Barcelona beats Dynamo 2-0 in Champions League
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Lionel Messi and Pedro Rodriguez scored Tuesday to help defending champion Barcelona beat Dynamo Kiev 2-0 and move top of Group F in the Champions League.
Messi scored in the 26th minute when he received Andres Iniesta's pass and cut in from the right before delivering a powerful low shot that goalkeeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy couldn't keep out.
Substitute Pedro doubled Barcelona's lead in the 76th with a low left-footed shot from Zlatan Ibrahimovic's pass.
Playing its first home game in this season's competition, Barcelona's winning margin could have been larger but for Shovkovskiy's series of saves.
"It's an important win. It's always important to win your home matches in the Champions League," Pedro told Spanish state TV.
In Tuesday's other group game, Rubin Kazan drew 1-1 with Inter Milan.
After two rounds, Barcelona has four points, while Kiev has three. Inter Milan follows with two points, one more than Rubin.
"It's better to be the leader as quickly as possible because we are in a tough group," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "This Tuesday's win is really important. We've taken a small step towards qualification for the second round."
Kiev coach Valeri Gazzaev said Barcelona "was at another level."
We did what we could. We started playing on the counterattack and there were times when we had a chance but that disappeared when we lost the ball," Gazzaev said, speaking through an interpreter.
Barcelona lacked the injured Thierry Henry, although this provided Iniesta with a place in the starting lineup for the first time since the Champions League final, when the Catalan team beat Manchester United 2-0.
Kiev included Andriy Shevchenko on his 33rd birthday despite a doubt over an eye injury. The striker scored a hat trick at Camp Nou in Kiev's 4-0 win in the competition 12 years ago.
The Ukrainians, who beat Rubin 3-1 in its opening group game, made a lively start with Gerson Magrao sending an angled shot narrowly wide after three minutes.
However, the visitors were fortunate in the 15th minute when a penalty was not awarded despite Iniesta's shirt appearing to be tugged by Yevgen Khacheridi.
Messi's goal led Barcelona to control the game until the interval, with Messi and Ibrahimovic a constant threat to Dynamo's defense but repeatedly thwarted by Shovkovskiy.
Ognjen Vukojevic had a goal disallowed in the 40th, with Artem Milevskiy ruled narrowly offside, to remind Barcelona that Kiev was still in contention.
After Iniesta was replaced by Pedro at halftime, Barcelona continued in charge but initially found goal chances harder to create.
However, Barcelona came close in the 64th when Khacheridi headed just wide of his own goal, and three minutes later Shovkovskiy produced an impressive diving save to deny Ibrahimovic.
Dynamo almost reduced the deficit in the 88th when Milevskiy sent the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Victor Valdes - and narrowly over the Barcelona goal.
Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/10144214/Barcelona-beats-Dynamo-2-0-in-Champions-League
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Messi Steers Barca to First Win in Champions League 2009/2010
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Picture of the Day
"Love is in the air" - Tiger Woods kisses his son Charlie Axel Woods, born on Feb 8, 2009. What a great picture! I can feel your love 2 your son, man!! Can Charlie be the next Tiger Woods? Wait 20 years and you'll know. :)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tiger Wins US$10 million jackpot, yet not very satisfied!
"US$10 million Fedex Cup" - Woods won the Fedex Cup though finishing second in The Tour Championship (thats the reason he's not very happy now). Mickelson's back in the Tiger hunt
ATLANTA - He'd won the war and secured the $10 million booty, yet Tiger Woods could only focus on having lost the battle to a resurgent Phil Mickelson.
"Yeah, it was a strange feeling, a little bit deflating," Woods admitted Sunday after being presented with the FedEx Cup for finishing second at East Lake.
"It feels certainly not like it did a couple years ago when I won the tournament by seven, eight shots, whatever it was.
"I think it's just one of those things where obviously, I'm a little disappointed.
"I'm sure I'll probably be more happy tomorrow than I am right now."
Mickelson, on the other hand, couldn't wipe the smile from his face after emerging from the wilderness — he hadn't contended anywhere since the U.S. Open — to win The Tour Championship by three strokes in emphatic fashion.
"I like the way today went," said Mickelson mischievously, "I was two back of him, I beat him by three, he gets the $10 million check and I get $1 million."
He was joking, if only in that he actually received $1.35 million for winning the tournament and an additional $3 million for finishing second in the FedEx Cup.
What this final day of the golf season amounted to was — like a shocking plot twist on the last page of a potboiler — the tantalising specter of a Tiger versus Phil showdown next year.
Woods, who is a prohibitive favorite to win this year's POY award with six wins — three more than Mickelson and Steve Stricker — might have something to say about that. Given that in his 13 years he's only twice not won the award when he's played the full season.
