Never say never
21/05/2007 11:11 AM
Exclusive to Sportal/Vodafone
No more true a phrase has been spoken. Just take our Socceroos as a case in point.
Lucas Neill is without a doubt the new pin-up boy of Australian football. A champion at Blackburn Rovers he decided to move clubs. Nothing wrong with that I hear you say. Except he turned down a contract and potential Champions League medal with Liverpool to join relegation doomed West Ham United.
Fancy swapping a Merseyside derby (Liverpool v Everton) for a spine tingling trip to West Bromwich Albion next season.
Lucas and the boys had to get a result against the newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester United to stay in the top flight. Yep, you guessed it, the Hammers never said never and will go around again in the Premiership next season.
The list goes on …
Harry Kewell has been hampered with injury for years. He missed the Champions League final for Liverpool against AC Milan in 2005 coming off injured after 10 minutes. It was heartbreaking for him.
Never say never and two years later Harry gets the chance to play in the same competition final, amazingly against the same team.
But wait there's more …
FIFA will 'never' add two pensioners to adjudicate penalty area incidents a la the infamous penalty for Italy against Australia's Neill in the World Cup.
The 2011 Asian Cup will 'never' be hosted in Australia.
Mark Viduka will 'never' turn down an extended two-year, $95,000 a week contract to stay at Middlesbrough.
John Aloisi will 'never' sign with Sydney FC?
And finally …
Teenage girls and their mums all around this country will 'never' get a date with Lucas Neill.
Mmm?