Ah Chinese Prelim II was today, pretty okay, not very difficult. But everytime I say that, I get pretty below average results. I must beat sy!!! However we got a little help in 7 essays, not that I really fully appreciated it though, cos it's not as if the 'O' Levels will provide us with a set number of essays for us to study before taking the exam itself. The first Comprehension non-MCQ passage was so difficult, it was so literal, or I could just say, it was as if I was taking a Chinese Literature paper, not that I enjoy it, OF COURSE... Just hoping to do well, after screwing up what appears to be an unofficial yet countable Chinese Oral last March holidays. Argh...
The crappy thing is that we still have to go for Chinese remedials tomorrow morning, at 8... Can't sleep late again. Since it's after the prelim II, why can't you just give us a break for just a week?
And I'm just dreading the fact that a few weeks before the Chinese 'O' Level exam, we're going to have the first four period of each day, aka the whole time before recess, EVERY DAY, with Chinese lessons. Oh... I am so going to fall asleep. June isn't going to be too enjoyable too. Prelim II for the subjects, and maybe a tiring CHMA stage crew schedule.
Here's a shout out to any football fan reading this, if YOU could buy three players for your favourite team, who would it be? Write your favourite team name, and the three players in the tagboard. If you want to though...
Okay... So now, after John Arne Riise's devastating own goal - not going to shoot him though! - and him not talking to his family for a couple of days after that, Liverpool travel to relegation candidates Birmingham in what looks like a game that City can take points off the Reds, since Rafa is of course going to rotate his players.
"I like to change my players... We have Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy, Peter Crouch and Robbie Fowler... So they are good options for us" -Rafa on his forward line in the 2006/07 season. This is not directly quote, it was along that line...
With that in mind, this is the team Rafa should set out, and what I would like to see: Pepe Reina; Steve Finnan, Sami Hyypia (C), Martin Skrtel, John Arne Riise; Jermaine Pennant, Lucas Leiva, Damien Plessis, Yossi Benayoun; Peter Crouch, Andriy Voronin; with the bench containing goalkeeper Charles Itandje; Emiliano Insua; Xabi Alonso, Ryan Babel; Fernando Torres/Steven Gerrard.
Reina looks most likely to start, to have some sort of consistency in the backbone of the team. Steve Finnan comes in for Alvaro Arbeloa, who had a good game against Florent Malouda on Wednesday morning. Sami Hyypia in for Jamie Carragher, with Martin Skrtel continuing his progress in English football. John Arne Riise would almost definitely play, to get a bit of confidence back, since he is almost certain to play in next week's pivotal Champions League semi-final second leg. I would really wish to see young Argentinian left-back Emiliano Insua play some part, possibly coming on for Riise after 60 odd minutes, just to give him a run out and some first team experience.
Jermaine Pennant and Lucas Leiva would most definitely take to the field after playing no part in the midweek draw with Chelsea. Yossi Benayoun might start, but it might be interesting to see if Ryan Babel does start and come off or the other way round. I really... REALLY would love to see Damien Plessis again, see how he does in a less hyped surroundings and see how he does against lesser opposition than Arsenal. His touch looks quite decent, tackling quite good, and his running and stamina looks almost like Momo Sissoko, just that... HE CAN PASS THE BALL 5 YARDS! =) Xabi Alonso or Steven Gerrard, whomever start on the bench, might get a run out too.
Andriy Voronin and Peter Crouch are also most likely to start, with Dirk Kuyt totally sitting out, after his goal and running in midweek. Another interesting point to note, will Fernando Torres even start on the bench? I would REALLY love to see reserve striker Kristen Nemeth, much hyped in the Liverpool forums, and to check out his style of play, striking instincts and overall feel of the game, against much better opposition in Premiership defenders. So it'll be to Rafa to see what's fit to get the three points that guarantees Champions League next season.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 6:57 pm
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Underdogs again, having to do it the hard way again. Some hard luck. Poor finishing on the part of Fernando Torres. Petr Cech having a blinder of a game. Domination didn't pay off. A couple of seconds away, John Arne Riise blew it.
