Saturday, August 09, 2008
My True Blue Adventure!
My training cum match date with my Chelsea boys was slightly more than a week ago and yes, still no entry. I should really write one real soon shouldn't I, before it gets old. I'm still in yay-i-watched-chelsea-LIVE mode but the excitement has expectedly died down a little.
The tripwas is awesome! Seeing them play LIVE is rather surreal. Because i know I have mentioned too many times that I'd like to see them play LIVE. But I've never really thought it'd happen. BUT it did, it did. And i was a HAPPY SFQ when it did!
So i will try to recount details of the trip via pictures I've taken. Please close one eye and not be bothered by the lack of quality of the pictures. Thank you very much (:
...because when Michael started to walk in, somehow people from behind managed to squeezed themselves in front of me. And even the tiptoed me couldn't see whats happening. So all i got was a picture of people holding up their camera...
...or so i thought! When i was looking at all the pictures again for the 10th or 11th time, i realised that Michael is indeed in the picture i took! ok, more like the back of his head. But that's good enough.
Can i be a sports reporter when i grow up? So i can go to press conferences and score chances to interview sportsmen. And maybe sent to places to cover news on the World Cup or EURO Cup. Or even sent to Stamford Bridge to cover a Chelsea FC match.
I may not get any autographs of the players. But i have the pretty training pass for keepsake! And i placed it right next to my bed so i'd be constantly reminded of the awesome 2 days I had with my Chelsea boys. And i still wear it sometimes, because i like the feel of it around my neck.
TV usually only show snippets of training sessions. But we saw the whole 1+ hours of it. From the warming up, to the practice match to the warming down. And i get to see John Terry, all fit and tall.
Yes, I was THAT far. But with the help of the person next to me, we managed to figure out who is who.
Petr Cech during his training with the goalkeeper coach.
Even Stamford, the Chelsea mascot, was there.
Ballack and Deco. Ballack is freaking tall. Freaking.
I like how the players moved like they did on tv. It'd make me appreciate them more i think, the next time i watch them on TV. Like how Lamps kinda slouched and put his hand on his waist before taking a free kick. and then move back a little before kicking the ball down low with a move that is uniquely his. and how JT looked so calm, collected and cool when he tackled a player off the ball. Ah!
Even the LIVE Lamps looked alot like the TV Lamps when he did that arms up, clap pose. Again, a fraction of a second too late. He was looking over at my side just a few millisecond before this shot was taken.
Sheva. I pity this guy. He's really having a psychological battle, with himself. Which explains the many lacklustre performances. But i'd still like to see him do good.
Steve Clarke (asst manager) and Michael Essien, the hardworker.
Wayne Bridge, Obi Mikel. Err, i don't know who is the third guy. I was contemplating if it's Franco Di Santo. But i highly doubt so.
Ricardo Carvalho! I like this guy. But then again, i always have a liking for defenders. And i wondered if the guy behind him is Franco Di Santo. Even if Di Santo is the one in this picture or the picture before, the shots didn't do justice to him. So I just have to post a picture of him i found online.
I save the best for the last - John Terry!
One of my favourite part of the trip has to be meeting other Chelsea fans from all over. Like Tiffany and her mum, who are Malaysians. We first met them in the train on the way to Shah Alam. They spotted my dad's Chelsea shirt and asked if we're heading to the stadium and that we should stop at that station. Or else, we would have missed the stop.
Petr Cech, warming up before the match.
We got a pretty good view, much better than we had during training session.
I like how the Malaysian fans proudly put on the Malaysian team kits and support the team with so much passion and zest. Even those with the Chelsea jerseys still root for the Malaysian team when the players attacked.
What i like about LIVE matches is you can choose what you'd like to see. As opposed to watching matches on TV, where you see whatever view the TV people chooses for you. In LIVE matches at the stadium, you can look at what your goalie is doing even when the ball is at the other side of the pitch, and scream "Cudicini! what are you doing so far out from the box?!"
This was a few minutes after Wright-Phillips was fouled.
Frank Lampard, about to take a free kick. I like it when this dude takes free kicks. And corner kicks.
The stadium was almost fully filled.
And the match ended 2-0 to Chelsea.
And another poster found near the stadium. Apparently the organiser didn't distribute it but just left it on the floor. So a few of us, me included, saw them lying helplessly on the floor and gladly picked them up. Yayy.
Totally.
The trip
So i will try to recount details of the trip via pictures I've taken. Please close one eye and not be bothered by the lack of quality of the pictures. Thank you very much (:
1) Supposed autograph signing session with Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard
Supposed, because it never happened. The papers reported that there will be an autograph session with the 2 players at an Adidas shop in a mall in KL. But it ended up to be a private event where only authorised figures can enter, which really is a bummer. Because we stood there for freaking 1.5 hours. But then again, i heard some fans waited for more than 3 hours.
Even when we found out the autograph session wasn't going to happen, I still insisted on staying. I wanted to catch a glimpse of the 2 players. I know I'd get to catch more than one glimpse of them during the training and match. But i'm just kiasu that way.
Unfortunately, I didn't get that glimpse. It went too fast and the crowd were unbelievably more kiasu than me. Lamps didn't even show up ok. Only Michael Ballack did.
I was about 3 people away from the front row. I tried to snap a picture and see if i'd get at least a picture of his face. From this shot, i thought chances were pretty good. But that was pretty naive of me...
