Abysmal. That's the best word to describe our first half display.
1. Simply speaking, no one turned up during the first half. The two goals we let in were so soft, even I could've dribbled through the whole United team.
2. I have no idea what's wrong with Ferdinand and Evans at the start, they just didn't want to move or tackle at all.
3. The starting midfield lineup of Giggs, Scholes and Carrick is way too old. Why Tom Cleverly or Ando isn't out there seems like a mystery to me. We were absolutely overrun by TW younger Spurs legs.
4. Poor Lindegaard, all three goals were way beyond him. Can't blame him much.
5. Nani, is a total fuckhead. Brilliant yet frustrating, today he was even worse than the last few games. Sure he scored but it was also his flank that led to all the goals. Absolutely no cover for Rafael. He should not play for United again. Drastic I know, but I hate seeing him on the pitch.
6. Speaking of Rafael, I thought he had a really good game. As with most of this season. Had to cover for the cock Nani and his own RB role.
7. In the second half we really came to life. Rooney replaced Giggs, and suddenly Kagawa and RvP were clicking again. We hit the post twice, had a couple of penalty shouts, and a goal chalked off for offside. Really edge-of-your-seat stuff. Exhilarating. The Rooney substitution was a game-changer.
8. Plus Scholes is a God. God of football. He's just too good and yet sadly he could not win the game alone.
9. In the end out first half performance cost us the game. We played so much better in the second half, if only we could have done that from the start. Yet here was a showcase of how devastating our offence could be if we took the game seriously from the start. Some of our moves were amazing.
10. At this rate we're gonna win fuck shit this season if what's left of our defenders don't wake up their ideas from start till finish.
Just hope SAF does something to address it permanently.
GGMU!!!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
How, How, How?
The whole sex-for-business scandal starring former CNB chief Ng Boon Gay and Cecilia Sue is certainly entertaining the whole nation.
Alot of jokes playing around with puns and other contents in her alleged text messages are making its rounds online already.
I think Cecilia should just come clean once and for all about the details of their affair. For better or worse. The truth may hurt, but it will wipe the slate clean and allow her to pick up the pieces and get on with her life.
At this current rate of flip flopping, more sordid details being revealed, she is far worse than Al Gore and John Kerry during their presidential bids. And look where they ended up.
Sooner or later the truth will be revealed. And it will not do her current mental state and family situation any good. Especially with all on Singapore following the case like a good TVB drama. She is already turning into a mini celebrity. Hopefully she can hold it all together.
Wonder if a movie will be made.
Alot of jokes playing around with puns and other contents in her alleged text messages are making its rounds online already.
I think Cecilia should just come clean once and for all about the details of their affair. For better or worse. The truth may hurt, but it will wipe the slate clean and allow her to pick up the pieces and get on with her life.
At this current rate of flip flopping, more sordid details being revealed, she is far worse than Al Gore and John Kerry during their presidential bids. And look where they ended up.
Sooner or later the truth will be revealed. And it will not do her current mental state and family situation any good. Especially with all on Singapore following the case like a good TVB drama. She is already turning into a mini celebrity. Hopefully she can hold it all together.
Wonder if a movie will be made.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Egypt
Once is enough.
In fact, 25hrs in Cairo is enough for me.
Going to Egypt felt like travelling back in time. To the 70s or 80s, when houses were still made of plainly stacked bricks, mud-coloured buildings, cars were still of the model of that era, donkeys and camels were still a real mode of transport, and the general feel of the place is so archaic that one could not help but feel sorry for the state of the city.
Great for history buffs.
Such irony when thousands of years ago Cairo was probably one of the most advanced cities on the planet.
The Great Pyramids of Giza have stood the test of time and are indeed a true wonder of the world. But aside from that, everything else generally disappointed. From the non-existent hospitality of the Egyptians, to the state of city, it's drab landscape, supposed 5-star accommodation, and even the Sphinx which was much smaller than we all thought it would be.
Every neighbourhood looked the same, right out of a CNN news report on middle eastern news. Dusty, dirty, backward and brown.