It's going to be fresh vs fatigue next Thursday morning. Just like against Arsenal. I hope Chelsea get run off the field by United on Saturday, while Liverpool can rest and relax at Birmingham. =)
It's Not Over... Just yet...
my thoughts at 5:12 pm
Monday, April 21, 2008
Every football fan dream of being in the managerial hot seat right? Don't you? Well, like every football fan, I personally do. Being a European master-tactician in Rafa Benitez, or a Arsene Wenger-type of strongly supporting youth development, or just spending loads of money like Alex Ferguson, there's definitely the joy of being a manager, and yet it brings a different sort of pressure, from above. Wenger and Ferguson enjoy much leeway in managing the club as a whole. Wenger has so much cash stashed in the reserves, not wanting to use it, why would he? When you can get the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure and Mathieu Flamini for less than a million each? Wenger is not pressured to bring in superstars or to spend big by his employers. Ferguson too, brings in much youth in the 1990s, and lesser so today, but he definitely spends £30 million or so every summer bringing in big names and very good youth talent to strengthen United's squad. Well on the other hand, we Liverpool fans definitely felt Tom Hicks and George Gillett are Liverpool's saviours. They did look like it at first, bringing in Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel, both a combined worth of around £40 million, and the new stadium looked to be on its way by 2010. Rafa was optimistic, so were the players and fans.
But what about now? There's been reports that the young duo's transfer cash was loaned from the bank, how stupid is that? And that they might have to sell the star duo, although reports have denied them.I hope this is true, though. There's a boardroom rift, first with each other, now with CEO Rick Parry. But before that, the boardroom had some sorta misunderstanding with Rafa Benitez himself. Rafa accused them of not allowing him to bring him tie up some free transfers for next season. Ex-German national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann was interviewed while Rafa was still manager. I mean, Klinsmann was good with Germany in the World Cup, but its a one-off tournament, what about club football? We'll find out next season at FC Bayern. Now at least there's some good news some non-English footballer have a deal struck to join the club.
pictures from liverpoolfc.tv
I wonder many Liverpool fans are eating their words for saying Malcolm Glazer was a bane for Man Utd. He's not even interfered with Alex anymore! Damn...
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I find it funny with all these mind games ahead of a Champions League Semis. So typical that Jose Mourinho would do this, but Avram Grant? The person who did not want to talk in the recent interview? Now he's saying Steven Gerrard is his dream signing, is he just trying to distract Gerrard? I feel Rafa's replies have been quite decent, if its mind games or just really informing us Liverpool fans the truth. Gerrard is doubtful for the game on Wednesday morning, so it might throw Grant's defensive plans astray, and might have to handle two strategies at once, with or without Gerrard. I personally feel Rafa is just trying to play with Grant, and I'm confident Gerrard will play. =)
Jose Reina - Petr Cech
Jamie Carragher vs Joe Cole tough one to call
Sami Hyypia + Martin Skrtel vs Didier Drogba depends on who drogba tag to, but I think the duo will come out on top
Fabio Aurelio vs Salomon Kalou? whoever Chelsea plays, it'll be fairly equal
Xabi Alonso + Javier Mascherano vs Michael Ballack? + Frank Lampard mascherano needs to neutralise lampard, that's key, and alonso and ballack will cancel each other out
Dirk Kuyt vs Ashley Cole kuyt's running will neutralise cole's attacking flair, but cole's pace will neutralise kuyt's abilities as well
Ryan Babel vs Belletti? this is the key area, babel should be able to get the better of a slower paced belletti, this is chelsea's weakest spot
Steven Gerrard vs Claude Makelele makelele might neutralise gerrard, but like against arsenal in the quarters, one moment of lapse of concentration from makelele is all gerrard need
Fernando Torres vs John Terry + Ricardo Carvalho? pace vs strength, torres on form is another key for the reds
Possible substitutions for Liverpool are Yossi Benayoun, Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant and, oh please no, Andriy Voronin. Crouch for his height, Benayoun's trickery, Pennant's pace and trouble for A.Cole, and Voronin? Erm... For his chasing and just another body forward? For Chelsea, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Nicolas Anelka, Jon Obi Mikel and Florent Malouda. All four could start in place of any of the starting eleven. SWP will give the much needed pace to fly past Carragher or Aurelio, Anelka for his more pacey attacking play to outrun Hyypia, Mikel to shore up the midfield and allow Fat Frank forward, and Malouda for his left peg.
