From these true passionate fans

To these plastic flags waving people



And the best of all

Fernando, you make the choice

 

A chair still empty

’Liu Xiaobo must be freed’ – Nobel Prize Committee

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11966449

Liu Xiaobo: 20 years of activism

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11492131

 

Resurgent reds sink Villa

The match marked an emotional return for ex-Liverpool manager ‘Ged’ Gerard Houllier. Ged had hoped for a good reception from the Liverpool fans and truly well deserved with the ’Houllier song’ ringing around the Kop and a poignant banner ‘Gerard’s heartbeat’ in gratitude for his contribution to the club as a manager despite undergoing a life threatening heart surgery.

However, it was the Reds that dominated the game once the whistle was blown. Besides the short periods in the second half with the substitutions of Carew and Pires to salvage the game, the men from Birmingham were dominated by the industrious and effective Liverpool side. David Ngog opened the scoring with a well taken header resulting from a Raul Meireles corner. Ryan Babel, whom would have been on the bench if not for Torres’ urgent withdrawal from the squad due to Lola’s labour, took the long pass from Lucas nicely and dispatched a well taken shot into the bottom corner. A wonderful move started from Reina’s pinpoint distribution saw Maxi bringing the ball into the opponent’s half, passing the ball to Ngog on the left side, and finishing expertly into the top corner after receiving the ball back from Ngog just inside Villa’s penalty box. Probably well-timed after his criminal misses against Spurs last weekend.

The match highlighted the impeccable midfield pairing of Meireles and Lucas, who were both excellent in the game. Lucas for me is the MOTM, whose anticipation of the game, his movement off the ball and distribution were flawless. A much maligned player a couple of seasons ago, Lucas has proven that he only is he good enough for Liverpool, but he is a key player for the team. Hint to NESV; his contract will end in 2012, what should you do? On the other hand, Ryan Babel, another player criticised by most fans and pundits, put on a great performance playing as an out and out striker, tormenting the Villa defence with his pace and capped a good night for him with a goal. Of course, who can miss out Pepe Reina, who achieved his 100 clean sheet for Liverpool in 195 matches.

 

A caution for the future of Singapore

Headline : Local band Electrico’s act of tearing Liverpool jersey is disrespectful to fans

There’s no doubt in my mind that all Singaporeans should stand behind the Singapore national football team which gave us unmeasurable pride and joy in clinching the title in 2 Asean Tiger Cups. However, the  intention and the actions of the so called  ‘patriotic’ Singaporeans football fans that emerged after the Liverpool Singapore match seems rather questionable to me.

Firstly, the match was a joyous occasion for all Liverpool fans throughout the region where they could see their heroes donning the Liverpool jersey up close. Singaporeans should be proud that Liverpool FC have chosen this country as one of the stops for a pre-season match, just like how the locals in Malaysia and China were when Man Utd visited the Bukit Jalil stadium for a friendly and Inter take on Lazio at the Birdnest stadium in Beijing. These European clubs can only play matches and enjoy themselves in Asia during pre-season, and it is the only time where Asian fans can get a glimpse of their heroes upclose in their home ground. Thus, there is nothing wrong with the passionate support and enthusiasm that the fans have for their clubs.

Next,the reasoning that Singaporeans weren’t patriotic ‘because many were supporting Liverpool instead of Singapore‘ is skewed and narrow-minded.  In truth, the 40000 odd people flocking to the national stadium came to watch Liverpool and it just happened that the opposition was our national team. This was precisely what gave many people a chance to exploit and sensationalise a false reasoning of patriotism that they themselves do not uphold in the first place.

In all, it is disappointing to see that an occasion like this is being used as a tool to justify claims that is unfair to those who just wanted to watch the team they support playing in Asia and cheering them on in their home ground.

 

The Return Of The King

There’s hardly anyone that can match his class, talent and technique on the court. His win over Soderling in the French Open 09 proved that he is back to his best, and the rest of the pack should be afraid. Nadal will not be playing in the upcoming Wimbledon Open due to injury, which gives Fed a great chance to regain the title that eludes him last year. The Fed Express shall take the world by storm again.