Well, it's been a difficult and trying week or so, but I guess we've all coped well with it. Academic-wise, everyone's still stressed out and going on and on and on with the work the teachers are giving. Physics and Chemistry Science Practical Assessment, or SPA, is in a couple of weeks time, with Physics coming a week earlier than Chemistry. Good luck for that. And my results this term has been pretty much the same since last year; strong in humanities, weak in sciences.
Chinese B3
Add Maths A1
E Maths C6
Chemistry C6
Physics C6
History A1
Combined Humanities A1
- Social Studies A1
- Geography Elect B3
Did I missed out anything? Never mind. So as you can see, my Chinese is as usual, a B, this time with a 3 though, just trying to push it into an A2, and hopefully an A1 by the O' Levels. My Additional Maths is a healthy A1, even after moderation and the fact that the cut off point for A1 is 85 for Maths, not 75. After not touching E Maths for 6 months, I got a decent C6, just have to recap and revise and I'm confident it'll get back to an A1. Hmm... Chem, Phys... C6 as usual, I have no clue what I have to do to get a better grade. And my humanities all had an A1, with History scoring well, and Social Studies' excellent grade pulling up Geography's B3 to result in Combined being an A1. And I'm expecting my Engrish to be C5, at most B4.
In the middle of this trying week, I thought of the Liverpool-Barnsley match as a way of relieving some stress and just let go. I felt pretty okay after Dirk Kuyt scored, but was still disturbed by Liverpool's difficulty to find a second goal. It didn't go to plan, Barnsley didn't read the script, and after an equaliser by Barnsley, their skipper Brian Howard silenced the whole of Liverpool, except for the 6,000 plus Barnsley fans, who probably had their moments of their lives. Somehow, everyone was wondering how Liverpool would cope with the almighty Italian leaders, unbeaten in 30 games, Internazionale.
Liverpool got their answer at Anfield yesterday morning. After Marco Materazzi got sent off for a double shirt-pulling foul on Fernando Torres, the initiative was with Liverpool, and it was evident in the second half, when Inter goalie Julio Cesar was wasting quite a bit of time with his goal-kicks. Almost 2/3 of the possession, much build up play, but little to show for. On comes England striker Peter Crouch and winger Jermaine Pennant, and the difference was for all to see. The Reds' right flank was used more often, and both Steve Finnan and Pennant was causing the Inter left side a few problems.
Patrick Vieira should have been penalized for hand ball in the box, but it was not given. Finally the breakthrough came after Finnan chased a loose ball on the far right, laid it for Pennant to whip in a in-swinger. A little deep and hard was the cross that it evaded Torres and Crouch. It landed to left forward Kuyt's feet, and his deflected to the ground/bottom of Maicon's boot shot flatfooted Julio Cesar and Anfield finally erupted. A second goal just before 90 minutes from Steven Gerrard made it a deserved win for the Reds', and ended Internazionale's 30 game unbeaten run. Let me emphasis, 30. The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, who were on the high after FA Cup victories, especially United, could only get a fortunate 1-1 draw with Lyon, and aided by an injury-time goal by Carlos Tevez, which was also an away goal, and Chelsea could only draw 0-0 with one of the weakest teams left in the Champions League, Greek club Olympiakos.
A nice win to end of this trying period for me. Really morale-booster. And it wasn't all about luck. There's still a job for the Reds' to do at the San Siro in three weeks time. And don't be surprised to see Rafa deploy a 4-5-1 frustration formation.
Bye~!