tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68315489695554259922024-03-13T06:27:36.664+05:30Memoirs of football fansGAME, AFTER GAME, AFTER GAME...I REALISE WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT IN MY LIFE......FOOTBALL!!!!!!
IS IT JUST A GAME???Prakharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605970372512010823noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-79427967651948177662010-12-17T00:43:00.003+05:302010-12-17T01:21:41.112+05:30The Salford City Story<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Saturday night derby</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Eighteen games into the season and Salford City is unstoppable. They trounced league winners Manchester United 4-3 last night in front of a packed home crowd. The small city wore a deserted look on saturday night as folks jostled into the 20,000 seater stadium in the north west corner of the city. The stadium, also called Uncle harry's meadow saw plenty of excitement as Salford equalized thrice and finally seized the game in the injury time. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nani with two brilliant free kicks and Hernandez netted the third, but the home hero and this year's leading scorer Wayne Rooney banged in four goals, each of them a minute after every red score.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>Unbeaten Run</b></span></div></b><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This little "Cinderella" Manchester club has been riding solely on the success of 25 year old Wayne Rooney. Thanks to Wayne, the Club has climbed three divisions in the last three years and entered this season into the premier league and the city and the press just can't raving about Wayne.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The townsfolk just love this kid. "I know Wayne, he'll never leave this town", says the ageing caretaker of the club ground. "Wayne is our hero", says the Graffiti on this wall and the next we drive past and then we realize, all of them. The local Sir Francis catholic school even has a morning prayer called, "We'll be like Wayne."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, how is Wayne dealing with all this adulation?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Wayne</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next we go to Wayne's house. A mile drive from the city outskirts into the woods and we reach a secluded lawn covered on all sides by dark forests and in the middle stood the two storey-ed building. All peace and quite. Transparent glass for a wall on the first floor, statues of unicorns in his lawn, a small freshly dug pond with mud still strewn around its edges. Lives alone. Grew up in this very house after his parents died or so he believed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"There is something wrong", the first thing he says; looks blankly out the glass wall.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"What?", we ask, "things couldn't have been better."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I've never told this to anyone before but I have to tell someone or I'll go crazy."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Please go ahead! We'll understand", we lean forward, rapt attention. A dog barks in the distance breaking the afternoon stillness.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I.....", he pauses, hesitating, "I never really touch the ball. I mean, like when I shoot, the ball moves before my boot hits it. It's like the ball isn't really there", he looks at us, "you understand what I am saying?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We nod, trying out various possibilities in our minds. All that loneliness and the sudden adulation might have taken a toll on the kid's head.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-75537706415267732882010-05-30T20:15:00.002+05:302010-05-30T20:30:16.681+05:30The Special OneIt has been a love-hate affair of Chelsea fans with Mourinho ever since he took over Chelsea in 2004. 2004 to 06 was a good time to be a Chelsea fan. You didn’t have to go through the heartbreak of losing. It was a good time to support when all you wanted was emotional highs and skip the lows. And boy, did they win – back to back premiership titles after 1955. It didn’t matter that Mourinho turned Chelsea into a boring, defensive outfit. All was forgiven because he gave us wins.<br /><br />But even the self-styled 'Special One' knew that this winning streak couldn’t go on forever. "Daddy always brings a trophy", said Jose's son and Jose says, "Daddy can't bring the trophy every year. Daddy got to lose someday". So, he did falter. A red resurgence in 2006/07 meant that Chelsea were second in England and there was that fallout with the Chelsea hierarchy.<br /><br />Then Mourinho took Inter, an already boring team with quality not quite at the level of a Barca, Chelsea or a Man U. February came and Chelsea fans watched with horror as the man who had led their entry into the big league was taking apart their dreams. With Barcelona, it was vintage Mourinho as Inter suffocated Barcelona with their tight marking and umpteen flow-breaking fouls. The idea was to let them not play. The press conference smugness that Mourinho displays now seemed to be hubris and his tactics against the very idea of football. One anchor has put it this way, "If this world gets ten managers like Mourinho, there would be no spectators. The stadiums would be empty".