EPL Game Week 26
Malaysia Super League
You can see what a bit of bold thinking and a tweak here and there can change things. Singapore was lack lustre and predictable because they used Agu Casmir as a lone striker. He may be strong but not as fast or nimble and usually static and they would just pumped the ball for him to hold and wait for support.
You must have an element of surprise and that was what shook Malaysia Cup winner Negri Sembilan. The first 20 minutes was good as Singapore rained attacks at them. Anuar Sufian was fearless and a constant menace running tirelessly, he was nimble and he was quick. Singapore's right side was very good with Jumaat Jantan and Shahdan Suleiman combining well with the latter using the ball very well. Shahdan is talented. Negri could not have scored if Singapore didn't back-pedalled towards the end. Well done! Playing this way will get the fans back in droves. Another gutsy away performance in that 2-1 win over 2nd placed Perak has put us in good stead. When Khairul Amri returns we can be even better.
EPL Game Week 26
Spotlight On Liverpool
Everybody read that Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish have stated they both Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez should have that handshake in the pre-game routine and then on match day, all eyes were on them and we could see Suarez shaking hands one by one and when he reached Evra, he went over to the next person skipping Evra therefore missing the opportunity to bury the past. He came forth to apologise for his behaviour since and what Evra did could not be exonerated as he intentionally celebrate wildly in front of Suarez after the match. Both childish acts.
Everybody read that Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish have stated they both Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez should have that handshake in the pre-game routine and then on match day, all eyes were on them and we could see Suarez shaking hands one by one and when he reached Evra, he went over to the next person skipping Evra therefore missing the opportunity to bury the past. He came forth to apologise for his behaviour since and what Evra did could not be exonerated as he intentionally celebrate wildly in front of Suarez after the match. Both childish acts.
Then I saw on face book, friends who posted the clips of what happened and it suggested that Evra was play-acting. He withdrew his hand when Suarez came near and when Suarez passed him, he extended his hand to pull Suarez's hand who then promptly shook him off. Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80Oed8OT4vw and another take on that handshake:
Before you accuse me of being a racist, I was alerted by my Indian friends on face book that Evra was insincere. May be they are Liverpool fans. Instead of watching soccer, we were watching handshakes. Sigh.
In previous weeks' column, I suggested strongly that Suarez has become a liability. Latin Americans are hot headed? Suarez has a history of troubles. He has guile to match his skills but he will take 7 attempts to score a goal though he had scored 4-in-a-game for Uruguay before. Before Benitez was sacked, everyone was rooting for Dalglish to take over. What do you think now of the Liverpool legend? I think he has failed to rein in control and read the riots act to his player. WNWA means We'll Never Walk Alone but some Liverpool fans are telling me it's more like We'll Never Win Anything. But then there FA Cup 6-1 romp over Brighton gave some hope.
In previous weeks' column, I suggested strongly that Suarez has become a liability. Latin Americans are hot headed? Suarez has a history of troubles. He has guile to match his skills but he will take 7 attempts to score a goal though he had scored 4-in-a-game for Uruguay before. Before Benitez was sacked, everyone was rooting for Dalglish to take over. What do you think now of the Liverpool legend? I think he has failed to rein in control and read the riots act to his player. WNWA means We'll Never Walk Alone but some Liverpool fans are telling me it's more like We'll Never Win Anything. But then there FA Cup 6-1 romp over Brighton gave some hope.
Chelsea v Bolton - Do not bet on who is to win this one. It's a no brainer. Bolton played at home and lost to bottom last team Wigan. What hope is there unless you face Chelsea? Even Everton could beat them 2-0. Better to bet if Andrea Villas Boas will still be around much longer. Chelsea seems to have totally lost the plot. They are an unhappy team. A happy team do not work like that. Still they should be a bit too strong for the visitors. 2-0. Torres to finally score as Drogba will be back? Don't bet on it judging from their 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham in the FA Cup. I suspect the players wanted him sacked before they start playing.
Newcastle v Wolves - Is Tottenham so awesome to have thrashed Newcastle 5-0 or did the Magpies self-destruct? Besides, Harry Redknapp, Alan Pardew himself has performed a miracle but they are not the usual Newcastle this season and should be allowed to have a few lapses here and there. Wolves themselves were worse crumbling 1-5 to WBA. It is not going to be a 5-5 draw. Time for the Toon Army to celebrate again. 3-1 to the home team with Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse to score.
QPR v Fulham - QPR is in real danger of slipping away after the 3-2 loss to fellow struggler Blackburn while Fulham kept themselves in 12th place with an important 2-1 win over Stoke. As this is a London Derby with full bragging rights, I pick a draw since Fulham is away. 2-2. Clinton Dempsey is fine form and he could score again.
WBA v Sunderland - An in-form WBA face-off with a resurgent Sunderland still smarting from that 1-2 home defeat to the Gunners. O'Neill has brought them from no-hopers to 9th and going strong. A hard game for both sides. Do not be surprise is Sunderland wins as they have beaten Arsenal 2-0 in the FA Cup. 1-1.
Wigan v Villa - Wigan is last but they showed they will fight to the death when they beat Bolton away while Villa lost narrowly to Man City. It is hard for teams like Wigan to sustain. Villa is due a win with Robbie Keane to score. 1-2.
Manchester City v Blackburn - No matter how well Blackburn can play, the field is tilted and always more difficult for them. City must seal the win to keep in front of the chasing pack. 2-0.
Arsenal v Tottenham - They play the best soccer. Arsenal must win to stay in 4th while Tottenham must win to try to catch Man U. A draw will do both no good. This will be a great testament for English soccer and the EPL since both are attacking teams of the highest order. Both did not do themselves justice when Arsenal lost 0-2 to Sunderland and Tottenham was held 0-0 in the FA Cup by Stevenage. Arsenal is now in a terrible situation having been trounced 0-4 by AC Milan while England should not expect miracles from Harry. Arsenal's only hope is to get into 4th spot. This is the bigger London Derby plus neither deserve to loose so the result could be 2-2 draw as both are capable of scoring. van Persie and Bale to score.
Norwich v Manchester United - The Canaries are doing really well and you will agree if you had watched that pulsating 3-2 away win over Swansea. They could give the Red Devils a real game at home if they do not give them too much respect. Sir Alex Ferguson (SAF) played his hypocritical card when he said Suarez should not play for Liverpool again. Eric Cantona gave a flying "kung-fu" kick to a fan (even if the fan was wrong) but after serving his ban SAF played him. What Cantona did was equal to say a McDonald's counter staff flying over the counter to attack a customer and worse since it was in full view of tens of thousands. There are hyprocrites everywhere in this world. All self-righteous and holier than thou. Nothing seems real. United has just been back from Europe and may be tired. 2-2.
Stoke v Swansea - Stoke blew hot and cold while Swansea gave themselves credit even when they lost 2-3 to Norwich. 1-2 as I pick the attacking soccer of Swansea fronted by Scott Sinclair, Dyer and Danny Graham to triumph.
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