The Australian Lesson

Brazilian winger Henrique: heart of hope (photo: Getty Images)

The most exciting and heartfelt football match of the year has already happened – while most of us were sleeping.

It was not a UEFA Champions League game, nor was it a clasico from Spain.

It was the Grand Final of the Australian A-League.

Yes, you read that right. The final between Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners (such tough names!) was of epic proportions. Both teams looked exhausted after a competitive and exciting goalless draw in the regular 90 minutes, and it was absolutely impossible to predict who would win the contest.

It was three in the morning on a Saturday in freezing Winnipeg, and solitary in my living room, I felt compelled to watch this battle. Who knew Australian football could be that exciting?!

The last thirty minutes of the game were utterly gripping:

We are into extra-time, and Central Coast score first with the opportunist Adam Kwasnik. Somehow I become upset. Apparently, my allegiance lies with the orange kit of Brisbane Roar. Perhaps the bombastic and bright colours of their uniform caught my attention first, who knows. But then I notice something else…

My eyes become fixed on a zippy and little number 10, running around the forward line for Brisbane. The camera zooms in on him, and I finally get to read the name on his back: “Henrique.”

“This dude is Brazilian”, I tell myself without one iota of doubt. Obviously, Henrique isn’t a common name in Brazil alone, far from that. But, somehow, as I look at him, and he looks back at me…there is no question. Via some sort of “Commonwealth telepathy” between Canada and Australia, we say “ola, amigo” to each other, and I become a hardcore Brisbane fan on the spot.

It’s nearly 3:30 in the morning, and I am chanting and swearing in Portuguese in my living room all alone. Scratch that: it’s me and my man Henrique, together in this. That’s right!

To my immense disappointment, Brisbane, already one goal down and feeling dejected, concede another one. This time it’s Oliver Bozamic, with a gentle left-footed touch. “Surely, a goal to seal the victory” howls the commentator. I slump onto the couch as Brisbane goes into the second half of extra-time losing 2 x 0.

Could they do the same as Central Coast, and score two goals within the last fifteen minutes?

Maybe…

Slightly discouraged, Brisbane plow ahead; but Central Coast remain confident. Twelve minutes go by, and not much has happened.

And then…Henrique hears my cry of battle, and his star shines bright.

With miserable three minutes left, the Brazilian Roar sends a powerful kick towards the Mariners’ goal, the ball takes a deflection and it flies into the net: GOAL! I feel alive again and do a little Brazilian dance in my living room – but there is no samba from Henrique. Time is running out for the boys in orange, and they seem certain of a defeat. However, Henrique’s goal inspires Brisbane, and they decide to put up a good fight during the last 60 seconds of the match – why not, eh?!

Henrique takes matters into his own hands (or feet, in this case), dribbles past a defender, and fires a missile towards the Central Coast net, but the excellent Matthew Ryan saves it. The Brazilian wasn’t lucky this time. But not to worry, another player of exotic name, Rocky Visconte, tries the same, and ends up winning a corner after another brave save from Ryan.

This corner kick will be the last play of the game.

Miraculously, Thomas Broich’s corner finds the head of Erik Paartalu, who makes no mistake and sends the ball straight into the net for the equalizer. The stadium erupts,  Brisbane can finally believe. Everyone is doing the samba now, it’s 2 x 2.

The match inevitably goes into a penalty shootout, and it was Michael Theoklitos’s turn to shine for Brisbane. The keeper makes two spectacular saves, and then it was up to Henrique to score once again, now with the last penalty of the evening.

He steps up calmly, sets up the shot, and converts with Brazilian-Buddhist ease, sending the ball past Ryan’s desperate fingers and claiming the A-League title for the Brisbane Roar. Henrique bursts into tears instantly. It is moving to watch the little Brazilian, completely unknown back in his homeland, play such an important role on the other side of the planet. And I proceed to do my Canadian version of the samba at 4:30am in my living room. It’s all good, and we are all the Champions.

The 2011 Grand Final of Australia was indeed one of the most compelling football matches I have ever seen. Perhaps the lack of individual stars and hyped-up expectations made it so enjoyable. The usual anxiety and angst of the big European leagues were not present. The game was the thing. It was all solely about playing ball, and nothing else.

It is refreshing to experience such rare qualities in a sport which is now dominated by heavy marketing and big-money decisions. Even though FIFA has done a lot to popularize the game around the globe, the entity has also turned football into a major business. And as in the case of any big business, cynicism and politics often run the show. But that’s not the case with the Australian league, not quite yet – thankfully.

Furthermore, the post-game award ceremony was one of the most beautiful displays of sportsmanship and fair-play I have ever witnessed in football. As opposed to what we see in Europe and Latin America, both teams remained on the pitch for the hoisting of the trophy moment. Before that, though, there were speeches from team members of both sides, and the tone from everyone was incredibly positive and dignified. It was evident that the Central Coast boys were upset for having lost under such strenuous conditions, but they still congratulated their opponents honorably.

After everything was said and done, many players paraded around the packed stadium holding their kids in their arms, waiving and taking photos with the fans. I never thought football in the 21st Century could still be that civilized, and I hope Europeans and Latin Americans were watching and taking notes.

Two months ago, Suncorp Stadium, the venue for this spectacular final in Brisbane, was completely wrecked by the devastating floods that captured the attention and hearts of millions around the globe. Moreover, Brisbane’s Brazilian star Henrique was also out of commission with a broken arm during that period. It is delightfully ironic that The Slippery Fish (Henrique’s affectionate nickname) would heal in time to become the protagonist of Brisbane’s victory after Suncorp emerged from the waters.

Indeed, a comeback for the ages.

Thank you Australia, for reinstating my faith in the beautiful game.

RB.