<br /><br />The most detestable part of it was that he was leading the second best or maybe the third best team to a trophy they didn’t deserve. Everyone, the neutrals would be happy if it was Messi's Barca who would lift the trophy and Jose Mourinho tried to upset that and therein lies a catch. Like, is it that bad? Leading an underdog, using their strengths whatever they had; as Eto'o accepted, 'We are not as skilled as Barcelona, but we have our strengths [sic]', does the most 'perfect', the highest quality team have to win? Why not the so called second best, those not quite at 'that level' but with their own strengths nonetheless? Why not those who rise to the occasion? It all seemed fair again.<br /><br />So, what makes the special one, the special one? A glimpse of the answer came after Saturday's final match with a YouTube grab showing Jose getting down from his car and having an emotionally charged exchange with Marco Materazzi. "We did it. We knocked the bastards off". Jose was ours again.<br /><br />Check out the vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUD4IxLIPuoUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-87161605252714168412010-04-21T20:41:00.002+05:302010-04-21T20:54:16.878+05:30Champions league up for sale: 14 man Inter beat Barca'It's a fucking disgrace', as Didier Drogba would have put it. Never has a referee been so moronic, the decisions so glaringly wrong as has been in the Inter-Barca first leg match last night at San Siro. Dani Alves' hearty laugh said it all when he was fouled by Sneijder inside the Inter penalty box, and what does the referee do? Instead of a penalty to Barca, he throws down a yellow to the fallen Alves. The refs mistakes had reached such comic proportions that one wonders how fatter his wallet got after Tuesday's match.<br /><br />No doubt Inter played well; attacked on the break and defended well, but the scoreline should have been 2-2 rather than 3-1. <br /><br />To add to the circus, look at how the commentator describes Milito's goal - "Well Deserved". Now sir, before using any other adjective, a remotely sensible person would say, "that was clearly an offside". Well deserved? You must be joking, right? Or did the Mafia manage to scare the commentators too?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-86022679863215211842009-07-26T21:47:00.004+05:302009-07-27T18:13:47.127+05:30Let the bodies hit the floorLet the bodies hit the floor<br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br /><br />Beaten, why for (why for)<br />Can't take much more<br />Here we go here we go here we go, now<br /><br />One, nothing wrong with me<br />Two, nothing wrong with me<br />Three, nothing wrong with me<br />Four, nothing wrong with me<br /><br />One ,something's got to give<br />Two, something's got to give<br />Three, something's got to give<br /><br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br />Now!<br /><br />Push me again (again)<br />This is the end<br />Here we go here we go here we go, now<br /><br />One, nothing wrong with me<br />Two, nothing wrong with me<br />Three, nothing wrong with me<br />Four, nothing wrong with me<br /><br />One ,something's got to give<br />Two, something's got to give<br />Three, something's got to give<br /><br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br />Now!<br /><br />Skin to skin, blood and bone<br />You're all by yourself but you're not alone<br />You wanted in and now you're here<br />Driven by hate, consumed by fear<br /><br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br /><br />One, nothing wrong with me<br />Two, nothing wrong with me<br />Three, nothing wrong with me<br />Four, nothing wrong with me<br /><br />One ,something's got to give<br />Two, something's got to give<br />Three, something's got to give<br /><br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br />Let the bodies hit the floor<br /><br />Hey...Go!<br />Hey...Go!<br />Hey...Go!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-67840474656470251872009-05-16T16:50:00.008+05:302009-05-16T17:04:25.889+05:30Champions league final preplay<div style="text-align: left;">If you are curious about what’s going to happen on the 27th of May at Rome, here is an indicator. We as summer interns dedicated to contributing to humanity’s powers of prediction decided to check out what fortune and the game engine of FIFA 09 had to say about the match. So it was, with difficulty level set to world class and half length at 6 minutes did the kickoff start.<br /><br />Lest the validity of the game should be questioned, it was played in front of two witnesses who alternated between watching out for the big boss Tanya and taking a peek at the interesting happenings on the screen.<br /><br />Astonished we were at the accuracy of FIFA makers at modeling reality as Messi dominated pretty much of the whole game. Ronaldo with all his spread legged free kicks was at best a shadow of the swerving and shimmying Messi. Wayne F. Rooney burst into an occasional run and a shot which often went wide off the post. All in all the attacking trio of Etoo–Messi–Henry proved to be too good for Man F. United as Barcelona trounced them 4-2 in 90 minutes.