Viva Espana!

Once in four years, the whole world becomes fixated over a month of football fiesta - which is now just over. But South Africa 2010 is definitely a memorable one - interesting matches, unexpected results and and unbelievable prediction of a famous psychic octopus!

Ever since my first World Cup in 1986, I have been hooked to the Beautiful Game. But funny thing is, I'm not a football fan per se. I don't follow EPL even.. BUT when it comes to the World Cup and international tournament like the European Championship. I am an ardent fan!

As in previous years, I was supporting Argentina and Italy (loyal as always..) but alas, the Italy team was a far shadow from that four years ago when they clinched the Cup, and was sadly kicked out in the first round. Meanwhile, the Argies, under the coaching of the charismatic Maradona, started off impressively but suffered a humiliated defeat in the quarter-final against Germany!

My heart was broken but of course, I watched on... and then I gradually fell in love with a team that combines great skills and flair (not mentioning sharing the same Latin root as two favourite teams) - yes, of course it is the Euro champion and our newest World Cup champion Espana!

I was elated when they beat the strong and sturdy Germany in the semi-finals and decided I would be rooting for them to win the final. They had not been scoring many goals but it's a feat for the eyes to watch them play..they had talented and some cute players too to boot! :p

So, the final saw the Netherlands versus Spain - a highly anticipated final as whoever wins, we would have a brand new World Cup winner!

(somehow I missed the closing ceremony on TV.. saw photos and it's indeed a colourful affair!)

Then the match itself.. which turned out to be quite a frustrating affair!

The first half was going nowhere.. basically the Dutch was just trying to stop Spain and by doing so committed tonnes of fouls and got many yellow cards. The rhythm of the game was rudely interrupted and both sides could not get their footing not mentioning scoring!

At the end of the night, only two of these Dutch players were not booked! And one received a red card.. what a shameful record!!'

Second half picked up speed and saw both sides creating more chances in the penalty areas. But still the goal eluded them.. and it remained goal-less at full time! We had to go into extra time.

I was already dreading and half-expecting a penalty shoot-out - just like four years ago, which would be such a damper for a World Cup final!

And then finally, shy of 3 minutes before the end of the extra time, just out of sudden, a brilliant Iniesta scored!! Dutch keeper Stekelenberg was beaten!

The goal came so late, but at such a brilliant timing that the Dutch just couldn't do anything about it. In fact, they looked so dejected and the last few mins both teams were just letting the time pass!

And yes, Spain won the World Cup for the first time ever! They were in a delirium and who could blame them? Spain goal-keeper Casillas was so overcharged with emotions that he covered his face and sobbed! And later, oas captain, he had the honour to lift the highly coveted Cup!

Congratulations to Spain! You're a well-deserved winner for sure!

Finally how could we forget Paul the psychic octopus? For the recent fortnight or so, this creature had been hogging the limelight as it had miraculous and accurately `predicted' the result of all the seven matches involving Germany (ya, his adopted home is Germany)

And then, for the first time, Paul also rightly predicted that Spain would win the World Cup!

It's a 8 out of 8 perfect record. What are the odds!?

So, adios to an exciting month of World Cup.. now, we would have to wait four years more to the great show in Brazil!

'Tis my last WC post

Here ends my pseudo World-Cup blog that lasted a good month.

And what a way to end it, by missing the Finals live! Argh! Guess I would have to live with it my whole life..

Looks like many of us, me included, would be suffering from `World Cup withdrawal syndrome' - or post-World Cup blues.. Like just now, it's quite funny, three of us gals - lynn, may and myself - who had dinner and then caught a movie (Superman Returns) were typical examples of that. Beside's talking of Lynn's dog that just died the day earlier, our topics constantly came back to World Cup - on the various matches and the players.. and gosh we had so much to say! Yeah, who said WC is just a men's game? ;)

And earlier back in office, my footie colleague Terrina and i too could not help but discussed the match that I watched late. And needless to say I got the `what-la' look when I entered the office (for sleeping through the Final) but then when we talked of the game, it was as if we're still in the midst of it..!

Ahh... I already miss World Cup already and it's barely 24 hours later.. If only they are playing the Final now.. I am now wide awake ready to watch!

