This is just hilarious, at least the first few seconds of it. Just the thought of Philippine football players, the Azkals, dancing along to the anthem of the country at the moment already cracks me up. What more to see them actually do it? And that’s with Phil Younghusband!
And for the new year, here’s to hoping the Azkals do well in the upcoming Asean Championships against Thailand, Myanmar, and Malaysia. I’d love to see them reach even just as far as the semis.
The game just cost me -20 in the English Premier League’s official prediction game. I would’ve gotten the Banker bonus had the scoring ended in the 87th minute. 2-1 was what I predicted. It was not until Ashley Cole mistakenly kicked the ball hard enough to hit Michael Essien, leading to the latter’s own goal that the game ended with a 2-2 draw. I almost got 60 points.
Today’s game at Stamford Bridge was more preferrable than what I’ve seen last week against Wigan, despite the game ending in a draw- much, much more undesirable than our win in the last couple of (away) matches. That in spite of the continuous absence of Petr Cech, Carlo Cudicini and John Terry. Add to that the absence of in-top-form midfielder and last week’s saving grace Arjen Robben, who missed the match due to a hamstring injury. Khalid Boulahrouz and Claude Makelele were left out of the squad with Obi Mikel, Ashley Cole, Shaun Wright-Philips, Mahmoud Diarra and goalie Magnus Hedman standing by as subs. Diarra and Hedman were left unused.
‘I fell in love with football as I was later to fall in love with women: suddenly, inexplicably, uncritically, giving no thought to the pain or disruption it would bring with it’ -Nick Hornby, Fever Pitch
I have set a new record for myself. Not only have I found that one sport I am certain to enjoy for the rest of my life but also, I have found addiction for it. It was strange to have gotten hooked in such a snap; it all started with the 2006 World Cup. Yes, it all started just some 7 months ago.
Before it began, there was all the buzz, World Cup here, World Cup there. Of course, this isn’t the kind of buzz you get from an upcoming Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales game wherein you hear about it in every news break of each broadcasting network in the Philippines. Nor is it the kind of buzz where almost every other person you meet and every other paper you read talks abouts the NBA finals, Miami Heat winning, who scored the most in Game 6, how the Mavs were crushed and so on. Rather this is the rare kind of buzz, at least for me, living in such a basketball-boxing-(and billiards)-inflicted culture, where it seems like the three are the only sports recognized by everyone.
To say World Cup is to always say something big- whether in terms of the participants- participated by 32 countries from all over the globe, the game attendees- there was more than 2 million people for the first round games, and the audience- simply the most watched game on earth. I tried watching not because everybody was talking about it (apparently not, especially in my case) but because my curiosity was aroused by the sport’s magnanimity. It is the same question that gets everybody after chancing upon something new to them that got me: what is the fuss all about? My ‘journey’ started on the very first day of the FIFA World Cup: the opening ceremonies.
I tried watching the opening ceremonies through the old television set with crappy reception, with a newly found interest, curiosity and open eyes. Everyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I have NEVER been a sports fan- what may be the biggest thing missing in my life. I was never one of the millions who stay tuned to Star Sports or ESPN watching basketball games or boxing or billiards (yes, in that particular order). There were times when i tried to enjoy the game, but to no avail. Though I had occasional peek at some golf and pool tourneys, that was it. To actually attempt to learn the rules, to know who plays well for one team and who’s rubbish at the other, to stay up until 5am day after day just trying to wait for the victor, to try to avoid mistakes of having to make unnecessary noise that might wake up parents who would send me to sleep- all of that was just plain new.