...because when Michael started to walk in, somehow people from behind managed to squeezed themselves in front of me. And even the tiptoed me couldn't see whats happening. So all i got was a picture of people holding up their camera...
Can i be a sports reporter when i grow up? So i can go to press conferences and score chances to interview sportsmen. And maybe sent to places to cover news on the World Cup or EURO Cup. Or even sent to Stamford Bridge to cover a Chelsea FC match.
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2) Chelsea FC training session at Shah Alam Stadium, 28 July 2008
I may not get any autographs of the players. But i have the pretty training pass for keepsake! And i placed it right next to my bed so i'd be constantly reminded of the awesome 2 days I had with my Chelsea boys. And i still wear it sometimes, because i like the feel of it around my neck.
Thanks to the supposed autograph session that never happened, we reached the stadium late. The players are already out on the pitch. BUT i was still happy. Very happy. Because that was the first time i set my sight on my Chelsea boys. And not via a TV screen, mind you. Though i can hardly make out the faces of the players, seeing them LIVE still feel pretty good.
My two favouritest goalie EVER - Carlo Cudicini and Petr Cech. I always somehow snapped pictures a fraction of a second too late. Else, I would have gotten snapshot of their faces.
My two favouritest goalie EVER - Carlo Cudicini and Petr Cech. I always somehow snapped pictures a fraction of a second too late. Else, I would have gotten snapshot of their faces.
TV usually only show snippets of training sessions. But we saw the whole 1+ hours of it. From the warming up, to the practice match to the warming down. And i get to see John Terry, all fit and tall.
Yes, I was THAT far. But with the help of the person next to me, we managed to figure out who is who.
Petr Cech during his training with the goalkeeper coach.
Even Stamford, the Chelsea mascot, was there.
Ballack and Deco. Ballack is freaking tall. Freaking.
I like how the players moved like they did on tv. It'd make me appreciate them more i think, the next time i watch them on TV. Like how Lamps kinda slouched and put his hand on his waist before taking a free kick. and then move back a little before kicking the ball down low with a move that is uniquely his. and how JT looked so calm, collected and cool when he tackled a player off the ball. Ah!
Even the LIVE Lamps looked alot like the TV Lamps when he did that arms up, clap pose. Again, a fraction of a second too late. He was looking over at my side just a few millisecond before this shot was taken.
Deco! I tried taking lots of shots of Deco, because Sheena is a fan of his. But sorry Sheena, most of the shots i got are all very blur.
Deco is definitely a promising player and one to watch when season starts. He really impressed me, during training AND match.
Sheva. I pity this guy. He's really having a psychological battle, with himself. Which explains the many lacklustre performances. But i'd still like to see him do good.
Steve Clarke (asst manager) and Michael Essien, the hardworker.
Wayne Bridge, Obi Mikel. Err, i don't know who is the third guy. I was contemplating if it's Franco Di Santo. But i highly doubt so.
Ricardo Carvalho! I like this guy. But then again, i always have a liking for defenders. And i wondered if the guy behind him is Franco Di Santo. Even if Di Santo is the one in this picture or the picture before, the shots didn't do justice to him. So I just have to post a picture of him i found online.
Girls, meet Mr Good Looking. He's Argentinian and he's 19 years young.
Boys, meet Franco Di Santo. He's a striker, he plays some great football and scored a couple of goals during the pre-season Asian Tour.
I save the best for the last - John Terry!
One of my favourite part of the trip has to be meeting other Chelsea fans from all over. Like Tiffany and her mum, who are Malaysians. We first met them in the train on the way to Shah Alam. They spotted my dad's Chelsea shirt and asked if we're heading to the stadium and that we should stop at that station. Or else, we would have missed the stop.
After the training session, my dad and I, together with Tiffany and her mum, met a couple from Sabah and had a great time talking about all things Chelsea and lamented about the tragic loss agst manU during last season's Champions League Finals. It's comforting to know that they were equally distraught as i was.
It feels really good, being in a place with sooooo many Chelsea fans.
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3) Match Day - Chelsea vs Malaysia, 29 July 2008
I'm so keeping the match tix! And laminate it. Or frame it. Or something.
I'm so keeping the match tix! And laminate it. Or frame it. Or something.
Petr Cech, warming up before the match.
We got a pretty good view, much better than we had during training session.
I can figure out which player is which and see the numbers and names on the back of their jerseys. Thanks to Tiffany! Who saved us 2 seats. In fact, Tiffany helped us alot throughout our True Blue adventure. Chelsea fans are such nice people (:
I like how the Malaysian fans proudly put on the Malaysian team kits and support the team with so much passion and zest. Even those with the Chelsea jerseys still root for the Malaysian team when the players attacked.
My Chelsea boys rock clocks though. They played awesome, in my eyes at least. I've gotten feedback from other fans who said Chelsea didn't play good this match. But I think they played great. I'm probably blinded by the fact that i'm freaking watching my boys play LIVE. I insist on only seeing the good and see past anything bad.
What i like about LIVE matches is you can choose what you'd like to see. As opposed to watching matches on TV, where you see whatever view the TV people chooses for you. In LIVE matches at the stadium, you can look at what your goalie is doing even when the ball is at the other side of the pitch, and scream "Cudicini! what are you doing so far out from the box?!"
And I can even hear the players shouting at one another. Brilliant.
This was a few minutes after Wright-Phillips was fouled.
