Terry warns Man Utd - Premiership trophy is ours

As usual, I was reading through Soccernet's website for my daily update of what is happen in the English Premier League when I can across this particular article by the captain of Chelsea.

If I had the chance to speak to him or meet him in person, I would like to share two things that are on my mind.

Number 1. If you want it, come & get it.

Number 2. Mess with the best, die like the rest.

Ja neh!!!

We are Champions of England for the 9th time!!!

Chelsea's failure to win at the Emirates Stadium meant that it is now mathematically impossible for Chelsea to overtake Manchester United in the table standings. With this, there should be no pressure when the Red Devils visit Stanford Bridge during midweek but 3 points will make the sweet wine even sweeter.

Ja neh!!!

Mess with the best, die like the rest

We are on the way to becoming Champions of Europe once again!!! Treble, here we come!!!

Match report on SoccerNet

Official match report from Man Utd website

Ja neh!!!

Portsmouth 2 Manchester United 1

I is angry. Defensive lapses. Missed chances. Lack of inspiration. Fatigue from playing in Champion's League. On form opposition goalkeeper. So many factors resulting in the first defeat on the back of seven Premiership victories. Lead has been cut to three (superior goal difference might be worth an extra half point). Race blown wide open. Butterflies in stomach.

Hope nothing goes wrong in the Manchester United vs AS Roma match this coming midweek.

Soccernet's report on the game.

Manchester United's official report.

Ja neh!!!

Revenge @ the Stadium of Light

Match was decided by a moment of brillance from French striker Saha. This gave Man Utd their first away win in many many years (I'm guessing three years). However this is not the time for the Red Devils to be resting on their laurels.

There is still much more groundwork to be done & also the grooming of leadership for the next generation of players to take over the present Class of 92 & the rest.

Enough said.

Gambattee!!!

The smell of Blood is in the Devil's Lair

In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, let blood be shed in Lisbon, as the Red Devils prepares to take revenge on Benfica for the defeat that sent them out of last seasson's Champion's League.

Bad blood between Fergie & Ruud

Hmmm, dirty linen is being aired in public now that Ruud has openely said that Fergie has stabbed him in the back by leaving him on the bench despite his performance on the pitch. Well, there are many sides to the story & we can only know what is happening through the media reports & press conferences. Which might not be the true story at all.

Ruud is an excellent professional footballer & he should not believe that anybody's place in the first team is a given despite his past performance. At that point in time before any match, no matter how trivial, the manager has the obligation to choose the best combination of players he has available based on the situation, fitness levels of the players & also future matches where certain players might be needed more or more suitable according to style of playing or level of experience. So many variables have to be considered, not just the reputation or salary level. I believe Rudd was highly paid precisely for this reason. He is a great striker & 1 of only 8 players to score 150 goals for Man Utd, but it must be accompanied by the same level of maturity to match the skills.

Skills alone will not take you to the top, neither will past reputation. What matters most is the effort & the determination to do your best whatever the situation may be. If you are placed on the bench for whatever reason, listen to the explaination or go through the rationale behind on your own. Not storm off like a girl (no offence intended) or a little spoilt brat.

While many great players will be most willing to play for 1 of the great clubs in the world like Man Utd, & Fergie has achieved great succcess while at the helm for 20 years, he does have a reputation of being difficult to work with as he expects only the highest standards from everybody & will not compromise even when dealing with superstars who are paid many zillion times more than his salary. However, he should have known by now that sometimes it is more appropriate to use the soft persuasive approach when dealing with his players. Many have fallen out of his favour & subsequently left the club. I feel tremendous saddness everytime this happens. It could be for the better or worst for the club, but it is still painful everytime someone leaves the Theatre of Dreams.

I wish Ruud van Nisterooy all the best in his new club.

Ja neh!!!

Euro 2008 qualifiers record score

There is something wrong with the picture on the left. Germany has scored 13 goals but the scoreline reads only 3. I guess their software cannot handle double digit scores because it happens only one in a million times. Anyway just a little update on the highlights of last night's qualifying match. England won 0 - 1 but I was expecting a better scoreline from them as they faced a country that I have never heard of & they are ranked 67th in the world by FIFA.

Wonder how it feels like to be trashed 13 - 0 at home.

Anyway today is a bad day because I am at home & not in school. Sigh. I'm starting to hate myself again. Severe depression mode pending. Arrggg!!! Maybe it is the same feeling, being trashed 13 - 0 at home, & being at home in my current situation.

Ja neh!!!

Third straight win for Manchester United

Nothing much to shout about because winners do not brag. Just hope everyone shares the burden of scoring goals.

