Gareth Barry (Aston Villa - Liverpool) Argh! Why were in for him in the first place. He was priced more expensive than Spanish European champion Xabi Alonso! What the hell? For one, I am very sure that, Barry's range of passing is nothing compared to Alonso's. Even as Barry can dribble better, that's not much of a need as he would have replaced a defensive playmaker, and that playmakers are tasked to release the balls fast enough to release their wingers and forwards. So, with Albert Riera on the verge of completing his move to Anfield, I am glad Barry didn't come. I don't think Stevie G shares similar sentiments, though.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United - Real Madrid) After a summer of bidding and arguments between the two clubs, it is confirmed Madrid will not sign Ronaldo. Haha... It'll be a tough task for Ronaldo to replicate his form after recovering from his injury during October. A record transfer bid was thought to be on the cards in order to entice United to sell. So, next summer will surely see Ronaldo be subjected to interest again for sure. Wait, maybe even during the January transfer window, perhaps.
Kaka (AC Milan - Chelsea) £80 million was thought to be what Chelsea threw to Milan in order to get Kaka. It was also thought it would go through, as Kaka didn't like new signing Ronaldinho's lifestyle. But it seems he'll stay and form a three-pronged Brazillian attack with Pato and Ronaldinho, in support of Andriy Shevchenko. How ironic.
The ones that is on the verge of collapsing.
Robinho (Real Madrid - Chelsea) Trickster. But strong enough for the EPL? Might be a blessing in disguise for Roman Abramovich.
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham - Manchester United) Disloyalty, ungrateful. Spurs launched his career and thrusted him into the limelight, after almost no recognition at Bayer Leverkusen.
So Liverpool are in the same group as PSV Eindhoven, Marseille and Athletico Madrid. PSV were gunned down 4-0 on aggregate a couple seasons ago in the last 16. Marseille was pipped of the 2nd place in the group stages last season by the Reds, as the latter won 4-0 during the last game. Fernando Torres will meet his previous club Athletico Madrid, whilst Madrid's frontmen Luis Garcia and Florent Sinama-Pongolle will face their former clubs as well. "Group of Death", I guess... No complacency from the Reds this time I hope.
Tomorrow night, Villa vs 'Pool. The meeting of Martin O'Neill and Rafa Benitez after their disagreements in the summer. Villa playing well but losing last weekend, scoring and conceding lots of goals. Liverpool, on the other hand, is unbeaten, but have produced EXTREMELY POOR performances. The Reds' probable team: jose REINA; alvaro ARBELOA, jamie CARRAGHER (c), martin SKRTEL, fabio AURELIO; dirk KUYT, javier MASCHERANO, xabi ALONSO, ryan BABEL; robbie KEANE, fernando TORRES; subs: diego cavalieri; daniel agger, andrea dossena; lucas leiva, yossi benayoun; nabil el zhar, david n'gog. C'mon... Make it 9 out of 9!
Bye~!
my thoughts at 5:27 pm
Friday, August 29, 2008
Firstly...
Happy Teachers' Day to Ms AK, Mr TJH, Mr F and all the teachers of 4-4 (except to ...) !!!
Happy 16th Bungday BIRTHDAY to Ah BungShanwei!!!
Haha... So many celebrations today. I hope the teachers would love and cherish the huge cards we 4-4 made for them. So much effort put into Mr F, Ms K, Mr T ones. Haha not saying the rest not nice, but the rest is simple. Simple is the nice! Haha... Anyway, also hope SW love his new bung bag. Hmm... It was not last minute, hmm am I lying? M's wrapping was top notch! The wrapping paper ripped up looked like the Birds' Nest in Beijing, no offence. =) Taopok today was fun also. I must say, today's Teachers' Day celebration in the hall wasn't all no good. The segment of the dog-and-bone, although stupid at first, was damn funny, like seeing Mr LT runnin' across the stage is new.
On music, Faber Drive's Tongue Tied is really good, kinda catchy too. I suddenly love this song, albiet released in 2001, Vertical Hoziron's Everything You Want. I dunno, maybe because of the music video? Haha but it's a really good, meaningful song. Hmm... For some reason I can't get the Vertical Horizon MV here... Zz...