Frank Lampard, about to take a free kick. I like it when this dude takes free kicks. And corner kicks.
The stadium was almost fully filled.
Atmosphere was breath-taking. Though I'd still like to experience the atmosphere in Stamford Bridge.
What's not fun is when we were queueing to enter the stadium. The crowd got pretty rowdy. There was alot of cutting queues and pushing. But we got in unscathed, so all is good.
And the match ended 2-0 to Chelsea.
Experience is needless to say, PRICELESS.
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he, who agreed to come along for the True Blue Adventure. I have the bestest dad in the whole wide world, no kidding.
I got this poster from the Chelsea fan from Sabah i met during the training session. I'll take any souvenior i can get. Jersey from John Terry seems too much to ask for. So poster is good enough.
And another poster found near the stadium. Apparently the organiser didn't distribute it but just left it on the floor. So a few of us, me included, saw them lying helplessly on the floor and gladly picked them up. Yayy.
Totally.
And I'm looking forward to the next season which officially starts next weekend!
(:
Labels: chelsea
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Letter from Terry
Taken from Chelsea FC official site :
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John Terry has written an open letter to Chelsea fans following the Champions
League Final.
The Chelsea captain wrote:
"To all the Chelsea fans, all my team-mates, the manager and staff at the club.
I am so sorry for missing the penalty and denying you the fans, my team-mates, family and friends the chance to become European champions.
Many people have told me I don't need to say that but I feel I need to, that's just me. I have relived that moment every minute since it happened. I have only slept a few hours and wake up every time hoping it's all been a bad dream.
I have had some amazing support from fans, current and ex-players, family and friends and I need to thank everyone for that. But I am a big man and I take
responsibility for us not winning.
I am and ALWAYS will be Chelsea through and through. (SFQ's thoughts: He's staying!!) I will give my all on and off the pitch to win this trophy as a player and one day as a manager. And I am sure we will win it.
That night in Moscow will haunt me forever and I feel I have let everybody down and this hurts me more than anything. I am not ashamed about crying. This is a
trophy I have tried so hard year after year to win and it was just an
uncontrollable reaction, I wear my heart on my sleeve, everybody knows that.
The road to Rome starts here, we have to try and turn this experience to
our advantage. I am very proud of how far we have come this season with everything that has gone on.
Thank you for all your support for the team this season."
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And now, Avram Grant's contract as team manager has been terminated. I really don't know how i feel about that. I used to despise that fellow. But I've grown to respect him. He must have been hated by thousand thousands of Chelsea fans when he took over from Jose. Although technically, it is not Grant's fault that Jose had to leave. Jose is afterall our beloved manager, the Special One. I wouldn't say Grant did a brilliant job because it seemed that Jose already built a solid team and Grant simply enjoyed that benefit. But I admire the fact that he stayed rooted and unfazed. That he kept on going, although people (Chelsea fans, included) taunted him and labelled him as the Normal One and the Grumpy One. Thank you Avram, for the things you have done for the club. Getting to the UCL finals was such an incredible feat. Thank you.
This season has been a long, crazy rollercoaster ride. But i enjoyed it, very much. Chelsea, I'll miss you. And I shall see you again in August for Season 08/09.
Let's keep the blue and white flag flying high (:
Labels: avram grant, chelsea, john terry
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Cupless
So Chelsea didnt win the UCL. The loss has been quite hard to swallow.
What's worse than losing is losing via penalty shootouts. The ultimate nightmare.
Knowing Chelsea's bad penalty-shootout reputation, I was a nervous wreck. Alas, the Cup wasn't meant to be ours. But that didn't stop me from being a complete emotional mess.
I refused to do leceh work.
I poured out my sadness of losing, to workmates who didn't care at all about football.
And my voice quivered when doing so.
I snapped at Muhaini for wearing a red-black (United's colours) top.
In other words, I was pathetic. Was.
I'm more sane now. It's comforting to know that I have friends who really do care. One called me early in the morning to check on me. Check if i'm handling the loss well. One SMSed at noon to check if I'm doing ok. Another warned me to stay away from newpaper (pictures of manU lifting the cup would just destroy me). And another steered my view away from a stranger wearing manU jersey.
What's depressing about this loss is the fact that it is the third time this season that we finished second best in competitions - first, Carling Cup to Tottenham. then, the Premiere League to manU. Now, UCL to manU.
So, cupless this season. After 3 seasons of winning silverwares. That must have been hard to digest for the fair-weather fans. I, for one, am proud to say that my affection for Chelsea has not deteriorated. I'm still a true blue.
John Terry, it's really ok that you missed that penalty. Be proud, for you lead the team with much character and determination. Be proud, for you certainly have tons of guts to step up, take that ball and attempt to slot it in the net. Yes, if you had done so, we would end up winners. But honestly, where will "what if's" bring us to? And after the million things you have done for us, - being a great motivational captain and showing great attitude by playing on even when you're clearly injured- missing that shootout is peanuts. Costly peanuts. But peanuts, nevertheless. So chins up terry, as what Jose would say. You did not disappoint us. And don't be fazed by insensitive people who mock at you for crying.
Ah, such an emotional season for Chelsea. And now, no Chelsea till August. That's depressing.
"All the season, what we have done together, we can be very proud - but because we don't have another game now, it will take a long time to get over the pain."
-- Avram Grant
What's worse than losing is losing via penalty shootouts. The ultimate nightmare.