If this was indicative of what most middle eastern cities looked like, then I guess we know why the region with all the wealth oil money can buy still cannot become a world power. Always a developing economy.
Once is enough.
In fact, 25hrs in Cairo is enough for me.
Going to Egypt felt like travelling back in time. To the 70s or 80s, when houses were still made of plainly stacked bricks, mud-coloured buildings, cars were still of the model of that era, donkeys and camels were still a real mode of transport, and the general feel of the place is so archaic that one could not help but feel sorry for the state of the city.
Great for history buffs.
Such irony when thousands of years ago Cairo was probably one of the most advanced cities on the planet.
The Great Pyramids of Giza have stood the test of time and are indeed a true wonder of the world. But aside from that, everything else generally disappointed. From the non-existent hospitality of the Egyptians, to the state of city, it's drab landscape, supposed 5-star accommodation, and even the Sphinx which was much smaller than we all thought it would be.
Every neighbourhood looked the same, right out of a CNN news report on middle eastern news. Dusty, dirty, backward and brown.
If this was indicative of what most middle eastern cities looked like, then I guess we know why the region with all the wealth oil money can buy still cannot become a world power. Always a developing economy.
Once is enough.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Liverpool 1 Manchester United 2
Wow, what an exhilarating game. I caught it at a pub in Ulu Sembawang, but what would you know, still populated by tons of Man U fans!
1. Yet again we didn't play very well, particularly in the first half, where I'd blame Nani for the poor overall display.
2. Nani was so bad that he was substituted at halftime with Scholes coming on. Only then was normal service resumed, even if Gerrard scored early in the 2nd half.
3. With Scholes around, I really wasn't very worried because our shape had returned. So grinding out a result would've been a matter of time. And grind we did!
4. Unfortunately I can't pinpoint many players who had an exceptional game. But next to Nani, starting the game with a midfield of Giggs and Carrick was abit suicidal considering their old legs. They weren't terrible, but there was hardly any control in the middle until Scholes came on and Giggs shifted to the left wing. Evra wasn't really up to scratch either, given the significance of this game.
5. Lindergaard had a really good game IMHO. He kept everything out except for Gerrard's goal and was confident in and around his area. Saved a couple of screamers too.
6. Rafael not only scored a wonder goal to equalize for us, he also put in a very good defensive shift. At this rate he's making the LB position his own.
7. Sadly, Kagawa and RVP didn't see much action especially when we struggled during the first half. Thankfully RVP shook of any nerves to score our first penalty out of four tries this season. Kagawa seems to get pushed around alot.
8. Our CDs both Evans and Ferdinand were absolutely rock solid even though there were nervy moments. You'd have to fear for them each time they went down clutching their backs though. It was already a surprise not seeing Vidic starting, so thankfully we pulled through, even if I think one or the other will miss the next game.
9. Credit where credit is due, Liverpool played this game like a Cup Final and were threatening to tear into us early on. Gerrard in particular was rolling back the years, pinging long passes like Scholes. Even after Jonjo Shelvey was red carded, they still played like they had 11 men out there. Although I've got to say that Luis Suarez is a total dick diver! Raheem Sterling is particularly impressive and he's only 17!
10. Given the significance of the game, Hillsborough, Evra and Suarez finally shaking hands, and the whole rivalry altogether, the game was only marred by perhaps a suspect performance by the referee. Still, I cannot complain since most of the decisions went our way!
And so onwards we march!
To #20 this season!
GGMU!!!
1. Yet again we didn't play very well, particularly in the first half, where I'd blame Nani for the poor overall display.
2. Nani was so bad that he was substituted at halftime with Scholes coming on. Only then was normal service resumed, even if Gerrard scored early in the 2nd half.
3. With Scholes around, I really wasn't very worried because our shape had returned. So grinding out a result would've been a matter of time. And grind we did!
4. Unfortunately I can't pinpoint many players who had an exceptional game. But next to Nani, starting the game with a midfield of Giggs and Carrick was abit suicidal considering their old legs. They weren't terrible, but there was hardly any control in the middle until Scholes came on and Giggs shifted to the left wing. Evra wasn't really up to scratch either, given the significance of this game.
