Season 08/09

Once again, the season has finally come to a close. No matter what we do we will never change what has already gone down on the history books. Barcelona are the kings of Europe. Shakhtar are the last winners of the Uefa Cup. Manchester United are the champions of England and the world. Chelsea are the holders for England's oldest competition. These are the facts and will be what the 2008/2009 season is remembered for. Here are the season recaps for selected teams:

• Manchester United-Began the season slowly but gradually picked it up and got their season on track. They started the season as defending champions of Europe and England. They were looking to equal Liverpool's 18 league titles. To begin the season, they went to Japan and brushed aside teams from all over the world, winning the Fifa Club World Cup. It was a different story, however, for the Red Devils in the Premier League. Liverpool were leading the league table by 8 points. But due to a few slip-ups by Liverpool, Man U went on to win the league after drawing at home to Arsenal. They were knocked out of the FA Cup by Everton in the semi-finals. They won the 'League Cup' early in the season to firmly have their sights on all five titles. In their last game of the season, Manchester United looked to defend their European crown from FC Barcelona in Rome. They failed, though, like many other teams who have tried. Even so, Man U have had a season to remember and they will no doubt look to have a season like this one again.
• Liverpool FC-They have failed to shine in previous seasons but this season will be a bright lamp in a dark room. They started the season as underdogs for the league title because they were out of the title race by February last season. Liverpool, however, were determined to win it this season and beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to end Chelsea's long-standing home unbeaten run. In fact, Liverpool were unbeaten in the league until they traveled to London and got beat by Tottenham. They did not face another defeat until a lost to Middlesbrough. They were knocked-out of the Champions league by Chelsea, leaving the Premier League as Liverpool's only source of silverware. They were really in control for most of the season, but blew it toward the end of the season, leaving Man U to the title, finishing 2nd. Although Liverpool did not get any silverware this season, they improved rather dramatically in terms of performances and consistancy and will hope to use this season as a stepping-stone for a successful campaign three months on.
• Chelsea FC-Chelsea overall will want to forget this season despite winning the FA Cup. They not only lost their home unbeaten record, they saw Stamford Bridge turn from a fortress to a hunting ground for teams such as Newcastle United. They were knocked out of the Champions League by eventual champions Barcelona. Chelsea now have got Carlo Ancelotti as manager and will look to improve on their performace next term. Premier League, beware!
• Arsenal-Have one of the youngest teams and lacked consistency. That was the story of Arsenal's campaign last season. For a while, it looked like Arsenal were not going to finish within the top four. Luckily, they picked it up towards the end of the season with the help of new recruit Arshavin and got the Champions League play-off place. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will have to come up with something new if his team are to do any better next season. But do not start to write them off just yet. They may pull a few surpises next season and could maybe be title contenders. Only time will tell. We will just have to wait and see.

My Grandmother

I was sobbing and broken-hearted when I first heard it. Yes, what I had heard over the phone from my mother was true! The curse of death had finally become a reality for me.

My grandmother was a very positive and brave woman. She inspired me when I was down, picked me up when I fell; yet she never boasted. She always said that it all due to Jesus that she was the woman she was. She was the perfect exmple of a god-fearing Christian.

Although my grandmother has left us and gone to be with the Lord, she has left a legacy so big that even a blind man can see it. I have the hope that we will one day meet her in heaven. Meanwhile, I will miss her very much. I love you, grandma!! See you in heaven!!!

Dalian

Yesterday, we got up while the sun was still dim and sleepy. After a not up-to-standard meal, we went to an oak flooring factory. It was interesting to see how oak flooring was cut, made, and laquered. We had a late lunch in a fantastically large room with a equally large table. The food, however, was worth the wait. We then took a plane to Shang Hai. Upon arriving in Shang Hai, we had dinner, then retired to our quarters.

The next morning, we had a Mcdonald's breakfast. We were planning to catch a bus to Zhou Zhuang, an ancient chinese village but missed it. In the end, we had to endure a three-hour long taxi ride to Zhou Zhuang. It was an eye-opening experience for me.

After the trip to Zhou Zhuang, we went to a place the locals call the 'copy market'. The things there were all fakes. Although everything there was outrageously cheap, I did not find anything to my taste. The next morning, we flew back to Malaysia.

This trip to China was a very enjoyable one. It gave me buckets full of experience and insight of a bussiness man's life. Futhermore, it took my relationship with my father to a higher level.

China Trip

Today we woke up rather late compared to the last few days. I woke up with a cheeky April's fools mood in the morning. After partaking of a lovely Chinese breakfast,which included the famous fried sweet-buns with condensed milk, we caught a 1 pm airplane flight from ShenZen to Dalian. The flight however was delayed by 30 minutes. According to my father, who was a regular on such flights, it was pretty normal to have a flight delayed in China. The sun had already set by the time we arrived at our destination. It was very cold there in Dalian so we decided to have 'hot pot' (steamboat) for dinner. We then retired to our rooms after a day mainly spent on traveling.