Knowing Chelsea's bad penalty-shootout reputation, I was a nervous wreck. Alas, the Cup wasn't meant to be ours. But that didn't stop me from being a complete emotional mess.
I refused to do leceh work.
I poured out my sadness of losing, to workmates who didn't care at all about football.
And my voice quivered when doing so.
I snapped at Muhaini for wearing a red-black (United's colours) top.
In other words, I was pathetic. Was.
I'm more sane now. It's comforting to know that I have friends who really do care. One called me early in the morning to check on me. Check if i'm handling the loss well. One SMSed at noon to check if I'm doing ok. Another warned me to stay away from newpaper (pictures of manU lifting the cup would just destroy me). And another steered my view away from a stranger wearing manU jersey.
What's depressing about this loss is the fact that it is the third time this season that we finished second best in competitions - first, Carling Cup to Tottenham. then, the Premiere League to manU. Now, UCL to manU.
So, cupless this season. After 3 seasons of winning silverwares. That must have been hard to digest for the fair-weather fans. I, for one, am proud to say that my affection for Chelsea has not deteriorated. I'm still a true blue.
John Terry, it's really ok that you missed that penalty. Be proud, for you lead the team with much character and determination. Be proud, for you certainly have tons of guts to step up, take that ball and attempt to slot it in the net. Yes, if you had done so, we would end up winners. But honestly, where will "what if's" bring us to? And after the million things you have done for us, - being a great motivational captain and showing great attitude by playing on even when you're clearly injured- missing that shootout is peanuts. Costly peanuts. But peanuts, nevertheless. So chins up terry, as what Jose would say. You did not disappoint us. And don't be fazed by insensitive people who mock at you for crying.
Ah, such an emotional season for Chelsea. And now, no Chelsea till August. That's depressing.
"All the season, what we have done together, we can be very proud - but because we don't have another game now, it will take a long time to get over the pain."
-- Avram Grant
Labels: chelsea
Monday, May 05, 2008
Go Chelsea Go!
A random teacher said to me "Syafiqah! Tonight, how?"
I was taken aback for a while. Tonight? Since when i made plans with him tonight la. But oh, then i know. Tonight, 11pm, Newcastle vs Chelsea! Cheyyy. He added, "Chelsea can win or not?" Ha ha ha. "Can win la!"
That's probably the most number of words that the said teacher have said to me. It never cease to amaze me how people who hardly know each other can still communicate when it comes to footie. See, it's indeed a beautiful game. Because it turns strangers into friends. And another random teacher asked me the same question when he saw me "Chelsea can win or not?". "can la can la". He lamented that Arsenal is not in the running for the EPL cup anymore. So, I asked "But you rather Chelsea win than ManU right?" "Of course!" And that made me so happy. Ha Ha. Like me, he was cheering for West Ham to beat ManU last Saturday. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. So...Chelsea have to win tonight! And hope that Wigan beat manU in the final game and we win agst Bolton. There's hope, however little.
Ah, i like how Arsenal fans are rooting for us. And Liverpool's Carragher said he'd rather see Chelsea win the UCL than manU. Thanks for the love, people. I'd remember to root for you next time.
I was taken aback for a while. Tonight? Since when i made plans with him tonight la. But oh, then i know. Tonight, 11pm, Newcastle vs Chelsea! Cheyyy. He added, "Chelsea can win or not?" Ha ha ha. "Can win la!"
That's probably the most number of words that the said teacher have said to me. It never cease to amaze me how people who hardly know each other can still communicate when it comes to footie. See, it's indeed a beautiful game. Because it turns strangers into friends. And another random teacher asked me the same question when he saw me "Chelsea can win or not?". "can la can la". He lamented that Arsenal is not in the running for the EPL cup anymore. So, I asked "But you rather Chelsea win than ManU right?" "Of course!" And that made me so happy. Ha Ha. Like me, he was cheering for West Ham to beat ManU last Saturday. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. So...Chelsea have to win tonight! And hope that Wigan beat manU in the final game and we win agst Bolton. There's hope, however little.
Ah, i like how Arsenal fans are rooting for us. And Liverpool's Carragher said he'd rather see Chelsea win the UCL than manU. Thanks for the love, people. I'd remember to root for you next time.
Labels: chelsea
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Chelsea is through to the UCL finals!!
Chelsea will be playing in the UCL finals in Moscow!! And it'd be our FIRST EVER UCL finals! How exciting, how exciting. And to finally, finally beat Liverpool in the semis. After failing to do so twice. I guess there's some truth to the "three time's a charm/ third time lucky" theory.
An awesome 2nd leg semis, i must say. The match ended 3-2 in our favour after 30-mins extra time.
What's scary was when Babel scored in the 26/27th min of extra time. One more Liverpool goal, and it'd be them in and us out. I was so freaking nervous, I couldn't sit down for the last 5 minutes of the game and i bit my fingernails, after kicking that habit 10 years ago.
Few moments after the final whistle, the commentator said "there are heroes all over the pitch". I wholeheartedly agree.
Here's to the heroes on the pitch.
To Frank Lampard, for his bravery in stepping up to take the penalty. Lampsy, I'm sorry i selfishly doubted you for a second when you were about to take the penalty. I initially thought Ballack would be a better taker. But how blind i am, to not see how much scoring a goal would mean to you. A goal, that would be wrapped up as a gift for your late mum who passed away less than a week ago. A goal, that would give you some form of closure. So Lampsy, you very much deserve to take the penalty. And what a beautifully executed penalty that was. You're our hero (:
To Didier Drogba, for scoring 2 awesome goals and sealing us the trip to Moscow. Your determination and fierceness never fail to awe me.
