Why I'm Back

So after almost 12 months not contributing a single article to this website, why am I now back here writing?

The past 12 months have been some of the most eventful in Australian football history, so there was certainly no shortage of material.

A failed World Cup campaign in South Africa. A dismal failure of a World Cup bid which embarrassed, not enhanced the country on a national and international stage as it should have. An Asian Cup Final against Japan ending in heartbreak thanks to a defensive moment of madness and the brilliant finish of Tadanari Lee. The sad death of North Queensland FC in the A-League and a generation of children lost to the A-League and possibly football forever. The precarious state of the A-League as we wonder if the league will even exist in a decade. And the list goes on.

As you can see, there has been a lot of disappointing moments for the Australian football fan - and ultimately we are still clouded in uncertainty year after year. Where are we going? Where is the A-League going? Why do Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory continue to pull poor crowds to AFC Champions League matches? When will Australia embrace itself as an Asian football nation? Who will be the players to take Australia to the next level in Brazil 2014? Can Australia win the Asian Cup in 2015? So many questions for scholars, students, pundits, and fans of the game alike to ponder.

There is always something magical about this game. Something that makes me believe that football can be used for the greater good, and in Australia's case, a bridge to a greater cultural understanding and appreciation of Asia and the rest of the world. There is something magical about how football can bring every nation in this world together.

In the absence of J-League football, I have satisfied my weekend Asian football fixes by tuning in to bet365 and watching the improving K-League and occasionally the Chinese Super League. Of course, Melbourne Victory's latest AFC Champions League campaign is up and running (sort of) thanks to a valuable away draw at group leaders Tianjin Teda.

Lastly, I wish to express my sincere condolences to anyone affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It has been a terrible time for Japan, but the response from the world football family has been one of solidarity and a resounding "we are with you". 心よりお見舞い申し上げます。世界のフットボールファミリーは日本の皆様と一緒に祈っています。そして私は日本が前より強くなって立ち直れるように祈っています。