<br /><br />Barcelona took the lead in the 26th minute as Etoo slipped the ball inside from five yards with a grounded pass from Henry. Man U equalized in the 44th minute with a low shot by Berbatov from just outside the box. The game went into the break with 1-1.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC67K75zrgN1ftGoR7MGjoh9C1_OPkGqCINtDVx6QdW-0eyr1Fbt6O9snVtoCjY6HC2DbbfHeJmMU54ZxQuOf3XfsH2UzyudLKNUFFbnWvA89CMinIdemYqhGGkOB9Le2VEkigQ_VqUgVR/s1600-h/messi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC67K75zrgN1ftGoR7MGjoh9C1_OPkGqCINtDVx6QdW-0eyr1Fbt6O9snVtoCjY6HC2DbbfHeJmMU54ZxQuOf3XfsH2UzyudLKNUFFbnWvA89CMinIdemYqhGGkOB9Le2VEkigQ_VqUgVR/s200/messi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336380975245776594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Messi exults after scoring in injury time</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And then second half saw the real genius that is Messi. The heat was on Man U from the word go as Messi took the ball from midfield, burned down the right wing and unleashed a fierce shot from an acute angle. Van der Sar parried the ball off just to see it being tapped in coolly by the well positioned Henry. The third goal followed soon enough as Xavi and Iniesta combined to set up Etoo who slot it home. Michael Carrick gave Man U some hope with his spectacular goal from about 20 yards, but by then the damage was already done. Messi sealed the deal for Barcelona in injury time with a straight left footer after another solo run down the right wing.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">P.S. Down with Man F. United. This is what is going to happen.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-37002243033515906682009-05-07T12:25:00.002+05:302009-05-07T12:31:55.753+05:30Oh no! Not againMaybe some things aren’t just meant to be. Last year it was the rain and this time it’s the referee. Feel really sorry for Lampard and Terry, so much belonging, so much commitment but all that love always goes unrequited. Maybe that’s the way it will be written in history books, the best players to not have won the champions league. The Stamford Bridge heroes who never got to lay their hands on the silverware.<br /><br />It’s getting tiring, year after year. The same story keeps repeating itself. First comes Mourinho, then comes Scolari and then Hiddink, everyone is so cursed. After a while you got to start asking `is it really worth the effort?’, because fuck history, history or glory fifty years on doesn’t really matter – what does though are those few minutes of relief and pure joy that they so rightfully deserve and that they have been denied again and again. It’s a cruel and unfair system, yeah and in the end, maybe the cup doesn’t really deserve Chelsea. I say, just f*ck off.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-51446678627722311512009-04-17T20:30:00.002+05:302009-04-17T20:43:42.108+05:30The blue rushThe last few days have been crazy, what with Chelsea displaying entertaining football of the highest degree in EPL as well as Champions league. <br /><br />After the delectable 3-1 treat at Anfield, the following week saw fans enjoying a lot more of pure blue class. The game against Bolton was a step by step tutorial on how to make a game interesting. After leading 4-0 at 63 minutes, the blues allowed the guests to score three goals to script this season's most interesting match. <br /><br />The game also saw 'The Drog' getting back to his scoring ways. His opportunistic brace doubled his season's tally to four goals…disappointing, yeah but then the big Champions league matches are yet to come and you always know the true blue forward can change a game with one flick, one turn and one shot.<br /><br />Then came the second leg with the reds in the bridge and after the match, everyone's was left saying, "This is what a football match should be like". <br /><br />After a 2-0 lead by Liverpool, just when the red fans had started hoping, Lampard and Co. reached inside their chests, pulled their hearts out and threw them all far away from the Champions league. The game ended 4-4, Chelsea reaching the semis with a mammoth aggregate 7-5. If you missed it, do watch the recording.<br /> <br />Champions league Semi final fixtures (1st leg)<br /><br />Chelsea - Barcelona 28 April<br />Man U - Arsenal 29 April<br /><br /><em>Let there be food on the table, stars in the sky and Chelsea with the cup. Amen.</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-43381750618349898682009-03-15T11:17:00.005+05:302009-03-15T11:47:03.542+05:30Liverpool on a rollLiverpool are unstoppable at the moment pummeling everyone coming their way. After last Tuesday's 4-0 hammering of Real Madrid, they were at it again on Saturday as they comprehensively beat Man U 4-1 at Old Trafford. This win will give Liverpool hope to keep fighting till the last match of the League, though they are still 4 points behind, with Man U having one game in hand.<br /><br />Torres is in great form and so is Steven Gerrard, as always. The player to look out for in Liverpool is Andrea Dossena who scored both in the Madrid and the Old trafford match. Specially his injury time goal at Old trafford where he stylishly lobbed the ball over Van der sar will have won him many fans.