After watching several matches of the World Cup, I’ve already come to realize why I got hooked to football like I’ve never been before by anything:
Score arrives at unexpected times; sometimes it even doesn’t. Getting a goal could take as much as the whole stretch of the game, yet it could also take a measley 15 seconds from kick-off. These are people running from one end to the other of the field, whose area is three to four times the size of a basketball court. Just to get from one point to the other already takes time. Getting a goal while three or four defenders try to tackle the ball away, all of you using just your feet, arguably more difficult to control than the hand, is even triple the work and thus could take much longer. Therefore, as time elapses, excitement continuously arises as every member of the audience waits for that one time when their favorite team would get the ball past the goalkeeper. It could take forever yet once it goes in, then fulfillment is just overwhelming. No wonder players who score throw themselves right in front of their teammates, their coaches or the fans and celebrate the moment by doing some emotionally-filled, sometimes even ridiculous moves. No wonder these people, when they score what could already be the winning goal, run all over the field as if they’ve won the 100M jackpot of the lottery. Ah, euphoria. The fruit just couldn’t get any sweeter. Moreover, the gratification usually found in football is just too much to handle. It isn’t like basketball where almost every 15 seconds, someone scores. While at some point, crucial shots are made, such a shot is not as rare as having to come back from trailing 2 goals and eventually win with just 5 to 10 minutes left of the game. From a point of comparison, and I hope that this part doesn’t get cut out, one can think of football as an intercourse with possible mutliple orgasms while basketball is just a long monotonous copulation.
The second reason why I’ve come to love football was because of the endless possibility of anyone becoming the game’s hero. You have your strikers, alright and you always expect them to score for the team. If you weren’t a follower of the sport, you’d expect them to always be the Man of the Match. However, another beauty of the game is, you don’t know who would score next. There is the unpredictability as to who would catch the ball and get it in or do a header some 15-30 yards away from the net and then become the game’s hero. That man could be the striker, the midfielder or even the defender! Sheer luck is what some might call it. In the Philippines, many would call it ala-chamba. But whether it really is ala-chamba or some pure stroke of talent , it is the very reason why people love the game. Score could come in at any unexpected, nerve wracking moment, from just about anyone. The previously unheard of player suddenly becomes the hero of the match for letting his team win (or in some unfortunate nevertheless sometimes acceptable draw) over their opponent. He could have scored the only goal, given the equaliser or led the team to some sweet, unexpected victory for a last-minute goal. A hero is made out of a single goal precisely because of the very nature of the game. The extremely difficult manner by which a person could score, whether due to the lack of an opening or the very good tackling skills of the opponent, always seems to be in search of some stroke of luck to hit one of the players. A goal could come in as fast as the blink of an eye and the slowly dying crowd could easily come back to life as one partakes on the team’s never-ending creation of football history, hopefully leading the team to advance.
Third, while there is the unpredictability of scoring a goal and winning an unexpected victory, there is also the unpredictability of an upset. All of us, I’m quite sure, have been victims of this. Many of us have witnessed how our teams, most especially those in top form- national or club- have been subject to some heavy criticisms for an unexpected defeat. I understand how Nick Hornby was able to open his autobiography with the opening line I used. In the last World Cup, we have all witnessed how Brazil failed to even reach the semi-finals when they have been favorites to win again. We have witnessed how Ronaldinho failed to become a contender for the Golden Shoe. Many of us have witnessed England’s early exit as well. We expected them to go far, didn’t we? (Yes, I was devastated too when that happened.) Even Sven was sure they can reach the finals and bring back the trophy after 40 years of football drought. Fans were waiting for that moment while singing along to Baddiel and Skinner’s “Football’s Coming Home”. Just recently in the English Premier League, we have seen how Manchester United, on top of the table, was defeated by West Ham United, who have been in the relegation zone for several weeks now. Then there’s Chelsea who faced their first defeat of the season in the second week against the struggling Boro. Then just a couple of weeks back, ManUtd was again beaten by Southend United, currently at the bottom of Championship table, and struggling Charlton was beaten by Wycombe Wanderers, a League 2 club.