Liverpool need to come out tops, a slight win would be nice. The second leg at Stamford Bridge, if Pool don't concede an away goal and at least get one, they can go get anther away goal there. So being at Stamford Bridge for the second leg might not be such a bad thing.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 5:36 pm
Friday, April 18, 2008
I just don't understand why people can't pick what they want for themselves. And the issue I'm trying to say may be trivial, but it certainly is pretty important. Adults get to choose their choice of work, obviously based on their interest and capabilities. Students, like us, get to choose our Secondary School that matches our PSLE scores, and get to choose our Sec 3 subject combinations based on our results in Sec 2. So why can't they give people some choice over this? Ridiculous. What does one has over the other? Everyone of 'em is unique. Give 'em a chance to choose, then.
Okay now then to football. After seeing Everton lose 1-0 this morning - no not Chelsea win, Everton lose - Liverpool can extend their lead to 8 points tomorrow at Fulham, and should all but end Everton's hope. Lose, and there's still that bit of work left to do. However... Champions League is looming. This equals rotation by Rafa. How? We may never know till 9pm tomorrow night. So... This is what Rafa might put out: Reina, he'll definitely start, Itandje's poor; Finnan, Arbeloa's out I think, Carragher, Skrtel, both would start, maybe Hyypia but his legs are old, Riise, I wanted Insua, but I just don't think so; Lucas, Mascherano, he hasn't played Premiership football in a while, maybe Plessis may start with or over Lucas; Kuyt, Babel, Dutch duo most probably; Voronin, Crouch, lets see how they do, Torres might start but come off in the second half.
Some videos now. Here's England's famous 5-1 win over Germany, in MUNICH, Germany's capital. Some call it Liverpool 5-1 Germany, as then-Liverpool Kop hero and forward Michael Owen grabbed a hat trick, then-Liverpool target man Emile Heskey added the 5th, whilst current Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard scored one and assisted Owen with one of his three goals.
Germany 1-5 England
I like the quote from the commentator when Gerrard scored right before half time. "Underneath the pile of players is Steven Gerrard!" Haha...
Here's England's penalty shootout defeat to Germany in the Euro96 semi finals. They were about to win it, but thanks to current Middlesbrough and then-defender Gareth Southgate giving the German keeper little work when he kicked his penalty too softly.
England 5-6 Germany (penalty shootout, aft extra time 1-1)
The last video is Liverpool's 4-2 penalty shootout win over AS Roma in the 1984 European Cup Final win. This was goalkeeping legend Bruce Grobbelaar's finest hour as Liverpool's keeper, and it was made famous with his wobbly legs that put off Roma's penalty takers.
Liverpool 4-2 Roma (penalty shootout, aft extra time 1-1)
Haha... Hope you enjoy this vids. Football-related only though... =)
Bye~!
my thoughts at 11:49 pm
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Another thrashing for Derby County. At home to Aston Villa. Most of the goals coming from Villa's English contingent. Ashley Young and Marlon Harewood some of those Englishmen in Martin O'Neill's side.
Ronaldinho to AC Milan. A Brazilian trio of attackers potentially, Alex Pato, Kaka and now Ronaldinho, no use if they're not going to qualify for the Champions League next season.
I'm quite pissed about this too. When can all this civil war and backstabbing stop? Why is it when Liverpool have a major triumph, they always come into the media and create more trouble?
Haha this is the best. Really. After long bombardments of remarks from Jens Lehmann, first choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has finally gone sick, and retaliated. C'mon Lehmann, don't be sore. You blundered, he got his chance, he's on form, he's currently better. It's for you only to blame. Good on ya, Almunia.
Haha... That's all
Bye~!
my thoughts at 8:12 pm
Friday, April 11, 2008
Everything's getting tougher and tougher. Stress levels increase as the days, weeks and months pass us by. Well, it's not the life we exactly would love to live right now. But there's no two ways about it, unfortunately. We would all love to just slack and relax, however, it's just so difficult even to find enough time for a breather. Completing the syllabus and revision are the name of the game this year, and we're in a race that will never let us walk and rest, or even so, we'll just get left behind. I just feel I need to faster my overall pace.