5. Lindergaard had a really good game IMHO. He kept everything out except for Gerrard's goal and was confident in and around his area. Saved a couple of screamers too.
6. Rafael not only scored a wonder goal to equalize for us, he also put in a very good defensive shift. At this rate he's making the LB position his own.
7. Sadly, Kagawa and RVP didn't see much action especially when we struggled during the first half. Thankfully RVP shook of any nerves to score our first penalty out of four tries this season. Kagawa seems to get pushed around alot.
8. Our CDs both Evans and Ferdinand were absolutely rock solid even though there were nervy moments. You'd have to fear for them each time they went down clutching their backs though. It was already a surprise not seeing Vidic starting, so thankfully we pulled through, even if I think one or the other will miss the next game.
9. Credit where credit is due, Liverpool played this game like a Cup Final and were threatening to tear into us early on. Gerrard in particular was rolling back the years, pinging long passes like Scholes. Even after Jonjo Shelvey was red carded, they still played like they had 11 men out there. Although I've got to say that Luis Suarez is a total dick diver! Raheem Sterling is particularly impressive and he's only 17!
10. Given the significance of the game, Hillsborough, Evra and Suarez finally shaking hands, and the whole rivalry altogether, the game was only marred by perhaps a suspect performance by the referee. Still, I cannot complain since most of the decisions went our way!
And so onwards we march!
To #20 this season!
GGMU!!!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
The Case For Optimism By Bill Clinton
5 ways the world is getting better all the time.
1) Phones mean freedom
2) Healthy communities prosper
3) Green energy equals good business
4) Women rule
5) The fight for the future is now
Good food for thought.
1) Phones mean freedom
2) Healthy communities prosper
3) Green energy equals good business
4) Women rule
5) The fight for the future is now
Good food for thought.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Saxo Bank 20th Anniversary Party
Held last Saturday in the compounds of the Great Pyramids of Giza, Cairo, Egypt, this was one of the best parties ever!
For one night only, Saxo Bank Group flew all it's employees to one single location for the biggest party of our lives!
You can see we partied in the middle of the desert with the pyramids as our backdrop!
For one night only, Saxo Bank Group flew all it's employees to one single location for the biggest party of our lives!
You can see we partied in the middle of the desert with the pyramids as our backdrop!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Wayang Ke Mama
Oleh oleh ah ah!
Haha.
This was just this afternoon when Prince Harry and his wife Kate Middleton came to town.
1) This is 3.45pm afternoon sun. Who can bear the heat?
2) Members of public must stand outside the lined barriers, but the wayang stars must pretend to be spontaneous members of public at the play area?
3) Uncle practicing tai chi in traditional kung fu garb?
OMFG! Hilarious.
Buay tahan the wayangness of all this!
Haha.
This was just this afternoon when Prince Harry and his wife Kate Middleton came to town.
1) This is 3.45pm afternoon sun. Who can bear the heat?
2) Members of public must stand outside the lined barriers, but the wayang stars must pretend to be spontaneous members of public at the play area?
3) Uncle practicing tai chi in traditional kung fu garb?
OMFG! Hilarious.
Buay tahan the wayangness of all this!
Monday, September 10, 2012
La Cage
Trying to make futsal a regular thing these days.
Need as much exercise as I can possibly get, what with my high cholesterol problemo.
Hopefully one intense session a week plus the more leisurely occasional Saturday kickabout would suffice.
This bunch of friends at The Cage really can work me good. Like today when our team kept winning, I was literally on the pitch for about an hour without rest.
It gets really enjoyable when you play with players who play similarly and are more skillful. There is alot less sprinting, alot of passing, and alot of off-the-ball positioning. The running is still intense, just not in one-off spurts that drain the stamina very quickly.
Hope to keep this up regularly.
Need as much exercise as I can possibly get, what with my high cholesterol problemo.
Hopefully one intense session a week plus the more leisurely occasional Saturday kickabout would suffice.