<br /><br />P.S. We welcome the new contributor to our blog 'sadomasochist'. There couldn't have been a better bitter welcome to the die hard Man U fan. The punishment at home definitely will have pleasured the masochist in him, but sorry boy, Liverpool has more normal preferences :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-21534725125214388842009-01-24T20:06:00.009+05:302011-01-14T20:51:21.977+05:30FIFA 2006 Intro commentary<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">“Game after game after game, I realize now what’s most important in my life: Football. Show me something more thrilling than a perfect volley; tell me you’ve never dreamed of the immaculate strike and that passionate moment when an entire nation holds it breath. Tell me that football is not our one common language when the world stops for ninety minutes to be witness to that one special moment.<br /><br />You could tell me I’m wrong; some may say it’s just a game, but this is about heroes and tribes, loyalties and devotion; it’s our battle and our belief, our commitment and our passion; this is our faith.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Now, feel the fever of the crowd, hear the roar of the faithful…you are Ronaldinho, you are Wayne Rooney, this is your moment.” </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com703tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-57963818036813754372008-05-22T11:10:00.004+05:302008-05-22T11:17:10.450+05:30Blues, sweat and tears<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZJnKBDbN2QoYJmPScEJutHkpgz_PU06cadlOSqIPiWfg7ZJH1cFiJgfa8jyDdYcjABozTjCnmsbTMeRWzhitiYXbEFs48SS-yIsqbIdEjrHTTxxaH_zTFedeGh_obWfsa8WFQppZS9uz/s1600-h/_44678647_terry_tears.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203073772874850242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZJnKBDbN2QoYJmPScEJutHkpgz_PU06cadlOSqIPiWfg7ZJH1cFiJgfa8jyDdYcjABozTjCnmsbTMeRWzhitiYXbEFs48SS-yIsqbIdEjrHTTxxaH_zTFedeGh_obWfsa8WFQppZS9uz/s320/_44678647_terry_tears.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />No more words needed. What can you do when even the gods conspire against you? When the gods decide to complete the circle of tragedy that started with the reds in munich and pass it on to the blues in moscow.<br /><br />The cup is chelsea's rosebud. Something they have wanted so bad but couldn't have. Something they have come so close, inches close, sniffed it, almost felt it but yet it's so far now. Oh! the pain of it all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-88002258397988317872007-12-05T21:28:00.000+05:302007-12-05T21:49:47.515+05:30One BloodIn the far away fires<br />Where the hills forever burn<br />At the feet of our heroes<br />We try hard to learn<br />But the lesson is lost there<br />In the smoke and the mire<br />That we are one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood<br /><br />I stood by the river<br />That ran red with shame<br />I stood in the killing fields<br />Where death had no name<br />I stood with my brothers<br />And away it flood<br />And we were one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood<br /><br />Then I fell to the ground<br />Tasted ashes on my tongue<br />Thinking that only the dead<br />Are forever young<br /><br />There was peace in the twilight<br />And for a moment among<br />It was a world without danger<br />A world without war<br />And I will take all your suffering<br />It will do any good<br />Cause we are one flesh, one breath, one life, one bloodUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-43126361856644625892007-11-29T22:05:00.000+05:302007-11-29T22:10:53.177+05:30Liverpool Fans all look the same<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o8rzg7A-gkWP6A_z3WHEbl6PwUyyQv4Kcfj4NfMuWjjg7wCh_t3U6NaLJnjPbyApDMTLGCcYTbp_Kb73_vmQvG5bsKl1M1pe5t2_-6XJEb9CpN1QtMhY8q2j4POnDeAjLSiJBKBZVVjf/s1600-h/scousers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138302406942977026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o8rzg7A-gkWP6A_z3WHEbl6PwUyyQv4Kcfj4NfMuWjjg7wCh_t3U6NaLJnjPbyApDMTLGCcYTbp_Kb73_vmQvG5bsKl1M1pe5t2_-6XJEb9CpN1QtMhY8q2j4POnDeAjLSiJBKBZVVjf/s320/scousers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> A picture is worth a 1,000 words and this picture of your typical Liverpool supporters is no different. At least Liverpool supporters all have great porno mustaches.<br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-43108638579881027772007-11-25T13:02:00.000+05:302007-11-26T12:59:09.199+05:30Day of Grit, Frustration and MassacreDate: 25th Nov 2007, Sunday<br />Setting: FOOTBALLLLLLL<br /><br /><strong>GRIT</strong><br />Yes, that's what Liverpool showed in their game against Newcastle United. They showed character, determination and they were duly rewarded for their efforts by a 3-0 win. This figure kind of undermines Liverpool's effort, Fernando Torres missed atleast 3 chances, but the guy is amazing!!, he 'is easliy the best foreign entrant into EPL this year. Do we need to talk about Steven Gerrard ?? that free kick it just decided the game right in the first half, Newcastle United already the kind of ladies they are were totally finished, no chances, pathetic football. I just wonder, when will Newcastle United pull up their socks and start displaying some character ?? May be the first step would be chucking that mafiaso looking manager who seems to be staright out of a Guy Ritchie movie.