The second week of Wimbledon

While Brazil and Argentina are lighting up the World Cup with their delightful brand of football, the Wimbledon tournament moves quietly into the second week. The usual suspects are still there, especially for the men. Federer struggled the first two rounds but has since found his footing. Nadal was forced to play five setters twice but prevailed both times. Meanwhile, Andy Murray is in great form and could pose a threat. Lets see!

Ghost of 1966 dead and buried .....finally

What is there to say? Germany played a great tactical game and caught out the English with their speed and precision. England may complained about the goal that was disallowed but would it have made any difference? One thing for sure, the ghost of 1966 is finally laid to rest, courtesy of Lampard.

When England fought the Germans off but sunk by a Japanese

When England plays Germany, its always a special encounter, even if its just a club match. The papers will go overboard with their headlines such that you'd think its the second world war once again. One headline I remember reading was, "the English fought the Germans off but were sunk by a Japanese". It was actually a European club football match between an English and a German club. One of the players in the German club was a Japanese and he scored the winning goal, thus the headline.

Waiting for the day

Yesterday I received yet another wedding invitation from a friend for his son's wedding. This must be the fifth in recent months, all coming from my former classmates in Brighton. Plus those that I received from other friends, they easily add up to double digit numbers. For some of them, its already their second or even third child's wedding. No wonder I'm feeling a bit left out on that front. Don't know when my turn will come!

The Samurai lives on

How well Japan played against Denmark. Steady composure, full of confidence, neat teamwork and a great attacking side as well. I believe they realised their attacking potential in the match against the Dutch. After the Dutch scored, the Japanese changed to attacking mode in search of the equaliser and they surprised everybody, even themselves. They had the Dutch on the back pedal. The Blue Samurai are having a wonderful time in the World Cup.

Didn't I say so!

England finally come good in the last group match. I always knew they will get through but by finishing second, they are now left with a mission impossible task. They meet Germany in the round of sixteen. If they win, then most probably Argentina will be next, then Spain and finally Brazil. Based on their performance last night, Germany might be possible but Argentina, Spain and Brazil are in a class of their own. Still, as they say, the ball is round. Anything can happen!

A marathon of a match

Have you ever heard of a tennis score 59-59! Amazing! Crazy! and it is still not over yet. They had to stop because of fading light and that after ten hours of playing. Mind you, this is not an exhibition or a friendly match but a Wimbledon first round match. Because there is no tie break in the last set, they had to continue playing game after game after game...... until one player win two games in a row. When that will happen no one knows!

Wimbledon again

While the world is focus towards South Africa for you know what, yet another major sporting event is taking place, this time in England. Its June and that means Wimbledon. Already, Federer was almost undone in the first round itself. Can the British hope Andy Murray win this time? With the World Cup taking a little weight of his shoulders, he might just be able to pull it off!

A Brazilian kind of goal

Fabiano scored a glorious goal in the match against Ivory Coast. Only a Brazilian can score that kind of goal. Remember Pele in Sweden 1958! Honestly, I cannot see it coming from Rooney nor Klose nor Ronaldo! Maybe Messi, yes! but just maybe. They just don't have the natural artistry and the flair that is so typical of the Brazilians!

A terrible way to lose a championship

What ever happened to Dustin Johnson? Eleven over on the last day after playing five under the day before! Have we ever got that feeling sometime when everything just seem to go wrong. That's how he must be feeling! Nothing went right. As early as the fourth hole, his must have sense that it was not going to be his day! Terrible!

Give Capello a break!

The England coach have been lambasted left, right and centre. Suddenly, just two games into the World Cup, everything is wrong with Capello when just a bit more than a week ago, he was the best coach the English could ever have. Give the man a break! England will come good. They will win against Slovenia and make it to the last sixteen. I will even put my two cents worth of thoughts on the line if you dare me!

