You'll Never Walk Alone (2)
Now, we are left with Henry of Boston Red Sox and local boy Peter Lim of Wilmar - our very own hero who has increased his offer - cash with no borrowings. Let's root for him and of course Peter being who he is can go it alone but to give greater flavours he can rope in others to help promote our culture. Liverpool's kit will then be full of words designed and blended to take on all sponsors big and small. Wilmar in front, Singapore Pools behind, Creative on one sleeve, Tiger on the other. Kopitiam on one shoulder, Breadtalk on another. Ya Kun can use a collar and many others. Let's wish him and Liverpool well. Fandi's talented sons can then play at Anfield someday.
Liverpool will be great again for You'll Never Walk Alone!
"When you walk through a storm, Hold your head up high. And don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of a storm, There's a golden sky. And the sweet silver song of a lark. Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain. Though your dream be tossed and blown...Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart. And you'll never walk alone...You'll never walk alone. Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart. And you'll never walk alone...You'll never walk alone."
In fact, Liverpool's anthem can be aptly applied to many situation in our lives regardless of circumstances.
Israeli Connection
At one time, Liverpool used to train in Israel during the pre-season and has signed a couple of Israeli internationals. Avi Cohen if you remember was the first. It was in the 80s and Avi could hold his own at the level. His son Tamir is now playing for Bolton. Avi's biggest moment was in a game that Liverpool needed to win to clinch the Championship and he scored 2 goals in Liverpool's 4-1 victory. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO09GoRVqac. Yossi Benayoun is a genius - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SOuo5wys7A. Others well-known Israeli players are Yossi Benayoun (West Ham/Liverpool/Chelsea), Ben Sahar (Chelsea/QPR), Tal Ben Haim (Bolton/Chelsea/Man City/Sunderland/Portsmouth/West Ham), another Liverpool player Ronny Rosenthal and the also very impressive Eyal Berkovic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW0x2TJfUd0. Rosenthal joined Liverpool in 1990 becoming the first non-British player to move for than a million pounds. After four years, her moved to Tottenham and Watford later.
Eyal Berkovic is a gifted, highly intelligent midfielder with great ability and vision. He is quite spectacular to watch and full of grace. Berkovic played for Maccabi Haifa and moved to Southampton in 1996 and had a famous game where he led Southampton to a thumping 6-3 win over Manchester United in a great upset in which he scored twice and had three assists. later, he moved on to West Ham, Celtic, Manchester City, Portsmouth and West Ham. At Manchester City he helped them beat Man United 3-1 scoring a goal.
Another world famous person related to soccer is football agent Pini Zahavi. His reputation is in his big jobs in changed ownership of clubs like Chelsea and Portsmouth. In other words, he could not only trade the world's best and biggest players, he traded clubs too therefore, making him a super agent. He was known to have humbly said: "I just bring people together and get paid a commission if a deal is struck". I too often bring people together but never got rich from it. Sigh. Zahavi is associated with man big names - Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish, Terry Venables, Alex Ferguson, Rio Ferdinand, Juan Sebastian Veron, Jaap Stam, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Roman Abramovich to name a few and it was the deal to took Eyal Berkovic from Maccabi Haifa to Southampton and then to West Ham which probably started his ascend. A journey of a thousand miles begin with the first step. He is a trusted member of the inner circle of Chelsea owner Abramovich.
Another is manager Avram Grant who from Israel joined Portsmouth as Director of Football before joining Chelsea in the same capacity before becoming manager when Jose Mourinho left. Later, he moved back to Portsmouth and finally West Ham.
Another is manager Avram Grant who from Israel joined Portsmouth as Director of Football before joining Chelsea in the same capacity before becoming manager when Jose Mourinho left. Later, he moved back to Portsmouth and finally West Ham.
I was told that in Israel, given the nature of their more hostile environment that frequently saw violence, parents would make everyone hug and forgive one another each day before they left home especially when there were disagreement among siblings. The reason is simply sometimes, they may not get home and you may never see each other again. I thought this is a very good practice that all of us should apply even in our more peaceful countries. We should all do it everyday at home and at work where all is forgiven. Even when there is no war or violence, truly we may not see each other again when we depart. Why wait for the new year or something to happen. Hopefully, all the fighting would stop and everyone can just play more soccer.
England
While England Under-21 has qualified for the UEFA Under-21 Championships Finals in 2011 holding Romania to a 0-0 draw. Their first leg 2-1 win was enough. Like I have mentioned before, England at U-21 are always faring better than their senior side who limped to a goalless draw at home to Montenegro. Joe Hart had little to do so may be that's why he was caught drinking too much at a bar. Glen Johnson is such a delight when attacking and he can popped up anywhere even to score a goal but he can be as frustrating in defending as he left gaps behind. Why don't they just convert him into a midfielder or winger? Food for thought? Rio Ferdinand is back after what? A year? He's a very good and classy defender but only if he's available more often. Ashley Cole is frankly probably England's best player by a mile due to his consistency even when his team is not playing well. He is adapt in defence and fantastic in attack always given problems to opponents. He uses the ball extremely well. Gareth Barry is good but good in releasing the ball fast but he is slow. He will have to do more or is he there because they can't find anyone who can hold the ball? Peter Crouch has been a good goal scorer for England even acrobatic ones but for someone with his height, he could easily jump and head a helicopter into the net. Why is he losing aerial battle to dwarfs six inches shorter. Because he could only jump 5 inches while others jump a foot. It is time to forget about SWP and it is time to drop Wayne Rooney. If SWP and Rooney were to be England's answer, I wonder what was the question. Well, there is still Steven Gerrard. If SWP and Rooney continue to play like that what difference would it make to try out many other youngsters or possible replacements. Rooney has not been in form since a very long time so why did he continued to get picked? Adam Johnson has a bright future.
A Tribute To Dollah Kassim
Dollah was from the generation with the most talented players who play with passion and a love for the game. I saw him played for Geylang International and Singapore on countless occasions and met him on election rally grounds around Hougang during election. As a player, Dollah has a unique style of dribbling. He used to caress the ball and from free-kicks just outside the penalty box, he usually floated tha ball with such accuracy at the top corners. That goal versus Pahang takes the cake as probably nobody in this world can or will score a goal like that. Cheekiness, intelligence, control and absolute masterclass.
He has given us so much joy. There will never be another Gelek King. RIP Dollah.
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