<br /><br /><strong>FRUSTRATION</strong><br />for me, for all Manchester United fans. not just frustration, but tension too, Liverpool won big against Newcastle, Arsenal is going strong, is the title slipping away ?? No no it can't be..... How in God's name did Carlos Tevez missed that chance ?? and Why the fuck didn't Patrice Evra pass that ball to Louis Saha in those dying minutes ??, it would have been a sitter for Saha. But a good game by Bolton, due to some sloppy defending by United in the early minutes and a great defense by Bolton let them emerge winners. Score line Bolton -1 , ManU - 0<br /><br /><strong>MASSACRE</strong><br />that's what Everton did to Sunderland. They just killed them with a 7-1 victory, They were scoring for fun, with arrogance. it was 3-1 in the 1st half, but the 2nd half was a total nightmare for Sunderland fans. Each time the ball came into their half, it was finding its way into the back of the net!! A good skillful play by Everton, escpecially by Pienaar and Arteta.<br /><br />Other games:-<br />Derby 0-2 Chelsea<br />Arsenal 2-0 WiganPrakharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605970372512010823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-55470525625534015592007-11-08T19:40:00.000+05:302007-11-08T21:03:57.975+05:30Massacre at Anfield - Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas<strong>The setting:</strong> Rafa benitez's 50th European game in charge of Liverpool. Liverpool has managed to pull just one point out of 9 in the last three champions league games and Benitez is the man under fire for his obscure team selection. Even a draw and Liverpool are out of Champions league. But spirit is high at Anfield. Liverpool's new American owners have got the go-ahead from the local council to build a 60000 stadium at Stanley Park. Peter Crouch gets his chance on the frontline after months of warming the bench. Also, key central defender of Besiktas, Gokhan Zan is out with a injury.<br /><br /><strong>The heroes:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Yossi Benayoun 31',52',55':</strong> Riise releases Voronin down the left. Voronin's cross to the center and Yossi Benayoun has an easy time putting it in. Benayoun's second goal, it's voronin-riise-Benayoun again. Arikan parries off Riise's shot and Benayoun finishes from six yards for Liverpool's third goal. Benayoun's third goal came 2 minutes after the second. Voronin is in it again. Voronin is fouled on the edge of the box, Steven Gerrard takes the free kick and it is too powerful for Arikan to hold. Benayoun finishes fron close-up once again.<br /><br /><strong>Ryan Babel 78',80': </strong>Comes in on the 62th minute for Fabio Aurelio. Benayoun crosses low from the right, a clever back heel and it's Liverpool's goal six. Babel deflects in the seventh off Ibrahim Uzulmez's clearance. Babel misses a hat-trick by a whisker as his header comes off the cross-bar.<br /><br /><strong>Peter Crouch 18',88':</strong> Voronin prods a pass through the middle to Crouch. Crouch forces his way between two defenders and takes the shot, only to see Arikan block it. Crouch follows up for his second only goal of the season. Benayoun's cross and Peter Crouch finishes off the game with a header.<br /><br /><strong>Steven Gerard 68':</strong> It is Voronin's day. Voronin plays Gerrard in a fine one-two and Gerrard scores with a dipping drive. Arikan has no clue where the ball is.<br /><br /><strong>What follows?</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Liverpool still have to win the remaining two games against Marseilles and Porto to go through to the next round. But confidence is one thing they won't be short of.<br /><br />Liverpool's next fixture:<br /><br />Liverpool - Porto 28 November 2007 AnfieldUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-80280834591233782102007-11-06T17:15:00.000+05:302007-11-06T17:23:56.618+05:30The Eagle-- easy way to remain in touch with EPL<div align="justify">It happens with all of us, that we want to be in touch with the Barclay's EPL, but we can't manage all the times.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong>"The Eagle"</strong> can be a perfect solution to the above problem. "The Eagle" is a RSS reader customized for the EPL. Just this install this simple application (currently this is availble only for Windows), and it keeps running in the background, and whenever something exciting happens (be it a goal, a card, a transfer, or a transfer rumour, an injury) it alerts you. It gets even better, you can also configure "The Eagle" for other news items, and stay in touch with all the fields you are interested in. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">It has been useful for me, and "Memoirs of football fans" recommends "the Eagle" for all the Barclay's English Premier League lovers.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">To install,or know more about "The Eagle" go to: - </div><div align="justify"><a href="http://www.premierleague.com/page/Eagle">http://www.premierleague.com/page/Eagle</a></div>Prakharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605970372512010823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-21291336770900970562007-11-05T23:08:00.000+05:302007-11-06T01:21:02.228+05:30Waiting in the wingsHere, we scout the world for the best of teenage talent in football.