Faber Drive - Tongue Tied
iMedia camp is on next week during the holidays. I wanna go see. Rumours had it there could be a iMedia vs CMC soccer match? Haha I won't have my hopes too high though, theory and reality are two seperate things, like what I had to crap during the History 1, aka History of SEA, paper.
On the Prelims III, I must admit, English was pretty hard. The comprehension was very tricky and hard to understand. Even with lesser questions, the passage was so complicated and so chim. The Social Studies paper was better, and the History was very manageable. Haha, hand pain.
So yeah, next week = chiong again.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 7:45 pm
Thursday, August 28, 2008
As we head into the final lap of this year, several things have bothered me. Am I too paranoid? Am I too possessive? Why do I keep thinking about some stuff I shouldn't be thinking of? I mean... I keep telling myself that what I'm thinking of is not right, but it still seems to bother me constantly. Argh...
I guess it's all the false pretence that people put up that is bothering me. Usually, I can see through these kinda things. But there are just some examples I find it hard to look past the surface of. Well, this are probably just somethings I should not be distracted of in this final lap. If it flows, I guess it will flow eventually. I hope it does soon. So yeah...
Bye~!
my thoughts at 10:52 pm
Sunday, August 24, 2008
And just like that. The 2008 Beijing Olympic is over. Phew... So many world records broken, Singapore getting it's first medal in 48 years. A spectacular opening ceremony and a closing to match or very much surpass it. London will do well to even equal what Beijing had done, well... They'd better think of something that doesn't require so much manpower! Haha... I don't think they'll be able to get so many volunteers for the Olympics in 4 years time. So well, a magnificent Olympics, I must say.
Ahh... A picture says a thousand words. Well this one, shows the Reds' earning three points! Haha err, lame... yah. So yeah! The Midas finish from Mido gave Middlesbrough a well-deserved lead with 20 minutes to go. Liverpool were playing poorly up to that point, and looked as if they had carried such a poor form from the Sunderland game. I was really pleased to see Rafa so positive this time 'round, unlike in previous games when they were losing, and bringing on youngster Nabil El Zhar for defender Alvaro Arbeloa to try to change the game. El Zhar brought some direct running, but with no end product unfortunately.
The only thing referee Mike Riley did right in the game was the excellent advantage given to Liverpool when Xabi Alonso's attempted cross hit Gary O'Neill's arm. Jamie Carragher reacted the quickest and dodged Mido's dispossession attempts to ram a ball towards Ross Turnbull's net. Well... it deflected off Emmanuel Pogatetz and this wrongfooted the goalie, and Carragher scored for Liverpool! Haha... Then a long thump into the box from Alonso saw the ball fortunately hit Robbie Keane's knee into the on-rushing Steven Gerrard, who placed the ball so well into the net. 2-1 it finished, albiet only in the 94th minute. =)
Such a nice boost as I start to take on the prelim III this week.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 10:38 pm
Friday, August 22, 2008
Ahh... It seemed just like yesterday I walked into the school hall for the first time as I was a Sec1. And soon in around less than ten weeks, my secondary school life will end. Hmm I have much fixed feelings. I would think I would miss the place, even with all the conspiracies, screwedness and what say you. It would be sad to leave this place I have been in for 10 years or so. All the people, teachers and friends, I knew for all these years. The memories, the regret... It would be hard to take when everything flows back on that day. Sucks...
Well the prelim III starts next week, with the September chiong week following, and then followed by another week of prelims. The week after would be the return of the scripts, to see how good we are with less than a month left. Ahh it's all coming so fast. I need help with my Chemistry, and Physics... And I need to tie up some loose ends in both Maths and Geography. It's gonna be great. =) *tryin to be uber positive*
So after Liverpool's scrappy win over Sunderland last weekend, it's Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough next, the team that defeated Tottenham's Ramos Revolution last week. The team should be: reina; arbeloa, carragher, agger, dossena; kuyt, gerrard, alonso, babel; torres, keane; subs: cavalieri; skrtel, aurelio; plessis; benayoun; n'gog, el zhar.
I really hope to have Krisztian Nemeth and David N'Gog on the bench. We do need some youngsters to be bred and fitted into the first team gradually. This will ensure Rafa reaps his rewards of buying young in the near future, like next season, where he would not need to buy much as his youngsters will fill the necessary gaps. C'mon!!
