Barcelona the answer, Wenger!

The new champion of European Football; FC Barcelona - Getty Images

It was a wild night to remember as Barcelona the newly crowned European Champions beat defending champion, Man Utd 2-0 in stadio Olimpico, Rome. It was even a sweeter revenge for the Catalonia team as they have beaten the team that kicked them out at the semi finals stage last year. The match between the two domestic champions ( EPL and Primera Liga) was considered a classic of all finals setting up two teams with two different set of footballing approach. Whilst Man Utd is considered tough, physical and a counter attacking side - a typical English side approach, Barcelona is more prudent, fluent and all attacking open play side. Indeed these two sides produced an entertaining 90 minutes play which most of the neutrals would enjoy and take pleasure in. (which i did!)

The build up towards the final was tremendous with both teams have achieved everything domestically. Man Utd has retained their EPL crown for 3 consecutives years apart from the Carling Cup and the World Club Cup whilst Barcelona break their duck of 3 year trophy less with 2 domestic cups in hand. In the end the final would set one team apart and put themselves in the history books with both managers eyeing to become the best manager of Europe. Sir Alex would be glad to hold his third European Cup putting himself at the same level as Bob Paisley of Liverpool. Pep Guardiola would be the youngest manager to hold the cup and secured a successful treble just in his 'rookie' managerial role. Finally, the younger manager did in the end got the last laughs.

The dejected side - getty images

the 'rookie' manager got his deserving credit - getty images

Man Utd was the better team for the first 10 minutes with chance after chance. Ronaldo got a free kick saved and few chances off target. Barcelona really took their chance with the first attack that produced the first goal. It came as a surprise and killed off the defending champion playing rythm. From there on, we could only see one team will emerge as champion and when Messi capitalise his marker and headed home the second goal, the game was totally over. It encapsulate the whole journey of Barcelona from a distant European glory transforming into a Europe powerhouse for years to come. Furthermore, it also give the title rights of the best player of the world to the deserving one between Ronaldo and Messi in which the latter seems entitled for.

the goal that killed the game - getty images

Nevertheless, the game was won by the Catalans not because of the Argentinian. It was indeed won by the contributions of two catalans players whose ranked up from their youth academy system. Iniesta and Xavi were the major influence at the centre of midfield commanding and controlling the ball whom Carrick and Anderson could not find answer to diffuse. It was the through ball of Iniesta and a curling ball by Xavi that find Eto'o and Messi for both goals and the duo deserved the right credits being the best players on the pitch.

It was a great ending for a great night. The potential of Barcelona to maintain their crops of players and win more cup in future looks bright. It also give credit to their style of playing of winning the ball, passing and attacking in which another young side, Arsenal take approach. There is a resemblance of attacking style between the two in which Arsenal lack of  in term of match winners and experience players. By looking at how far Barcelona has reach within 12 months, and with a little tweak in Arsenal camp, I foresee Arsenal would become another attacking side football club that could mesmerise the world. I hope Arsene watched the finals and get a tip or two and start the build up to end up 4 hiatus years of trophy less.

In Arsene We Trust (at least for now)

For now.. viva FC Barcelona. Hail the Blaugrana

reality hurts...

Sighh... i wish i had all the time (24- 7) to play around with.

but in reality I would never had much time to put everything in order. How I wish I could become the 'astro guy' who would always have time on his side (remember astro max ad - "I got time!"... wtf..)

I dream I could have all the time around me. Unfortunately that is not the real world you would dying for... in reality, it hurts.. 

I've been juggling my time between Kuantan - KL - Penang - KL this whole week and i am totally exhausted. I wish i could take a break at least during half time but in reality, it hurts..

I've been following American Idol season 8 for the past 13 weeks without fail only at the last concert (which is yesterday) i have to catch it in Penang. Bad turned worst as i only realised my astro subscription in Penang didnt include 711 star world. 

For all the time and effort you have put through the last 13 weeks really gone to drain as i missed the finale. It was really an anti climax for all season endings..

becoz in reality, it hurts.

and what make me so sad after all when adam lambert only manage to come 2nd best last night.

sob sob sob.....

in reality.... it really really damn hurts. 

The letter that was not delivered - I regret myself for not doing so.

As i were preparing the notes for the upcoming UMNO Youth branch meeting, i came across this letter which i 'supposedly' print for all the other UMNO Youth leaders in Tasek Gelugor. It was a frank letter about what PEMUDA UMNO has become and how we in the cawangan could do to curb the practise of giving money to buy votes into becoming a culture in UMNO. 