But it's true that Mickelson's looking forward to 2010 now that his wife, Amy, and his mother both seem to be in the clear after breast cancer scares.
"I'm very proud of my wife and my mom on the fight that they've been through, and we've been fortunate in the long term. We're in good shape," he said.
"I'm excited to get 2009 behind me and look forward to 2010."
Mickelson's turnaround came after a suggestion from his caddie, Jim "Bones" MacKay, that he consult two-time PGA champion Dave Stockton, a man many consider the world's foremost putting guru.
"I said, 'Bones, for two years I've been kind of floundering here, not having the right direction.'"
Stockton happened to be in Mickelson's native San Diego and the two worked together for two days a couple of weeks ago.
Stockton told him the opposite of what Mickelson had long been hearing: that he presses his hands too far forward when he putts. Stockton told him it was the best way to putt. "Once he said that, I said, 'Yeah, that's right, I've always believed that.' So I went right back to it and it's been a night-and-day difference for me."
The proof of the pudding's in the eating and Mickelson finished first in putts per green hit in regulation at East Lake.
In shooting the only bogey-free round Sunday, a memorable 65 that could've been even better, Mickelson had one-putted eight straight holes after saving par from the greenside bunker on the 10th.
An even more remarkable statistic is that after making only 13 putts from over 20 feet all year, he made six this week.
"I'm excited because I feel I have some direction now on where I want to go with my putter," he said.
"I felt like I've been hitting it this well for quite some time since working with Butch (Harmon), and yet I have not had the results.
"My play has been like this for two years. I'll have some good weeks where I'll putt well, and I've won a couple tournaments each year. But it hasn't been as consistently solid on the greens as I expect or as it has been in the past. So that's why I'm excited now."
Woods, on the other hand, had flashbacks of Hazeltine, where nothing would fall for him. He needed 30 putts Sunday for an even-par round of 70, five more than Mickelson, and finished the week 22nd in putts made per green in regulation, a tale of woe given that there were only 30 players in the field.
"I hit the ball well enough to make a few more birdies, and I just didn't make any putts this week from about 10 to 20 feet. I mised a lot of putts," he said.
Despite Sunday's disappointment, he did manage to find some consolation in the bigger picture.
"Nine top twos this year, I certainly wouldn't have expected that going into my first event, the Match Play (in February), to end up where I'm at right now," he said.
"The FedEx Cup is something very similar to what you have for Player of the Year. It's a cumulative total and something that you have to be consistent the entire year, and it's something that I was."
Woods betrayed his only real regret when he said, rather wistfully, "wish I could've got a major in there." (lol)
In the end, however, even Mickelson conceded the FedEx Cup went to the right man.
"I didn't play well the first three FedEx Cup events. I don't deserve to win the entire FedEx Cup just based on one tournament win," he said, "It's got to be based on all four, so the way it worked out ... the best player won."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Fifth Straight Win for Barcelona
Warning: Dont listen to the commentators. :)
Friday, September 25, 2009
It's very simple; you always help your friends
"Happy Family" - We all should have one :)Lesson of the day by Tiger Woods:
"It's very simple; you always help your friends," Woods said.
"Sean is a friend of mine, and like all my friends, you always try to make their life better somehow. That's the whole idea of having friends in your life.
"Sean has been struggling a little bit on the greens this year, and I thought I could offer a little bit of help and insight into how he could change that, and now, as I said, I'm going to go chew him out."
Another quote by Messilegend: "In everyone I meet, I learn something."
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Tiger's advice to O'Hair comes back to bite him
The 27-year-old arrived in Atlanta not feeling especially confident, particularly in a putting stroke that has always been suspect.
And then on Wednesday he played nine holes with Tiger Woods and received the tip that would help him get to the top of the leaderboard after the first round of The Tour Championship at East Lake.
"I'm not even close to doing exactly what he's told me to do," O'Hair said after his 4-under-par 66.
"But I truly believe in what he said, and I think it's the key for me to kind of take my putting to another level because, let's face it, that's kind of what's held me back for a long time."
O'Hair had 28 putts — one fewer than Woods on the day — including a 56-footer and six others longer than 6 feet to capitalize on an excellent ball-striking display.
But what impressed O'Hair more than Woods' keen eye for the mechanics of the putting stroke was his generosity of spirit.
"Getting advice from basically the greatest of all time is pretty cool," O'Hair said.
"But I think the thing that impresses me more is the quality of guy he is. I mean, I'm his competition, and for him to help me out like he did was very classy, I thought."
Woods, who rebounded from a sluggish start to finish at 3-under, one shot back of O'Hair, made light of the help he'd offered, saying he was "going to go chew him out right now."
