MALAYSIA vs The PHILIPPINES - Friendly - LIVE.

It's just a friendly game..

1st Half:

00:01 - Malaysia kicked-off..
01:00 - Almost a blunder by the Malaysian defenders..
10:00 - Ball possession - mostly to Malaysia. No good moves yet, though..
15:00 - First corner kick to the Philippines - came to nothing.
16:00 - First real attack by M'sia - good move but fail to score.
17:00 - 2nd corner to the PHI - nothing..
18:30 - 1st corner to M'sia - nice move, no goal yet.
20:00 - Yellow card to Safee Sali, M'sia's main striker.
23:00 - Good move by M'sia - corner - saved.
28:00 - Free kick - 35m out - to PHI. Saved.
31:00 - Oooo - another attack by the PHI - missed by inches..
32:00 - Another one by the PHI -...ooo, missed by a whisker..
36:00 - Score still 0-0.
41:00 - Free kick to PHI - comes to nothing..
45:00 - Few good moves by both sides, but no goals yet..
45+2 - Half Time - score 0-0.

halftime 0-0

2nd Half:
46:00 - Play have started.
50:00 - Clear chance for M'sia foiled..
55:00 - Still 0-0.
65:00 - Chance for M'sia.., wasted.
75:00 - Game starts to be boring with no real good moves..
76:00 - 61% posession by M'sia.
78:00 - "Long throw-in" by the PHI.
80:00 - 10 minutes to go.. getting more boring..
84:00 - Disappointing game, actually..
87:00 - 3 minutes to go.. It's just a 2nd division local game..
90:00 - 4 minutes added time.

90+4: - Full time score: a boring 0-0 draw

 0-0 draw..

Have a nice day...

BRENDAN RODGERS - Liverpool's New Manager.

Liverpool's New Manager - Brendan Rodgers.

1st June 2012 - Liverpool FC have a new manager - Brendan Rodgers.
Rodgers, 39, is regarded as being at the forefront of a new generation of football coaches, an excellent tactician and motivator with a progressive philosophy. After an extensive two-week process where many highly-qualified candidates were carefully considered, Liverpool's ownership group identified Rodgers as the single outstanding candidate to implement their long-term vision.

Rodgers joins the Reds after a hugely successful spell at Swansea City; where he won them promotion to the Barclay's Premier League in his first full season in-charge. He then further defied the odds by securing a mid-table finish in England's top flight, playing a brand of football praised for its fluidity and entertaining, attacking nature.

Rodgers extensive coaching background began in 1995, when at just 22 years of age he became Academy manager for Reading. His talent and enthusiasm drew admirers and in 2004 Jose Mourinho swooped to secure his services for Chelsea, as they went on to dominate the Premier League for the next two campaigns.
The Northern Irishman was soon to be given the opportunity to manage outright, being appointed manager of Watford and then subsequently Reading, where his professional journey began.
Throughout his coaching career, Rodgers travelled Europe and visited clubs such as Valencia, Sevilla and Barcelona as well as clubs in the Netherlands to exchange ideas on football philosophy and to learn from some of the best teams and managers in the game.

"I look at Kenny Dalglish. He was the manager (of Liverpool in 1985) at 34 and resigned at 39 and in that period he won three leagues and two FA Cups", Brendan's first few words.....

YNWA...

Well... Good Luck to Brendan Rodgers..
"You'll Never Walk Alone"....
Have a nice day...

NEW ZEALAND vs MALAYSIA - LIVE Updates - Hockey: Azlan Shah Cup 2012

SULTAN AZLAN SHAH CUP 2012

It's the BIG game tonight - New Zealand vs Malaysia... LIVE updates:
1st Half:
00:01 : New Zealand to start..
05:00 : Goal... 1-0 to New Zealand.
14:00 : Malaysia attacking now...
16:00 : 2-0 to New Zealand..
30:00 : Still 2-0 to New zealand
32:00 : Penalty corner to Malaysia - foiled..
34:00 : Goal. 3-0 to New Zealand...
35:00 : half time.. Score New Zealand 3 - 0 Malaysia

NZL leading 3-0 at halftime.

