Man Utd 2010/2011 Season

Congratulation FC Barcelona for winning the 4th Champions League by beating my favourite club 3-1. What a game for them. Crispy passing game and great finishing. They won it in style, fair and square.

Night to forgets for me. But still, looking in a bright side, a good season for United. Won the 19th league title, be in Champions League final, won Charity Shield, and had a decent run in Carling Cup (Quater Final) and FA Cup (Semi Final). I'll grab with both hands this kind of achievement in offered in the beginning of this season.

In August 2010, initially i thought United have good squad, but not fancy them to win any big prize (PL or CL Trophy). Smalling, Hernandez and Bebe are definitely a long term project for Ferguson. But the first two of them steping up big time and proved they are first team material on Day 1. The latter seem still finding his feet (the transfer still baffle me though)

Nani, Berbatov, Carrick and Vidic had a great season. Rooney and Valencia in a great form for 2011 calendar. Rafael, Fabio, Smalling and Hernandez will be the pillars of young United outlook. Welbeck and Cleverly will strengthen the squad after fruitful loan spells. Scholes, Giggs, Park, and O'shea will be very useful squad players next term. Evra and Ferdinand had a quite season, but still very top class players. And fairwell to Van Der Sar and Neville, what a servant they were.

It'll be busy summer for Gill and Ferguson. Hopefully they can tie up top class addition for GK and CM position, and couple of young and talented signing. United will be stronger and there's always a next year. Glory Glory Man Utd.

World Cup 2010 - Day 28

Day 28: Final Of Perennial Underachievers

Netherlands and Spain are known for years as perennial underachievers. They used had a best teams and great individuals coming to the tournament. And they also used to bottled it when it matters.

Spain best achievement in this tournament are the semifinal berth while Netherlands twice be in the finals, without winning it.

But this time around, they had fulfilled their great expectation after all these years. And coming next weekend there'll be a new name for a world champion, preferably, Netherland. Though Spain are the favourite.

World Cup 2010 - Day 23

Day 23: The Last 4

2 powerhouse from Latin America sent packing by Netherlands and Germany. Brazil and Netherlands are closed encounter, but Argentina are totally trounced by the German. I think this 2 games are among the best games in this final.

Luis Suarez a cult hero again for Uruguayan. He deliberately blocked a ball using his hands from crossing goal line in dying minutes against sole African sole representative, Ghana. He got a red card and a penalty against his team. But it proven well worth cause the taker failed to make it count. Spanish had torrid moments against Paraguay. 1 penalty was missed by each sides but David Villa nicked it late to secured semifinal berth.

We'll be looking for a new world champion. Only Uruguay exceed early expectation and the rest are the usual suspects, at least for the 8.

World Cup 2010 - Day 19

Day 19: The Last 8

8 of the best had been identified. 1 African, 4 South American and 3 European. Its shame Asian and Central /North American didn't had a representative.

Uruguay vs Ghana
Germany vs Argentina
Netherlands vs Brazil
Paraguay vs Spain

Golden Boot Nominee
David Villa

Golden Ball Nominee
Lionel Messi

Most Outstanding Young Talent
Mesut Ozil

Tie of Round 8
Netherlands vs Brazil

Goal of the Round 16
Javier Hernandez (vs Argentina)


Looking forwards to watch all of these games. I missed few games so far.

World Cup 2010 - Day 17

Day 17: The World Cup Begins Now

The best 16 from 32 finalist. From 4 matches to date, there are 15 goals yielded. That are so impressive because normally teams will be more cagey in knock out phase. Hopefully this trend will be continue.

My favourite team England are out, though I'll not losing any sleep on that. Yes, there are few dissatisfaction about the goal line incident, but certainly Germany are the better outfit. My other favourites, Mexico and South Korean also shown tickets back. On positive notes, there will longer summer recuperation for Uniteds World Cup star. Rooney, Carrick, Hernandez, Park, Vidic, and Evra, plus already injured Ferdinand and Nani.

My favourite teams (I'm not a fan though) at this moment :Portugal and Netherland. And hopefully  the Japanese and the Chilean will do well too.

World Cup 2010 - Day 11

Match Day 2 Round Up

Goals tally are increasing tremendously, thanks to Portugal romp against North Korean. But quality of match officials are questionable. They're not that bad but certain referees seem too strict and numbers of red card are very worrying.