Anyway, FIFA World Cup 2006 will be one of my favourite World Cup ever. You can't deny it has many exciting matches. And at the end, for the first time, the team I have supported since 1990 had won!

FORZA ITALIA!!! Long lives The Azzurri!






Final note: I predict and back Argentina to lift the world cup on African soil in 2010. We shall see.. but wonder whether this blog will last that long...

UNBELIEAVABLE! UNTHINKABLE! UNFORGIVABLE!

I MISSED THE WORLD CUP FINAL!!!!

Yes, I did! Can you believe it? Me??!!

I overslept and got up at 5:10am when EVERYTHING was over! I had gone to bed at 11pm setting the alarm at 1:50am but somhow it didn't go off..

I sms-ed some replies to friends saying that I wanna kill myself..and that was how I felt. I was screaming and throwing tantrum at myself.. In rage, I threw my alarm clock away!!

My dad, who just managed to wake up like 10 mins before me, watched the last few commenting actions on tv and knew the results. He didnt want to to tell me but I knew my sms would have told me anyway.. and I just couldn't stand the suspence.

I found who was the winner and I was happier a little. Just a little.

So as consolation and thank God for Astro, I managed to watch the replay at 6:30am all the way through to 9am when Italy, MY ITALIA - lifeted the cup in jubiliation!!

It was quite an amazing match, especially what happened to Zidane - again my dad had told me that was to happen already..

But heck!! I still couldn't believe I could sleep through the Final! The MOST IMPORTANT match of the whole World Cup when I managed to wake up for so many of the earlier matches! This is unforgivable. Too incredible as well..

Again, I blame it on the real full stomach and a lousy alarm clock.. and my own stupiditiy I guess

Dad joked and said that my World Cup (watching) areer ended the same way as Zidane - exit in shame..

How apt huh? and I felt as if I could identify with that poor soul though I was not backing his team.

update: I realised it's my own fault as I forgot to click the on button of the alarm clock. I have just retrieved my poor old alarm clock from the bin. sigh...

VIVA ITALIA

GO! GOAL! GOAL!

Against the odds, Italy beat Germany to emerge into the Final of the World Cup 2006!

And what a way to win it.. At the last two minutes of extra time - infact the second during injury time that the Azzurries were on fire and scored two goals almost back to back to clinch their place in Berlin!

It was on exhilirating game. And the result was all so sweet to me. Remember, the Germans beat my Argentinians in Q-Final?

But actually I was all prepared for the nerve-wrecking penalty shoot0ut when the goals came.. so late yet so beautiful. In fact, the whole 120 min. game was a very exhilirating one. Both sides displayed much skills but couldn't find the goal opening.

Until almost the last minute.. for Italy!

I was so ecstatic that instead of sms-ing my World Cup buddy Gia (whom I snsed during the game to comment), I had to call her and she also sounded excited. Mind you, she is a married woman!

So at least one of my two favourites made to the Final. i don't care what people think but I am rooting Italy all the way to win the cup now - whether against France or Portugal.

Brava Italia & Argentina - the Blue Jerseys Rule

LOOK AT THE WINNERS!!
(ok, for 1st round at least and more to come!)




The `living legend' (at least to me) who gave me the reason to support Argentina since my first WC in 86.

Messi the whiz kid and dubbed the next Maradona




Superb goalie Buffon celebrating with his team mates


GOAL!!

Am happy! My two favourite teams - Argentina and Italy - are through to the 2nd round ie the last 16 teams!

These two teams have lots of supporters in Malaysia but somehow the people around me esp. male colleagues are totally not for them. It makes me more determined to support them! Not like it really make a difference to the results but hey, this is the beauty of World Cup!

After four consecutive mornings staying up till 5am - with no sleep before 3am either, i think the unearthy sleeping pattern is taking a toll on me! Sigh... I must admit that I'm not young anymore. I remember watching many matches in USA 94 and France 98 (with time differences) and matches shown in wee hours in the mornings.. but I was ok - just adjusted sleeping hours and lack of sleep didn't affect me at all!

But now it's quite different.. I suddenly felt so tired today - despite after sleeping almost 7 hours with a short interception of my home alarm blarring.