China

Today we are still in Shen Zhen, China. We started early as usual to visit factories. In fact, we visited two factories today. We came back to the hotel quite late. We had some time to shop though, in a place called the East Gate street. The prices there were so reasonable and cheap. Our beds were more than welcome by the end of the day.

My Page Pet

China

I am still in China with my father. Last night, we ate in a restaurant at the hotel. The food there was just perfect. We had all kinds of food and dishes. One of the highlights was the restaurant speciality-roasted pigeon. Another mouth-watering dish was the duck. I ate so much that my stomach did not feel too good before I slept. The next morning, we woke up early because we had to visit a factory three hours away from the hotel we are staying in. It was a cool and dull day. I had the chance to sit in a real meeting with the boss of the factory. I also saw how wood products were made, painted, and touched upped. That was it for today. We were rather tired by the end of the day.

Digital Clock

Get your own Digital Clock

Roadkill!!!

This is a picture of me and my brother lying in the middle of the road waiting to be runned down by a car......

Mind you, it was actually a road block near my house because they were putting up a pedestrian bridge so we had some fun and took these pictures.

Hong Kong China Trip

I am on a trip with my father to Hong Kong and China. Yesterday, we went up to the peak, a mountain with a nice view on Hong Kong Island. We ate at a restaurant called The Lookout. The food there was amazing, especially the fried soft-shelled crab. That night was really foggy and cold up on the hill. We got back to the hotel close to midnight. The next morning, we crossed the boarder from Hong Kong to China, Shen Zhen. It was really crowded. Heaps of people from Hong Kong were crossing over to China even on a Sunday. I realized that in China people did not care to follow traffic lights, whether pedestrian or driver. It is actually quite dangerous. It was a bit chilly today with the winds. Another notable thing was that most of China's shopping complexes were underground. I think this is a very good idea because it helps to save space and makes things look orderly. Overall it is a nice place. The environment is good too.

LFC vs Aston Villa

Liverpool continued their good form with a five goal thrashing of fifth placed Aston Villa. Villa, who are desperate to get a top four finish this season, were basically humiliated at the mighty hands of Liverpool. Liverpool are now just one point behind Man U and have a better goal difference, after Manchester United lost by two goals at Craven Cottage against Fulham.

The game was played at Anfield. The first goal came when Liverpool got a free kick outside the penalty box. Gerrard's free kick was a beauty and found Alonso, who headed against the woodwork. Kuyt however, was as quick as lightning to get to the rebound and he blasted the ball into the back of the net. Reina, who has proven himself as a good goalkeeper, decided to help out in attack! His kick found Reira nicely and the left-footed winger took the volley well to make it 2-0 to Liverpool. Still in the first half, Reira was brought down inside the box a penalty was awarded. Gerrard stepped up to take the penalty and he made no mistake in giving Liverpool a good lead going into half time.

Soon, the second half began and Liverpool were in a very comfortable position. Aston Villa could feel the pressure and clumsily gave Liverpool a free kick right outside the six-yard box. Gerrard placed the free kick nicely into the bottom corner, 4-0! For a third consecutive game, Liverpool had scored four goals. But it was not all over yet. Torres, who had a quiet night, broke clear of the Villa defence only to be brought down by goalkeeper Freidel. As a result of that, the Villa keeper was sent off and a second penalty of the game was given. Gerrard completed his hat-trick as he slotted home the penalty. It was fantastic game as Liverpool showed what they were made of. They brushed Villa aside gracefully with perfect ease. They played as if they were the reigning champions and could be just that if this form continues and they get a bit of luck.

Man U vs LFC

It was yet another day of joy down at the red half of Merceyside. After demolishing Real Madrid with four goals, Liverpool fc did not hold back at Old Trafford. Liverpool made Old Trafford their home on Saturday, scoring yet another quadruple of goals. Going into this one, the pressure was all on Liverpool. Sir Alex Ferguson surprised everyone by leaving local players Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes on the bench. Not long after kick off, Park Ji Sung rushed into the Liverpool penalty box and was brought down by Pepe Reina. The penalty was given. Cristiano Ronaldo then slotted home the penalty coolly and Manchester United had their dream perfect start. Shortly after the goal, a high clearance found the ball in Manchester's half. Torres made Vidic look like a tortoise when he zoomed past Vidic, taking the ball, and scoring. This was a classic El Nino goal. Just before half time, Gerrard was brought down inside the penalty box and a second penalty was given. Gerrard put Liverpool in front with his penalty.