2nd half:

36:01 : Play starts..
40:00 : Game controlled by NZL...
42:00 : Penalty corner to M'sia - saved..
45:00 : GGOOOAALLLLL - Malaysia pulled one back.. 3-1 now.
47:00 : Shot at goal - saved by NZL keeper...
52:00 : More attacks by Malaysia now... quite skillful..
55:00 : Missed by inches (M'sia).
60:00 : Good goalkeeping by NZL..
61:00 : Goal by NZL... 4-1 now.
65:00 : Malaysia trying to score, but really good defending by NZL.
67:00 : 3 minutes to go.. still 4-1.
70:00 : Game over - 4-1 to New Zealand.

Full time score...

Have a nice day...

Pakistan vs India - LIVE - Hockey: Azlan Shah Cup 2012

AZLAN SHAH CUP 2012

It's the big game - Pakistan vs India.

1st Half:

00:01 : Pakistan to start...
05:00 : Both teams playing cautiously..
10:00 : No great moves yet..
13:00 : Penalty corner to Pakistan - blocked.
14:00 : Another penalty corner - lifted over the goal...
15:00 : Pakistan controlling the game (58%).
21:00 : Pakistan doing the attacking ...
25:00 : Still 0-0. 10 minutes to go...
30:00 : Penalty corner to India -GGOOALL...  1-0 to India..

1-0 to India.

32:30 : Penalty corner to Pakistan - saved..
34:58 : Penalty corner to Pakistan - saved again..
35:00 : Half time score: India leads 1-0.

2nd Half:
36:01 : Play resumes..
45:00 : Penalty corner to Pakistan - wasted..
50:00 : Good save by the Indian keeper.. Super save...
55:00 : Pakistan attacking - storming into India's D.
60:00 : Penalty corner - GGOOAALLL .. 1-1 now.
65:00 : India attacking.. Pakistan counter attacks... Rain is pouring now..
67:00 : Penalty corner to India - blocked.
69:00 : GGOOOALLLLL - India scores !!  2-1 to India
70:00 : Game over. India defeated Pakistan 2-1

Have a nice day INDIA !!!

Great Britain vs Korea - LIVE Updates - HOCKEY: Azlan Shah Cup

HOCKEY - AZLAN SHAH CUP 2012

1st Half:
South Korea leading 1-0 - field goal in the 22nd minute.
Half Time: Korea leading 1-0.

half time score.

2nd Half:

South Korea had 2 penalty corners in the first 5 minutes - but no goals scored.
It's raining now.. (41st min).

 Great Britain fans celebrating..

Great Britain scores in the 50th minute. 1-1 now.
5 minutes to go - still deadlocked 1-1.

it's a draw..

Full time score: Great Britain 1 - 1 South Korea.

Next game - Pakistan vs India in half an hour's time...

Have a nice day....

Hockey - Azlan Shah Cup 2012.

Yesterday's matches results and today's schedule:

today's schedule

Table:

table at a glance..

So, see yer at 4.00pm (local time)..

Have a nice day..

PAKISTAN vs MALAYSIA - LIVE - Hockey: Azlan Shah Cup

Welcome back. It's the 3rd game today, or rather tonight.. It's 8.00pm local time.
Malaysia vs Pakistan. It's going to be a bombastic game...

1st Half:

00:01 : Pakistan to start...
04:00 : GOAL - Pakistan scores a field goal.. 1-0 to Pakistan.
13:00 : GOAL - Pakistan scores a second.. 2-0 Pakistan
17:00 : Penalty corner to Malaysia - saved.
21:00 : Penalty corner to Pakistan - brilliant save by keeper, twice..
26:00 : Mistake by M'sian defender - luckily Pakistan didn't take the chances..
34:40 : 20 seconds before half time, Malaysia scores, field goal... 2-1 now.
Half time : Pakistan 2 - 1 Malaysia

2nd Half:

36:00 : 2nd half on...
41:00 : M'sian attack foiled by Pakistan defenders..
42:00 : Oooo.., missed again..
44:00 : Penalty corner to Malaysia - saved.
47:00 : GGOOOALLLLL !! Malaysia scores - 2-2 now
55:00 : 15 minutes to go - can be anybody's game..
57:00 : Malaysian keeper, Kumar,  injured...
58:00 : Play continues...
61:00 : Penalty corner to Pakistan - wide...
62:00 : Pakistani keeper injured now..
63:00 : Penalty corner to Malaysia - superb save - should have been a goal...
65:00 : 5 minutes to go... Malaysia attacking.
68:00 : Still 2-2. Another golden chance missed..
68:20 : Penalty corner to Malaysia - GGOOOALLLLLL !!!!!!!!!! GGGOOOALLLLLL !!!!
Malaysia scores..... 3-2 now.
70:00 : Game over - Malaysia beat Pakistan 3-2 in a triller..

Malaysia's winning goal in the last minute.

The final scoreline, Malaysia won 3-2.

What a game... fuuuhhhh!!!
Have a nice day Malaysia !!

Argentina vs India : LIVE Updates - Hockey: Azlan Shah Cup 2012 - Great Britain vs New Zealand

Hockey lovers, especially from India and Argentina - here's the LIVE Updates:
1st Half:
05:00 : Penalty corner to India - deflected - for the long corner.. nothing.
07:00 : India doing most of the attacking.. 60% possession.
10:00 : Argentina made one or two attacks - comes to nothing.
15:00 : Still no goals...
20:00 : One of the rare attacks by Argentina - saved by the keeper.
25:00 : Slow and patient play by both teams.
31:00 : Still 0-0.
35:00 : No goals in the first half. 0-0.
Half Time - enjoy your coffee break, folks....

2nd Half:
Welcome back to the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium, here in Ipoh, Malaysia. It's hot and humid...
Play resumes now...
36:00 : India gets it underway... still slow pace..
38:00 : GOAL - Argentina scores... 1-0
38:30 : GOAL - Argentina scores another one.... 2-0 (2 goals in a minute..)
40:00 : India now attacking.. oooh.. just over the bar. Good effort.
45:00 : India still dominates play but no goals scored..
49:00 : Penalty corner to India - GOAL !!! 2-1 now..
52:00 : India still attacking now.. Argentina's keeper injured..
56:00 : Penalty corner to Argentina - GOAL !!! Argentina leads 3-1.
61:00 : Penalty corner to India - GOAL... 3-2 now
63:00 : Penalty corner to India - way wide....
66:00 : 4 minutes to go... score still 3-2 to Argentina.
69:00 : A minute to go..
70:00 : Full time score - Argentina beat India 3-2.

*Next game : Great Britain vs New Zealand.

1st Half:

Half time score: Great Britain 2 - 0 New Zealand

2nd Half: 

New Zealand scored in the 63rd minute to make it 2-1

63:00 : Great Britain 2 -1 New Zealand (penalty corner).
70:00 : Game over. Great Britain won 2-1.
Have a nice day...

INDIA vs MALAYSIA - LIVE - Hockey (Sultan Azlan Shah Cup)

Play have just started - Malaysia in yellow, India in Light Blue...
1st Half:
01.00: M'sia drew first blood - hit on target - saved by keeper..
03.00: India missed golden chance. Shot wide..
05:00: Penalty corner to M'sia.. Oooo - just missed by inches by Faizal...
09:00: Another miss by Faizal...
10:00: Mistake by M'sian defenders - simple goal to India. 1-0 to India.
14:00: Goal given? Ball was hit just outside the D-line - it's not counted !! Referee gave the goal to India, 2-0. *TV slow-mo shows that the ball was hit outside the D. Oh dear...
Even, if the ball is hit ON the D-line, it's NOT a goal. The ball must be hit inside the D.
20:00: Malaysian attack failed..
25:00: A lot of bad passes by M'sia.., and missed chances too..
27:00: India missed the goal by inches..
30:00: Still cannot score... one to one situation. Bad day for M'sia..
33:00: M'sia had 5 shots at goal - none went in. India had 5 shot at goal - 2 went in...
35:00: Half time - India leads 2-0.

*Coffee break, folks...