Ja neh!!!

Chelsea, we're gonna get ya!!!

It seems like Chealsea Football CLub has unexpectedly hit a speed bump very veyr early in the season as they went down against Middlesbrough for the 2nd time (I'm not extremely sure about this because I was too lazy to verify this claim, but I remember Chelsea losing to the same team by 3 goals to nil). Seems like it is the Curse of Middlesbrough.

Thumbs up for Middlesbrough for slaying the giant so early in the season. While it might make the engine stutter & lose steam, there is also the possibility that it might spur on The Blues to even greater heights.

On the other hand, Manchester United has two their first 2 games by comfortable margins albeit the uncertain atmosphere brought on by the suspension of Wayne Rooney & Paul Scholes for 3 matches for their sending off in a pre-season friendly. Their next match is against newly promoted side Watford with Manchester United playing away.

Glory Glory Man United!!!

Manchester United's opening game of the EPL season

Nothng much to talk about, really. Just glad that Manchester United has gotten off to a good start to the new season. It must b a nightmare to lose your opening game, especially when you are playing on home ground & against a relatively weaker club.

I wish Manchester United all the best in the coming season & hope we can reclaim the Premiership title.

Glory Glory Man United!!!

Tomasz Kuszczak player profile

The second signing of Manchester United Football club for the coming season is a goalkeeper. This comes to me as a surpise to me as I believe more reinforcements are needed in the midfield as well as up front, not at the back. However, Edwin Van der Sar has reached his peak & will be retiring soon in a few more seasons in the top flight, so it is prudent to groom another world class goalkeeper to take his place.

As they say, do not look for toilet paper when your hit-with-a-capital-S is already leaking out. It is rather gross but it describes exactly the situation if nothing is done until the last minute.

The latest edition to United’s goalkeeping ranks, Tomasz Kuszczak, arrived at the club knowing exactly what is required to produce an outstanding performance at Old Trafford.

With West Brom’s Premiership survival at stake, the 6ft 3in Polish international was called upon against United in May 2005 when Russell Hoult went off injured after just 22 minutes at OT. The Baggies were 1-0 down to a 21st minute Ryan Giggs opener, but Kuszczak pulled off a series of saves in only his fourth game for the club to keep United out for the rest of the match. Robert Earnshaw’s penalty earned a vital Premiership point, helping Bryan Robson’s side avoid the drop.

The following season saw Tomasz become the latest edition to United’s goalkeeping ranks, Tomasz Kuszczak, arrived at the club knowing exactly what is required to produce an outstanding performance at Old Trafford.

With West Brom’s Premiership survival at stake, the 6ft 3in Polish international was called upon against United in May 2005 when Russell Hoult went off injured after just 22 minutes at OT. The Baggies were 1-0 down to a 21st minute Ryan Giggs opener, but Kuszczak pulled off a series of saves in only his fourth game for the club to keep United out for the rest of the match. Robert Earnshaw’s penalty earned a vital Premiership point, helping Bryan

Robson’s side avoid the drop.

The following season saw Tomasz become the Baggies’s first-choice keeper. His performances, despite West Brom’s relegation, didn’t go unnoticed. The Reds embarked on a relentless pursuit for his services throughout summer 2006. West Brom, having already turned down three offers from United, finally relented on 10 August. He joins United initially on a season-long loan, leading to a permanent three-year deal at the end of the period.

It ended a two-year stay at The Hawthorns for Tomasz following his move from Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin in July 2004. He made
e Baggies’s first-choice keeper. His performances, despite West Brom’s relegation, didn’t go unnoticed. The Reds embarked on a relentless pursuit for his services throughout summer 2006. West Brom, having already turned down three offers from United, finally relented on 10 August. He joins United initially on a season-long loan, leading to a permanent three-year deal at the end of the period.

It ended a two-year stay at The Hawthorns for Tomasz following his move from Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin in July 2004. He made
his Premiership debut for West Brom in September 2004 against Fulham and went on to make 30 league appearances for the Midlands club.

Tomasz is highly thought of in his homeland. His international debut for Poland, against Malta in December 2003, came at the age of 21 after during 14 appearances at Under21 level. He was also part of Poland's 2006 World Cup squad, where he was understudy to first choice keeper Artur Boruc, but did not play in the tournament.

If you have trouble with the sheer number of Z's in his name - he has a scrabble score of 53 – the pronunciation of his name is ‘Tomash Koosh-shack’.

Ja neh!!!