But later he conceded it was just about helping friends.
"It's very simple; you always help your friends," Woods said.
"Sean is a friend of mine, and like all my friends, you always try to make their life better somehow. That's the whole idea of having friends in your life.
"Sean has been struggling a little bit on the greens this year, and I thought I could offer a little bit of help and insight into how he could change that, and now, as I said, I'm going to go chew him out."
Probably not an idle threat given that Woods, as O'Hair has noted in the past, is a world-class "ball buster"; high praise considering O'Hair is from Philly, where breaking huevos has been elevated to an art form.
Woods was playful and relaxed after his round, but his disposition might have been different if the indifference of his first eight holes had continued.
Woods had birdied the third hole from 5 feet but missed three other putts of between 10 and 15 feet to stumble to 1-over through eight holes.
O'Hair, meanwhile, had rattled off five birdies against no blemishes to his card through his first 12 holes to lead Woods by six.
It seemed things would get worse for Woods when he miscalculated a chip on the relatively benign ninth hole, leaving himself with a birdie putt of just over 10 feet. The putt fell, and he said it turned his fortunes.
"I had just bogeyed six and eight and missed a short one there for bidie at seven, and it was nice to get one on nine," he said, "That chip came out a little warmer than I thought, and I didn't want to miss an opportunity there to make birdie. It's one of the very few birdie holes we have out there."
After that, Woods sailed home in 32, the lowest score recorded by anyone in the 30-man field on the exacting back nine.
"I felt if I just shot under par for the day, I'd be fine," he said, "There aren't going to be a lot of guys under par.
"With this golf course, you have to be very patient, especially with greens this firm."
Woods joined a chorus of players in expressing surprise at how hard the putting surfaces are at East Lake given the heavy rains that have flooded the Atlanta area.
A "sub-air" drying system has been installed beneath the greens, allowing them to absorb the deluge without ruining their playability.
"Sub-air, it's amazing what it can do," Woods said. "If you look at some of these greens, it looks like they were in a drought. They're browned out."
Woods said the second round would be tricky because the pin positions would be much more challenging than they were Thursday.
"You've got to be very cautious going in there, because it's very easy to skip over the back, and you've got these down-grain, muffled lies where it's really hard to control what you're doing."
O'Hair, meanwhile, knows that he'll have to keep playing well, especially with Woods lurking, to get his hands on the $10 million FedEx Cup prize money, which would more than soothe the sting of his losses last week in Philly.
"The thing I've learned is that you have to go out there and play good golf," O�Hair said, "You're not going to play average golf against him and do anything worthwhile."
Source/ read more here: http://msn.foxsports.com/golf/story/10121688/Tiger's-advice-to-O'Hair-comes-back-to-bite-him
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Messi 5; Planning to move to Barcelona soon
"On top of the World" - Messi leads top scorer list with 5 goals in last 3 league gamesIbrahimovic has earlier scored a goal through a good left footie cross by Messi, which received a ball directly from Xavi from a freekick. I guess this strategy is the result of workout in training i.e. they practice in training. Its a guesstimate. :)
Pique is the third on the score list with a simple tap in, after collecting an unusual back-heel pass from Ibrahimovic.
The fourth goal by Messi is coming soon. I am still looking for it. Be patient.
Here's Messi second goal of the game. Simply world class - period!:)
p/s: This post is my own commentary of the game. I may be bias :)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Probably the Best Concert of the Year
Let's get it started here..!
The first singer that really move the audience is James from Thailand with a popular Thai song by Thailand's songbird Thongchai. For your information, Thongchai is like the Andy Lau of Thailand for Thai people. Well, my hands started to move for the first time during the concert.
Then, things started to cool down until the performance of Soler. This time my hands and head move together! I dont really understand their songs but its ROCK man! How can you not move when your hear a song like this?
When its time for Power Station to rock, I'm ready to move again!
I think they sing the most number of songs in this concert and they really rock the stadium that night! For the very first time, my whole body move in sync!*dancing* I would like to stand up and dance. But thinking I will block the view of others at the back, i decided to stay put. Though they didnt sing Chong Dong, a song I like a lot, at least they sing this song.
Some of the songs belted out by Power Station are 背叛情歌, 那就這樣吧, 彩虹, 愛到瘋癲 and this song which I like a lot!
Next on board is the singer of "I am like that" (loosely translated), Jade Liu from China. She sang a couple of songs with Power Station before her solo performance. Here is her most popular song.
After the first half ended, I walked out to buy some food. The second half, needless to say, is the moment most of us waiting for! And im ready to rock again!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Manchester United Road To Glory UEFA Champions League 1998/1999
Losing 0-1 for 90 minutes to Bayern Munich in the final, Man United scored two goals in the stoppage time of three minutes, through Terry Sheringham in the first minute and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 3rd minute. The crowds are simply phenomenal. If i were there, I would have lose my voice after the match ended.