To the awesome centreback partnership of Carvalho and JT. Yayyy to Carvalho for being on first-class top form for the past few matches.
To Petr Cech, for not chickening out after the head and recently, chin injury. People may laugh at you with your headgear on. But you look fine, really. And you still make good saves.
To Michael Essien, for working your bottom off every single match. Your work rate is admirable.
And because this entry would be ridiculously long if i mention anymore names, here's to the other Chelsea players. You are ALL heroes in my eyes. Great team effort being displayed. From the tight backline to the harmoniously-working midfielders to the tireless strikers. You guys are my favouritest favourites.
And let's not forget the Liverpool players. They gave a tough fight. and they do have their share of heroes.
And and, i have people to thank.
Thank you Mr.Benitez, for saying the things you've said about Drogba diving and the crap. You gave Drog the drive to work extra hard and score those 2 goals. So thank you.
Thank you Anelka, for being our super sub. You always surprise me with your contribution in any game, even when you fail to score. The assist you made for Drogba was brilliant.
Last but not least, thank you Mr.Avram Grant, for not giving up on us when we may have given up on you. I still hard-headedly think not all 100% credit should go to you. But you did contribute. And you help secure that finals for us. You did your job. A good job, i should add. Many fans may still be against having you with us next season. But I, for one, am open to the idea of you staying. You are not the special one. But the fact that you got us through the UCL finals, is special enough.
Ok ok, maybe i'm being too longwinded and dramatic.
But awesome win, still!
Goals from the match:
It'll be Chelsea vs ManU in the finals.
Blue vs Red.
So, let's paint Moscow blue!
(:
An awesome 2nd leg semis, i must say. The match ended 3-2 in our favour after 30-mins extra time.
What's scary was when Babel scored in the 26/27th min of extra time. One more Liverpool goal, and it'd be them in and us out. I was so freaking nervous, I couldn't sit down for the last 5 minutes of the game and i bit my fingernails, after kicking that habit 10 years ago.
Few moments after the final whistle, the commentator said "there are heroes all over the pitch". I wholeheartedly agree.
Here's to the heroes on the pitch.
To Frank Lampard, for his bravery in stepping up to take the penalty. Lampsy, I'm sorry i selfishly doubted you for a second when you were about to take the penalty. I initially thought Ballack would be a better taker. But how blind i am, to not see how much scoring a goal would mean to you. A goal, that would be wrapped up as a gift for your late mum who passed away less than a week ago. A goal, that would give you some form of closure. So Lampsy, you very much deserve to take the penalty. And what a beautifully executed penalty that was. You're our hero (:
To Didier Drogba, for scoring 2 awesome goals and sealing us the trip to Moscow. Your determination and fierceness never fail to awe me.
To the awesome centreback partnership of Carvalho and JT. Yayyy to Carvalho for being on first-class top form for the past few matches.
To Petr Cech, for not chickening out after the head and recently, chin injury. People may laugh at you with your headgear on. But you look fine, really. And you still make good saves.
To Michael Essien, for working your bottom off every single match. Your work rate is admirable.
And because this entry would be ridiculously long if i mention anymore names, here's to the other Chelsea players. You are ALL heroes in my eyes. Great team effort being displayed. From the tight backline to the harmoniously-working midfielders to the tireless strikers. You guys are my favouritest favourites.
And let's not forget the Liverpool players. They gave a tough fight. and they do have their share of heroes.
And and, i have people to thank.
Thank you Mr.Benitez, for saying the things you've said about Drogba diving and the crap. You gave Drog the drive to work extra hard and score those 2 goals. So thank you.
Thank you Anelka, for being our super sub. You always surprise me with your contribution in any game, even when you fail to score. The assist you made for Drogba was brilliant.
Last but not least, thank you Mr.Avram Grant, for not giving up on us when we may have given up on you. I still hard-headedly think not all 100% credit should go to you. But you did contribute. And you help secure that finals for us. You did your job. A good job, i should add. Many fans may still be against having you with us next season. But I, for one, am open to the idea of you staying. You are not the special one. But the fact that you got us through the UCL finals, is special enough.
Ok ok, maybe i'm being too longwinded and dramatic.
But awesome win, still!
Goals from the match:
It'll be Chelsea vs ManU in the finals.
Blue vs Red.
So, let's paint Moscow blue!
(:
Labels: chelsea
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Blue is the colour.
Yay. I've found a chelsea-themed blogskin! Like finally. I've been waiting for one since i first start up this blog. And such a pretty one.
But the blogskin won't stay here for long, i think. I'll change it soon enough. Because it's weird to see Crespo on it when he has left the club 2 seasons ago. And Gallas. Omg, Gallas! The current Arsenal captain. And one of my all-time fave, when there was the Desailly-Terry-Gallas defence line-up. Ah, such great memories.
That aside, the other players on the skin are still around.
The Captain Marvelous, John Terry.
The good-looking Paulo Ferreira.
The fierce and determined Didier Drogba.
The charming and creative dude, Joe Cole.
The ever reliable Makelele.
The bestest second-choice goalie EVER, Carlo Cudicini.
