on this performance the English should surely make it to the latter stages of the tournament.

Result: England 14 def Sweden 1

Hong Kong vs Romania, Federation Square Pitch

It what was a closely fought battle, the team from Hong Kong came out on top purely due to their better organisational and finishings. The Romanians dominated possession early but couldn’t find they way past a solid Hong Kong defence. Hong Kong made their opponents pay for their wastefulness with some clinical finishing that left the Romanians extremely frustrated and ran out deserved winners.

Result: Hong Kong 5 def Romania 3

For the full results for the 2008 Homeless World Cup, click here.

Neil Zimmerman is the editor of the84thminute and also runs the Victory In Melbourne site. He also can be found at au.fourfourtwo.com where he writes a weekly column on the Melbourne Victory. On most weekends Neil can be found at a football match, be it either A-League, Victorian Premier League or a match that he happens to come across whilst walking his dogs.

Photo credit: The Homeless World Cup