Congrats to the new iMedia Excos of 2009, especially to Shawn Teo is one of the two Vice-Presidents now. Don't be too cocky =)
Bye~!
my thoughts at 8:36 pm
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Ahh... Liverpool grinned out a win in it's first Premier League game. Fernando Torres was yet again the hero for Liverpool. However most concerning was the fact the team looked sluggish and out of place at the start. Sunderland could very well have taken one or even two goals over the Reds. Steven Gerrard's shooting looked wayward and really, shitty by the looks of it. Robbie Keane showed glimpse of brilliance once or twice, but his block on Torres' close range confirm-go-in shot compounded his haven't-gel-with-Torres-yet day. Andrea Dossena, albiet all the criticism, had a decent time defending and managed to dispossess the Sunderland players most of the time. The introduction of Xabi Alonso for Damien Plessis really changed the game, not saying Plessis is not good, but Alonso managed to control the midfield more and spread the passes to the flanks more quickly and accurately. He certainly showed it with the pass that led to the winner. Yay! First points in the bag! =) Many more to come definitely...
Singapore's gunning for it's first Olympic Gold medal tonight! Haha... At least Singapore's guaranteed a Silver medal, their second in their history in the Olympics. I must say that I think Singapore's golden girl Li Jiawei is a little bit too proud maybe? Complacent? Anyway, it's Singapore vs China in the women's team event tonight, hope China loses! Haha...
I finally realised how addictive the Olympics can be. Argh, just that the prelims are coming up... And there's little time to watch it.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 10:37 am
Friday, August 15, 2008
The BPL is just a day away! This is what I think of the new signings:
Andrea Dossena The left-sided full-back, signed for more than half a dozen million pound from Italian club Udinese, is physically strong and looks to have no problem fitting in to the physical style of the English game. He is equipped with a good crossing ability, and also looks competent with his weaker right foot. The only weakness that has apparent so far in pre-season is that he pushes further forward too much, and finds it difficult to track back to defend, which could be a potential area better opponents can exploit. Other than that, this Italian should fit well into the left-sided to provide competition for Fabio Aurelio, along with youngster Emiliano Insua.
Philipp Degen The Swiss right-back didn't start a single game for his national team at Euro 2008, but was signed on a free transfer prior to the Championships. This unknown will have a lot to prove if he wants to dislodge fans favourite Steve Finnan and current on-form right-back Alvaro Arbeloa from Spain. He is only currently a back-up, but should he get his chance, he would want to take it, and prove himself. Unfortunately in pre-season, he has not looked too impressive, prior to his current injury.
David N'Gog This one million plus signing from Paris Saint-Germain looks set to burst on the scene in a few years time. But for now, he still looks equally impressive. His dribbling and cutting in from the flanks is reminiscent to Thierry Henry during his haydays at Arsenal. He looks very impressive on both feet, scoring with a left-footed stinger against Rangers. He has a few tricks up his sleeves as well, and has pace to burn as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see him bag a dozen or more goals off the bench this season, and also might lead the line often for Liverpool in the local cups.
Diego Cavalieri The shot-stopper signed from Palmeiras for around £3 million looks good in pre-season. He has shown his good shot-stopping ability. He should give Jose Reina a good competition for the number one spot, but we'll be sure he'll take charge of most English cup games in place of Reina, and will hope to impress and try to gain a first-team place in more important games, albeit a uphill task.
Robbie Keane The signing of the season from Tottenham. This guy costed Liverpool £20 million. He'll be sure to be played between the lines, something like a Wayne Rooney role, tracking back to help out in midfield, linking up play between Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres. I wouldn't be surprise seeing him deployed on the flanks at times when Rafa play his 4-2-3-1 formation. In a 4-4-2, he should be supplying the balls to Torres or playing in the wingers in attack. Last but not least, he'll definitely share some of the goal burdens and score at least 15 himself.