Here's the video. Enjoy!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Messi's Double Leads Barcelona in thrashing over Athletico
Time for second half! Enjoy Barcelona!!
Barca's defense was poor after the substitution of Pique somewhere in the 60th minute of the game. As a result, Forlan managed to add another goal for Athletico though he had two great chances to add pressure on Barca. The scoreline was 4-2 then. Messi had a couple of great opportunities to perform but was harshly tackled by the defense of Athletico. There was one moment where Messi looked set to dribble the ball all the way to the goal from center of the field. His great effort met with a stiff challenge which resulted in a freekick for Barcelona. That tackle should have been a red card!
Second half was not good until the very last minute of extra time. Due to good team effort, Barcelona scored another goal. Alves backpassed to Iniesta, Iniesta returned the ball to Alves, Alves cleverly placed the ball for Messi to stamp his mark with his second goal in the match. Final result Barcelona 5 Atheltico Madrid 2.
Messiah is in great form. Watch out guys!
p/s: This is my own piece of commentary for the match. I may be bias :)
Why guys and gals alike like to see/peep/look at woman's breasts?
Ok, where did you just look at? Be honest! No gift for dishonesty.
Again, where did you see? Why??? Ok, see clearly the next picture!
Ok, how bout this? Did you look at his breasts? I bet you look at his ketiak/armpit!
Woww, this is a very nicely taken picture of Lin Zhi Ling! Ok, back to the original question! Where did you just scan through? If you are still blur blur, try the last piece!
Ok, this is the last test! Where did ya see?
So, why guys and gals alike like to see/peep/look at woman's breasts? The answer is short and simple.
"Its their longlost familiarity! They were breastfed once born. Thats why they got a warm feeling about it! You cant blame them." - twitter/orrlang
Do you have any opinion about this? What do you think?
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
To all my Muslim friends and readers, Selamat Hari Raya! Drive safely and enjoy every moment of Raya! :)
Saturday, September 19, 2009
World's Most Valuable Player at €250 million
Messi, the firm favorite to win the Ballon d'Or award in December, has signed a two-year extension to his last deal. The Argentinian who helped Barcelona win an unprecedented treble of Champions League, La Liga/Spanish League and Spanish Cup last season, NOW has a buyout clause of €250m.
Messi started playing at Barcelona since he was 13. "Reports suggest Messi has become Barca's highest earner, with his salary increasing to 9.5m euros per year (£8.1m)."
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has signed a new and improved long-term contract with Barcelona!!!
The 22-year-old forward has committed his future to the Catalan giants until the summer of 2016.
The talented playmaker helped Barca to UEFA Champions League glory in May and was named runner-up to Cristiano Ronaldo in last year's Fifa World Player of the Year award.
Messi's current deal was due to expire in 2014, and that has now been extended by an additional two years while his minimum release clause has increased from €150million (£135m) to €250m (£225m).
The 22-year-old is now committed to the European champions for what will likely be the best years of his career, and wants to end it there too.
"I want to spend all my career here, in Barcelona, if it's possible," he told the club's official website.
Spectacular
"I would love to finish at Barcelona. This contract is a result of everything that happened last year and of what I have done since coming into the first team.
"I am simply one more person in this spectacular group of players, where there is a team that is very nice, very united and in which I am simply part of continuing to win things."
And if Messi is keen to stay at Barca for life, the door would appear to be open after the club's president Joan Laporta voiced his belief that the Argentina forward would never played for another club.
"This is the best news Barca can receive today," Laporta said of the deal that makes Messi the club's highest-paid player.
"It is important to have a player with his human qualities and his football ability. This deal recognises all that he gives to Barcelona.
"It is impossible to imagine the team without a player like Messi. We expect Leo to retire here with Barca."
Immense
Coach Pep Guardiola helped the Catalan giants claim the treble last season and believes Messi's signature on a new deal is 'immense' for the Liga champions.
"It's an immense piece of news for the club and for the player that Messi is renewing his contract," said Guardiola.
"As it also was when Victor Valdes and Xavi did so. People go to football to see the best and that's what they are.
"It's a privilege for Barca to have some of the best footballers like Messi."
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Naughtiest Names Of All
By the way, Messi is not there. If your name is not there, dont be sad coz your name is unique/special!
Read more here: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/17/columnists/londonlog/4715033&sec=londonlog
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Facebook 300 million users, now making money
Facebook now has over 300 million users worldwide. The thing that attracts my attention is the reason people facebooking! Why? Top on the list is checking out photos of women. lol! :D What more can I say?
