Tag: soccer

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ASEAN Sports

[2293] Of Malaysia needs to win in Jakarta to win morally

I am happy that the Malaysian soccer team beat Indonesia by a large margin in the first leg of the Suzuki Cup final. This is especially so when Malaysia was beaten by 5 goals to 1 by Indonesia in the group stage earlier.

While I do believe that the team deserves the win — the play was surprisingly above the level Malaysia was typically associated with in the past — the 3-1 win in Kuala Lumpur is problematic.

Malaysian fans shot laser beam at Indonesian players. At some point in the game, the Indonesian team rightly protested and appeared to threaten to leave the game. They went off the pitch for more than 5 minutes under protest.

The Malaysian fans appeared to stop the unsportsmanlike behavior after the game resumed. It was after that that Malaysia overcame a crumbling Indonesian team.

The problem is that Indonesian fans are questioning the win, arguing that the laser beam incident somehow contributed to Malaysia’s win. In other words, they believe that Malaysia cheated.

I do not think Malaysia cheated. If I did, I would unfairly deny the effort the Malaysian players put into the game.

Those goals were fantastic. The first was clearly a mistake made by an Indonesia defender. He wanted the ball to go out but it did not. Malaysia capitalized on that. The second happened because Indonesia failed to mark Mohd Ashaari Shamsudin. The third was a good long pass that ended with the ball headed in.

It was not just the goals that symbolize the effort. In the second half, as far as soccer layperson like me can tell, Malaysia made fantastic passes while defending excellently. Malaysia in the second half was disciplined.

Nevertheless, I always believe the most satisfying win is one that is reasonably unquestionable by both sides of the fence. The 3-0 Malaysian win in Kuala Lumpur unfortunately is questioned by one side.

As a result, I hold that Malaysia needs to win the second leg of the match that will be held in Jakarta. If Malaysia won the away match, then it would make the first controversial win irrelevant. A win for Malaysia in Jakarta would be satisfying and enough to silent the critics from Indonesia.

If Malaysia lost in Jakarta but won on aggregate, then Malaysia would lose morally. Even a draw for Malaysia will not do. The only way Malaysia can win the tournament as well as achieve a moral win is by defeating Indonesia on their own turf.

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Sports

[1982] Of Manure-haters, rejoice!

I am not a fan of soccer column. I do read that kind of column once in a while but that is usually about Ajax. But this one at The Malaysian Insider may encourage me to take more interest in it.

It is just that the decisions that have favoured Man U have come at the very best times for the Devils. As they struggled for early season form — after a demoralising defeat against a Liverpool without Torres and Gerrard and a draw against Chelsea, they had four points from as many games — and seemed to have run out of ideas against Bolton, the referee managed to award them a penalty, ostensibly after being so awed by Jlloyd Samuel’s perfect tackle on Ronaldo that he accidentally breathed into his whistle. [It’s over. Shannon Teoh. The Malaysian Insider. May 14 2009]

Too hilarious, man. And any Manure-hater column deserved to be read.

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Sports

[1432] Of laughing at Manchester United

Hahahahahahahaha!

The final goal was one of sheer confusion. It was so confusing that even van der Sar stood deeply in the goal to guard it. Not too many realized that it was a goal when it happened, not even me.

But it is good enough.

Hahahahahahahaha!

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Sports

[1406] Of Dida banned!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Celtic were relieved to avoid heavy punishment but AC Milan were left reeling after UEFA banned goalkeeper Dida for two matches for his theatrics in last week’s controversial Champions League match at Parkhead.

Celtic have been fined £25,000, half of which is suspended, for their part in the incident which saw a pitch-invading supporter approach the Brazilian goalkeeper after Scott McDonald scored the late winning goal.

[…]

Dida was found to have breached UEFA’s ‘principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship’.

And the 34-year-old, who writhed around in feigned agony in the goalmouth when he was barely tapped by the Celtic supporter, received no sympathy from the 10-man disciplinary body.

Stunned Milan have pledged to appeal against the punishment, which as it stands means Dida will miss the club’s Champions League games against Shakhtar Donetsk.

AC Milan lawyer Leandro Cantamessa blasted the decision to hit Dida with such a strong punishment, while only fining Celtic a small sum for the pitch invasion by the supporter. [Dida gets two match ban as Celtic escape with fine. ESPN Soccernet. October 12 2007]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

‘Everybody is laughing at the ‘keeper. The fan shouldn’t have gone on the park but he didn’t do anything.’ [Dida gets two match ban as Celtic escape with fine. ESPN Soccernet. October 12 2007]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Categories
Sports

[1396] Of a mixed day

First, out of European competition:

LONDON, Oct 4 (Reuters) – Former European champions Ajax Amsterdam made a shock exit from the UEFA Cup on Thursday after a 3-2 home defeat by Dinamo Zagreb gave the Croatians a 3-3 draw on aggregate and victory on the away goals rule. [Ajax dumped out by Zagreb, Bayern through. ESPN Soccernet. October 4 2007]

Second, Chelsea secured the service of Henk Ten Cate:

LONDON, Oct 5 (Reuters) – Henk Ten Cate’s agent said the Ajax Amsterdam coach has agreed to join Premier League club Chelsea as assistant to Avram Grant, according to reports in British newspapers on Friday.

It’s true we have an agreement with Chelsea,” Ten Cate’s agent Sigi Lens was quoted as saying by the Sun.

Chelsea want to take the coach now so if there is an agreement between the two clubs then everything will be clear.” [Ten Cate leaving Ajax for Chelsea, says agent. Reuters. October 4 2007]

He would have probably been sacked if he had not move anyway. So, whatever. But still, I am developing strong suspicion against Ten Cate and Chelsea; his move was announced on the same day Ajax was booted out of the UEFA Champions League. Given this, it is hard to believe Ten Cate invested all of his effort on that UEFA match. Perhaps, that is just me, a lot of other fans, looking for scapegoat. Nevertheless, there is a growing tendency in me to support anybody that plays against Chelsea, including ManUre.

Chelsea to met used to be a bugging mosquito across the Channel. Now, the relationship is becoming personal.

Amid that the flurry of bad news, at least a piece is there to lighten up the day:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan won’t have to forfeit any football games for using an ineligible freshman player.

Michigan last month reported an administrative error involving safety Artis Chambers to the Big Ten. Chambers played in three games, including a 14-9 victory over Penn State, but wasn’t eligible under the conference’s freshman rules. [Big Ten rules Michigan won’t have to forfeit games. AP via Yahoo! News. October 4 2007]

The Big Ten crown is still in sight.