The World Cup

Now admittedly I am not a huge soccer fan, but one of the truly infectious and enjoyable experiences I have had while I've been here in Australia was going out to the pubs at 3:00 in the morning to watch the Socceroos in their quest for the world cup.

Even after they lost the enthusiasm was increadible here. That being said, I have to comment on one aspect of the sport that always has bugged me, and will continue to hamper my overall enjoyment as long as it is allowed to remain unchecked.

There is more flopping in soccer than any other professional sport. Its so out of control that soccer has moved into a seperate stratosphere.

Being a huge football fan, I'm accustomed to becoming seriously concerned for a player when the stretcher is brought out onto the field because he more than likely has a spine or head injury.

Then you turn the channel to soccer, and you will watch the stretcher being brought out 4 or 5 times a game. The player rolls around on the ground, grimacing in what appears to be excruciating pain. They put him on the stretcher, carry him to the sideline, and you would think off the field. But no, instead the instant they get to the sideline the player hops of the stretcher and begins to run and hop around as if he never been more healthy in his entire life.

It's ridiculous, annoying, and drags down what is otherwise an entertaining sport.