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Facebook: 300 million people, checking out photos of women
(NECN: Ted McEnroe) - Just two months after Facebook hit the 250 million user mark, company founder Mark Zuckerberg says the company has now surpassed 300 million users. Zuckerberg made the announcement on the Facebook blog yesterday. He also noted that Facebook is now "cash flow positive," which seems to be what the rest of the world would call making money.
Zuckerberg pledges that despite the growth, he's determined to keep the staff manageable, noting that for 300 million users, they have fewer than 300 engineers.
But the company continues to add new functionalities in an effort to keep growing. There are reports that the company is working with a Boston-based firm, Vivox, to add voice chat to the Facebook chat, which could lead to opportunities for fan groups and businesses on the service.
And the company has now opened up the opportunity to try out applications being developed by Facebook engineers - as part of their 'Prototypes' project.
And if you're wondering what 300 million people are doing on Facebook - we're looking at pictures of women. A Harvard Business school professor, Mikolaj Jan Piskorski, analyzed user activity (from 2007) and found that 70% of time spent on Facebook was spent looking at other people's profiles - two-thirds of the time, profiles of women.
Not surprisingly, men were the biggest voyeurs - 22% of the profile browsing was from men looking at profiles and pictures of women they didn't know. Another 19% was men looking at pictures of women they *do* know.
So, women were looking at men, right? Nope.
The researcher found that 17% of the profile gazing was from women looking at profiles and pictures of women they knew. Another 10% was women looking at women they didn't know. Then they got around to looking at men.
But there was a gender gap in the gazing. Men were more likely to look at women they didn't know. Women looked at women they knew. And if a man was listed as "in a relationship," the more likely he was to be checking out pictures of women he didn't know.
And that could be something to look at.
http://www.necn.com/Boston/SciTech/2009/09/16/Facebook-300-million-people/1253103375.html
Messi, Ronaldo score as Barcelona and Real Madrid top the Spanish League
Both Kaka and Ronaldo were the recipients of FIFA World Player of the Year as well as "Ballon d'Or", often referred to as the European Footballer of the Year, in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Well, things changed a lot after that. Now, Lionel Messi is the firm favorite to win the FIFA World Player of the Year 2009 and also the European Footballer of the Year after guiding Barcelona to win the treble last season! To read more about his superb performance, Click here.
Barcelona’s match against Real Madrid season 2009/2010. Real Madrid will certainly give Barcelona a good run for their money this season.
Sun, Nov 29 2009 Real Madrid 11:00 am EST
Sun, Apr 11 2010 away at Real Madrid 11:00 am EDT
So, what are you waiting for? Set up your alarm clock/calendar ladies and gentlemen!
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On Barcelona's treble, Henry has something to share...
"No team has ever done the treble in Spain, and we'll be remembered as the first team to do it," Barcelona striker Thierry Henry said. "That's amazing." (For record, Barcelona won the Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey), then the Spanish League, and now the Champions League in 2009! Undisputedly The Team of the Year - Barcelona)
Read more here: UEFA Champions League 2009 Winner Is... Barcelona!!!
Barcelona - "Phenomenal Team of the Year 2008/2009"
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Spanish La Liga Roundup, Sep. 12
MADRID (AP) - Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi led Barcelona to a 2-0 Spanish league win at Getafe on Saturday while Real Madrid beat Espanyol 3-0 after record signing Cristiano Ronaldo came on as a second-half substitute to score.
Ibrahimovic toe-poked Seydou Keita's deflected centering pass under goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and off the inside of the far post to open in the 66th minute. The Sweden striker controlled with his chest to cross for a streaking Messi to head home the second for the Spanish champions in the 79th.
Ronaldo, signed this summer for a record €94 million from Manchester United, watched from the bench as Esteban Granero fired Madrid ahead in the 40th after being set up by Kaka.
The Brazil playmaker then fed Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez in the 77th for the second before the Portugal winger scored his second of the season in injury time.
"He's a player who's still adapting to a new league so I don't think we can ask much more," coach Manuel Pellegrino said of Ronaldo.
Barcelona and Real Madrid both have a maximum six points while Atletico Madrid remains without a win after drawing 1-1 against Racing Santander.
Brazil striker Luis Fabiano scored two goals as Sevilla rebounded from an opening-day defeat to beat Zaragoza 4-1.
Fabiano beat Juan Pablo Carrizo to Alvaro Negredo's flick-on to tip the ball over the Zaragoza goalkeeper in first-half injury time and then slotted a rebound past the Argentine 'keeper in the 87th.