I freaking adore my Chelsea players. Every single one of them.
But the blogskin won't stay here for long, i think. I'll change it soon enough. Because it's weird to see Crespo on it when he has left the club 2 seasons ago. And Gallas. Omg, Gallas! The current Arsenal captain. And one of my all-time fave, when there was the Desailly-Terry-Gallas defence line-up. Ah, such great memories.
That aside, the other players on the skin are still around.
The Captain Marvelous, John Terry.
The good-looking Paulo Ferreira.
The fierce and determined Didier Drogba.
The charming and creative dude, Joe Cole.
The ever reliable Makelele.
The bestest second-choice goalie EVER, Carlo Cudicini.
I freaking adore my Chelsea players. Every single one of them.
Labels: chelsea
Monday, February 25, 2008
I'm a True Blue. Yay.
I was highly anticipating the Carling Cup final match between Chelsea and Spurs. I was expecting us to win. Not because I don't think Spurs can beat us. But because I know Chelsea can win. There's a difference, see.
Alas, it wasn't meant to be. Spurs beat us 2-1, fair and square. They secured the win few mins into extra time. Some may argue that Wayne Bridge didn't touched the ball intentionally, hence the penalty that gave spurs their first goal shouldn't have been given. But i prefer not to dwell on what-ifs. Let's give Spurs the credits they deserved. Like us, they fought hard. Which brought the match to extra time. And anyhow, I still have soft spots for underdogs so it's somehow a win-win situation.
And the loss could be a blessing in disguise. My Chelsea guys better work their blue socks off and gun for the remaining 3 cups we are still in the running for .
"We have to take our hats off to Tottenham, they won the trophy today, but we move on and go forward."
--Joe Cole
Alas, it wasn't meant to be. Spurs beat us 2-1, fair and square. They secured the win few mins into extra time. Some may argue that Wayne Bridge didn't touched the ball intentionally, hence the penalty that gave spurs their first goal shouldn't have been given. But i prefer not to dwell on what-ifs. Let's give Spurs the credits they deserved. Like us, they fought hard. Which brought the match to extra time. And anyhow, I still have soft spots for underdogs so it's somehow a win-win situation.
And the loss could be a blessing in disguise. My Chelsea guys better work their blue socks off and gun for the remaining 3 cups we are still in the running for .
"We have to take our hats off to Tottenham, they won the trophy today, but we move on and go forward."
--Joe Cole
Labels: chelsea
Monday, May 07, 2007
I love my Chelsea~
Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea. In normal circumstances, this result would have been a great one. We played with 10 men from 42mins onwards and fought hard and well. But this match decides the epl winner. And a draw means cup goes to manUre.
But theres alot of positives to take from this season, which to me, has been a great one. Read a really good article titled "Look at it this way - the facts of modern chelsea" from chelsea's website:
"1. If anyone had said in the early summer of 2003, you're going to come second, champions, champions and second in the next four years, Chelsea supporters would have laughed at a dreamer. [so true!]
2. If anyone thinks that winning the Carling Cup and maybe the FA Cup - certainly, getting to the Final - coming second in the League and reaching the semi-final of the Champions League isn't an outstanding season, then they've been misled by the last four years.
3. If anyone thinks Frank Lampard hasn't had a brilliant season, they're out of their minds. He has played in 60 games, more than any other Chelsea player in history, scored 21 goals and accumulated 20 assists. The Arsenal fans booing him yesterday seemed to have grown out of the frustration of two years without any trophy and 10 games against Chelsea without a win. [Okay, i didn't realised his statistics were this good. Admittedly, i've said not very nice things about him this season. But can't deny he has made quite a huge contribution. I still do like you, Lampsy.]
4. Arsenal with 11 men for 90 minutes against Chelsea with 11 men for 42 minutes and 10 for the rest of the time, had less shots on target than us (2-3), less shots off target than us (4-5), less corners than us (3-7) and, because they didn't get behind our defence, less offsides than us (3-8). [Hah! great statistics.]
5. Shaun Wright-Phillips with his cross for the equaliser yesterday has now had this run of games:
Man City (a), sub 77 mins, hit crossbar.
Sheff Utd (h), all game, 2 assists.
Tottenham (a), first 86 mins, fed Shevchenko for opener, scored 2nd.
Watford (a), all game.
Valencia (h), sub 74 mins.
Tottenham (h), first 70 mins.
Valencia (a), unused.
Blackburn (FAC sf) sub 96 mins, assist for the winner.
West Ham (a), all game, scored 2 goals.
Newcastle (a), first 54 mins.
Liverpool (h), sub 84 mins.
Bolton (h), all game.
Liverpool (a), sub 106 mins.
Arsenal (a), first 79 mins, 1 assist.
Maybe he is a little unlucky not to have played even more recently. [Little Shaun is probably the most improved chelsea player. Quite a hard worker. Make a few unnecessary mistakes sometimes but it's ok, it's all good]
6. We will play 64 games this season. That is a Chelsea record. Our most games in a season previously have been: 61, 1999/00; 60, 1965/66; 59, 2004/05 and 1970/71.