Finally, there is some real challenge; there is hardcore requirement for skill. Passing the ball in itself carries some tough challenge because the opponent can easily tackle if the man handling it isn’t skilled enough to keep the ball with him. Again, the idea of using the feet already requires so much work. The structure of the feet per se makes it difficult for one to move them as freely as one does with the hands. Any kid playing basketball can easily dribble and pass. Whether they know how to play it well or not, a pretty good simulation of the game could still be created. However, any kid attempting to play football might not even get past someone who is blocking him. Nor could he make a decent pass. This could be made worse by two kids who do not know how to play it. A rough simulation might be impossible.
I am not ditching basketball as the easier sport, although it might’ve been implied with some of my statements. I know that basketball, all in itself, requires a totally different set of skills. My only point is, personally, football is better and more attractive for me for the reasons stated above. I know other lifelong fans could give more. I do believe, however, the bulk have already been discussed here. Anyway, the way we answer to our own biases makes our own POVs problematic from the eyes of the other people. That is the very reason why some hardcore basketball fans would disagree with my thoughts about football (and please don’t call it soccer) or even curse me for even attempting to compare the two, and why football fans would be eclectic for my defense of our favorite game.
Two points behind, two dramatic games, and two last games before welcoming the new year, where are Chelsea now and where are we headed?
The match against Everton at Goodison Park was nothing short of maginificent. One of the best matches I have seen so far. If there were such a thing as Chelsea ‘Game of the Season’, that definitely would be a contender, of course the others being the away game against ManUtd at Old Trafford and at Nou Camp against Barca during the Champions League Group Stages. To come back from behind, not once but twice, through magnificent goals from Lampard and Drogba, whose goal I consider a contender for ‘Goal of the Season’ and win the game was nothing short of dramatic but effective. We deserved to win the game.
I’m quite certain though many Chelsea haters (and even some neutrals) are still clammoring that we win because we cheat, calling Drogba the worst diver of all and Robben a runner-up, and Stamford Bridge, the school of diving. So the two often dive, but so do other players from other teams. While it is unacceptable, it has admittedly become a tactic. Chelsea are a strong team and the current champs, back to back if I may say. As a consequence people started hating them, especially as Abramovich whimsically throws money on our way for our spending on players. But remember, weren’t ManUtd also hated being the champs (with Fergie’s arrogance)? It’s the way football goes, I guess.
Within those months that I was loving football, I was breathing it people, an idea dawned upon me- if I were to go back to school, I’d want to study football. I didn’t and I still don’t have an idea exactly what I want to learn about it since I’m already pretty much self-sufficient around the four corners of my room, just surfing the net for the latest news, rumours, stuff. Click after click after click. Besides, no school even offers a football-related degree. I know of Sports Science, which is what a friend of mine is taking at the moment. At least that one’s acceptable for it covers basically many, if not all, of the sports. But for something to go as specific as ‘BS/MSc/PhD/whatnot Football this’ or ‘BS/MSc/PhD/whatnot Football that’ just sounds ridiculous, if not so far-fetched. HOWEVER. The last laugh was on me when I stumbled upon a certain Certificate in Applied Management for FOOTBALL (CAM for Football) being offered by, guess what, University of Warwick’s Business School. Do you hear me? It’s not even some lame school, it’s WARWICK. You don’t believe me? Here:
Just to add to your interest, this is what some people had to say about the program (plus some of my comments perhaps):
I heard someone saying ‘I didn’t know what state my club was in’ and I was thinking ‘Well I would have done, because your balance sheet was used as an example on the course last week’.
Mark Hughes, Blackburn Manager — (Currently a step away from the relegation zone)
To me the bottom line is the more education you can give yourself, and the more preparation you can do, the less chance of failing. That’s my philosophy.
Stuart Pearce, Manchester City Manager — (Currently 14th, not bad)
The Certificate in Applied Management should be compulsory for any aspiring manager and I couldn’t have done this job without it.
Kevin Blackwell, Leeds United Manager — (Sacked just last September)
The idea is to take good practice from business and other sports, things like dealing with the media, project management, organising finances, which make you more prepared. The course is the best one I’ve ever been on.