The new Liverpool team for the start of the season... Each in their position, and their pecking order from left to right, first teamers in red, plus italics for the new reserves and possible cup players:
the team vs Standard Liege
Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina, Diego Cavalieri Right-Back: Alvaro Arbeloa, Steve Finnan, Philipp Degen, Stephen Darby Centre-Back: Jamie Carragher (VC), Martin Skrtel Centre-Back: Daniel Agger, Sami Hyypia, Martin Kelly Left-Back: Andrea Dossena, Fabio Aurelio, Emiliano Insua Right Midfielder: Dirk Kuyt, Jermaine Pennant Central Midfielder: Xabi Alonso, Lucas Leiva, Jay Spearing Central Defensive Midfielder: Javier Mascherano, Damien Plessis Left Midfielder: Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun Attacking Midfielder: Steven Gerrard (C), Robbie Keane Striker: Fernando Torres, Andriy Voronin, David N'Gog, Krisztian Nemeth
So I must say the depth of the squad is now definitely there, or better than before. Youngsters like Darby, Spearing, Kelly, Plessis and Nemeth will definitely grow and mature throughout the season, playing in the regular English cups, with the odd Voronin or Pennant thrown to add some quality. Gerrard will again lead the Reds' challenge for the title, with Carragher demanding the best out of his defence. Pepe Reina will once again throw himself between the sticks. C'mon Reds! A good result at Sunderland to start things off!!
So yeah, after getting back my Chinese results earlier this week, a B3 to be exact, with a merit for oral, I decided against retaking my Chinese. Just a few days later, like yesterday, it's the English 'O' Levels Oral! Ahh... I did okay, not fantastic but not too bad either. The reading was a band two? The picture was alright, so too the conversation, but I couldn't read those examiners mind! Haha any oh how, less than 9 more weeks to the start of the 'O' Levels proper, and my science still craps bad.
I've definitely felt better in the recent weeks. I feel things are better now. I feel quite bad if I had put you through so much shit during that two weeks a few weeks ago. I know you don't owe me anything, but I appreciate what you had done. And yeah, things have gotten back to normal, I feel... So...
Thanks.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 9:05 pm
Monday, August 11, 2008
Hmm today was quite nice. Got to study with perry, sw and sy in the afternoon. Well... Majority of the afternoon, before going off to play football/basketball/i-dunno-what in the early evening... Eh! No... We played squash! Managed to get a bit of things done, well, more than the whole weekend actually. Studied some history, did a little chemistry and almost finished the 2005 maths tys. So overall, had a nice time, and more in the near future, perhaps? Haha... You tell me. It'll be nice if it's positive, though.
Tomorrow will be the first morale booster/blow I am going to receive. It's the Chinese 'O' Levels results. Ahh, I think the whole day will be thinking of that. I'm dreaming of an A2, which is quite unlikely, a B region looks more likely. But nevertheless, it's not so bad hoping right? If I get an A, it'll be the second time I do so in my whole secondary school life, I think, for Chinese that is. An A1 would be like I am in some fantasy land. I highly highly doubt it, it'll only come as a once-in-a-lifetime never-happen-again fluke, should I get an A1, but that's not on my mind anyway. A B3 would give me a very normal feeling, but an A2 would give me some backing if I lose ground or footing with either one of my humanities or mathematics, E or A. So yeah, hope for the best tomorrow! There's nothing wrong in hoping! =)
The start of the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season is in 5 days time! Can't believe it! It was just like a day or two ago, that I said it was just yesterday it was the start of the 2007/08 season! Haha... Don't blame you if you have the confuse look now. So yeah, will this be Liverpool's year? Hmm, haven't I or any Liverpool fan being dreaming of that for the past couple of seasons?
So yeah...
Bye~!
my thoughts at 8:10 pm
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Bon Jovi - Welcome to Wherever You Are
I like this song, and this video is kinda alright, fits the bill. The lyrics are the ones, they're so inspiring. Haha... Enjoy?
Hmm, iMedia lunch yesterday was bad good. The wait at Seoul Gardens for an hour was grueling, especially on a stomach that was only filled at 7am that morning. The next stop, Kenny Rogers, had not enough CHICKEN! WTF.. Well can't blame them, they couldn't have expected 25 of us... We settled for Sakae Sushi's Eat-All-You-Can $13.90 buffet, it was okay, but we couldn't order any proper rice set. Argh... Good overall.
