Messi rules by heart/ Tevez may go to Man U?

Messi chills on the pitch during training at Herzogs Parks

My World Cup ended when Argentina crashed out in the Germany match on penalties. Similarly for Lionel Messi who claimed he did not even watched the finals.

Onto more tactical issues, Messi was asked why was he not playing on the pitch as much as he ought to. Messi replied demurely that the reporter should have to ask ex Argentinian coach, Jose Pekerman this question. Ultimately, Messi reiterated that he did not blame or question Pekerman’s decision for the World Cup lineups. (Even though it is apparently the very choices that were made.) A nice mix of reverence and assertiveness here by Messi in his replies.

Hope he has a good season ahead with Barcelona.

Source of report: ESPN Soccernet

The next news of interest is: Man U may be interested in Tevez

Argentinian forward Carlos Tevez says his future at Corinthians is threatened.

You all may read the detailed report in the link at the end of my piece. So I will go straight to the issue I want to talk about.

If Tevez goes to Man U, Man U will definitely not hold the third place spot on my EPL charts anymore. They will go up and up. After Ruud van Nistelrooy left Man U, Ferguson needs to find someone to plug van Nistelrooy’s spot. What better than the raw and powerful Carlos Tevez?

Ok, I admit. I keep laughing at Tevez because of how he looks but I do not doubt his skill on the pitch.

This is going to get interesting.

Source of report: TEAMtalk

Juventus, Inter Milan updated

Juventus and Inter Milan’s profiles finally been added.

Just a quick update before I crash to bed. Tomorrow, I will write a short piece on Messi and his World Cup sentiments. You all may read the article here first. The article’s from EPSN Soccernet and the tip off came from Mrs. Ronaldinho.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has finally made his move to Real Madrid. Juventus will let no more players go. A.C. Milan reinstated to Champions League and Inter Milan now have one more scudetto.

What a week in the soccer world!

5 days more!

Just five more days to till I reveal the individual leaders for the leagues.

Currently the rankings (according to their respectives leagues) are as follows
English Premiere League
Arsenal: #1
Liverpool: #2
Manchester United: #3

Spanish Primera Liga
Barcelona: #1
Villarreal: #2
Real Madrid: #3

Italian Serie
Although I’ve never updated or written much about the Italian soccer league, but I have a definite interest in it. As of today, I will add the following clubs to the “Team Shortlist” page.

AC Milan: #1
Inter Milan: #2
Juventus: #3

Ultimately, we’ll see which club will win my final vote as THE club I will stand by despite all. For now, we’ll just see and observe the top clubs of the respective tables. Now, if you would excuse me, I need to update my team pages.

The Homebodies

I can only love Argentina even more.

After reading this, I was so moved by my Kay Siao King (Kay Siao = Playacting) Hernan Crespo. You may read the article before proceeding to read my thoughts on this.

I was talking to Mrs. Ronaldinho last night and we were discussing about Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi was actually offered a place to play on the Spanish national team but Messi rejected and said he wanted to play for his homeland which is of course, Argentina.

Messi is a nice boy, we already know that. But Hernan Crespo shows that being faithful to what they believe is an Argentine thing. According to the report, Crespo was offered a house, a private jet and even more money by Abramovich to stay on at Stamford Bridge, but he has declined.

DECLINED! And he declined it in favour of returning to the Italian league. In this time of turmoil and unrest on the Italian soccer scene and Crespo chooses to return. He was quoted saying the following:

“The fact is I love Italy. The money and success don’t come into it,’ he said. ‘Italy is my natural environment, it is the place where I will live when I retire and it is the best place to play.’

For a powerful player to have the guts to stick to his guns and follow his heart despite what happens around him, you have to respect him for it.

Hernan Crespo, Kay Siao King, you have my salute.

Source of report: ESPN Soccernet

In rush of glory, we forget that some has not grown up

 

I speak of Wayne Rooney, our beloved Manchester United striker.

I’ve just read some report on Wayne Rooney and his questionable gambling habits. While being in debt for gambling is anything but funny, but from what Rooney was quoted saying, I was thoroughly amused but aware that some of the most celebrated soccer players of the moment are barely more than 19, 20 something young adults.