I might have overlook it myself for not having this matter being put at the right time/at the right place. Maybe of my ignorant myself (which i feel bad about it). Afterall I felt my concern might only fall into deaf ears. I have a sense that i'd be fighting a losing war instead. Nevertheless, the war is over, now we have new leaders in UMNO Youth to champion the cause. I hope the very best of them.

However, I wish to put my thought here so that later in life i wont be regretful. It might be 'benda remeh yang diperbesarkan' but i believe the grassroots support and approval should always determine who'd be elected up there.

Ruj. Kami          : PPUCPM/PPUBTG/2008 (02)

Tarikh               : 1 Disember 2008

Kepada:

Ketua Pemuda

Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO Bahagian Tasek Gelugor,

U/P: Saudara Hasbul Hazani Bin Daud

Saudara,

MENGANJURKAN DISKUSI PEMILIHAN PEMUDA UMNO PUSAT – SATU LANGKAH MEMERANGI POLITIK WANG

Dengan segala hormatnya perkara diatas adalah dirujuk.

 2.         Saya mewakili seluruh ajk dan ahli pemuda UMNO cawangan Pokok Machang ingin mengucapkan salam hormat kepada saudara semoga saudara dikurniakan kesihatan dan dilimpahi dengan kesejahteraan dalam melaksanakan tugas-tugas saudara.

3.       Saudara, Persidangan Agung UMNO akan berlangsung pada bulan Mac 2009. Di peringkat akar umbi berpendapat bahawa tempoh 4 bulan dari sekarang merupakan satu tempoh yang amat panjang dalam satu proses pemilihan demokrasi. Ini akan membabitkan satu tempoh berkempen yang amat lama, penglibatan perwakilan dan masa yang banyak yang akhirnya akan merugikan kita dari segi produktiviti dan fokus kepada isu isu semasa yang lebih utama. Dalam ketika UMNO sibuk memberi ruang untuk calon dan perwakilan berjumpa, pihak pembangkang akan menggunakan tempoh waktu ini untuk meraih sokongan dan simpati rakyat yang akhirnya menguntungkan mereka.

4.         Lebih menyedihkan adalah tempoh ini juga akan menggalakkan polemik rasuah politik dikalangan perwakilan dan calon yang ingin meraih undi. Ini merupakan satu situasi yang tidak sihat dan memberi refleksi yang lebih buruk tentang UMNO. Walaupun begitu, kami di peringkat akar umbi akur dengan keputusan pucuk pimpinan dalam menentukan Mac 2009 sebagai tarikh persidangan Agung UMNO selaras dengan proses peralihan kuasa dari YAB Dato Seri Abdullah Bin Ahmad kepada YAB Dato Seri Najib Bin Tun Razak.

5.          Saudara, saya berpendapat dalam menangani masalah rasuah politik yang semakin berleluasa, di peringkat akar umbi harus terus memainkan peranan dalam memberi penerangan dan membudayakan Perwakilan Bahagian yang dipilih bahawa pemilihan seseorang perwakilan adalah  mewakili suara akar umbi bukannya mewakili dirinya sendiri. Oleh yang demikian akar umbi mempunyai kuasa dan tanggungjawab untuk terus ‘menyedarkan’ perwakilan yang dipilih bahawa seharusnya suara akar umbi terus  dibawa ke peringkat persidangan UMNO di KL kelak.

6.         Oleh yang demikian saya ingin mencadangkan supaya setiap Pemuda UMNO Cawangan mengambil inisiatif untuk memanggil kedua-dua orang perwakilan G2 ke satu diskusi di peringkat cawangan masing masing untuk berdiskusi dengan mereka dan memaklumkan kepada mereka hasrat dan calon manakah yang harus diberi undi dalam persidangan agung Pemuda UMNO kelak.

