Yoshi’s Ten Biggest Sporting Upsets : February 2014 – January 2015

Happy Australia Day to Almanackers!

Not only footy but also some other sports have posted unbelievable results recently. Here are my top 10 biggest unbelievable upsets and shocking results in sports events from February 2014, to January 2015.

  1. St Kilda’s big win over Fremantle (Round 18, 2014)

Ross Lyon could do the best for the Saints, but Alan Richardson’s good coaching and the boys’ enthusiasm and hard work brought the big upset in the AFL 2014 season (the bottom placed club won over the second top club in the competition). St Kilda players want Ross to regret to having left the great club? I want to see such brilliant play more in 2015. Go the Saints!

  1. Roger Federer defeated by Andreas Seppi in Australian Open Tennis (Third round, Mens singles January 2015)

Federer could get tired from the pressure for not being the world number one player for a long time?

  1. Richmond’s win over Sydney Swans (Round 23, 2014)

I still can’t believe the Tigers’ win in the last home and away match at ANZ Stadium that I saw the last minutes at an Australian pub. Richmond had been hungry to play in September while Swans tried to save energy for already secured final series?

  1. Bulldogs’ unbelievable win over Collingwood (Round 13, 2014)

Listening to the last part of the game on the radio, I was surprised to hear the Bulldogs led at the last quarter, and I was happy. Bulldogs snarled and roared very well!!

  1. Sam Stosur’s shocking exit at Australian Open Tennis (Second round, Womens singles, January 2015)

As a big Stosur’s fan, seeing her off from the women’s single competition at Round 2 is shocking. I can’t believe that she was the champion of the US Open Tennis a few years ago.

  1. Japan’s loss against UAE at Asian Cup Soccer (Quarter finals, 2015 Asian Cup)

Samurai Blue (Ugh! Why not plural, by the way?) of Japan seemed to feel under the pressure as the defending champion and the Cup favourites. I wish I could see them playing Socceroos and soccer playing Kangaroos jumped over Samurais.

It could be a punishment for the team coach, Javier Aguirre who was alleged to fix matches in Spain and self-centred Japanese media who only features Japanese players, but never reports about overseas clubs or competitions. Japanese media is doing bad jobs. Also it would be a lesson for Kagawa who was respected by Japanese media but was an underachiever at EPL and Asian Cup. I admit I don’t like Japanese media or that player.

  1. Hewitt’s loss to Becker at Australian Open Tennis (Second round, Mens singles, January 2015)

I heard the bad result overnight on a social media page after having listened to the part of the match on Australian Open App. The post asked social media platform users if Hewitt was old to play tennis. But Becker is the same age as Hewitt (33-year-olds). He just couldn’t overcome the pressure as a top Australian player performing in his home country?

  1. North Melbourne’s good wins over Sydney Swans (Round 4, 2014) and Fremantle (Round 6, 2014)

Even though North was not playing well against some clubs outside top eight, winning over the Swans and Freo were interesting for me.

  1. Brisbane Lion’s upset over Collingwood (Round 21, 2014)

Messages from my Bomber supporting friend surprised me. He saw fights between two clubs on TV and at the end, both of us were happy because cold pies were served after the game at MCG bars.

  1. GWS won the Sydney Derby (Round 1, 2014)

Unbelievable! GWS’ more experience playing at Sydney Showground Stadium might dominate Swans’ more playing experience in the competition? Or the big footy club had to lose Battle of the Bridge because they had shopped big players for the last two years (Kurt Tippet and Buddy Franklin)?

Some of them might be overrated or old subjects, but they are reflected of what my heart tells me.

About Yoshihiro Imagawa

Love, passion and pride are seen on the footy that is the biggest part of my life. 1. St Kilda Club member: I am a passionate and crazy Sainter. Just hope we will win the second flag soon, especially after Dogs and Tigers having ended long premiership draughts. 2. The Osaka Dingoes Player and Public Relations Officer: Player number 44 that I chose to honour Stephen Milne with my wish being like a small forward like him. Lenny Hayes' hardworking attitudes are adopted on my trainings and practices. Nick Riewoldt's great plays are in my player audiobook too. 3. Writing: Here on the Almanac and also on the World Footy News. My skills utilise on great footy websites.

Comments

  1. Hi Yoshi,

    A great list. I couldn’t agree with number six more! When Honda’s penalty kick sailed waaaaay over the crossbar, I couldn’t believe what I saw – One of the best strikers in the world and his spot kick didn’t even go close! I hoped that Japan would make it through, even though he missed, but it wasn’t to be for the Blue SAMURAIS.

  2. Hi Steve,

    Thanks for your compliment and your thoughts on the Blue Samurais. I didn’t watch the match, but didn’t expect them to pack and go at the Quarter Finals. Maybe these ‘top players’ might be tired from playing in the world class competitions and getting a lot of attention… It’s sad to see your prediction didn’t follow the results…

    I wish Socceroos to be the Asian Cup champion.