Brazilians and the beautiful game

The Brazilians play the beautiful game beautifully, as only they can. No other teams can come close although sometimes we have pretenders in the Argentineans and the Dutch. However, beautiful football don't always translate to wins as the Brazilians have learned. Remember World Cup 1978 and 1982. As a result, the Brazil teams of recent years have mixed their open and free flowing style with some defensive disciplined at the back. With Dunga as their coach, they will certainly not be going back to their old beautiful ways anytime soon.

Bickering Dutch .... I mean the French

The Dutch supporters must be watching the World Cup with a big sigh of relief. For once, the Dutch are not bickering with one another. The mantle has been taken over by other teams such as the Cameroons and the English. However, first prize must go to the French who has simply descended into chaos. Meanwhile, the Dutch have been very quiet on that front but instead, concentrated on winning their games.

England have picked up the Italian disease

The whole England team failed to turn up at both their matches so far. No wonder fans, critics, newspapers and whatever have you are up in arms over the dismal showing of the England team so far. Many are wondering what happened to the team that sailed through the qualifying matches. The answer is simple enough! The English team have learned well from their Italian coach. Start slow. That's what the Italian are notorious for!

Argentina to win the World Cup?

Messi continued with his impeccable form in the match against S. Korea, opening up the defence with his jiggling runs, making delicate chips here and there, executing measured passes to his team mates and shooting with thunderous shots when needed. With Tevez and Hugain also in great form, Argentina looks like early favourite for the title.

Golf vs Football

While the rest of the world are busy enjoying the football festival that is the World Cup, over in the US of A, the US open Golf championship made a quiet start. The tough condition made golfing very difficult with two under the leading score. However, Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa, made a good start and is just one back. Can he mount a challenge?

Contrasting tactics

Knowing full well they cannot match the more skillful Spanish in open play, Switzerland played the classic defensive game depending only on quick counter attack. They came away winners. The Koreans know full well they cannot match the skillful Argentineans in open play but yet they persist to play the game to the strength of their opponents. The Argentineans scored four past them. Which would you prefer? Winning ugly or losing pretty.
Ask Domenech and he will tell you it's always better to win. He should know because the French got to the finals only because of the hand of Thiery Henry.

Where are the goals?

Goals have been hard to come by at this World Cup. Apart from Germany, the rest have not been scoring as much. Messi was a delight to watch but he was thwarted time and again by an inspired goalkeeper. Brazil couldn't figure out the N. Koreans throughout the ninety minutes, scoring only two goals when everybody was expecting more. As for Italy, couldn't expect much as they are notorious slow starters.

There' nothing like the World Cup!

The World Cup matches are causing me to lose some sleep. The matches starting at 7.30 pm are ok but the matches starting at 10 pm are a problem cause they finish at almost midnight. That is way past my bedtime! I try not to watch them but couldn't. The temptation is just too much. Luckily I still have the will to ignore the matches starting at 2.30 am. Brazil or Argentina or Spain or Germany or whatever, I won't be tempted!

Never discount the Japanese

Japan showed what dogged determination and strong self belief can do to you. Nobody gave them even a ghost of a chance. They were thought to be easy pickings. The Cameroons were so confident of winning that it bothers on the arrogance. It led to their downfall. Scrappy match though it may be, played mostly in the middle of the park but who cares? Certainly not the Japanese!

The World Cup thus far......

Korea ..... carrying the Asian flag and doing it well too. Lets hope they continue to excel and make it at least to the last sixteen.
Argentina ...... fluid passing movements but failing where it matters most. However, if Messi continues to show five star performance, then they are a team to be reckoned with.
England ...... a lot of promise but unfortunately, only promise and nothing more. Need to deliver.
Germany ..... sleek, very technical and ..... don't forget, efficient. How can you describe the Germans without mentioning it.
Netherlands .... many star players. If for once they can put their head together and not bicker among themselves, this World Cup could be theirs.
Brazil, Spain, Italy .... yet to play.

Hail the Koreans!

Korea were first off the block, winning against a poor Greek side 2 - 0. On that show alone, I would say the Koreans have a great chance of making the last sixteen. I also saw the Argentina match and Messi gave almost a five star performance. Although he didn't score, he's mesmerizing runs and close ball control were a delight to watch. Argentina can go far!