Michael Carrick player profile

Michael Carrick appears to be the only signing of the new season of Manchester United Football Club so far & while it might be worrying for the fans because there is no new blood to replay the players who have left, e.g. Ruud van Nisterooy, Roy Keane, etc or to strengthen the squard, the manager Sir Alex Ferguson appears to start the season even with no new signings. It could be his faith in his existing players to deliver a legitimate challenge for the Premiership title & the Champions League. Manchester United does have a strong youth program, maybe as good as West Ham's Youth Academy.

Anyway here's his player profile from the official Manchester United website.

Michael Carrick is a classy and composed midfielder, equally at home on the ball as he is trying to win it back or break up attacks.

Carrick began his career with Wallsend Boys Club – the same club that produced Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley – before beginning his professional career at West Ham’s prestigious youth academy in 1998. Alongside Joe Cole, Carrick played a starring role in the 9-0 demolition of Coventry City in the 1999 FA Youth Cup final, contributing two goals of his own.

In the 1999/2000 campaign Carrick was loaned out to Swindon Town. The following season saw him loaned out again, this time to Birmingham City. His exploits for the Blues during 2000/01 earned him a PFA Young Player of the Season nomination, although he eventually lost out to Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard.

Carrick spent much of 2002/03 sidelined with injury before West Ham were relegated at the end of the season. Rather than join the exodus that accounted for team-mates Joe Cole, Fredi Kanoute and Jermain Defoe, Carrick stayed with West Ham during their first season back in Division One, where they narrowly missed out on a return to the Premiership in the play off final. But, seeking to resurrect his Premiership career, Carrick moved to Tottenham in 2004 for £2.75m.

Since then Carrick has blossomed. His range of passing and vision make him a valuable addition to any midfield. Under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson and the United first team staff, his talents can mature further still.

Having accumulated 14 caps for the England Under21 squad, Carrick received his first senior England cap in 2001. Aged 19, he was a half-time substitute in the 4-0 win over Mexico at Derby County’s Pride Park stadium. He was a part of England’s 2006 World Cup squad and showed he could perform on the highest stage with a composed displayin the win over Ecuador, where he was assigned the holding role.

At United he has taken over Roy Keane’s No.16 shirt. He is of a different stock to the talismanic former Reds skipper. But his guile, passing range and ability to retain possession will make him an asset to Sir Alex Ferguson’s midfield.

Hope that Ferguson has made a reasonable choice when he nearly broke the bank to sign Carrick. Manchester United is really in debt after the Glazers bought over what was once the world's richest club. Now there is just one "buttocks of debts".

Ja neh!!!

Ruud van Nistelrooy leaves Manchester United

It saddens me to learn that one of Manchester United's greatest players in recent times have left for Spanish giants Real Madrid, a competitor in the Champions' League. He is one of Manchester United's most prolific scorers but alas, he no longer has a place in Alex Ferguson's plan to bring glory back to Old Trafford.

While he has completed a transfer, I still would want to wish him well & also success in the Primera Liga. All of us at Old trafford will miss you.

Here is van Nistelrooy with his new Real Madrid jersey. Sob sob. How I wish you were wearing Red again.

Oh yah, happy birthday meowie24.

Ja Neh!!!

Dsgraced Zidane wins Golden Ball award

Personally I feel that there are more deserving players who should get the award instead of someone who lost his cool for no apparent reason. No matter what happened on the pitch, there was absolutely no reason to react the way he did, especially when he is the captain of the France team, playing in front of so many people, including a live audience around the world. He must set a good example & be a role model for the team members as well as the fans who look up to him.

Brazil's Ronaldo was under trememdous pressure n scrutiny but he let his feet to the talking, not his very round head. England's bad boy Wayne Rooney didn't go bursting other player's balls when he was red carded for his accidental stomp on I-have-forgotten-his-name's family jewels. Italy's captain, Cannavaro was a shining example of how a true leader should play. He was rock solid in defense & a workaholic. Do you see him laying a hand on anybody after an unfair challenge? There was no challenge in Zidane's case, & I felt that he did it because he had nothing to lose since it was clear France was not going to win the World Cup this time. An utterly sore loser. No matter what were his merits in the past, no matter how well he controls the ball with his feet, all that counts for nothing if he does not have the mental tenacity to flourish under immense pressure.

He even has the cheek to put the blame for his violent behavoir on Materazzi insulting him. Instead of the Golden Ball, I would award him a giant L-plate, those you use when you are learning how to drive.

L for loser.

For those who disagree with my comments, I know you have a right to your own opinion, but so do I. If you feel I have insulted your idol, do not read my blog from now onwards because I will speak my mind than be a hypocrite like you.

Ja neh!!!