Exciting Matches
USA vs Slovenia
Brazil vs Ivory Coast

Beautiful Goals
Landon Danovan (USA vs Slovenia)
Diego Forlan (Uruguay vs South Africa)

Exciting Young Player
Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

Controversy Referee Decisions
'3rd goal' of USA canceled due to allegedly offside.
Harry Kewell's red card for blocking ball using his 'hand'

Worst Referee
Germany vs Serbia
Swiss vs Chile

News Of The Week

Nicholas Anelka sent home after criticized Raymond Domenech in dressing room (leaked by the insider)

Deposed English captain, John Terry publicly announced the team will had heart to heart meeting with manager Fabio Capello after dismal performance against Algeria.

World Cup 2010 - Day 10

Day 10: Upset

1 thing for sure I love about this current World Cup are a lot of upset results. There's no more whipping boys. What so called small teams can upset the big boys.

They know to play wisely and tactically adapt to their 'superior' opponents. OK, its make lesser goals for a spectator to enjoy. But today football are just about the results. You win a game, who cares how ugly you play.

Cameroon 0-1 Japan

Spain 0-1 Swiss

France 0-2 Uruguay

England 0-0 Algeria

Germany 0-1 Serbia

Italy 1-1 New Zealand

World Cup 2010 - Day 6

 Match Day 1 Round Up

Best Games
Brazil vs North Korea
Spain vs Swiss

Impressive Teams
German
South Korea

Impressive Players
Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria)
Eljero Elia (Holland)

Best Goals
Maicon (Brazil vs North Korea)
Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa vs Mexico)

Upset Results
Spain 0-1 Swiss
England 1-1 USA

Notable Moments
Tournament's first goal by Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa vs Mexico)
Robert Green slipped in Clint Dempsey's tame shot (England vs USA)

Best Kits
USA away (Nike)

Worst Kits
Cameroon away (Puma)

World Cup 2010 - Day 4

Day 4: Goal Dry

After 11 games, the goals tally chalked up 18 goals and average of 1.64 goals per game. Statistically speaking, it's quiet dire and unimpressive.

But in my opinion it's about game evolution. These days, smaller teams knew how to defend well. Dicipline and tactical are very much emphasized in their game plan. They studied their opponent and even the very much flair player like Lionel Messi is struggling. Passing game are luxury, only suit for certain teams like Spain and Holland.

We can see how Japanese and Korean win their game. They organize their defense very well and choke their opponent attacking even they don't have an edge in physical aspect (strength and size).

Brazil, Spain and Portugal not start their campaign yet. So, I'm very count on them to produce their magic and make this tournament much more exciting!

World Cup 2010 - Day 2

Day 2: Vuvuzela

I've watched all 5 games so far, never missed a minutes. Korea Rep vs Greece and England vs USA are quiet enjoyable, and both games produced an upset results.

But the most annoyance things so far, a sound of Vuvuzela through out of matches. In opening match, I've no problem to dealt and bear with the noise considering its a home nation match. But after couple of games, the tune are getting very annoying. Sound like a million of bees.

There's no tune or rhythm, commentators voice sunk, and the noise took out 'normal noise' of football match. Whether its goals cheer, crowd booing, or clapping for appreciation, all of these noise are simply unheard. 

Okay, they called it part of African football culture. We can't take away of that. But in my honest opinion, it's plain annoying.

World Cup 2010

Hopes And Expectations

The World Cup fever are coming on. The broadcast schedule looked fine for me, though circle of sleep will be disturb. Early kick -offs at around 8pm and late kick -offs (major games) at around 2 am.

This list will roughly sum up my hope and expectation on this event.

Teams I want to see them to do well:
England.
Follow by Netherland, Portugal, all African Teams, and all Asian Teams except Australia.

Teams I want see them had a bad tournament:
Spain, Argentina, France, Italy, Germany, USA.

Players I want to watch closely:
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Yoann Gourcuff, Marek Hamsik

Most exciting group:
Group G (Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, North Korea)
Follow by Group A (South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France) and Group D (Germany, Ghana, Serbia, Australia)

Surprise Packages /Possible Dark Horses:
Serbia, North Korea, Denmark.

Expected Semi Finalist:
Brazil, Argentina, England, Spain.

Golden Boot Winner Nominees

David Villa, Wayne Rooney, Luis Fabiano, Ronaldo.