7. We have never had a manager like José Mourinho, no-one who galvanises his supporters like he does. Yesterday's 'chin up' instruction was impossible not to follow and was unique amongst our managers. [Spot on! I like how he always think about us fans. Going up to them and all that. And the 'chin up' thing was really nice. who else would have done that??Not fergie, definitely? Jose may have done that gesture to chelsea fans at emirates stadium, but i felt it too. Almost instantly felt better. Jose, don't leave Chelsea. We need you]
8. Yesterday showed what good pass-and-move football we can play. In truth, we didn't create numerous openings, even with 11 men, but without Didier Drogba we were still able to fight and dominate and pass-pass-pass. In contrast, Arsenal's goal was from a big lump down the middle. [Heh. that's a pretty nice way to describe a penalty]
9. Michael Essien this season from his positions in emergency defence has assisted the equaliser at Barcelona, won the corner for the equaliser at Man Utd, scored the equaliser home and away against Arsenal, scored the winner at Valencia, and on several occasions played in a back three while driving the team forward to a result (Everton away, Wigan away, Tottenham home etc). He is the epitome of a top modern footballer. [Essien's work ethic is admirable. An important player]
10. Before 2003 we had come in the top two once.
For those who say we have no history, that's rubbish. We have a history of entertaining, of glamour, of big crowds, of fun.
And, of course, we are making history.
Three games to go. There is more history to be made this season."
Felt so so much better after reading this article. And thanks to Aqilah who accompanied me for the whole 90minutes ++ via sms. =)) She has this ability of saying the right things. [Akki, lets do the same for the FA cup finals!]
But theres alot of positives to take from this season, which to me, has been a great one. Read a really good article titled "Look at it this way - the facts of modern chelsea" from chelsea's website:
"1. If anyone had said in the early summer of 2003, you're going to come second, champions, champions and second in the next four years, Chelsea supporters would have laughed at a dreamer. [so true!]
2. If anyone thinks that winning the Carling Cup and maybe the FA Cup - certainly, getting to the Final - coming second in the League and reaching the semi-final of the Champions League isn't an outstanding season, then they've been misled by the last four years.
3. If anyone thinks Frank Lampard hasn't had a brilliant season, they're out of their minds. He has played in 60 games, more than any other Chelsea player in history, scored 21 goals and accumulated 20 assists. The Arsenal fans booing him yesterday seemed to have grown out of the frustration of two years without any trophy and 10 games against Chelsea without a win. [Okay, i didn't realised his statistics were this good. Admittedly, i've said not very nice things about him this season. But can't deny he has made quite a huge contribution. I still do like you, Lampsy.]
4. Arsenal with 11 men for 90 minutes against Chelsea with 11 men for 42 minutes and 10 for the rest of the time, had less shots on target than us (2-3), less shots off target than us (4-5), less corners than us (3-7) and, because they didn't get behind our defence, less offsides than us (3-8). [Hah! great statistics.]
5. Shaun Wright-Phillips with his cross for the equaliser yesterday has now had this run of games:
Man City (a), sub 77 mins, hit crossbar.
Sheff Utd (h), all game, 2 assists.
Tottenham (a), first 86 mins, fed Shevchenko for opener, scored 2nd.
Watford (a), all game.
Valencia (h), sub 74 mins.
Tottenham (h), first 70 mins.
Valencia (a), unused.
Blackburn (FAC sf) sub 96 mins, assist for the winner.
West Ham (a), all game, scored 2 goals.
Newcastle (a), first 54 mins.
Liverpool (h), sub 84 mins.
Bolton (h), all game.
Liverpool (a), sub 106 mins.
Arsenal (a), first 79 mins, 1 assist.
Maybe he is a little unlucky not to have played even more recently. [Little Shaun is probably the most improved chelsea player. Quite a hard worker. Make a few unnecessary mistakes sometimes but it's ok, it's all good]
6. We will play 64 games this season. That is a Chelsea record. Our most games in a season previously have been: 61, 1999/00; 60, 1965/66; 59, 2004/05 and 1970/71.
7. We have never had a manager like José Mourinho, no-one who galvanises his supporters like he does. Yesterday's 'chin up' instruction was impossible not to follow and was unique amongst our managers. [Spot on! I like how he always think about us fans. Going up to them and all that. And the 'chin up' thing was really nice. who else would have done that??
8. Yesterday showed what good pass-and-move football we can play. In truth, we didn't create numerous openings, even with 11 men, but without Didier Drogba we were still able to fight and dominate and pass-pass-pass. In contrast, Arsenal's goal was from a big lump down the middle. [Heh. that's a pretty nice way to describe a penalty]
9. Michael Essien this season from his positions in emergency defence has assisted the equaliser at Barcelona, won the corner for the equaliser at Man Utd, scored the equaliser home and away against Arsenal, scored the winner at Valencia, and on several occasions played in a back three while driving the team forward to a result (Everton away, Wigan away, Tottenham home etc). He is the epitome of a top modern footballer. [Essien's work ethic is admirable. An important player]
10. Before 2003 we had come in the top two once.
For those who say we have no history, that's rubbish. We have a history of entertaining, of glamour, of big crowds, of fun.
And, of course, we are making history.
Three games to go. There is more history to be made this season."
Felt so so much better after reading this article. And thanks to Aqilah who accompanied me for the whole 90minutes ++ via sms. =)) She has this ability of saying the right things. [Akki, lets do the same for the FA cup finals!]
Labels: chelsea
Thursday, March 29, 2007
3 seasons in a row, no?