David Beckham steps down as England captain

Here is the YouTube video of David Bechkam's press conference where he announce his intention to hand over the Captain's armband to another English player. A sad moment for me, personally, but I do believe in the constant renewal of leadership at every level, especially the top management.



Take care, David.

Ja neh!!!

England will win the World Cup?

I was reading today's edition of The New Paper when I came across this article on the back page. It claims that England will win this year's World Cup because of certain signs, or coincidences, I would say instead. They are as follows:

• It is England 7th World Cup Finals appearance since 1966 (the year in which they won their only World Cup)
• It takes 7 games to win the trophy, i.e. 3 nos group stage matches, round of 16 match (or some people call it the 2nd round knockout match), quarter finals match (or round of 8 match), semi finals & of course the finals.
• The worlds "winner", "England", "captain" & "Beckham" all have 7 letters. In case you all did not notice, "Raymond" also has 7 letters but I'mnot at the World Cup. Just rotting at home & growing fat, hahaha.
• England captain, Beckham, wears the no 7 shirt.
• In Germany, the finals is on Sunday, the 7th day of the week, in July, the 7th month of the year. (Actually, in the 7th year of the 21st century, becos 2000 is the 1st year right? I spotted this myself!!!). So it's on the 7th day of the week, in the 7th month of the 7th year of the 7th year of this century. Quite a mouthful.
• England topped their group with 7 points, to set up a clash with Ecuador, which has 7 letters in its name.
• England have had 7 nos full-time managers who have failed to win the World Cup.
• Sven-Goran Eriksson has a 7-strong backroom staff. His full first name is Svennis, which has 7 letters.

So guys, England fans or otherwise, are the signs there? Will Wngland win the World Cup for only the 2nd time after so many years? Only God knows what the future holds for the soccer nations. Although I do not have a favourite team I hope will win the World Cup, there are a few teams I hope will not win the World Cup. Italy is definitely on my list. Another team is France.

Ja neh!!!

The cursed match

Friends told me that England has not won a game in the past 15 years, or was it 50 years? Hmmm. My ears need a checkup. Anyway it was a really long time, & England could only draw or lose to Sweden, so the logical wager would be to "eat balls" or get an positive asian handicap right? No, my backside was itchy, the England supporter in me was strong & rampant, so I "give / put balls" or got a negative asian handicap. In the end, my joy turned into pain when they equalized at the 90th minute!!! The curse is true!!! Chou Ji Dan!!!

Another low point of the match came as early as the 4th minute when Owen was injured (I do not know how) & had to be subsituted by Peter Crouch. Sigh. How come strikers get injured all the time? First it was Rooney, then Owen. I guess even if they do not get to play competitive soccer in future, all the money they are making now & the insurance payout is more than enough to last 3 generations. Maybe it would last just half a generation for them because they are not as thrifty & investment orientated as Asians are in general. Heez.

Please be careful on the pitch & get any more injuries hor!!! Wait no more strikers for England liao. Sigh.

Ja neh!!!

Kimchi is better than Escargots

I do not like kimchi & I definitely do not have the courage to try escargots. Wonder how come people like eating snails, even though they are bred in farms like chicken. Hmmm. Anyway South Korea has done Asia proud by holding the mighty French to a draw, especially with all the talent & superstars in the French team like Henry, Zidane, etc.

When will Singapore be represented on the world stage?

Sigh.

Ja neh!!!

No goal avalanche from Samba Masters

Not quite the trashing some of us were expecting from the great Brazilians, winners of 5 out of 17 World Cups. Australia, on the other hand, were making their debuts in soccer's most prestigeous competition. Must credit should be given to the Aussie coach. I heard that every team he has coached made it into the World Cup Finals. QUite a track. I have also heard that he was appraoched by Singapore & he turned down the offer to coach our Lions. Oh dear. Are we really that hopeless?




















A lot of focus was on Mr Cheeseburger aka Ronaldo. Sigh. He has lost his explosive runs, his fearsome shots on goal & quite a lot of other physical aspects of the game. He looks tired, almost nonchalant. However, I do believe he is trying up make up his lack of speed & enegry with intelligent play. I guess it's time to use the brain more than those muscles, Mr Cheeseburger.

He did make a few great moves & I do believe he reads the game as well as he did previously. Cheeseburger still has almost all of his ball control skills & if he sheds the extra kilos, he should be able to do do more justice to the 4-2-4 formation. Which team have you heard of that plays with 4 strikers & only 2 midfielders!!! Maddness!!!

Zzzzzz monster coming liao.

Oyasumi Nasai!!!