Frankly, if you were earning tens of thousands of pounds a week and you play in the greatest stage for professional soccer and you’re highly valued by the one of the most famous clubs in the world, granted that you’d be a little pleased with yourself. You have so much money, you’ve no idea what to do.

Rooney got suckered into the anonymous betting thing for “the rich and the famous”. Before he knew it, he was knee deep in debts. Lucky for him, he earns so much that his debts are merely a little more than expensive lessons. While he had the decency to admit that the mess he is in is of his own doing, he goes to undo it all by doing the “But everyone’s doing it too!” childish retort.

Before we start to lambast Rooney, do take a step back and remember that he is but 20. Come to think about it, it is really quite scary how this generation has been forced out into the world without anything much more than a thirst for trouble and a hope for success. I think even Sir Ferguson has realised that his young charges must undergo this baptism of fire. Apparently, he did not even bother to censure Rooney, he just told him to bet in moderation.

Now we have so many young, promising talents on the field. Fernando Torres, Wayne Rooney, Lukas Podolski, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, etc, I really wonder how many of them will go down in history and be remembered for greatness the way Beckenbauer, Pele and even Maradona are. I also wonder who will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, who will fade into the cruel oblivion of neglect, who will be the ones that promise so much but deliver so little, who will remain celebrated till the day they die.

Alex Sharratt says, ‘May you live in interesting times.’ Well, my good man, these are the interesting times, we will be here to ride the wave and see some of the soccer stars of today rise to greatness.

Source of report: TEAMtalk: Rooney tells of huge gambling losses

Mega Entry: Lionel Messi + The Great Arsenal Goodwill

Ok… so I haven’t updated in a while hence I’m treating you all to a mega post bonanza. I promise that each section will be entertaining, informative and definitely O_O for some.

Lionel Messi
The Great Arsenal Goodwill

Lionel Messi

Messi

If you have half an hour to spare, I recommend you to watch this clip on Youtube: Leo Messi 2005 (Best of Compilation)

BUT, if you do not have half an hour to spare, or simply do not care enough to go watch the clip, then you may read on.

Batistuta

Today while at work, the ever present aura of the great soccer love was on and inspired by The Great Arsenal Goodwill so I went on a mini Youtube video rampage to check out videos of the acclaimed Argentine legend, Gabriel Omar Batistuta. Mr X is an ardent fan of Batistuta, I’d say, if liberty were free he’d have proclaimed his love for Batistuta while prostrate. But anyway, with all due respect as a newly minted Argentine devotee, I went to study Batistuta. I wasn’t disappointed… Batistuta is prolific and forceful striker. His shots on goals have such great power and force, just watching him send the ball into the net is exhausting affair. Another great hallmark of the Batistuta style is accuracy. Batistuta can make goals happen from impossible angles. How about say… parallel to the goalpost? Let Batistuta on the ball and he will convert it into an elegant goal. Batistuta is the perfect symbol of the great Argentinian motto: “Long hair, short shorts, sexy goals.”

Let Batistuta stun you with his skills on Youtube: Gabriel Batistuta

Ok… I know, you must be going, “WTF?! Isn’t this supposed to be about LIONEL MESSI?! Why is all about Batistuta?” Relax, mes enfants… I’m just wheting your appetites.

So after gawking at Batistuta’s impossible skills, the conversation inadvertently turned to Lionel Messi. Mr X and I agreed that Lionel Messi is good player now and will only get better in years to come. We lamented that Messi wasn’t given enough chances to show his incredible speed, agility and versatility during World Cup 2006. Even the officials at FIFA agreed. I read in Straits Times that while Lukas Podolski of Germany is indeed a talented player, they felt regretful that Messi could only be nominated and not awarded the Best Young Player award.

For me, Messi has always been some form of enigmatic character. I’ve read countless editorials declaring 19 year old Lionel Messi to be the “Messi-ah of Argentina”. I’ve also seen and heard more than a few news anchormen get more than a little excited when they deliver their insights and opinion on this young Argentinine. I remember my first sight of Lionel Messi was one of him in a black adidas jacket with some kind of cast on his leg. He was hobbling beside an official. He looked really tiny and vulnerable beside the bulbous official.