Anyway, I decided not to stay up for the 3am match ie Brazil vs Japan/ Poland vs Australia mostly also because I have an 11am assignment in the morning. and no way i could survive on less than 5 hours of sleep!

Well, at least my favourite teams had played and gone through.. i am happy. :D

For the sake of extra `entertainment' and `education' (to prove that some women do love and know about football) following is a g-mail chat conversation I had with a girl friend today. Ms Cheah a lawyer is also a footie fan and probably knows more than me though she couldn't watch many of the matches.

ee-tan: so have u been using that chart?

its very useful for me. ;)

go ITALY!!

Sent at 1:51 PM on Thursday

mayyoke.cheah: hi!

ee-tan: finally u here

mayyoke.cheah: yeah... have been faithfully filling it up every day :D

ee-tan: haha..

mayyoke.cheah: back from lunch

yumm

ee-tan: i also just had lunch

but still at home!

4 days watching 3am match1

DIE DIE

mayyoke.cheah: so nice... you watched again last night ah

Argies

ee-tan: of course, it was argentina! playing

but not as exciting la

mayyoke.cheah: i like Holland

ee-tan: cos both know they're thru to next round

i see..

so tonite Italy and Czech

mayyoke.cheah: i watched Portugal vs Mexico

sure u must watch!!

what time ah? will it clash w the wedding rehearsal?

ee-tan: phew. its 11pm.

sorry, it's 10pm

mayyoke.cheah: aiya

ee-tan: got mixed up with next week's!!

mayyoke.cheah: so u not going for rehearsal?

ee-tan: going. i am the usher head fpr church.. so just need to understand here and there.. :D

leave at 9:30pm in time home 10pm for hte match!!

mayyoke.cheah: just to watch football?... cheh...

ee-tan: why cheh

its ITALY playing la

and they need to win!

close call

mayyoke.cheah:i thot Italy already through to next round?

ee-tan: almost

not if czech beat them and ghana beat USA

mayyoke.cheah: I think overall Italy has best looking team :D

ee-tan: yeah yeah

and spain not far behind

did u watch enland's match? poor Owen!!!!

mayyoke.cheah: 3am... nolah

heard abt it on radio this morning

so sad

ee-tan: u know owen injured himself after 1 min!

broke his knee or something.. poor thing

mayyoke.cheah: cruciate ligament

out for 6 months

ee-tan: really!!

there goes his world cup!! :(

mayyoke.cheah: and he just recovered fr ankle injury

so unfortunate

ee-tan: if england gets to final.. poor him will feel so left out

i think joe cole is cool!

mayyoke.cheah: hahaha

better than david beckham?

ee-tan: cool as in can play well

beckham is cool as in suave

and plays well but not as fast as this crazy j.cole

mayyoke.cheah: got different style of play i think

ee-tan: yeah true

mayyoke.cheah: beckham good at crosses

but cannot dribble

ee-tan: beckham always taking free kicks. he's precise.

yep!

hey, so who u think or like to see play in the final?

mayyoke.cheah: who i like different from who i think will be in final

on current form it could be argentina vs germany

ee-tan: wah.. u and i think alike!

i was jsut telling my colleague that.

he thinks brazil is out of hte picture

i would like to see argie and italy but i know not really probable

mayyoke.cheah: yea brazil not impressive

ee-tan: (hey can i copy and past this coversation and put on my blog?)

hahahahaha

women footie chat

mayyoke.cheah: ha... serious ha

:P

ee-tan: just an idea but why not? ;)

mayyoke.cheah: hehe so we can show that gals don't only talk abt good-looking football players

ee-tan: oh but u did mention italy and i added spain!

haha but good looking is just a bonus

mayyoke.cheah: oops

ee-tan: it's the skills that count! right?

so i am quite impressed with most of the big teams minus france i think. brazil ok la.. not up to the standard.

mayyoke.cheah: of course... just look at anna kournikova...

i'm impressed with spain this round

i like their style of playing... very open and attacking

ee-tan: i think so far i like the matches better than japan/korea 2002 first round.. if i could still remember but not that memorable. maybe becos none of the big names are kicked out yet.

yeah spain is quite a nice `surprise' - i thought they couldn't win tunisia but they bounced back 3 1

mayyoke.cheah: seems to me like there are more goals this WC. Last WC the teams seemed more defensive

ee-tan: yeah..

hey, i am still at home

:p i gotta go

(but will save this conversation to be used..)

hahahaha

mayyoke.cheah: ok...

have a good day... cu later!

ee-tan: happy to chat football with a gal pal!