Abdoulay Konko had put Sevilla ahead in the eighth minute after a feed from Renato before Javier Arizmendi equalized in the 33rd with his second goal of the season. Diego Perotti scored Sevilla's third in the 57th from a hard shot.
Barcelona welcomed back Andres Iniesta for the first time since the Champions League final victory in May, but it was the host who nearly scored first.
Getafe nearly went ahead behind first-half pressure that included Juan Angel Albin hitting the crossbar from long range in the 12th before Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes saved Roberto Soldado's point-blank attempt.
Barcelona finally rallied with Keita slashing wide a minute later before Ustari got down to stop Ibrahimovic's low shot from inside the area just before halftime.
"We were lucky to go into halftime tied," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "In the second half we were much better."
Ustari did well again in the 59th to tip Xavi Hernandez's swiveled volley over the crossbar, but Getafe's defense was troubled by Ibrahimovic who warmed up for a midweek Champions League game against former club Inter Milan with his second goal in as many games.
"Ibrahimovic was extraordinary," Guardiola said of his €66-million Samuel Eto'o replacement.
Messi, who came on as in the 57th, scored in his first appearance of the season after the Argentina winger skipped an opening-day win over Sporting Gijon for international duty.
In the first game at Espanyol's Cornella-El Prat stadium, a minute's silence was held to remember Daniel Jarque, the Espanyol captain who died during the preseason.
Pellegrini watched uncomfortably as only poor finishing kept Espanyol from taking the lead in the first half. Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas blocked Moises Hurtado's shot from in front of goal with his legs in the 20th.
Kaka played Granero into the area and the Spanish midfielder beat Carlos Kameni at the far post to give his team the lead.
Pellegrini finally brought Ronaldo in for the ineffective Karim Benzema in the 66th, and Raul Gonzalez came on for Gonzalo Higuain two minutes before Guti beat Kameni.
Guti played Ronaldo through down the flank and the winger beat Kameni with a low shot.
Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/10007230/Spanish-La-Liga-Roundup,-Sep.-12
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Del Potro beats Federer for the first time to win US Open title
Federer vs Del Potro in US Open final. To quote Djokovic, I'm a little bit disappointed - period. Del Potro needs to play his heart out to beat Federer. And I see he has a good chance after a great performance vs Nadal (i didnt watch the game but based on the score, you know he's playing really well to beat a tough opponent like Nadal).
"The 20-year-old Argentine prevailed 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Monday to snap Federer's streak of five straight U.S. Open titles. The sixth-seeded del Potro had not beaten Federer in their six previous encounters."
So, this is it!
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.
.
I love it!
Del Potro pays too much focus on the final match that he forgot to shave! ---------
Tennis: Del Potro upsets Federer to win US Open title
NEW YORK (AP): Juan Martin del Potro has ended Roger Federer's run of dominance at the U.S. Open, stunning the top-ranked Swiss great in five sets to win in his first Grand Slam final.
The 20-year-old Argentine prevailed 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Monday to snap Federer's streak of five straight U.S. Open titles. The sixth-seeded del Potro had not beaten Federer in their six previous encounters.
Federer had won 40 consecutive matches at Flushing Meadows. He was seeking to become the first man since Bill Tilden in 1920-25 to win the American championship six straight times and the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win three straight majors in a season.
Del Potro upset No. 3 Rafael Nadal in the semifinals in straight sets.
Normally so cool, so consistent, so in control of his emotions and his matches, Federer let the title slip from his grasp.
Two points from victory against inexperienced, unheralded del Potro, two points from a record-extending 16th Grand Slam overall, Federer, quite simply, fell apart.
He railed at the chair umpire. His legs grew weary. His double-faults mounted. He could not figure out a way to stop the 6-foot-6 (1.98-meter) del Potro from pounding forehand after forehand past him. In a result as surprising for who lost as how it happened, del Potro came back to win his first Grand Slam title.
http://www.thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/9/15/sports/20090915090554&sec=sports
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sony Presents Michael Jackson "This Is It" in theatres around the world
The Forever King of Pop, Michael Jackson - RIP!This film shows Michael's last moments. The full video will be out on October 29, 2009. It is said to be a gift to Michael's fans around the world!
This Is It website: http://thisisit-movie.com/
For every competition, I enter to WIN
"For every competition, I enter with an expectation to win! " Thats basically sum up the frame of mind of Tiger Woods as well as other top athletes like Rafael Nadal, Lin Dan and a world champion from our own country, Nicol David.
Tiger's latest victory more or less ensured him the title of Player of the Year 2009. A victory margin of 8 shots over his nearest rivals, Tiger is without doubt back to his greatest form! As Tiger says it best, "Absolutely, it's one of my best years."