2nd half:

36:00: Poor passing by M'sia..
37:00: Good defending by India.
38:00: Poor finishing again by M'sia.
40:00: Penalty corner to M'sia... GGGOOOAAAALLLLL !!! 2-1 now..
44:00: Field goal by India .. 3-1 now to India.
48:00: Green card to Indian player.
50:00: M'sia doing the attacking.. good defending by India.
51:00: Penalty corner to India - saved
52:00: Penalty corner to M'sia now - saved.
54:00: Yellow cards to 2 Indian players in 2 separate incidents.
55:00: Penalty corner to M'sia - failed again....
57:00: 9-men India defending well... M'sia doing all the attacking.
59:00: GGGGOOOOAALLLLLL by Malaysia .. 3-2 now.
62:00: Penalty corner to M'sia again. Foiled...
64:00: 6 minutes to go - India still leading 3-2.
65:00: 10-men India defending..
66:00: Penalty corner to India - hit the bar !!
68:00: 2 minutes to go.. What can M'sia do? Time is running out..
69:00: A minute to go..
70:00: It's all over - Full time: India won 3-2.
Malaysia's 1st defeat in this tournament...
*India is having a nice day, today....
Bye bye......

Thomas Cup Failure - Bad Decision and Blunders by BAM...

bad injury to Lee Chong Wei..

Now that the Thomas Cup is over, it's time for us to analyse the mistakes and blunders made by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). Point form:
1.   Putting Lee Chong Wei as the 1st singles was the biggest mistake!
Why?
Simple....
(i) Lee Chong Wei was not 100% fully fit. He had shoulder injury a few months back and it was a big risk to make him play in the Thomas Cup campaign. Moreover, the Olympics is just round the corner - so, it's better for him to skip the Thomas Cup. BAM should not have played him...
That's blunder number 1 ....
(ii) At the present set-up of the team, the 2nd and 3rd singles are nowhere to give Malaysia any point. So does the 2nd doubles. The only point (apart from Lee Chong Wei) Malaysia could gain is through the 1st double (Koo Kean Keat/Tan Boon Heong). That doesn't guarantee Malaysia to win the match (best of 5 games).
That's blunder number 2....

2.   Why didn't BAM send a younger team to the Thomas Cup?
Why?
What's wrong with the back-up squad?
Not enough exposure?
Why didn't BAM expose them, in the 1st place?
Blunder number 3...

3.   BAM do not trust the fresh youngters?
I'll list down these names and their previous success:

 Zulfadli Zulkifli

a.   Zulfadli Zulkifli - a young, confident player with great talent. He has won the Asian and World Junior titles. Are you blind or deaf, BAM? Or both??
What sort of player do you want, other than what this player has? He was the world junior singles champion !!! I repeat - WORLD Junior Singles Champion !!!
Oh.., I know why.. He is trained by his father at KLRC and not BAM...
So, BAM don't want winners.. Is that it? Stupid!!!
Blunder number 4....

 Iskandar Zulkarnain

b.   Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin - a former Asian juniors runner-up. He has the height and power in attack. Of course, he lacks exposure - BAM didn't send him to world class tournaments..
Blunder number 5...

Misbun Ramdan

c.   Misbun Ramdan Misbun - possesses good attacking skills. He is tall, just like his father - Misbun Sidek.
Very talented player and can be the next world champion if politics are set aside... (if you know what I mean).
Blunder number 6...

 Chooi Kah Ming/Ow Yao Han

d.   Chooi Kah Ming/Ow Yao Han - the former 2009 world junior champions. This pair have immense talent and potential. A very good combination.. But, of course - left out by BAM and not given exposure...
That's blunder number 7....

4.   Politics again in BAM...
Coaches cannot stay long in BAM.. Why?
Somethings not correct in BAM... What? The stupid officials?
I don't know... ask BAM !!!!

Now that Lee Chong Wei is down injured, BAM can say bye-bye to the Olympics gold.. Bye-bye....
Lee Chong Wei can heal in time for the Olympics, but he won't be 100% fit to win the gold... Just mark my words... Bye-bye Olympics...

Have a nice day, badminton lovers..., Malaysian sports lovers...