7.         Setidak-tidaknya kita telah memberi tanggungjawab kepada mereka untuk dilaksanakan di peringkat pusat. Harus diingat bahawa 2 orang G2 adalah mewakili suara pemuda di peringkat cawangan dan mereka seharusnya faham dan maklum apakah aspirasi pemuda akar umbi. Secara tidak langsung kita dapat mengubah persepsi tentang perwakilan G2 ke Kuala Lumpur hanya untuk bersukaria dan berseronok padahal keutamaan pemergian mereka ke Kuala Lumpur adalah untuk melaksanakan tanggungjawab dan amanah yang telah diberikan oleh kita semua di peringkat cawangan. Samada mereka menerima atau tidak pandangan pemuda cawangan , marilah kita berserah kepada Allah s.w.t kerana apa yang utama sebagai pemimpin Pemuda di peringkat cawangan kita telah melaksanakan tanggungjawab yang telah diamanahkan. Insya Allah.

8. Saya menyeru sekali lagi supaya satu diskusi peringkat cawangan diadakan bersama perwakilan G2 Pemuda dengan persoalan “Sejauh mana perwakilan G2 Pemuda Bahagian Tasek Gelugor bijak memilih?” untuk memberi ruang kepada seluruh ahli pemuda di peringkat cawangan lebih prihatin dan lebih matang dalam berpolitik. Oleh yang demikian, saya bermohon dari pihak saudara sebagai Ketua Pemuda untuk memberi kebenaran bagi seluruh pemuda cawangan di Bahagian Tasek Gelugor ini menjalankan diskusi transformasi UMNO tersebut.

9.         Sekali lagi, pihak kami, pemuda cawangan Pokok Machang mengucapkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan atas perhatian dan pertimbangan pihak saudara. Atas pertimbangan itu, pihak kami mengucapkan berbanyak-banyak terima kasih.  

Sekian, Terima Kasih.

Salam penuh taazim,

Abdul Mohsein Bin Mohd Shariff

Ketua Pemuda

Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO Cawangan Pokok Machang

s.k.: Seluruh Ketua Pemuda UMNO Cawangan,

        Bahagian Tasek Gelugor

i believe we should 'berani berubah!' otherwise we should 'bersedia direbah!'

Advertisement: Looking for new club to support; at least until season end

Me is a true blue Arsenal fan. I have been supporting Arsenal ever since Ian Wright was the prominent strike force and King Henry was a mere player in a supporting role. Patrick Viera was still wearing the majestic No 4 jersey and Tony Adams was the leader of the pack at the backs four. Back then the only chant we heard amongst fans was "1-0 to Arsenal". In those days, Arsenal was a true contender in all competitions they were involved in. 

We used to be immortal

"Times change real fast"

The current crops of Arsenal players are more boys rather than men. Nevertheless they have shown grits and characters in at least 3 fronts - The EPL campaign, FA cup and the Champions League. Unfortunately, the campaign ended quite dramatically at least for the later two which Arsenal was beaten in the semifinals. We were beaten by Chelsea in FA Cup competition whilst Arsenal went down to Man Utd in the Champions League Semifinal.

The build up for the two cup competitions was rather astute and compelling. These young guns were praised and admired by fans and the neutrals as true challengers. Yet when it come to the big days when guts and  pride were on the line, these young gunners were left choked and destroyed. It could have ended a fairy tale campaign for a big manager as Arsene Wenger to brag off all season yet when reality bites.. it hit real hard.

Last night UCL campaign was ended within 11 minutes when Man Utd scored their second goal of the night to make them leading 3-0 on aggregate. The moment Arsenal conceded the first goal, the reaction on Mr Wenger face was typically predicted. He could never find answer to why these gunners were simply shutting off at their own home turf.  It was a bitter pill to swallow for all gunners but this could be a turning point for us to reflect and move forward even better. I myself have stop believing with Mr Wenger approach on young players but sometimes when they really on form, they are simply too good. It will be a matter of time before these young players can find their rhythm that can suit the premiership direct playing style and I think the upcoming season many few areas such as our defence and set play must be addressed and if there is need to buy experience players by all means we need to buy them!

one mistake that led to disaster - Tony Jenkins

the masterclass kick that seperate us apart - AFP

As for now i have no more cups and campaign to support for ( fyi, Arsenal already secured the last place for next year UCL). It do not bother me much to wait for the last 3 games in EPL to decide the standings of the young guns. They are secured at least fourth in the league. The build up for next season has to begin now and for a start we have ARSHAVIN available for next season UCL. Arsene Wenger need to find balance between experience and tenacity in the squad for them to be a contender yet again. Otherwise we are 'gunner' have another season with empty silverware again and i will have to start advertising myself for another club somewhere else.. maybe in Burkina Faso. 

Yes! We need true leader in our dressing room, a respected leader like