The height of the Messi mania came when Diego Maradona (World Cup 1986 Argentine hero) has come to laud Lionel Messi as “my successor”. I tried to not fall into skepticism… afterall, Ronaldinho is Player of the Year and hasn’t had anything to show since the CL finals till now. But the ball is round, Lionel Messi proves himself.

Messi outwits, outruns and outlasts the Serbian defense

While watching the now legendary Argentina vs Serbia-Montenegro match, Saviola was substituted for Lionel Messi to go on the pitch. Though it was really late into the game, but the crowd cheered and whistled madly as Messi came on. And he did not fail them. Already, the spectators were dizzy with the stunning performance Argentina delivered. The score was already 5-0, surely that will be it! 6-0 is unthinkable! I was pretty high myself and I told my father, “Gawd…. if they score ONE more, I’ll….” I never completed my sentence because Lionel Messi had just netted a goal. It was effortless. I was sold, right there and then. I had just seen why the so many people around the world just adore Lionel Messi. Read on and I’ll deliver an analysis of why Messi rocks and outshines his contemporaries.

Youtube: Lionel Messi scores the sixth

Lionel Messi is not only a striker with an eye for the goal. He is team player, playmaker, striker, super runner. I don’t know if all Argentine football players are born with an inherent instinct for the team effort, but that’s precisely what I love so much about Argentina. Every last player respects the team effort. Even my kay siao(play acting) king, Hernan Crespo. For Lionel Messi, being so young and so immensely talented and SO well loved, he could haven easily become an egoistic sonofabitch and claim all the glory for himself by being a solo warrior.

But not Messi.

Messi plays football with a quick thinking and intuitive style and the team is always before himself. A classic example of intuitive teamwork, once again I refer to the 6-0 match against Serbia-Montenegro. During the 78th minute, Messi sets Tevez up for goal. Though they never shared a word during the match, Tevez picked up the ball and slotted it into the goalpost. Messi could have easily used his speed and agility to weave and get a shot on goal, but Messi chose to supply a cross to Tevez to secure their fifth goal of the night. It is not a lack of confidence, it is a respect for his teamates and the team.

The other amazing aspect of Messi is his great speed and agility. When in top gear, he’s like Speedy Gonzalez. He’s like a kid on too much Ritalin….. racing and weaving pass the defenders. Those running defenders look like they’re in slow motion.

Finally, why Messi has endeared so many hearts. A large part is due to his marvellous skills on the pitch, the other is his inherent character. I’ve read a significant amount of editorials, writeups and interviews on Argentina. Whenever the spotlight is on Messi, he’s really shy. He speaks softly and simply and he almost always credits his team more. But after watching the 34min and 59 sec clip with Mr X today, we realised that Lionel Messi is a dying breed. I’ve never seen a more innocent and honest player. Mr X commented, “…this guy don’t know how to dive. Whenever he falls, it is because he got pushed or he really lost balance.”

A player that doesn’t dives or resorts to play acting. Tell me, how many of his contemporaries can puff up their chests and say they’ve never resorted to dirty tricks?

A sadly dismal number, I suspect.

Footnote: With regards to the 34 min clip, do try to watch the last 5 mins. Especially the part where Messi is awarded the Golden Boot.
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The Great Arsenal Goodwill

What is The Great Arsenal Goodwill? It is a by and by story of how I got my Argentina jersey. FOR FREE.

My Argentinian gear. ALL genuine.

On 19th July 2006
Mr X and I were headed for Queensway. For the uninitiated, Queensway is the mecca for all soccer fanatics in Singapore. Boots, jerseys, soccer paraphernalia… everything you want related to the world’s best loved game, you can get it here. My agenda for the day is to get a Brazil jersey for my brother.

So while wandering around Queensway, Mr X told me that some shops are more trustworthy than the others, so he brought me to a few. We spent a little time in each shop before realising that our options were running out and time was beginning to laugh at us. I began to panic, because firstly, the Brazil home jersey for World Cup 2006 is running out, secondly, the price is exorbitant, S$109/= for the in season one, thirdly, I really think my brother looks fugly in the Brazilian colours. In the end, we returned to the first shop we went to. I stood outside the shop and touched the Brazil home jersey on the mannequin carefully to see if it was a genuine jersey.

