EDITORIAL: Soccer vs football

Earlier this week, The Advertiser carried an opinion piece espousing the virtues of soccer.

The author outlined numerous reasons why soccer is the superior sport, brushed aside any criticisms of the game (valid or otherwise) without adequate explanation, and included a sweeping statement that "soccer triumphs over football", a moniker which for the sake of the article included Aussie rules and all forms of rugby.
As with most stories told from a narrow perspective, the writer assumed that in this particular debate, one option simply had to be 'better' than the other. In effect, that soccer was ‘better’ than any other sport.
In fairness, soccer is indeed ‘the world game’ and a strong case can be argued that it provides many of the elements that make sport a compelling fascination for many.
But, like every other sport, soccer has its strengths and weaknesses.
Nil-all draws, matches being decided more by luck than skill and endeavour, lengthy periods of largely nothing (hello test cricket) and the eternal offside debate come to mind. But the sport’s flaws sometimes help emphasise its strengths; witness in the coming weeks the pure joy when a goal is scored or the artistry of the world’s finest players.
The Advertiser writer finished her column with this arrogant-sounding declaration: “The only thing left is (for soccer) to take back its proper name - football –and let the lesser codes fend for themselves.”
However, she forgets that appreciation of sport is subjective, much like all forms of art.
What one person loves about soccer, another dislikes. What one person finds exciting about Aussie rules bores another to tears.
But ignoring what makes both rugby league and Aussie rules in particular so popular and suggesting – though not in as many words – they are somehow unworthy of such prominence within Australia does soccer no favours.
The game is good enough to fend for itself without such blinkered commentary and will surely do so between now and July 11.