I also realised something recently. There's no such thing of equality around here or anywhere else. We are all ultimately better and inferior to some people in terms of charisma, ability and potential. There's all the talk that everyone is important, but there are just those who are more important than others. This is the world, I guess. Charisma and popularity gives you more of a chance of getting up the ladder, pyramid, whatever you call it, not so much ability or potential or skill. Why wasn't I the chosen one? What a blow... Well, I feel like going rogue too. =)
Had such a mix game this evening. The match ended 6-6, well we should have won had the golden goal rule ended the game there and then, at 6-5. Scored two, one from a powerful shot and another one from a steal. Assisted one for nani. But then I let in one goal after allowing the ball to go through my legs in hope the goalkeeper would catch it, and I was parallel to the near post of the cross. I should have dealt with it. Haha... Scored an own goal after a sneaky corner, probably too distracted with the opponents runs into the box and the marking. Damn!
So Liverpool got three positive results at the end of the Liverpool-Arsenal trilogy. They were quite lucky too I must say. A good draw and a good point at the Emirates in the two games, which had an away goal scored in the former. Then at Anfield, with Emmanuel Adebayor missing a golden chance, Fernando Torres scored a spectacular goal, leaving compatriot Manuel Almunia rooted to the spot and making Phillipe Senderos looks like a immobile tree. Theo Walcott's amazing run past Xabi Alonso, Fabio Aurelio, Javier Mascherano, Sami Hyypia and then a pass that evaded the last ditch effort by Martin Skrtel, to allow Adebayor to score what looked like the winning away goal for Arsenal. Super-sub Ryan Babel got the penalty, after being TUCKED by Cesc Fabregas and PULLED by Kolo Toure, Steven Gerrard, the skipper, the heartbeat, the soul of the Liverpool team, duly converting. Babel scored again, showing Rafa Benitez's tactical mastery.
Now back to the League for Liverpool. A bread and butter game against Blackburn at Anfield. The players will definitely not be as up for it, and fatigue after three thrilling matches might seep in, although most had a week of break, after the battle of the reserves last weekend. The team I feel Rafa might pull out of the dressing room on Sunday night, aka MY line-up: Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Gerrard, Lucas, Alonso, Babel; Crouch, Torres. While hopefully after taking the lead or something, Rafa might want to rest some of his European heroes, after that hectic period, and the likes of Yossi Benayoun could come on for Gerrard or Alonso. Fit-again Andriy Voronin might be able to come on for Torres, while Steve Finnan or Sami Hyypia might come on to rotate Jamie Carragher or Skrtel. John Arne Riise is another option on the left side of the line-up.
Sami Hyypiä: A Fine Legend What a servant Sami Hyypiä is to Liverpool. This is a person who cost Liverpool only £2.6 million. The best signing former manager Gerard Houllier made. He is great in the air, maybe one of the best when he was in his prime. He formed great partnerships defensive with another defensive lynchpin in Stephane Henchoz and now Jamie Carragher. A goal scoring defender too, and someone who does his job in defence with little fuss. A leader he was when he was captain after Jamie Redknapp and before current skipper Steven Gerrard. He has served Liverpool for up to 9 years, and there wasn't a doubt he wouldn't get a 10th with a new contract, and his experience will be vital for the likes of Martin Skrtel and other young defenders in the club or arriving to the club in the near future. I wouldn't be surprise if he was a future coach, and maybe, a manager? Haha... Just hopes he gets his testimonial match in the near future.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 11:17 pm
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Saturday's post-remedial activities were fun. The defending-attacking football game we had was quite nice. 3 v 3 essentially, played with sw, sy, gc, am, pw and kk. Very fun, especially when sy could only score one past me, and almost knock himself out in the process. Hehee... Sw also when he caught my leg. Hmm... Hopefully play more in the future, to distress. Now it seems pw loves it. Haha... After that went to study in the studio, cooled down and manage to study/read two history essays. History test this Friday, 12 essays to study. One word: die.