"red spells luck" - Always in the red on the final day.----------
Tiger: 'It's one of my best years'
LEMONT, Ill. - Mark Leishman had unleashed a furious drive, emasculating the 600-yard par-5 ninth at Cog Hill, then stuck a flawless 4-iron which left the amiable young Aussie with an eagle putt.
Tiger Woods, meanwhile, was in trouble.
He'd blocked his drive about 60 yards to the right of the tree-lined fairway.
From an unpalatable lie, Woods somehow threaded a low 3-iron through the trees but his ball rolled too far, stopping beneath a tree on the other side of the fairway.
"I thought, 'I might be able to get one or two up on him here, maybe put a little bit of pressure on him'," said Leishman. "Maybe this could get back to four (shots)."
From 109 yards, Woods hit a low 9-iron from under the tree with just the right amount of hook spin. It landed 50 yards short of the green, scurried up the slope, ran onto the putting surface and stopped 15 feet behind the pin.
It was, by estimation, an exquisite play.
"When he hit that shot, I actually just started laughing, it was such a good shot," said Leishman. "He didn't really need it, but he needed it to keep a big lead."
Leishman promptly missed his putt, tapping in for birdie, and Woods, as is his wont, made 4, too.
"Nice halve," joked Woods, his seven-shot lead preserved.
His 71st victory on the Tour was all but guaranteed when he had started the final round of the BMW Championship seven shots ahead with only perhaps the ghosts of Hazeltine and the final-round failure at the PGA Championship to exorcise.
As Brandt Snedeker — who heartbreakingly four-putted from 12 feet on the last hole when two putts would've gotten him into the Tour Championship — said the night before, Woods would need to have a heart attack for anyone else to win this event.
But his heart was strong and Woods finished with a 3-under-par 68 — a round marked by solid if unspectacular play, a breathtaking eagle on the par-5 15th apart — which was good enough for an eight-stroke margin of victory. It was the 10th time he's won by eight shots or more and the first since the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines last year.
"To play as well as I have of late and not get the W's has been a little bit frustrating, no doubt, because I've been so close," said Woods of his second-place finishes at the PGA and The Barclays.
"It's just been a matter of making a couple putts here and there ... and, lo and behold, boom! I hit the ball just as well, just as consistent this week, and I made a few putts. That's how it happens."
Now that he's earned his sixth win — and goes into the Tour Championship at Atlanta's East Lake in two weeks as the top FedEx Cup point earner and prohibitive favorite — Woods declared this comeback season among the best of his career.
"Absolutely, it's one of my best years," he said, "There's no doubt about that.
"I haven't won as many times as I did in 2000, didn't win any majors this year, but I've never had a year where I've been this consistent."
"To have, as I said, an opportunity just about every time I tee it up to win the championship on the back nine, I can't tell you how proud I am."
At first glance, the statement seems like a stretch, but in Woods' mind it's not as he gives this year added weight because of the uncertainty surrounding his rebuilt knee. He wasn't sure whether it could stand up to the pressure of golf's most high-octane swing.
"Most sports you come back after what I had and usually they strap a brace on you and you go play your sport," he said, "I can't swing in a brace on my left leg. That does more harm than good."
"There were so many uncertainties at the beginning of the season. What kind of shots could I play? How was my recovery going to be from day-to-day? Am I going to hurt again? Am I going to stretch out this graft?
"To come off a knee surgery and to have this type of year, to be this consistent, is something that I've very proud of."
The victory has made him, or it should have, a lock for Player of the Year.
"I'd say my name is up there on the list," said Woods.
Only Steve Stricker, with three, has more than two wins. After rounds of 68-67-62 — a course record by four shots at the stretched-out Cog Hill — and 68, Woods' adjusted scoring average for this year is 68.06, a whopping three shots a round better than the Tour average.
Stricker is second, 1.26 shots behind Woods; a deficit which translates to 5 shots per tournament.
Some of Woods' more recent foes fared equally poorly. He beat Y.E. Yang, the PGA champion, for instance, by 32 strokes, an average of eight per round.
Woods is now just two wins behind Jack Nicklaus on the all-time list. After that there's only Sam Snead's 82 to chase.
But consider that Snead and Nicklaus were both 42 when they won their 71st tournaments, nine years older than Woods.
"It feels good," Woods said before heading back to Florida for a few well-earned days of rest and relaxation.
"Winning, that's the ultimate goal."
http://msn.foxsports.com/golf/story/10061204/Tiger-coasts-to-a-runaway-victory
Federer vs Del Potro in US Open Final
Federer vs Del Potro in US Open final. To quote Djokovic, I'm a little bit disappointed - period. Del Potro needs to play his heart out to beat Federer. And I see he has a good chance after a great performance vs Nadal (i didnt watch the game but based on the score, you know he's playing really well to beat a tough opponent like Nadal).