Was reading an article on chelseafc.com about our remaining matches for this season(as seen below):
Sat 31 Mar: Watford (a)
Wed 04 Apr: Valencia (h)
Sat 07 Apr: Tottenham (h)
Tue 10 Apr: Valencia (a)
Sun 15 Apr: Blackburn (at Old Trafford) - semis
Wed 18 Apr: West Ham (a)
Sun 22 Apr: Newcastle (a)
Wed 25 Apr: Potential Champions League semi-final (h)
Sat 28 Apr: Bolton (h)
Tue 01 May: Potential Champions League semi-final (a)
Sun 06 May: Arsenal (a)
Wed 09 May: Man Utd (h)
Sun 13 May: Everton (h)
red: EPL
green: Champions League
Orange: FA cup
Realistically speaking, i dont think we can retain the EPL title for 3rd consecutive year. The remaining fixture looks pretty tough. It's so tight. Theres games even during the weekdays. But if we don't win the EPL, that means ManU will win it. And that's just...not fun (to put it mildly). But they are also facing similar tight schedule. So that's at least a little comforting. Though their fixture seems rather less complicating. Currently, we are at 2nd place on the table, 6 points behind manU.
We still have tricky opponents to face: Tottenham (now on extraordinary attacking form. nearly kick us out of the FA cup), Newcastle (we lost on the same away fixture last season), Arsenal (not consistent this season but still pose a threat). And yah, there's the game against ManU. It was supposed to be scheduled on the 15 Apr i think. But theres the FA cup semis so the match was brought forward. And it has to be the 2nd last EPL match of the season. If ManU keep on winning the next 6 matches, they'll already win the title. We won't even get to thrash them first. Super sad la. Nevermind, i guess we can't win everything everytime. And there's still the FA and Champions League to be won. Heh.
Labels: chelsea
Thursday, March 01, 2007
burn it
It's high time for a proper entry after 2 random ones. (Warning: Potential flood of words ahead. This is going to be a long entry).
About half of TG02 gathered this morning to watch the class vid. I've reviewed it multiple times before today due to the need to check for any faults. It come to the point that if there is an exam on the contents of the video, i'll get distinction, no problem. Okay lameness. But watching it together was fun la. And i'm so happy with the end result of the vid. Sam, Farhana and me do make a great team. heh. Whatever it is, i had great fun making the vids with the girls. Luckily Sam managed to burn sufficient amount of the cds to pass around. I was supposed to burn half of it but had trouble with nero. Was super helpless. Wanted to call for help but it was already way late at night. Had lots of suggestions and help from 2 nice guys online but still didnt manage to burn successfully so Sam burn the cds in school this morning. After taking 2 IT-based cds, im still a computer-idiot. Go figure.
18/24 of TG02
the people who came to watch class vid
After viewing the vid sat down and chat for a while with Sam n Farhana. poly buddies since year 1. It'll be weird to not spend as much time with them anymore. I'm so used to seeing them every weekday. who is going to listen to and tolerate my random-ness, complaints and frequent questions now? Will miss them la. And the rest of TG02 and not forgetting the polymates (liza, jiaying, rev).
Have decided to not take up the pre sch trainee teacher cum diploma thing.too lazy to type reasons here. Interested parties can ask me personally. heh
Footie news: Chelsea won carling cup! yayness. so that's 1 cup won, 3 to go. heh. Not being greedy, just stating possibilities.
My neighbour is babysitting a 3 month-old girl, Nadra. she's so cute la. I'll always persuade mother to borrow the baby for a while. I like fitting my finger into her little hands. Babies have tendency of squeezing your finger if you do that. And i love baby's smell. somehow, they never smell bad. heh
Okay, so entry is not as long as i anticipated. But much better than last 2 entries i guess =)
About half of TG02 gathered this morning to watch the class vid. I've reviewed it multiple times before today due to the need to check for any faults. It come to the point that if there is an exam on the contents of the video, i'll get distinction, no problem. Okay lameness. But watching it together was fun la. And i'm so happy with the end result of the vid. Sam, Farhana and me do make a great team. heh. Whatever it is, i had great fun making the vids with the girls. Luckily Sam managed to burn sufficient amount of the cds to pass around. I was supposed to burn half of it but had trouble with nero. Was super helpless. Wanted to call for help but it was already way late at night. Had lots of suggestions and help from 2 nice guys online but still didnt manage to burn successfully so Sam burn the cds in school this morning. After taking 2 IT-based cds, im still a computer-idiot. Go figure.
18/24 of TG02
the people who came to watch class vid
After viewing the vid sat down and chat for a while with Sam n Farhana. poly buddies since year 1. It'll be weird to not spend as much time with them anymore. I'm so used to seeing them every weekday. who is going to listen to and tolerate my random-ness, complaints and frequent questions now? Will miss them la. And the rest of TG02 and not forgetting the polymates (liza, jiaying, rev).
Have decided to not take up the pre sch trainee teacher cum diploma thing.too lazy to type reasons here. Interested parties can ask me personally. heh
Footie news: Chelsea won carling cup! yayness. so that's 1 cup won, 3 to go. heh. Not being greedy, just stating possibilities.
My neighbour is babysitting a 3 month-old girl, Nadra. she's so cute la. I'll always persuade mother to borrow the baby for a while. I like fitting my finger into her little hands. Babies have tendency of squeezing your finger if you do that. And i love baby's smell. somehow, they never smell bad. heh
Okay, so entry is not as long as i anticipated. But much better than last 2 entries i guess =)