I have a rather sensitive sense of touch, so while I cannot trust myself to tell a high quality fake from a genuine jersey just by looking, I can tell the difference just by touching it. Mr X and I were having a good time ogling at the rack of jerseys in this shop until Mr X found a KNVB (Hey Mr X, KNVB stands for Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond) jersey. He went gaga and I ignored him. I’m not a KNVB fan. I went on to search for an Argentina jersey to just worship. Then I saw a Spanish World Cup 2006 jersey going for just S$49/=. I was amazed and I asked Mr X to take a look. Unable to contain my curiosity, I lifted the protetive plastic and rubbed the jersey between my fingers. I dropped the jersey and whispered to Mr X, “This is fake.” He went O_O? and proceeded to touch the jersey. I went on to say, “I’ve molested the Spanish jersey at the adidas shop before, this is not how it is supposed to feel like.”

Later we went back to the shop with the Brazilian mannequin. They had a mannequin clothed in the Spanish jersey too. So I went to touch it too. It was indeed a genuine jersey. I beckoned to Mr X and told him this was how a real jersey’s supposed to feel like. Convinced that the shop is trustworthy we forayed into the shop and proceeded to ogle at more jerseys. (I’ll do another write on how to tell a fake from a genuine in my soccer blog soon.)

Mr X was looking fondly at his KNVB jersey and he went O_O again as he saw the price. Only S$67! All through the outing, I kept telling him, “The time has come for you to get *insert club/country name here* jersey.” A quick enquiry with the shop assistant revealed that the KNVB jersey is actually a junior jersey, aka the kid sized jersey. (Which isn’t all that small, actually.) Mr X sighed and returned the jersey to the rack as he said it wasn’t his size. My attention wandered over to the Argentina jerseys hanging at the other end of the shop. The shop assistant began talking about her adventure to the pubs to watch the fateful Argentina – Germany match.

Shop Assistant: “I went to a pub. I was wearing my Argentina jersey somemore. When I saw them lose the penalty. I paid up, opened the door, took a cab and left. I felt horrible.”

Me: ” I KNOW! I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL! (propriety prevented me from grabbing her and shaking her as I yell.) I actually cried after they lost…..”

Shop Assistant: ” Wah… you cried.”

Me: “Yea I did. I was devastated.”

Shop Assistant: “Don’t know WHAT Pekerman was thinking. Whole World Cup, I wanted to watch Messi-”

Me: “YAH LAH! THAT PECKERMA-…………”

Mr X: “OH NO! Don’t her started about it! She ranted in the office for a week!”

Shop Assistant laughed.

Me: *somewhat subdued* ” Riquelme. He shouldnt have taken him off. But when he put Cambiasso in, I still could see reason… but Julio Cruz?! ?_?”

Shop Assistant: ” Messi. Messi should have been on.”

Me: *a deep, long sigh.* “Tell me about it. It was such a heatbreaker.”

Then another girl joined us and the conversation turned to an Arsenal convention. I listened to Mr X, and the girls debate, trade opinions, swoon and mutter about all things Arsenal. Then another shop assistant hollered something unintelligible and the other girl in the Argentinian away jersey yelled back, “Shut up you Liverpudalian!”

At that moment, I felt incredible, I blurted, “You see, Mr X, there are girls who watch soccer and KNOW the game.”

Mr X: *looking somewhat embarassed* “Yes, I know. I used to think girls only watch because they wanted to see guys…”

The three of us gave Mr X a cold stare.

Mr X:”….last time.”

Me: “When he first knew I watched soccer, he said to me, “To see Beckham right?” ” Then I retorted, “I think the preferred choice is Morientes now.”"

A little lull in conversation, so I wandered over to the Argentina jersey and touched them. I was unreasonably excited to see a jersey with Messi’s number and name marked on it. Then I went back to the shop assistant..

Me: “Argentina really goes for S$135?”