(have been doing it with guys..)

mayyoke.cheah: yea :D

ee-tan: some guys like one or two of my colleagues make fun of me! but others happy to talk..

hmm

ok la.. see u tonite

mayyoke.cheah: cu :)

The Good and the Bad of World Cup

I am taking a break from my hiatus - if there is such a thing. Still very very busy but since it's Sunday after all, and before the starting of another crazy week, I shall just blog!

I have been thinking of posting on the topic of (what else but) World Cup - which I have been enjoying tremendously so far although only managed to catch less than half the games played.

I bet some people out there, especially certain species of the opposite sex, are wondering how football can appeal to women. Well, i also know of some women who really couldn't give a hoot about WC and even laugh at what is so great watching `22 grown men chasing one ball for 90 minutes'!

As a WC fan, though not a true blue football fan per se, let me give you a list of reasons Why World Cup is the GREATEST game on earth. Of course, these are just my humble, personal opinions. ;)

• Football IS exciting when it is played by top worldclass players representing the greatest football nations of the world.
  

• You get to root for your favaourite countries/teams in a highly competitive environment that sees them go through qualifying rounds beofre making it into the WC final 32 ; and then battling their way (if they get thus far) into the 2nd round, quarter-final, semi-final and final.

• Each match is unique - some much faster in pace or more ruthless, some many goals scored and some goals are hard to come by - you can watch three games in a row and they're ALWAYS different

• It's like watching a soap opera - as the matches have all kinds of drama from scoring a OG (own goal) to players being sent off to penalty kicks awarded and painful injuries.

• But, it is also a purposeful, highly disciplined game, motinored by strict referees, linesmen and the players must adhere to 1001 rules and regulations.

• I just love to see the different outburst of expressions and celebrations when a player score a goal! Such a delirium!
  

• There is this sense of nationalism - how players from different clubs around the world are playing for their own nation for patriotism (and some money too of course) and no longer the clubs which pay them millions.

• The players - we see the display of exceptionally talented skills and the comradeship shared on the pitch. And...I must admit that it is a perk when there are some good-looking, and well-toned players for us to feast our eyes on as well. ;)

• World Cup unites nations of the world - it transcends political and social boundaries and even political enermies have come together. People are brought together whether it is the teams and spectatles at the live matches in Germany or those watching on big screens and televisions all around the globe!

• World Cup fever is infectious and everyone talks about it! It is more precious because it comes only once every four years!
  

To be fair, I thought I should also list down the bad side of World Cup - and I think most people have some clue on this area.

• It is energy consuming and sleep disturbing, especially when in countries like Malaysia, the matches are played in the wee hours of the morning!
  

• As a result, our work productivity may be affected.
  

• Sometimes the matches may turn a bit ugly and violent (but so are movies and a fact of life)
  

• Watching WC may result in disharmony within family (if one or two persons are die-hard fan and others are not) and also causing noise pollutions to others
  

• Bookies will be laughing to the bank but betting and gambling are actually illegal and cause many to lose money.

Those are all I can think of now. By looking at the list, the PROs outweigh the CONs!!

So the verdict is .. World Cup still rules! Long live the beautiful game!! ;)

p.s. feel free to add on to the list of Good and Bad ...

Let the Beautiful Game Begin!

FINALLY....! The day that million football fans around the world have waited for has arrived!

The FIFA World Cup 2006 is kicking off today in Germany.. and for WC fans, it will be a month of literally `eat football, drink football, sleep football'.

As i mentioned in a previous post, I don't claim to be a football fan per se but World Cup is something that gets me hooked every four years! You can't deny there's this buzzing excitement when the best players of every nation in the world comes face-off each other on the pitch. Nationalism still rules!!

Who am I supporting? hmmm.. will keep it a suspense for the moment but friends close to me will know anyway..

Still haven't decided to watch the opening match at home or at the MM World Cup party in Bangsar! but more likely the former, a bit too late...

So here's hoping there will be many memorable games!!