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>Here is a sample of what is to come. Here are geniuses gifted by the gods. Here are young lads preparing to conquer the world. And most importantly, here are happy boys ecstatic beyond all belief. What will happen to them? Will they wither away, wasted prematurely, will they soar higher than the anyone ever has or will they meet a cruel fate, a reckless tackle from behind perhaps. Whatever it may be, let's follow them in their fantastic journey. </div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICvV9yspjRJuXylswwoF1GbON49LVSYeub6ekftV6RFjNstH43ADrTShV72zceB18yS99fPpLD5ovtpBwb-9zeNUshyAwCMUSbnP9ZH-pvlPGbtE3VI9AaEpIElJFGEWSrJTE98Ddkopi/s1600-h/carlos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129421689225447138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICvV9yspjRJuXylswwoF1GbON49LVSYeub6ekftV6RFjNstH43ADrTShV72zceB18yS99fPpLD5ovtpBwb-9zeNUshyAwCMUSbnP9ZH-pvlPGbtE3VI9AaEpIElJFGEWSrJTE98Ddkopi/s320/carlos.jpg" border="0" /></a>Mexico: Carlos Vela <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKpyrf5qjetcXHDmcbZnUDT0MOZxdwLv6xuDxjHsEpZ76r4TKh_6guL_OcZqAxLGiEbbczlxboJZ1D-MpX0ETj94-KzNOt3FBbsq76ZVzVUWhNnL7Xj_8DxAqurWwgUE4Cuikud3ktT5Q/s1600-h/carlos.jpg"></a></div><div>Born: March 1, 1989 </div><div>League: Spanish Primera</div><div>Club: Osasuna (On Loan from Arsenal)</div><br /><div>The year is 2005. The setting: FIFA U-17 world cup in the heights of Peru. Mexico thrashes Brazil in the final 3-0 thanks to a stunning display from the golden boot winner 16 year old. Thus starts the ascent of Carlos Vela from a relatively lowly Guadalaraja to the bright lights of Europe. Lucky Arsenal beat others to the race for signing him and came out with a 5 year deal. He had to be loaned to Spanish clubs, first Celta Vigo, then salamanca and to Osasuna due to work permit restrictions in England. Next season, he moves back to England.</div><br />Nigeria: Macaulay Chrisantus <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-u0fRJht9mA4KQlBmoF3qpFFVzMBGueflOVR_CJ8r_WrEvyp6fYCIR2VLg4TrAggyOr6oI5x6oQCXFoz74RRnLU8qeWVOY0o1FOPuFiWL30VIqNqk0Z-a_hz3-vsgXDo_CYTcgu7Ihjj/s1600-h/chrisantus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129445006602897234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-u0fRJht9mA4KQlBmoF3qpFFVzMBGueflOVR_CJ8r_WrEvyp6fYCIR2VLg4TrAggyOr6oI5x6oQCXFoz74RRnLU8qeWVOY0o1FOPuFiWL30VIqNqk0Z-a_hz3-vsgXDo_CYTcgu7Ihjj/s320/chrisantus.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Born: August 20, 1990</div><div>League: National D1 (Second tier of Nigerian Football)</div><div>Club: Abuja FC</div><br /><div>Seven goals in seven matches. Need we say more? His goal-scoring led Nigeria to victory in the U-17 world cup 2007. What's next? Medicals in Manchester, London, Moscow, big bucks, tabloids blah blah..So, what's in it for us? If we are lucky enough, we might see him next season in England now that his nurturing in the Nigerian capital looks to have fruitioned. One big question remains though, 'How the hell is he playing in the second tier in Nigeria?'</div><br /><br /><div>Germany: Toni Kroos</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyytE5JCOB6FUd2Cxrm3LgIg9ZIuVEHqw2AKy_1yRx_Ctc29JhobMl-Zco97fCmZaamAo3S_UsLaWMwbbuvndygGJzBkLirQNo9UT9gNoPUulAJQ2-zBfEK8J_bYd6wB2lUGs0AYH21tW9/s1600-h/toni.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129443404580095794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyytE5JCOB6FUd2Cxrm3LgIg9ZIuVEHqw2AKy_1yRx_Ctc29JhobMl-Zco97fCmZaamAo3S_UsLaWMwbbuvndygGJzBkLirQNo9UT9gNoPUulAJQ2-zBfEK8J_bYd6wB2lUGs0AYH21tW9/s320/toni.jpg" border="0" /></a>Born: January 4, 1990<br /><div>League: Bundesliga</div><div>Club: Bayern Munich</div><br /><div>Bayern manager Uli Hoeness says Toni is going to wear the number 10 jersey once he gains enough experience. In his 2007 UEFA cup debut against Red Star Belgrade, where he came in the 81 st minute, he set up one for Miroslav Klose and scored One himself. In his Bundesliga debut, he created 2 for Klose. Hopes have built in the German Public so much so that they think he will be the next great playmaker after Sebastian Diesler. We hope, they are right.</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-83054442464917371942007-11-04T01:43:00.000+05:302007-11-04T01:55:22.352+05:30Saturday EPL<div style="text-align: justify;">An exciting day of football, the results are: -<br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Arsenal (2) Man Utd. (2)</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Arsenal once again proved to be a hard nut to crack, with william Gallas redeeming himself and his club by scoring the late late equaliser after he had diverted a Rooney shot into his own net in the 1st half.<br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Wigan (0) Chelsea (2)</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Chelsea continues its fight, or in words of their manager <span style="font-style: italic;">"As long as we win and play attacking football that is good for me. We want to play good positive football" </span>May be that's another way to say "Ok, I know that we are out of race this time, still we'll try to save our face". But anyways full marks for Chelsea, for showing character. They outperformed Wigan in all the departments, though Wigan seemed belligerent in 2nd half.