Shop Assistant: “Yes. Discounted.”

Me: “Only your shop has any Argentina jerseys left. The rest are either sold out, or they only have the away jersey.”

Shop Assistant: “Well I can give you my Argentina jersey.”

Mr X and I snapped around and stared at her.

Me: “… give?”

Shop Assistant: “Yea. I don’t need it anymore.”

Mr X: “Wah….”

I was stunned for quite long, until I found my wits again.

Me: ” I would like to buy the jersey from you.”

Shop Assistant: “No, no I want to give it to you. Free.”

Mr X: “Wah….”

Me: “Am I dreaming?”

Mr X: ” Want me to slap you?”

Me: “I must pay you something….!”

Shop Assistant: ” How about ten dollars? Aiyah! Give you. Really. Come back tomorrow, I will bring it for you…..”

Me: “But… why?”

Shop Assistant: “To be honest, France is my number one team. Argentina is my second. But I don’t love Argentina the way you do. So I think you should have it.”

So why did I call this the Great Arsenal Goodwill? The girl happened to be an Arsenal fan and truth be told, Arsenal fans are genuinely warmhearted and spirted people. This Argentinian jersey I own now is a symbol of the Great Arsenal Goodwill and I will never forget it.

What are the chances of a near stranger giving you her genuine, albeit junior in season Argentina jersey?

Bet almost never in some lifetimes.

“You’re fucking lucky you know? FUCKING lucky!”

On a sidenote: The night before I went to Queensway, I had a most peculiar dream. I dreamt that I walked pass this adidas concept shop that sold only Argentina gear. In every product imaginable. I woke up chuckling and I decided to wear my Argentina `78 jersey remake that day.

HAHA… Hope you had fun reading all that cos I just spent nearly 3 hours… writing. Not including the time I spent to take and insert photos.

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The Italians do practise

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pmM4ry7PSzA&search=italy%20training%20camp

Watch this clip. It’s pretty funny.

Joke or insult, you all decide.

http://victoriatutorial.blogspot.com/

The entry is a slapstick about the events leading up the mysterious Zidane headbutt. Don’t flame my blog for what is written on someone else’s blog.

The Five Ugliness of the World Cup 2006

It is looming in everyone’s mind.

What was Zizou thinking when he headbutted Materazzi?

With all the hype on Zidane and Materazzi, I took some time back to reflect on this World Cup and listed out the five ugliest incidents I’ve seen or read about on the pitches in Germany.

Zidane headbutts Materazzi

Unglorious end to a glorious career

I’ll make this short. It is plain and obvious that Materazzi had said some really hurtful and unpleasant remarks to Zidane despite his denials. Quite a few publications have gone to use words like ‘violent’, ‘mean’ ‘malice-laden’, etc to describe Zidane’s headbutt to Materazzi. But frankly, why be so harsh on Zidane? Just because he won the Golden Ball award a day after he made his embarassing red card exit? Or is it that people are just disgruntled that Zidane’s sending off may have cost France their second World Cup trophy?

 

Luis Figo headbutts Van Bommel

“Taste my sweat.”

During the round of 16, Luis Figo actually headbutted Netherlands’s Mark Van Bommel during a confrontation. The incident went unpunished. I did not watch this match, hence I cannot really comment much.

 

Thierry Henry dives to win France a free kick

Hail the new diver from Arsenal. Shame shame.

During the round of 16 match against Spain, Thierry Henry came up behind and rammed into Spain’s Carles Puyol, then proceeded to roll onto his side and covered his face. The incident caught the attention of the referee and Puyol was a shown a yellow card and France was awarded a freekick. The most irritating factor of this incident was Thierry Henry simulating that Puyol may have used his elbow to poke him in his face. Imagine, Arsenal’s top striker having to resort to such stupid and lowdown tricks to win an advantage.

Anyhow, the freekick won was translated into a goal by Patrick Vieira later.

 

Leandro Cufre sends his foot into Mertesacker

Sure, Argentina lost in a rotten way, but it is no excuse for poor sportsmanship. Leandro Cufre, a defender for Argentina dragged the Argentinian name in mud by swinging his foot into the midriff of Germany’s Per Mertesacker, after the horrible penalty shootout of the Argentina – Germany quarterfinals.