Adrian Boothroyd, Watford FC — (Currently bottom of the table)
I did not post the comments to ruin the reputation of the program. The concept is lovely, really. But I just couldn’t help noticing the common factor of those who commented. None from the coach/es of teams belonging in the upper half? Nevermind. The program sounds really good, if only I were a coach, even an amatuer one just so I could go give it a shot. Following is a snapshot of their course-specific application form:
Just imagine how beautiful it would be if you had the playing experience of say, ManUtd’s Giggs or Scholes plus the coaching experiences of Fergie or Mourinho. (Though if you had such credentials, chances are you don’t even need the program. You’re better off teaching!!!)
Anyway, I thought Warwick was alone. Somewhere in Russia, one institution called Moscow University of Industry and Finance partnered with some Football Market Company to create what is known as Higher School of Football Management, which offers not one but FOUR different football programs.
-Master’s in General and Strategic Management in Football Industry (2 years)
-Management in Football Industry Retraining Program (520 hours)
-Football Club Management Advanced Training Program (40 hours)
-Football Management (3.5 years)
Well, it’s very impressive that football management’s being given such focus. At least, we know there are some people who are concerned enough to want to be able to manage a team very well, ie., become good coaches, in the future. As for me, I’d continue dreaming that one day, there’ll be something for me, a fan who doesn’t even play and hasn’t ever (and will never) played.
From ChelseaFC.com
Didier Drogba has revealed in an interview that he has long known he had a season in him like the one his currently enjoying.
With the Chelsea striker sitting top of the scorers’ chart in both the Barclays Premiership and the Champions League, observers are finding it hard to suggest a more in-form striker in world football.
‘I knew in my heart that I was going to be one of the biggest strikers in the world,’ Drogba has said, speaking to supporters on the other side of the Atlantic via an interview given to the New York Times.
The full interview follows:
Q: I was reading through some of your biographical information and saw that you began your soccer career as a defender. How did that happen and how did you end up moving from defense to offense?
A: It happened when I was 11 because my uncle said to me that I was scoring too many goals to be a right back. He said I have to go in front, then score many, many goals from that position. I really wanted to be up front anyway. I was enjoying scoring goals. There is a different feeling when you score goals.
Q: Was it difficult for you to make the move from France to England?
A: It is normal to take time to adjust. Coming from France, with it’s nice weather and moving to a different country. It took me time to adapt to England. It is normal for a football player when you spend all you life in a country then you have to change. It is really just another challenge.
Q: What was the toughest thing?
A: When you arrive, you don’t understand what people are saying to you because you cannot speak the language. It is very difficult because the football is very universal. It is easy to understand what is going on on the pitch, with your coach, your teammates. But when you go out with your family to have dinner, to do shopping, to walk around the city, it is not always easy.
Q: You have scored some terrific goals since you have been at Chelsea, including that wonderful goal at Barcelona in the Champions League. Is there one goal that you consider to be your best?
A: I think we can say that all the goals I score are very important.
Maybe because I am strong, maybe because I am sometimes lucky. I found that the best way for me to play in England was to adapt. After two years, I understand that.
What is the hardest is playing so many games and not having a lot of time off. When I first came to Chelsea I had only seven days off. The second year, I had only 15 days. And this year it was difficult starting the season because there was only one month off because of the World Cup. But I am feeling good now. When your body is fresh you can give everything and run everywhere.
Q: There has been a lot of talk recently and a lot of stories written in the papers about Shevchenko’s first season at Chelsea. Some people think he is not happy and that he could soon end up going back to Italy. Do you think it’s normal for a new player to struggle at Chelsea and in England?
A: I think he is going through some of the same things that I did. I’m not scared for him, I’m confident for him. I know that the English people want you to score quick, run everywhere. But it’s not easy when you’re not used to playing that way, to the English style. He came from Milan where they play football a different way. It is a different culture of football.