The last part of the trilogy takes place at Anfield now. Finally some variety of this trilogy. Wait, we had one yesterday, where it was the 'battle of the reserves' as stated by soccernet.com. The team I think Rafa is going to play, aka 'MY' lineup: Reina; Carrager, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio; Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel; Gerrard (C); Torres. I think Rafa has something up his sleeves in Peter Crouch. He played very well yesterday against Arsenal. Holding up the ball, allowing the likes of Lucas, Yossi Benayoun and Jermaine Pennant into play. Applauds to his goal too. It shows he can play as a lone striker. So hopefully Liverpool wrap things up with a positive result, after having two already, an away goal draw and a good point.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 9:29 pm
Friday, April 04, 2008
What happened to "one for all, all for one"? We were practically trying to outwit each other, as good as trying to kill off each other's hopes of getting out of it. It was like, we were in a relegation scrap. Contradictory messages, I should say. I mean, why couldn't we all just tank it as one group? Why must we try to kill each other off to help yourself? Granted, this could be what's society is going to be like when we're out there and out of school, but this is school, remember, we still have to learn somethings we might have to look for when we graduate out. Even those who managed to get off the hook, they must be feeling either very heng, or very pai seh. And one more thing, what makes you think the rest were really innocent?
The trio of Gerrard (R), Torres (C) and goalscorer Kuyt celebrating the equaliser
Anyway, on a brighter note, it's advantage Liverpool in the Champions League quarter finals first leg after their 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates. The first of the trilogy going to take place in a week, Liverpool got the away goal, courtesy of a driving run from Steven Gerrard, and a determined Dirk Kuyt poking it in. Well done to Kuyt, after receiving much criticism, he still tries his best, even at right wing. He almost did concede a penalty though, ALTHOUGH, I felt Aliaksandre Hleb wasn't strong enough to fend off Kuyt's challenge, and it was a little too harsh had it gone Arsenal's way. Now Liverpool are off to the Emirates again, or should I say, staying in London to prepare for tomorrow's early kick-off, against Arsenal. Second part of the trilogy.
Will Fernando Torres, skipper Steven Gerrard or Jamie Carragher start? I think two of both will start, and there would be much rotation elsewhere in the team. MY line-up: Jose Reina; Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio; Jermaine Pennant, Lucas Leiva, Xabi Alonso, Ryan Babel; Steven Gerrard (C); Peter Crouch. AS much as I would LOVE to see Peter Crouch play, I really doubt so, as Rafa seems to dislike Crouch, for whatever reason, we will never know. In the CL game on Thursday morning, he could have bring on Crouch for Torres in the last 10 minutes, but he preferred Andriy Voronin. Crouch could have held up the ball far more skillfully than Voronin. Whatever the case, I am still hopeful and still keeping faith Crouch will start. Steve Finnan should replace Sami Hyypia and not allow Alvaro Arbeloa back in the team, while Jamie Carragher will move in to slot next to Martin Skrtel, giving Hyypia's old legs a rest. Fabio Aurelio might continue his blossoming left wing relationship with Ryan Babel, but should he be replaced by John Arne Riise, I can foresee Yossi Benayoun also replacing Babel. Gerrard might start, HOPEFULLY behind Crouch. Should Rafa feel the game is going to end up a draw, or Liverpool leading when only hoping for a draw, Gerrard and Carragher might be brought off, with the likes of Voronin, Hyypia or Kuyt able to come on.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 7:31 pm
It's Three Big Matches, One Post. Just One?
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Hmm... I'm just wondering. The lot of newspapers and news articles show that Liverpool really dominated the 207th Merseyside derby and should have won by a larger margin. However, the Everton fans and anti-Liverpool fans, a la Arsenal or Manchester United fans, feel that Liverpool were poor and Everton should have at least gotten a draw. Hmm... Should I just say, Liverpool were poor only in the finishing area of the pitch.
So what's next for Liverpool? A trip to Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League this Thursday morning - I'm definitely watching the second half - another trip to the Emirates for the titanic English Premiership game, and a return leg of the Champions League at Anfield, against Arsenal. Not much variety, most would say... Imagine skippers Steven Gerrard and William Gallas, seeing each other in the tunnel for three times in a week or so. That's sick.
I feel it's almost certain midfield hardman Javier Mascherano will start both Champions League ties, as he will miss out on the Premiership game due to suspension and should be rested and fresh enough. Lucas Leiva might come on, but he will definitely start the Premiership game alongside Xabi Alonso. I hope Rafa sticks to his tried-for-9-games-and-tested 4-2-3-1 for the next three matches, the biggest week of Liverpool's season so far, and might be. The backline will stay relatively the same, with the exception of the inclusion of Martin Skrtel as the big question mark. Liverpool will really need to step up their game a further notch for these fixtures, and like what Rafa said to Liverpoolfc.tv, they'll need to produce a defensive masterclass to overcome free-flowing Arsenal.