While it is understandable how frustrated the Argentinian players on the bench must have felt to see their country lose miserably on penalties, but they should have preserved their honour and kept their fists and legs to themselves. Either that, or try to score more during a match. Leandro Cufre was shown a red card for his appalling behaviour.

 

Wayne Rooney tramples unto Ricardo Carvalho

Wayne Rooney made a fine display during the England vs Portugal match and all for the wrong reasons. During 62nd minute, Wayne Rooney was caught in a tussle and tried to keep possesion of the ball but ended up sticking his studded foot down the groin of Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho and to make things worse, he actually shoved Cristiano Ronaldo when he came up behind him.

The incident was further blown up as Cristiano Ronaldo allegedly went up to the referee to demand he send off Wayne Rooney. Later, the referee flashed the red card at Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo was caught winking to his bench on camera. No one will ever really know what transpired on the pitch that day. Wayne Rooney paid for his hotheadness by costing England during the penalty shootout later the same day. Cristiano Ronaldo is still paying for his role in the affair, his home in England has been vandalised by some really angry English fans.

Lacklustre Man United fans/Champions League kicks off

Two entries in one. HVDOFTS resumes today officially.

Lacklustre Man United fans
Champions League kicks off

Lacklustre Man United fans
Although HVDOFTS resumes only today, pitching begun to trickle in yesterday. I was able to finally have a short talk with the proclaimed Man U fan of my office and was sorely disappointed. Here’s how the exchange roughly went:

Colleague while eyeing my makeshift HVDOFTS ranking chart: “Valerie, you’re a Man U fan eh?”

Me: “No……..not yet. Maybe.”

Colleague: “Huh?”

Mr X: “She’s looking for a club to support.”

Me: “Eh, they say you’re the Man U fan around here right?”

Colleague: “Well, yea…”

Me: “So help Man U to do some pitching?”

Colleague looking a little perturbed: “Well….Van Nistelrooy is staying.”

Me: “I heard that Bayern Munich is looking to acquire him.”

Colleague:” Well yea, but he’s staying.”

Me: “One man doesn’t makes a team.”

Colleague:” Well we have Fergie! The best coach in the world.”

Me: “How so?”

Colleague, in a somewhat lame tone: “…He’s the best coach in the world.”

Me: “…”

Firstly, Fergie or Ferguson is not really a coach, he’s a manager. Secondly, there’s no susbtance to his case and pitch. I’m sorry if people still think I’m just joking around, but it really does disappoints and reflects badly.

The second incident
Later I went for a farewell dinner of another colleague. I met up with and ex colleague there. Unfortunately, as I wasn’t feeling very good, I did not take to his camaraderie well.

Ex colleague: “Wah! So heard that you’re looking for a club to support!”

Me: ” Yea…. want to pitch?”

Ex colleague: “Why? Cos World Cup ended and you’re having withdrawal eh?”

Me: “……are you going to pitch or what?”

Ex colleague: “Weeeelll……support Man U lor……. What your favourite colour?”

Me: “WHAT?”

Ex colleague smiling brightly, “YEA! What’s your favourite colour?”

Me: “…”

Ex colleague in stage whisper to Mr X: “I mean… like what do women know about soccer man…”

At that point I didn’t even deign to respond anymore.

Mr X: “….eh, she actually knows quite a lot.”

Ex colleague turning back to me: “Really eh? So you still haven’t tell me what’s your favourite colour.”

Champions League kicks off
From: ESPN Soccernet

LONDON, July 11 (Reuters) – Just two days after Italy beat France in the World Cup final, the quest began on Tuesday for soccer’s Champions League title.

Seven first-leg matches were played in the first round of Champions League qualification to be followed by four more on Wednesday.

The best result in Tuesday’s games came from B36 Torshavn of the Faroe Islands who won 3-0 away to Birkirkara of Malta. Second legs are on July 18 and 19.

After two more qualifying rounds, the group stage starts on September 12, leading eventually to the final on May 23 next year. Barcelona are the titleholders.

And so the soccer love goes on.