stadiumASTRO World Cup Fantasy

Despite in the amidst of preparation for final exam, my attention and focus are mainly on the South Africa FIFA World Cup 2010. On top of that, since I can’t engage in sporting activities yet due to my ankle injury, the only way to satisfy my crave on football is by playing FIFA Manager 10 and other virtual football related activities.

And for the first time in my life, caused by the excitement of the World Cup and also the attractive prizes awaits, I gave online football fantasy a try. Though there are tons of World Cup fantasy league out there, I chose to participate in a contest which are from my homeland, the stadiumASTRO Fantasy – a contest organized by MAXIS and ASTRO. In conjunction with this contest, Sarawak Bloggers host their very own Fantasy League Contest, the Sarawak Bloggers World Cup Fantasy League Challenge. But this contest is only for registered Sarawak Bloggers members and entries are already closed.

But don’t get disheartened, you still have the chance to join the stadiumASTRO Fantasy Contest and stand a chance to win attractive prizes which includes a 40” LCD TV, a Sony VAIO Laptop, Blackberry Bold 2, an iPhone and also meet up with Lionel Messi in Barcelona or Frank Lampard in London.

To know more about the stadiumAstro World Cup Fantasy contest, click the image above.

Irau Aco Lun Bawang 09 - Do' Ruyud :: Part 1

It has been three years since I moved to Kuching, and for the first two years I didn't go back to my hometown, Lawas, to celebrate the rice harvest festival - Irau Aco Lun Bawang (translate the Lun Bawang Fest).

Photo courtesy of Sektor Kebudayaan

My stay in Kuching has brought me to experience my first ever Gawai Dayak celebration - both urban and village style. Back in 2007, Sarawak hosts the National-Level Gawai Dayak open house and I didn't miss the chance to see it myself. It was undeniably a grand occassion, even the prime minister and the Agong (King) was invited.

On the other hand, Irau Aco Lun Bawang is uniquely different compared to the Gawai Dayak. It is more about the Lun Bawang itself. Thousands of Lun Bawang from the district of Lawas and other various places such as Brunei, Indonesia and Sabah will be gathering in the small city of Lawas.

This 3-days fest showcases much more comprehensive events like the Bamboo Band performances, traditional music performance, traditional dance, traditional sporting competition, handicraft exhibition and tradisional costume beauty contest. Also not to forget the modern sports competition like football, badminton, volleyball, golf, etc. and also Lun Bawang music band performance.

Football

The irau this year has marked a history in my life. It happened to be my first involvement in the irau's activities, representing Lun Bawang Kuching football team.

Although being in the team is something so exciting but it isn't any honeymoon either, running around the pitch for 15-minutes under the unforgiving hot sun in the same time making an attempt to outclass your opponent is indeed a very big challenge.

Wait... Only 15 minutes?!!

Yes, I spend most of my time on the bench cheering my mates but I can consider myself lucky too, I was given the chance to give a shot in the final match. Being a substitute, I know that I only have 50% chance to play and it's kind of a emotional experience.

After I was introduced into the pitch, I started to feel the heat of the game and the sun as well. The weather was so hot until the saliva in my mouth dried up!! To think of my mates who got fried up for 90-minutes, I can't complain much when they slacked up a bit and became sloppy. It was just unbearable.

In the game, I've just managed to do few passes and runs, and I even almost scored the winning goal in the final minutes. In fact I've screwed it up, I should have just pass the ball to the striker who is well positioned for a shot on goal.

 Photo courtesy of CNN

I was hoping for a great "debut" as the like of Fedrico Macheda where he scored the injury time winning goal for Manchester United. Lesson learned, make sure you're good enough to perform an action before you execute it, which also means - MORE PRACTICE.

The game ended up with 1-1 and then proceeded to penalty shoot-out. This time, luck isn't on our side, we lose the penalty shoot-out by 4-2.

Despite of the lose another history was made. For the past 10 years, Lun Bawang Kuching never reached the final stage. What to say bringing a cup back to Kuching?