Golden Ball Nominees

Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi, Lucio, Wayne Rooney

Other hopes:

• No referee blunder cost a significant result particularly in big games.
• No injury and suspension to major player in latter stage of tournament.
• Not many penalty shoot out to determine a winner.
• Deserved World Cup and Golden Boot winner.
• More comical /memorable moments like Rivaldo in World Cup 2002 (he fake an injury in Brazil - Turkey match), or Zidane headbutted Materazzi in 2006.
• No United players had terrible injury (broken bones or something need a surgery)
• No terrorist /hooligans act and threat.
• I didn't miss any games (especially last 16)

Judi Bola - Pandangan Dari Seorang Kaki Bola

Ramai pihak telah memberi respon terhadap pengumuman oleh Timbalan Menteri Kewangan mengenai kelulusan aktiviti perjudian bolasepak bersempena dengan Piala Dunia 2010.

Ulama sudah pasti membantah, samada secara diam ataupun tanpa selindung. Ulama di dalam kerajaan tampak membisu di dalam isu ini, tetapi saya yakin mereka turut membantahnya dalam senyap. Ahli politik terutamanya dari PAS sudah mengambil inisiatif yang difikirkan mereka sesuai untuk menzahirkan ketidak -setujuan mereka. Namun ada juga ahli politik Melayu - Islam dari pihak UMNO terutamanya yang memandang sinis bantahan tersebut dan mengalihkan pandangan masyarakat kepada isu dan permasalahan lain yang sedia wujud dalam negeri -negeri Pakatan Rakyat. Media arus perdana yang dikepalai oleh Melayu - Islam turut memandang enteng kepada isu ini atas sebab, ia dijuarai oleh PAS dan memberi imej negatif kepada kerajaan.

Not Over Yet, But Let's Finish It In High.

 

Sunderland 0-1 United

Surely pre -match talk were dominated on Liverpool-Chelsea match, and the result cause most of United fans deflated.

United: Van Der Sar, Oshea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs (C), Berbatov, Rooney.

A sight of Rooney and Oshea started will be delightful, and the likes of Brown, Ferdinand and Hargreaves fit enough to sit on a bench.

Stack Up The Pressure

 

United 3-1 Spurs

A must win game. The title hope recharging but the opponent had big objective to play for.

United: Van Der Sar, Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs (C), Nani, Berbatov.

Rooney and Ferdinand are absent, and report said that Rooney will be out for the rest of 3 remaining games due to groin injury.

Title Hope - Revive (for how long?)

 

City 0-1 United

Manchester Derby and both teams want to win it badly for different purpose, not just for local pride.

United: Van Der Sar, Neville (C), Evans, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Gibson, Giggs, Rooney.

Rooney is back, but defender lynch pin is absent.

We Are Just Not Good Enough

 

Blackburn 0-0 United

Win or just concede the title are not our's anymore.

United :Van Der Sar, Neville (C), Vidic, Oshea, Valencia, Scholes, Giggs, Nani, Berbatov, Macheda.

Strong line up, minus injured Rooney and rested Evra.

Perfect Start, Miserable End

United 3-2 Bayern

I'm not reading anything much about football in general, or pre -match discussion and team news after back to back defeat. So, it's quiet surprise to see Rooney walk out from a tunnel. Glad, but a bit concern cause he's not in his best shape. But 80% fit Rooney are simply better than 100% fit Berbatov in 4-3-3 formation. And Bayern welcome back their own talisman, Robben.

United: Van Der Sar, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand (C), Evra, Carick, Fletcher, Gibson, Valencia, Nani, Rooney.

No Longer In Our Hands

 

United 1-2 Chelsea

It's top of the table clash, the winner will be on the pole position to claim the coveted Premier League title. United had not out best preparation, losing our main striker. But, thats can be said to the visitor too, they started their game without Drogba.

United: Van Der Sar, Neville (C), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Park, Giggs, Berbatov.

Berbatov have a big role to play, fill in for injured Rooney. Can he?

Down At Munich, But Not Out

Bayern 2-1 United

Its quiet rare, i woke up late and miss entire 1st half. And its already 0-1, courtesy of Wayne Rooney.

United:Van Der Sar, Neville (C), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Carrick, Park, Rooney.

Rooney-less United Running Riot

 

Bolton 0-4 United

Mixed news in the start of the game. Chelsea battered Villa 7-1 and Arsenal dropped another 2 points. Another motivation to grab another 3 points, or its the aim remain the same no matter how another rivals doing in their games.

United: Van Der Sar, Neville (C), Evans, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Fletcher, Nani, Giggs, Berbatov.

Rooney and Ferdinand omitted all together, not even on the bench. Calculated gamble they say or the duo really nursing their injury?