<br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>NewCastle (1) Portsmouth (4)</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Ridiculous display of football by NewCastle. I want to see a match where NewCastle shows some characters of being a good club. They are even worse than the Indian Cricket Team!!, atleast the later is performing well in T20!!. Oh come on NewCastle Chak De!!<br /><br />Well, that's for the football update for Saturday, tune in tomorrow. Am signing off, with the link of some good photos from today's matches: -<br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7076518.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7076518.stm</a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div>Prakharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605970372512010823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-60479032745213888772007-11-02T00:01:00.000+05:302007-11-02T01:13:36.866+05:30Good riddance, Old HenryAt the beginning of this season's EPL, it looked like it's going to be a dry Henry-less season. Four months into the game and does anyone miss god Henry? Wenger and his young guns have more than made up for Henry's departure. What is on display is a young, fearless, attacking brand of football reminiscent of the best days of Arsenal. The Arsenal of 2002. Shorn of aging baggage, We have in Theo, the rightful successor of henry, We have in Cesc, the best midfielder of the game, We have in Adebayor, a consistent goalscorer finally coming out of so many years in Henry's shadow, We have in Hleb and Rosicky, exciting midfielders ready to take 'em on all alone, and even Toure manages to hit the woodwork regularly. King Henry would be sitting now, somewhere in a Barcelona castle, watching them young lads burning up the EPL. He would let out a sigh and would think, 'Maybe, Just maybe, I made a mistake'.<br /><br />Arsenal's game has become far more exciting after Henry has left. For the last two seasons, you could see a griping henry on the pitch, complaining about why the ball wasn't put precisely at his feet, about why the play wasn't planned keeping his express wishes in mind. It looked like there was god henry in front and the 10 lesser mortals existed merely for the purpose of serving him.<br />Now, with the play-by-henry restriction gone, the game has become more free-flowing. Goals are coming from all sides and hopefully will keep coming in the future. What awaits us is an exciting season of 'football, as it should be played'.<br /><br />Henry's stint at Barcelona can at best be described as average, easily swamped on the green and on the screen by the genius called Messi. No malice towards Henry. We hope he settles soon, we hope he scores as many as in EPL, but one thing is for sure. He ain't gonna get the royal treatment in an all-star Barcelona. Just for the record, Henry's tally in Barcelona till date:<br /><br />La Liga appearances - 9: Goals - 4<br />Champions league appearences - 3: Goals - 1Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-87051734937984090222007-06-03T19:44:00.000+05:302007-06-03T19:48:54.793+05:30I'm Forever Blowing BubblesI'm forever blowing bubbles,<br />Pretty bubbles in the air,<br />They fly so high,<br />Nearly reach the sky,<br />Then like my dreams,<br />They fade and die.<br />Fortune's always hiding,<br />I've looked everywhere,<br />I'm forever blowing bubbles,<br />Pretty bubbles in the air.<br /><br />I'm dreaming dreams,<br />I'm scheming schemes,<br />I'm building castles high.<br />They're born anew,<br />Their days are few,<br />Just like a sweet butterfly.<br />And as the daylight is dawning,<br />They come again in the morning.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-22400657483814719612007-05-09T11:55:00.000+05:302007-05-09T11:59:53.387+05:30AND THE PREMIERSHIP GOES TO...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">MANCHESTER UNITED!!!!</span><br />its final now, with an unassailable 7 points lead, and with only 2 matches to go, this year's premiership is decided and ManU are the winners. they have been able to grasp the trophy back from Chelsea. Its celebration time now guys!!!<br /><br />Some crucial points in United's journey to glory are captured here:-<br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6627749.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6627749.stm</a><br /></div>Prakharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605970372512010823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-9966637580943647342007-05-05T19:27:00.000+05:302007-05-05T19:32:46.009+05:30You'll Never Walk AloneWhen you walk through a storm, hold your head up high<br />And don't be afraid of the dark.<br />At the end of the Storm there's a golden sky<br />And the sweet, silver song of a lark.<br />Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain,<br />Though your dreams be tossed and blown.<br />Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart,<br />And you'll never walk alone.<br />You'll never walk alone.