This year, we reached the final and brought a smaller cup. Next year, we aim bigger - lifting the championship cup.

Hattrick: Lun Bawang FC

Photo courtesy of Republik of Mancunia

After watching Sir Alex successful achievement, I felt bit excited and wanted to manage a football club of my own. Of course in reality, it won't be possible since I don't have that much experience in the football world, but I can of course do it virtually.

I've been playing Championship Manager series and FIFA Manager series for quite a long time. It was indeed a great game but one thing the game lack is that you don't play with other human manager. Which I think will make the game more fun and challenging.

So I Googled up for "Online football manager game" and to my surprise there are a lot of them. Being offered with a lot of choices and I chosed the best 2, Hattrick and Manager Zone, to compare which one is much better. After a week of playing, I personally prefer Hattrick than Manager Zone because I was dissapointed with Manager Zone's poor gameplay system. Infact, Hattrick is the first online football management game.

I named my club Lun Bawang FC and currently playing in the 5th Division, which is the bottom division in the Malaysian League. It's a long hard road to climb up and reach the top table, everything will depend on long term strategical plans and of course luck.


Photo courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

For those who likes football management out there I would recommend you to play Hattrick. Live up your fantasies and lead your own club to the top. But please support and play in your local league.

Hatrick for Manchester United

 Photo courtesy of the Republik of Mancunia

Manchester United has again being crowned as champion of England for 3 consecutive years and they're not just only champion of England, but also Europe and the world!!!

Thanks to Sir Alex Ferguson's brilliance management where he led the team to win the title and in the same time leveled Liverpool's record - A record which they are dying to protect.

Photo courtesy of Neil Jones from sport.co.uk

United had only 7 titles when Sir Alex became the manager of Manchester United and now had won 11 titles under his reign, which then equalize the Liverpool's successful 18 titles record.

The glory is unacceptable and a disgrace for the bitter Looserfools and the most interesting part is that they still boastfully claim that they are the champion of England even though they never won the title since 1990. Well, it's a trophy-less season for them again, but they have 28 reasons why they should be proud of their 2008-09 campaign. At least they have something to cheer about.

Photo courtesy of dailymail

But there's nothing to cheer about for Rafa Benitez, everything is bitter for him, he refuses to congratulate the most successful manager in history but instead ranting and talk nonsense about Sir Alex and Manchester United. Such a pathetic, unprofessional, and childish manager. I can imagine that those Liverpool players and fans will suffer mental breakdown if he stays longer there - You'll never get bitter alone.

Hatrick for Manchester United, Hatred from the Liverpool boss.

My First Taste of Local Professional Football

Have nothing to do on the weekend, me and my brother decided to fill our Saturday afternoon with some local  professional football. It was also our first taste of the Malaysian football, watching the first leg of the Malaysian FA Cup between Sarawak, my home team, and ATM, a Malaysian Football Club representing the Military Force of Malaysia.

We both off to Stadium Negeri and bought ourself the cheapest ticket which only costs RM7.00. We are lucked with a good weather on the afternoon, didn't expect we have to sit on roofless terrace stand - it's raining season for God's sake!! - I don't wanna get myself soaked!!

We arrived late and the game has gone underway, you can listen a group of fans singing and playing kompang and drum in the seater stand - a sense of unity - I wish I could join them. It's a bit quiet from the terrace, nobody is singing and you can only hear dirty jokes they made to the away team. How I wish it was like in England, where you can see the fascinating response from thousands of fans to every bit of action in the pitch - vocallizing joy, agony and relief, with their endless stream of team songs and chants.

 *Click picture to enlarge
The grand stand and the empty terrace stand.

*Click picture to enlarge
The seater stand where the Sarawak Football Fan Club singing and playing their instruments, and the terrace stand where most of the supporters are sitting.

*Click picture to enlarge
A great display of attacking football by The Crocs, home team, has really ensures their victory on the helpless ATM. Taunting every time they scored, with rifle shooting action, has really demotivate the spirit of the away team especially the goalkeeper. You can hear the home supporters from the stands making fun of the goalkeeper and finally got himself sub out before half-time. By half-time The Crocs trashes ATM three goals to nil.