Ahh... I'm pretty disappointed I didn't use today's free time to the maximum, as there was no remedial and I was home much. I just couldn't study, mostly because of the lethargy and fatigue I felt for the whole day... even now! Argh... And plus the fact I couldn't do any Chemistry or/and Physics TYS is kinda annoying, as I forgot to bring home those two books. Zzz... Need to chiong for tomorrow and Monday=).
Hmm, and Andriy Voronin is officially Liverpool's top scorer!!! Well, in pre-season that is... But nevertheless a wonderful achievement! Argh, who am I kiddin'? I can't deny the fact that his last-minute volley against Lazio wasn't top class, it was a nice goal to boost his confidence and give him the permission to show the Anfield crowd the finger-to-the-lips. HOWEVER... Youngster Jay Spearing's through pass was top class too! And he's a youngster.
So who for midfield this midweek against Belgium's Standard Liege in Liverpool's first competitive game of the new season, the 3rd round 1st leg qualifier for the Champions League? With Steven Gerrard out injured, Lucas Leiva and Javier Mascherano playing at the Olympics, there is only transfer rumoured Xabi Alonso the only first team midfielder. Jamie Carragher or Daniel Agger could fill that role, however it is quite unlikely. Damien Plessis, given a run out at the end of last season and during this season's pre-season, would most likely feature. Jay Spearing is also in contention, after his wonderful assist recently.
Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane upfront. But there's one question to be asked, will Rafa still play 4-2-3-1? With Robbie Keane, is he going to sit on the bench or what? Fill on the right, with Dirk Kuyt on the bench? Argh, a 4-4-2 looks vulnerable on the break, a 4-2-3-1 looks quite solid but a litle lacking when breaking quick. Hmm...
Bye~!
my thoughts at 10:32 pm
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Hmm finally the goals flew in for Liverpool in their pre-season. Previously, they drew blanks against Hertha Berlin and Villarreal, but they finally got their act together against Glasgow Rangers of Scotland! I was pretty impressed with David N'Gog, when he came on as a second half substitute. He seems quite competent with both feet, especially since he scored with a left-legged drive, as he was supposedly a right footed player. Any oh how, he reminded me of Thierry Henry, constantly cutting in from mainly the left, and that he was quite quick and good on the ball. But! Not to be carried away, though.
Krisztian Nemeth got another decent run out, whilst Yossi Benayoun and Xabi Alonso looks like they are working hard to keep their place in the squad. Steven Gerrard's substitute Jay Spearing looked decent, a few passes here and there, and a surging run, one-two with N'Gog, that was unfortunate not to be rewarded with a shot on goal. I just felt he should be more confident with his passing, and try some ambitious and long range passes, to impress his manager. 'Cos there was once Jermaine Pennant was on the right with just one Rangers' player between 'em, he could have did what Xabi Alonso would always do! Haha... Alonso's passing was good, I must say... And his shooting! He got some penalty practice too... Pretty great dispatch of a penalty from Alonso.
I don't see what so special about Stephen Darby. I mean he's decent, but I don't think he's fantastic. Well, it's hard to see for a right back, right? So anyways, good performance on the whole. 4-0!
Remember who I am. Remember what I did, for you. Remember those times.
I am still here. Remember that
"this is your life, you made it this far..."
Bye~!
my thoughts at 11:50 am
Friday, August 01, 2008
I'm so fickle minded. At times, I feel guilty about what I said to you, but at times, I feel it's alright. Those times I felt guilty, it was cos you made me feel okay, that everything's alright, but that when I felt what I said was justified, it was when what I saw in front of me at that current time, it showed me why I had done so. For some reason, I do not have any hard feelings when you do spend time with me. So I've never been able to say what I needed to say.
At times, I feel that, if you do not need me anymore, or just don't want me anymore, just tell me, I'll accept it. It's just this lingering thought, and it irks me, a lot. Call me jealous if you want, I don't deny it, I admit I'm a lil' envious. But I have my reasons. I've confided in you for the past two plus years, and now, with this, I've had so little time to talk to you, or just spend some quiet time, because of some hover hovering around. I also know that, you're pretty much afraid to say anything, so I can't blame you for that. But really, you tell me. I just feel we have distanced? Quite a bit. And I do not think it's really nice at all... Just Say (What You Need to Say).
On matters relating to football, Wesley Sneijder is the new captain of Holland's national team.