Soon the second half began. After an exciting first half, everybody had high hopes for this second half. Manchester came out fighting fiercely, desperate for that goal that could change the game. Instead, Gerrard again broke clear but was brought down by Vidic just outside the box. Vidic received a second yellow card and was sent off. Aurelio then stepped up and scored with his favourite left foot. Towards the end, a goal kick from Reina found Dossenna who lobbed the ball over Van Da Sar into the goal. All the Manchester United keeper could do was watch the ball go in. Overall it was a brilliant performance by Liverpool and a good win.

Man U vs LFC preview

This weekend Liverpool will be travelling to Old Trafford for a mouth-watering fixture with league leaders Manchester United. Liverpool will be looking to build on that 4-0 trashing of Real Madrid earlier in the week, but no doubt Manchester United will be the more confident team. Benitez will probably surprise us with another of his rotation plans, but to be fair to Rafa, if it works like it did against Real, nobody will care! Sir Alex Ferguson will put out his usually strong and somewhat invincible side. This game could mean the whole Premier League season to either side. If Liverpool are not already out of the title chase already, they certainly will be if they lose or even draw. On the other hand, things could look much brighter for Liverpool if they can overcome Manchester United. This could also be a history changing game. Liverpool are currently the most successful team in English history with 19 titles in total, but Manchester United can equal that record if they win the title this year. They will most certainly do that if they pick up a win this weekend. We can only hope that this game will live up to its name. If it does, we are all in for a treat!! No matter what people might say, this is a very big game for both teams and the players will definitely be worked up for this one.

School holiday

The school holidays are finally coming. I can't wait for it. After weeks of studying and exams, it is finally time to take a break and relax. Going to school now is a complete dread because I am looking forward so much to the school holidays. I seriously do not know how my parents can work non-stop without taking breaks!!! Being an adult can be very stressing!! Thank you dad and mum!!!

Quarter-finals here we come!!!!

Real Madrid really need to reformat after a poor display at Anfield against Liverpool fc. They offered little if not no threat to Liverpool and suffered a 4-0 mauling. Their misery began even before the game at Anfield began due to their 0-1 loss at home two weeks ago. Soon the game was underway. It did not take long for Liverpool to score with Real Madrid's poor defencing, Torres scoring. Gerrard was starting his 100th European game. When Abeloa chested down a high ball inside Madrid's penalty box, former Manchester United man Gabriel Heinze handled the ball with his hand. The referee did not hesitate to give a penalty and yellow carded Heinze. Gerrard, who is always cool as a cucumber, stepped up and slotted home the penalty by sending Casillas the wrong way. Liverpool went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

After 15 minutes in the company of their managers, the players came back out for the second half. Liverpool started off from where they left off and were on the attack immediately. Good foot work from Babel, who was causing a tremendous amount of trouble to the team in white's defenders, brought him clear of the real madrid defence. He then crossed it in for Gerrard who took it beautifully on the half volley and putting the third goal past the Spanish giants, 3-0! The look on the Real Madrid player's faces summed up their weak performance, but Liverpool were not done yet. Gerrard was the substituted out for the bright youth Spearings and Alonso came off for Dossena. Things started to get better for Real Madrid now attacking mostly through substitute Van Da Vaart. Torres had a good chance late on and did well to force a save out of Inker Casillas. Torres was then taken off with the game at Old Trafford in mind. A low cross from Masherano to Dossena set up the fourth and final goal. The only set back in this game was that Masherano recieved a yellow card that will make him miss out on the first leg of the quarter-finals. This game, though, will forever stay in the minds of the world of football as a game in which 5 time champions Liverpool inflicted a defeat so painful and humiliating to Europe's most successful club that even a Liverpool fan could feel for them.

LFC vs Chelsea

Liverpool have earned a well deserved victory to go within two points of leaders Manchester United, although the league leaders have a game in hand. Right from the start it was non-stop action with Liverpool playing comfortably, making Chelsea players work hard for the ball.

The first clear cut chance fell to Liverpool's Spanish midfield maestro. He got the ball just outside the box and had a go. Peter Cech had to push the ball out for a corner, lucky to have denied Xabi Alonso yet another goal against Chelsea. Not long later, Javier Masherano, who wants to refind his last year's form, hit a tame grounder that Cech failed to handle properly. The Chelsea shot stopper was not looking at his very best but was again lucky to get away with it. Through out the rest of the first half, Liverpool dominated but were denied any chance to get a good shot on goal by Chelsea, with Alex among most of the last ditch challenges.

In the second half, Liverpool continued from where they left off. It was rather suprising to see no substitutions by either managers. It was mid-way through the second half when things really changed in favor of Liverpool due to a bad refereeing desision. The ball was hit by Dirk Kuyt and deflected off a Chelsea player, leaving the bal bouncing loosely. Frank Lampard then seemed to tackle Alonso and was wrongly sent off. Towards the end, Torres striked two times to give Liverpool a 2-0 win.