This bunch of friends at The Cage really can work me good. Like today when our team kept winning, I was literally on the pitch for about an hour without rest.
It gets really enjoyable when you play with players who play similarly and are more skillful. There is alot less sprinting, alot of passing, and alot of off-the-ball positioning. The running is still intense, just not in one-off spurts that drain the stamina very quickly.
Hope to keep this up regularly.
Sunday, September 09, 2012
Friday, September 07, 2012
Waku Ghin Prelude
I know I'm lazy.
I wanted to document my whole experience for awhile now but until now haven't got down to it at all.
I'm talking about the wifey's birthday celebration at Waku Ghin!
Will be back with more!
I wanted to document my whole experience for awhile now but until now haven't got down to it at all.
I'm talking about the wifey's birthday celebration at Waku Ghin!
Will be back with more!
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
Saturday, September 01, 2012
Happy Teachers Day
Yesterday I attended my school's SAC meeting and DND.
Met up with a few old teachers who taught or interacted with me some 25yrs ago (that's right!). Among them, my scout teacher Mr Yap who walks with a limp, Mrs John Tan my music teacher, Mrs Anne Chan who never taught me but I knew her somehow, and Mrs Wong, my AVA teacher.
I find it simply amazing these teachers find the motivation to teach in my old school, for so long a time, with little recognition in terms of stellar results while taking in the bullshit from a large portion of children from the lower income families. It can be a very thankless job. Broken homes, parents in jail or on drugs, running away from loan sharks, borderline autism and outright delinquency are common issues these teachers face every day.
I guess that is exactly where the difference in being a teacher and a tutor lies. The tutor tends to be motivated by money (which may not be a bad thing) but the teacher is motivated by the process of actually shaping a child's upbringing and education. A higher order, definitely. And even more so when serving in an academically-poor school (but still a very good school IMHO!).
I stood in admiration yesterday looking at the 50+ dedicated teachers of my old primary school. A mix of young and old, working harmoniously with each other. An even bigger plus was when I raised the point about teachers quitting the school given how demoralizing it could be dealing with such students and the stress it entails. Our school's attrition rate is actually lower than the national average and currently hovering around only 1 resignation a year. Impressive.
Today we celebrate teachers day, not only for the teachers who have taught us, but also the teachers teaching all around the world. Even more so, we celebrate the bond of sharing and mentoring from the people in our lives. Everyone is a teacher in some way or other.
Did I mention all teachers in Singapore get an 8% pay rise this year? Whoot!
Met up with a few old teachers who taught or interacted with me some 25yrs ago (that's right!). Among them, my scout teacher Mr Yap who walks with a limp, Mrs John Tan my music teacher, Mrs Anne Chan who never taught me but I knew her somehow, and Mrs Wong, my AVA teacher.
I find it simply amazing these teachers find the motivation to teach in my old school, for so long a time, with little recognition in terms of stellar results while taking in the bullshit from a large portion of children from the lower income families. It can be a very thankless job. Broken homes, parents in jail or on drugs, running away from loan sharks, borderline autism and outright delinquency are common issues these teachers face every day.
I guess that is exactly where the difference in being a teacher and a tutor lies. The tutor tends to be motivated by money (which may not be a bad thing) but the teacher is motivated by the process of actually shaping a child's upbringing and education. A higher order, definitely. And even more so when serving in an academically-poor school (but still a very good school IMHO!).
I stood in admiration yesterday looking at the 50+ dedicated teachers of my old primary school. A mix of young and old, working harmoniously with each other. An even bigger plus was when I raised the point about teachers quitting the school given how demoralizing it could be dealing with such students and the stress it entails. Our school's attrition rate is actually lower than the national average and currently hovering around only 1 resignation a year. Impressive.
Today we celebrate teachers day, not only for the teachers who have taught us, but also the teachers teaching all around the world. Even more so, we celebrate the bond of sharing and mentoring from the people in our lives. Everyone is a teacher in some way or other.
Did I mention all teachers in Singapore get an 8% pay rise this year? Whoot!