Q: I was surfing the Internet recently and came across a story about a video game that includes you and Thierry Henry and rates him as the top striker in the world. You said something about being the best. What’s the story?
A: It was a joke. We were doing some advertising for this game and I was joking. There is nothing between him and me, we’re friends.
And I’m not this kind of person to say I am the best. It is not for me to say. It is for the journalists and the fans of football. The game is a collective sport, not an individual sport. Look at a sport like tennis: it is easier to say that the best is Roger Federer. But in football, a striker cannot score alone. You need balls to come to you to perform. You can be the best striker, but if they don’t give you the ball it is difficult to perform.
Q: Is it strange for you and the club to be in second place in the E.P.L.
A: The season I arrived in England we started like this. Arsenal was in front and we were something like five points behind. I know how it is to be in second place but, in a way, it is unusual for us, for Chelsea. But this is a good point for us. We have been the best for two years and I think people don’t like to admit it. All the games we have to play are important to win. If we beat Arsenal and then lose to the next team then we are in trouble.
Q: You helped to lead Ivory Coast to its first appearance in the World Cup finals. How important was that for you?
A: The World Cup means a lot, it means everything. Looking back four years, Ivory Coast had no sponsor, no team and the country was in big trouble. It was also difficult to unite the players. We had a tough qualifying group with Cameroon, but what we did was fantastic for our people. It was a big achievement.
For me, it meant a lot to play for Ivory Coast. It was a fantastic experience even if it ended up being a disappointment. It was a big experience and we hope to do it again in 2010.
Q: During the World Cup there were some stories out of Germany saying that you wanted to leave Chelsea, that you had been seen having lunch with an official from A.C. Milan. Was there any truth to those stories?
A: At the end of every season people talk about who is moving, who is staying. I knew in my heart that I was going to be one of the biggest strikers in the world. There’s nothing wrong with that. But you always are thinking about fitting in with the best club and for me that club was Chelsea and with Jose. He always has given me confidence and that is very important to me. Leave Chelsea? There’s just no point.
Q: Since you arrived at Stamford Bridge the club has kept adding some of the top players in the world. Do you worry about getting enough playing time?
A: The competition is very intense. Everyone wants to play. In the end everybody is behind the team, even the players who don’t play. When we win, it is the Chelsea name that wins, not the individual.
Q: You and Chelsea have come to the United States the past two summers. Have you enjoyed those trips?
A: What I really like about the States is that it is a very different culture. Who knows, maybe after my career I will go there to try something. In terms of football, I think it has improved a lot since the first time I was there four years ago. I like this team D.C. United.
They are good and strong. And that young boy [Freddy] Adu is very good.
(Adu was traded by D.C. United to Real Salt Lake earlier this month).
———————————————————–
DC United? Sounds familiar! I hope to see these guys play once I’m in DC.
After the first half of the season is almost over, after the Blues trailed ManUtd by 8 points, after playing so well… the trail is now down to 2 points, with 1 more match to end the season’s first half. As of today, this is what the table looks like.
ManUtd, 44. Chelsea, 42. Liverpool which surprisingly caught up, 31.
I thought the second half won’t start until next year. However, after checking the fixtures, I realized that the usually 3 week’s worth of games, spread over the weekend plus a weekday or two, would be squeezed in to the 2 remaining weeks of December. One of the 3 matchdays are to be played on weekdays.
Matchday19: December 23.
Matchday20: December 26 (and 1 on the 27th).
Matchday21: December 30.
On the 26th, Chelsea play Reading, home. (Payback time!) Then, on the 30th, the Blues play Fulham. We play somewhat the toughest teams we played during the 1st half, both away.
It’s going to be a very busy December for us all! Let’s see how the year ends for us.
PS I am a WestHam United fan for a night, or a day, or for a week even, for beating the shit outta ManUtd. A good start for Curbishley. I’m forever blowing bubbles, blowing bubbles in the air! United! United!
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Sept. 19, 2007