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-36318294153308523372007-05-03T12:23:00.000+05:302007-05-03T12:37:54.809+05:30AC Milan v/s ManU (3-0), Semi Final, San Siro<div style="text-align: justify;">A ridiculous display from United. Do we call this defending????, Even college teams know that you've to clear the ball when in danger, but no. How in god's name did Clarence Seedorf get the ball for his goal ?? What were the defenders doing. United might blame the ridiculous rain, but that was for Milan too, and it was not the first time that it rained during a football match. Rooney was not being given ball, at times it looked deliberate (from Christiano).<br />I'm not in a mood to write a full analysis for this one (I'd put my money on ManU). But one thing, a diplay of good pass and move football from Milan, a ridiculous defence from ManU, coupled by a factor of rain, saw Milan through to Athens.<br />Well its deja vu 2005 now, but Milan will pray that they don't get deja vu on final day!!!!<br />As for me my money now is on Liverpool, go Gerrard, go!!!!!!!<br /><br />Well, if u wanna look at some pics from this disaster then:-<br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6615015.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6615015.stm</a><br /></div>Prakharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605970372512010823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-7700683861658495682007-05-02T10:11:00.000+05:302007-05-02T19:22:45.810+05:30Liverpool v/s Chelsea (4-1 penalties), Semi-Final second Leg, Anfield<div style="text-align: justify;">In an earlier post I said "If Liverpool get their basics right then they can pose a serious threat to Chelsea's chances of playing in their first champions league final". And that was exactly what they did and they did it quite in style. Rafa's boys meant business right from the start. While the blues were still settling into the rythym, Reds were out in full flow. It was good to see Peter Crouch in the starting line up as it assured that Liverpool would be giving it their best shot. On the other hand, Carvalho's absence meant Chelsea'd be vulnerable at the back. Mascherano and Gerrard were in best of their forms.<br /><br />Liverpool was applying good pressure and was aptly rewarded around mid-way through the first half. Boy o boy they are damn good at set-pieces. They made mistakes in the first leg, but no mistakes this time. A superbly taken free-kick from Gerrard(to Blue's surprise it was a grounded one), while all the defenders were concentrating on the aerial threat posed by Peter Crouch, Agger made his move and a sweet little touch was enough to send the ball into the back of the net. No chance for Peter Cech. The free-kick spoke of the volumes of practice that had gone in it. I think Rafa needs an applause here. So it was all square now, 1-1 on aggregate, damn interesting!!!!!!!<br /><br />Didier Drogba had a chance minutes later when a stray pass from Mascherano was played to him by Kalou. This was a placement thing, but Drogba chose power and Jose Reina is a world class keeper. In a nutshell, a good save from the keeper and a slight misjudgment from the Ivory Coast striker.<br /><br />Soon at the outset of second half Crouch had his real chance at goal. Good-good air ball from Pennant(he was in superb form last night) but Englishman's touch was well too mundane for the man from Czech Republic, an easy save. The goal keeper again came to Chelsea's rescue in the first period of extra time, when Mascherano's pass found Kuyt in an onside position. Cech was once again brilliant in denying Xabi Alonso (it was a good strike) with a dive to his right.<br /><br />But after all it turned out to be Jose Reina's night. With his two saves in the penalty shootout(one from Arjen Robben and the another one from Geremi) he booked his and his teammates tickets to Athens.<br /><br />Overall an interesting clash, Rafa scores once more over Jose in a Cup title clash. This clash'll do no good to the already bitter rivalry between the two clubs.<br /><br />Now what remains to be seen is whether "Man great U" can prevent a replay of the 2005 Champions League Final. As for me I'd place my money on ManU, and with the fitness news of Ferdinand and Vidic doing rounds I'd raise my bet!!!!!!!<br /><br />So keep your eyes glued to your television sets tonight.<br />For some nice pics from last night's match:-<br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6611405.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6611405.stm</a><br /></div>Prakharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605970372512010823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-66549939835020732332007-04-26T16:01:00.000+05:302007-04-26T16:03:29.572+05:30Maradona+Enzo v/s Messi+Tevez at Tennis Football<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CykRkfXHO-c"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CykRkfXHO-c" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Prakharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605970372512010823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831548969555425992.post-78815469672161819592007-04-26T10:58:00.000+05:302007-04-26T11:32:11.067+05:30The present definition of GENIUStoo damn good man, a freak goal, what must be his state of mind while scoring this crazy goal.<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6p3fI_-h7Dg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6p3fI_-h7Dg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Prakharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00605970372512010823noreply@blogger.com0