As the second-half started, with their coach's motivation still ringing in their head, both team plays more aggressive football especially from the away side. More hard body contacts and tackles thrown from both sides. The change of goalkeeper doesn't effect the scoreline as the home side bagged two more goals and sent the goalkeeper to the sideline after his almost heroic save ended up disaster - the supporters started singing mocking song which was taken from a childhood song, Enjit-Enjit Semut Siapa Sakit Naik Atas - both me and my brother had a good laugh because of that song.

With both goalkeeper out, ATM has no choice but to put a field player keeping the goal who noticeably display better goalkeeping skill. He only conceded one goal due to a stupid mistake by the defenders, another goal for Sarawak!! ATM in the end still manage to bag a goal into the score sheet while most of the players and the fans are distracted by a fight happening in the pitch.

This victory is a great advantage for Sarawak for their next clash at Stadium MP Selayang. Great performance showed by the home team and I hope that they can keep this momentum for their coming fixtures.

Watching and supporting my home team playing, I don't even know who the players are!! How can you love someone without knowing them first? In my opinion, the Sarawak FC should publicize the team throughout the whole Sarawak especially in Kuching and gain back the trust of the supporters. Perhaps a campaign should be started and bring back all the supporters into Stadium Negeri, I would dream to see Stadium Negeri ROARS!!!

Finally, I have accomplish one of my 2009 goals and realize my childhood dream to watch my local team playing live. Have you accomplish any of your new year resolution's goal or realize your childhood dreams yet?

Glorious Moment at Moscow

MANCHESTER UNITED IS THE KING OF EUROPE!!!


Photo courtesy of manutd.com

The Red Devils has been crowned the champions of Europe for the third time after winning a dramatic penalty shoot-out over The Blues at the Luzhniki Stadium, home ground for Torpedo and Spartak Moscow, Russia.

VS


Match day...
Me, my relative and his friends went to Food Garden to watch the big match. We came quite early, an hour before the match starts because we afraid that we will have no place to sit. Why not? It's the UEFA Champion's League Cup final match between two English football giant. As I arrived, the place wasn't that crowded yet and I can see some football fans of both clubs wearing on their football jersey and some just wearing normal shirts. Most of them wearing red and blue but I'm the only one wearing the Man United white jersey them time and proudly showing mine off. Even the waiters was wearing Man United jersey. Hehehe...

As the time approaching kick-off, more and more football fans are coming - young, old, guys and girls - no age and gender limit. Everybody seems to prefer watching the match outside rather than at home. The place became more crowded and happening, just that nobody's singing their football club's chants and songs other than me so it turns out to be a bit boring to me since no one joining me singing. By the way I just can only sing few songs... But at least I know some songs that they always sing at the stand rather than I dunno any right? =p

As the match kicked-off, both team starts attacking and defending with fierce fighting spirit resulting violence gameplay. The match was in a total carnage, both team fights really hard to gain control of the ball, exchanging hard tackles and heavy body contacts which result in blood shedding collisions. Paul Scholes got unlucky as he clashed hard with Claude Makelele and that caused a heavy nose bleed on the central midfielder . United was down to 10 men temporarily while Scholes was receiving treatment but yet United still controlling the game.

After receiving the treatment, Scholes reunited with the lads and continue to fight back. Although with his nose stuffed and was still bleeding, gifted with the nerves of steel, this man amazingly shows a great fighting spirit and perfectly focused. Despite of his injury, he stay his cool and unconcerned as ever. He even contributes for the opening goal of the match with a magnificent passing to Wes Brown and gave Brown a nice timing to cross the ball into the box and expertly finished by the Greatest Footballer of the Year, Christiano Ronaldo, netting his 42nd goal of the season.