    Cheers

    Yoshi

  3. Another great article, Yoshi. While on soccer upsets, wasn’t it amazing how Bradford City beat Chelsea 4-2 in their FA Cup tie at Stamford Bridge after being 2-0 down? And of course Middlesbrough defeated Manchester City 2-0 at the Sky Blues’ home ground.
    I look forward to reading about your list of upsets at the Cricket World Cup. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ireland beat the West Indies in Match 5, but would that be considered an upset given how the Windies are struggling (that said, they did beat the Saffers by one wicket overnight).
    While on cricket upsets, I’m upset that the one-dayer at the SCG appears destined to be washed out. We never have to worry about summer rain here in Perth!

  4. Neil Anderson says

    Thanks for mentioning some AFL in this very long off-season Yoshi. Particularly reminding us about upset wins by the Saints and Bulldogs and what can happen ‘on any given Sunday’ with a bit of luck and with young talent emerging. I think Bulldogs versus Pies was the day that Marcus Bontempelli showed his talent and gave the Doggie supporters something to look forward to.

  5. Hawthorn beating Geelong in the first week of the finals. Sep 2014

  6. G’day Pete, Neil and JTH,

    Thanks for your comments, compliments and thoughts.

    Pete – thanks for your thoughts on EPL. I’m afraid that I haven’t followed any of matches you mentione, but these seem interestin. Your expectation on cricket world cup is a good reminder that I need to follow. I hope some interesting dramas will be created.

    Neil – Bontempelli’s break out in the big match would gain big self-esteem for him, I reckon. I hope Bob Murphy will unleash young talents in the 2015 Season. I would like to see so many young Saints play well this yea.

    JTH – You wished Kennett Curse could have been back as a Cats fan, didn’t yo? Are you excited to see Cats play Hawks at the season opene?

    Cheers

    Yoshi

  7. A few from me to add to this list….

    (1) October 30 2014, Cleveland 90-95 New York….all set for LeBron James’ homecoming to Cleveland, yet the Knicks spoil the party. Knicks have won only 6 games since, Cavs are 25-20 even though the coach and LeBron aren’t seeing eye to eye.

    (2) US Open Mens Singles Semi Finals….All signs pointed to a Nole vs Roger final, nobody bothered to tell Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori. Whilst the Croat won the whole shebang, it’s Nishikori who has parlayed that form into Melbourne (helps that he’s healthy of course, Cilic is injured)

    (3) Australian Open Golf 2014….Not so much an upset, but everyone expected it to be a 2013 repeat of Rory vs Adam. Very few in the country had heard of Jordan Speith despite his top 20 ranking, but the youngster upstaged everyone. Look for him in the majors this year to pinch one.

    (4) 25 October 2014, Australia 12-30 New Zealand, 4 Nations Rugby League tournament. Yes the home team had players out but it was still thought that with home ground advantage against a team that were notoriously slow starters in tournament play that Australia would dominate. The Kiwis scored all the points in the second half to clinch their first win against Australia in 4 years, then proved it wasn’t a fluke by avoiding 2 upsets of their own (beat Samoa by 2 and held off England) and winning the final, a final I missed as I had a dinner engagement in Hobart!

    (5) Brazil 1-7 Germany….some may have picked Germany to win, nobody would have had them 5-0 up in 30 minutes.

  8. Yoshi, jog my memory. Who was the reasonable Eastern European boxer that Anthony Mundine defeated. That was a sporting upset, Mundine beating anyone decent.

    Glen!

  9. Phillip Dimitriadis says

    Love the list and your heart Yoshi.
    Collingwood’s loss to the Bulldogs was crucial as the Pies went into free fall after that.
    We were sitting equal 2nd on points heading into that game. Lost 5 of the next 6 thereafter and missed the finals for the first time in 10 years. Great win by the Dogs.

  10. Well, i did my homework. Anthony”The Man” Mundine defeated BelaRussian Sergey Rabchenko for the WBC light middleweight crown, winning a split decision. Rabchenko had been undefeated in 26 bouts prior, thus Mundine winning this was a major sporting upset.

    Glen!

  11. G’day Mick, Glen and Phil,

    Thanks for your comments and adding your thoughts on upsets and underdog stories.

    Mick – It’s great to see your views on other sport codes. I’m afraid not being a fan of American football, but good to see about upsets in the sport. Germany’s beating Brazil at the Football (Soccer) World Cup is still unbelievable for me…

    Glen – Your bringing the boxing story makes interesting for the topic. I don’t follow the sport so much, but it’s good to know what happened in the sport.

    Phil – Mentioning what happened with Collingwood after the loss to the Doggies is great. I reckon their era is over (sorry Collingwood fans…) and am sure your Kangaroos are better than them.

    Cheers

    Yoshi

  12. Entertaining and interesting as usual Yoshi.

    Thank you for not including the Hawks loss to the Roos in Number 8.

    Thank you Brother Harms for kinda acknowledging the mighty Hawks.

    One serious criticism Yoshi. Shouldn’t the GF result be on your list? That was an upset with a capital H for Hawks!

  13. G’day Rick,

    Thanks for your compliment and comment.

    I know that Sydney Swans were flag favourite last season and Hawthorn won the Grand Final by 63 points. But I thought that it was not upset because Hawthorn have been a powerhouse for years. Sorry, it’s just my thought…

    Cheers

    Yoshi

  14. No worries Yoshi, I was just being silly … and slipping another Hawks mention into a discussion! Cheers

  15. Rick, you seem to have good ‘tackling skills’. Great stuffs and I like discussing! Cheers – Yoshi

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