The World Cup is finally on

With the World Cup starting in less than an hour, I noticed that the TV has so many sport channels that I'm lost. The last time I counted it was more than ten. Now I believe it has increased even more with about half of them dedicated fully for the World Cup. Wow! Just how time has changed. Anyway, who's complaining? I remember the days when we first had the World Cup live on our TV screens. It needed a nation wide campaign through a newspaper before we managed to get it!

A frustrating day

It started raining heavily at about 3 pm but about an hour later it stopped. Although the sky continued to be gloomy and downcast, there was no rain. I said to myself today is a perfect day for jogging, the weather cool and windy. The moment I finished work, I went about doing my routine when I'm going jogging i.e. drive to Shah Alam, stop at a petrol station, change and on to the lake garden but alas! as soon as I put on my jogging gear, the rain came down. Damn!....... there goes my jogging.

It has been a long hard season

Beckham, Ballack, Essien, John Obi Mikel, Ferdinand, Nani, Drogba? Robben? ....... the injury list goes on. Wonder if the players playing in the World Cup can pick themselves up for the biggest showpiece on earth or are they going to be tired and worn out, dragging their suddenly heavy feet and pushing tired mind in the quest to be champion of the world! The summer is going to be very long for some.

74 billion or 18 billion ringgit ?

I'm confused. Two completely different figures and what is most surprising is the magnitude of the difference! Just cannot understand how it can be so! So, bankrupt or not? Please.. give us the real figure.

Undisputed King of Clay

Nadal is once again champion of France. The king of clay regained his crown after beating Soderling in straight sets. Try as he might, Soderling was second best most of the time. Will be intresting to see how many more French Open Nadal can win in the years to come. I believe as long as he can remain injury free, the French open is his for the taking.

What is wrong with Malaysian soccer?

Why is Malaysian soccer in the doldrums? Our physical disadvantage? If it is physical, why is it that a very long time ago, we were the equals of South Korea and Japan? While both countries are now competing at the highest level, we remain in the pits. Skills? I'm sure we are not lacking too far behind or are we?. What else ................?

World Cup is just a few days away

The World Cup is hardly a week away and the excitement is really building up. Anyway for me, Life will remain the same i.e. I will not sacrifice my sleep nor take leave just to watch the matches. Those days are long gone. I remember the World Cup in 1978. It happened right smack during my final exams. Don't know how I did it but I managed to follow the games on TV while struggling with my exams at the same time.

Bankrupt in nine years!

How can that be? When is a country bankrupt? When debt is 100 % or more of GDP? When GDP growth is less than 3 % yearly? Japan's debt is 200 % of GDP and growth has been at a snail's pace for the last 10 years or more! Does that mean Japan is bankrupt?

I'm shocked .......

Sending fully armed commandos to kill unarmed and unsuspecting people is really an act of the worse kind. The mind boggles...... just thinking about it. I'm .......

The saga is longer than the cable

Why is it that every time somebody speak about Bakun and the undersea cable, I get the feeling that I've heard it all before. It is beginning to sound too familiar. When was the first time I heard about it? 10 years ago? Or is it more like 20 years ago! Till today, nothing concrete has materialise and it don't look like it will happen anytime soon.

Still finding my way around the handphone

I'm still finding my way around my new hand phone. Among them is how to load pictures to the computer. It may sound silly cause that is suppose to be a no brainer but unfortunately, not for me. I did once through e mail but the pictures turned out to be small. Until I finally get to grip with the whole intricacies, I guess loading pictures for my blog will have to wait.

Federer stunned, Walcot dropped and Dow slide

The above were the news that greeted me this morning. I saw a bit of the match between Federer and Soderling and thought nothing of it, what more with Federer winning the first set. I also saw Walcot playing in the match against Japan and thought he was doing nothing much. As for the Dow, its the same old story. Going down and down and .........