Photo courtesy of uefa.com

I was overjoyed and jumped off from my chair giving high five to other Man United fans while the Chelsea fans sit down quietly with their sour face portraying their disbelieve on the score. Taunting "GOAL!!!" every time as the replay repeatedly shows the ball flew past through the goalkeeper, provoking the Chelsea fans. One of my cousin's friend a fan of the Blues, who's very annoyingly noisy and acts like he seems to know everything, dismayed and went into complete silent.


Photo courtesy of uefa.com

Unexpectedly just before reaching half-time, a destructive attempt on goal from Essien cannoned off both Vidic and Ferdinand, the ball dropped to Lampard. Van der Sar rushed forward to stop him but slipped at the vital moment, allowing him to level the score before the whistle blows. The equalizer gave Chelsea back hope to fight back with a leveled score for the second-half. As the both team heads to the dressing room, I straight away go to the restroom to relieve my bladder that I've hold for quite a while because I don't want to miss any action of the match. While I was waiting for my turn I've clashed with some Chelsea fans, the atmosphere was very tense where everyone keeps quiet and staring at each other. Being annoyed by the result of the match, I stared and showed my disgust on them.

After some half-time talk in the dressing room the players returned into the field to fight for another 45 minutes. Buoyed by the equalizer, the Blues was fired up and dominating the second-half of the game. It was an very uptight moment for the Red's fans while nervously watching the goalkeeper being bombarded fiercely with a lot of sure goal opportunities with the goalkeeper and back line was completely defeated. But luck was not on their side, all of their attempt on goal whistled wide off the post. The legendary Ryan Giggs entered the pitch replacing Paul Scholes 3 minutes before the end of second-half, thus breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time appearance record in his 759th match for the Reds. I was so relieved as the referee blows the whistle to end the tormenting second half where both team are still leveled.

This force the two teams to prove their supremacy into the extra time .While both teams are exhausted and suffering from minor muscle cramp resulted from the soaked and slippery pitch. Once again Lampard almost net the the winning goal for Chelsea but it was denied by the crossbar. Man United almost sealed the match with a flicked shot from the record-breaking Giggsy but was denied by a header from John Terry.


Photo courtesy of uefa.com

The atmosphere in the pitch was getting more intensified as both team are struggling to score the decisive winning goal in the second-half of the extra time. As the time almost reach the end, the players are getting extremely under pressured because this is a final match which matches two European greatest football clubs head-to-head against each other to win the most prestigious football club trophy and be crowned as the Champion of Europe.


Photo courtesy of Yahoo!Sport

The tension rose and tempers flared, an ugly argument occurs in the Chelsea's half. Cavarlho and Tevez start pushing each others and other players ran quickly ran to the scene and start arguing and shoving each other. The fight became even more tense as Drogba slaps Vidic on the face. The official sent Drogba off the pitch for his action and booked Tevez and Ballack. The Blues was down with 10 men but United failed to use the opportunity to score and the match end with United 1 and Chelsea 1. Before the whistle blows, Sir Alex with his smart tactical intelligence, replacing Brown with Anderson to be lined up in the shoot-out.

As nothing can separate between these two rivals and only the inevitable penalty shoot-out will decide who will be crown as the champion. And the dramatic penalty shoot-out starts with both team successfully scored into their opponent's goal until it was Ronaldo's turn, shattered the dream of the Reds, as his penalty was saved by Cech and gave Chelsea the advantage and hope to win the cup for the first time. I was really frustrated but yet I still believe that United still have the chances to get it even. Praying and hoping that Chelsea will miss their penalty.

Finally it came to most glorious moment for the Blues, the last and most decisive penalty, if it is a goal, they will win the Champion League Cup. The captain John Terry stood up and prepare to bring glory for his team. He runs up to the ball to seal the winning goal but unfortunately he slipped and send the ball to the post and missed. The prayers were answered, the Reds is now back to fulfill their European dream. Me and other Man United fans overjoyed and celebrates while the Chelsea fans was stunned in disbelieve by the miss from the captain itself.


Photo courtesy of Fox Sports on MSN


Photo courtesy of uefa.com

Then it came to the 7th penalty kick by Chelsea, Anelka was given the task to keep Chelsea alive but his shot was read well by Van der Sar and he saved it superbly, making him the hero of the match. Giving the winning glory to Manchester United and to be crowned as the Champion of all Europe 2008 and for the 3rd time!!! Congratulation!!! What a remarkable clash between two rivals, ending up with Manchester United celebrating while the Blues are in tears. A memorable and wonderful history was made in Moscow.


Photo courtesy of uefa.com

Back to the coffee shop, we the Man United fans are also celebrating the glory and it was so ecstatic. Fans were dancing around and shouting "M U" out loud and it was around 5 a.m. that time. What a moment... As the everyone starts to leave the area, cars are honking and people are still shouting to celebrate the win. The traffic flow at Central Park was unbelievably heavy as the fans are heading back home.

HISTORY OF MANCHESTER UNITED EUROPEAN CUP GLORY

The first European Cup won by United was way back in the year 1968. The match was held at Wembly Stadium, England, against the Portuguese Champion, Benfica. United won the match by 4-1 with 3 goals scored after extra time.

The second UEFA Champions League final was between Manchester United against FC Bayern Munich which took place in the Camp Nou in Barcelona. It was the most memorable dramatic win for Man United, trailing behind with one goal behind for most of the match but came back to score two goals in injury time and win the final. This victory was the culmination of United's famous treble winning season.

The Red Devils Slams Liverpool 3-0

The Grand Slam Sunday is happening again today!!! Today the big fours are competing against each other on their 31st matches of the league for the title race.

Last encounter, Grand Slam Sunday 16th of December 2007... First Round
Manchester United beat Liverpool at Anfield by 1 goal to 0, scored by Tevez the Scouse Buster while Arsenal beat Chelsea at home by 1 goal to 0, scored by ex-Chelsea player Gallas...
A great Christmas gift for the United's fan... THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

For your information I'm a fan of Manchester United - so I'll talk more about Manchester United and I can assure you that this might get biased all the way long.


Man United vs Liverpool 16/12/07 - Fans taunt Scousers!!

GRAND SLAM SUNDAY, 23rd March 2008... Second Round
This time the Red Devils will host the match at Old Trafford against the Scouse, fighting for thier 4th position in the league against its neighbour the Toffees, and the Gunners will visit Stamford Bridge to fight for the 2nd place against rival the Blues.

I was very excited even before the match started. I'm always like this especially when United are head-to-head against their rivals. Sitting infront of the TV and sing my favourite Man United chants on the Merseyside.

Oh Merseyside is Full of SHIT
(to the tune of 'When The Saints Go Marching In')

Oh Merseyside! (Oh Merseyside!),
Is full of shit, (is full of shit),
Oh Merseyside is full of shit.
It's full of shit, shit, and more shit,
Oh Merseyside is full of shit...

More other United songs and chants on their rivals, Pride of Manchester.

Today Fergie has suprised us by using the 4-5-1 formation and put Tevez on the bench.
Rafa decides to use 4-4-1-1 formation and putting Torres and Gerrard up front.

The Final Result is.... The Red Devils BATTERED the Scousers THREE goals to NIL.

MANCHESTER UNITED 3
Brown 34', Ronaldo 79', Nani 81'

LIVERPOOL 0

Both team started with good football spirit with a lot of entertaining aggresive attacks especially from the Red Devils. The first booking was shown to Mascherano on his hard tackle on Paul Scholes. On the 34th minutes, defender Wes Brown hits the ball into the net off his back from Wayne Rooney's cross. On the stroke before half-time, the Man in Black sent Javier Masherano off the pitch for dissent (running about 20 yards to the ref asking "What has happened?" and got himself booked the second time). I should agree with Bennett's decision to book him and send him off. It is Masherano's fault who keeps on whining on an incident which doesn't concern him. Some more, the ref has warn him to shut up and fuck off but he just can't stop whining like a bitch. He left Bennett no choice but he After the incident, Steve Bennett got himself position into the centre of attention by the Scousers. He even refuse to award United a penalty on Jamie Carragher's miss-timed tackle on Rooney. Liverpool down to 10 men before the break. It's clear that Man United dominate the first half of the game.

Refreshed after the break, the Red Devils continue to dominate the possesion. Christiano Ronaldo scored his 34th goal and his first goal on the Scousers with a brilliant header delivery pass Reina and left the Scousers hopeless. Couple of minutes after that, Nani extended the lead by scoring the 3rd goal for United at the 81 minutes sending the fans crazy. Thundering applauses, songs and chants by the fans in Old Trafford and also don't forget the fans whose watching the match through the TV (like me), clapping hands and shouting out loud.

Match report from MANUTD.COM by Adam Bostock

I would like to experience the atmosphere at Old Trafford someday in the future. Watching the Red Army crushing its opponents.

The final whistle has blown at Stamford Bridge, end up with 3 goals. I was hoping for a draw so that it's hard for them to keep up, but instead the Blues gunned down Arsenal 2-1 and move themself up to the second spot leaving them 5 points behind the Champion.

It is a sad fact that Liverpool has never win the league title for 17 consecutive years and will continue long way. Most of the time they're struggling to get their ass on the 3rd to 5th position in the league. It's even almost impossible for them to climb up to the 2nd position, what to say to reach on the top of the league?

The Red Devils is unstoppable now, they even eliminates the Gunners from the FA Cup with a explosive score of 4 goals without reply!!!

Glory Glory Manchester United!!!

You Got Merk'd!

I've missed the match between Arsenal vs Manchester United last Saturday. It was a MUST SEE match for Manchester United fan like me - being a fan of Manchester United since I was still a kid. But then I have something more important to attend that evening, I went for a business preview event at Hilton. Something that I cannot miss because there are no replays and highlights available just like football where you can watch it on the TV or internet.

Being a fan and missed the big match against our fierce rival, I try to look for replays and highlights through the internet since I don't have an ASTRO. So I try to find it in youtube and metacafe because it's free.



Full match replays and highlights are available at Manchester United's Official Website, proudly broadcasting its own TV channel MUTV. But I don't have the money to pay for the subscription fee which cost:
₤ 4.00 per month (RM 27.8133)
&
₤ 40.00 per year (RM 278.254)
*converted using my favourite currency converter site XE.com

The match was highlighted at the front page of metacafe. So I try to look some other videos of Manchester United in youtube and I found something quite unusual and interesting. Looking at the title of the video "Punk'd... Merk'd... Wayne Rooney... ". Straight away thinking of the famous MTV hidden camera practical joke TV series - Punk'd - hosted by Ashton Kutcher which features pranks on celebrities.

And this time on FOOTBALLERS?!!!

Merk'd - a British version of Punk'd hosted by an English and Manchester United footballer RIO FERDINAND. Ferdinand intended to play pranks with the help of insiders on his fellow English lads shortly before the World Cup of 2006. The show also known as World Cup Wind-Ups.

Just like Punk'd, the prank would end up with the catchphrase
You Got Merk'd!!!

- Merk'd English Footballers -

(Listed in the order of from Striker to the Goal Keeper)

- Striker -
Wayne Rooney: found responsible for the death of an ill dog own by a fan.
(Insider: Girlfriend)


Peter Crouch: thinks that he's about to witness a violent brawl between an Indian businessman and Russian gangsters.
(Insider: Robbie Fowler)


- Midfielder -
Shaun Wright-Phillips: gets an Italian restaurant worker fired.
(Insider: John Terry)


David Beckham: late for a meeting caused by the driver.
(Insider: None)


- Defender -
Gary Neville: get his car checked and charged with traffic tickets.
(Insider: Ryan Giggs)


Ashley Cole: accused of erasing a track that was ready to be released.
(Insider: None)


- Goalkeeper -
David James: accused of breaking an artwork made by a French artist.
(Insider: None)