So will it be......
Or this.....
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Best shot of his life moves Federer to final
NEW YORK (AP): Roger Federer punctuated his latest US Open victory Sunday with a shot he described, quite simply, the greatest of his life: a between-the-legs, back-to-the-net, crosscourt winner from the baseline.
A point later, with the crowd in hysterics and opponent Novak Djokovic still in shock, the world's top-ranked player closed out the victory, 7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-5, to move one win from his sixth straight US Open title.
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina earlier handed Rafael Nadal his worst loss in a major tournament, beating the Spaniard 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 to reach his first Grand Slam final and a meeting with Federer, who made his 17th in the last 18.
Serbia's Djokovic fought for more than 2 1/2 hours on a day that grew increasingly windy at Arthur Ashe Stadium, hanging with Federer and even grabbing two break points late in the third set to briefly see a glimmer of hope.
Some things, though, there are no answers for, and the winner Federer hit to set up match point was the perfect example. It's the kind of shot every tennis player has tried, and one the world No. 1 actually practices.
"A lot, actually," he said. "But they never work. That's why, I guess, it was the greatest shot I ever hit in my life." Ahead 5-4 and 30-0 in the third set, Federer sprinted to the net to return a Djokovic drop shot, then Djokovic finessed a lob over Federer's head that bounced barely inside the baseline.
Federer had nothing to lose, of course, so he ran back and hit the athletic shot, a ball that lots of players, especially at the highest levels, can get back.
But few can do what Federer did with his - hit a blazing winner that barely clears the net. Federer jumped and shouted. Djokovic could only stand there and smile. He reached in his pocket to find the ball he'd serve to bring the match to a merciful end - for him, at least.
"You just say, 'Well done,"' Djokovic said. "What can you do?"
This was exactly the kind of memory the US Open needed after a weekend filled with rain delays and controversy.
"I don't want to mention the word luck, but I didn't have it today," Djokovic said. "That's why I'm a little bit disappointed."
http://www.thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/9/14/sports/20090914083432&sec=sports
Sunday, September 13, 2009
I was a fan of Manchester United
The atmosphere in the coffee shop where i watched the game is still fresh in my mind. Though the match started around 2.45am, MU die hard fans will never miss it. Its like a responsibility for them to follow every match involving MU. Anyone care to share whats the reason/s?
I still remember an Indian friend became too excited with the win and tears apart the plastic chair with his head! He just spontaneously held the chair high and slammed the chair (the area where you rest ur bottom) into his head. As a result, he had to compensate which I dont think he care much. He is too happy and order more Guinness to celebrate the magical win for his beloved team.
MU is still my favorite team in the EPL. They have their own style of play which I believe is hard for other teams to emulate. Since following Messi few years ago, and with the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid, my attention turns to Barcelona. I do think that the departure of Beckham is a great loss to MU. He is without doubt the best freekick taker and crosser in the world. For me, MU greatest no.7, since Eric Cantona era, belongs to David Beckham though many will prefer Ronaldo.
Why Messi? Simply because there isnt anyone like Messi.
He's great with dribbling...
Cool when scoring...
and simple when celebrating
Messi is a gifted player. You wont see another one like him in a long, long time.
Man United shows Spurs Who's The King; Adebayor cant hide his emotion over Arsenal
Spurs's perfect record in the first four matches ended with a home loss to MU. Former Arsenal player Adebayor proved Wenger's mistake in offloading him to Man City. Chelsea, which I believe has a great chance to win the Premier League title this season, maintained their perfect record, victory number five out of five, with a winning goal scored in the last minute.
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Devils cut down Spurs
LONDON: Champions Manchester United recovered from conceding an early goal at Tottenham Hotspur to win 3-1 even though Paul Scholes was sent off after an hour yesterday.
Neighbours Manchester City passed their first major test of the season with flying colours by beating Arsenal 4-2 to make it four wins out of four.
Chelsea maintained their perfect record with their fifth win but needed a last-minute Florent Malouda goal for a 2-1 victory at Stoke City.
Yossi Benayoun scored a hat-trick as Liverpool ended their sticky run by thrashing Burnley 4-0 at Anfield.
The results take Chelsea to 15 points with Manchester United, Manchester City and Spurs all on 12.
After a big build-up it was a low-key first hour at Eastlands.
City went ahead with an own goal via the head of Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia with Arsenal levelling through Robin van Persie after 62 minutes.
City then cut loose with three goals in 10 minutes.
They regained the lead after 74 minutes through Craig Bellamy. Emmanuel Adebayor, City’s £25mil (US$41.74mil) summer signing from Arsenal, headed the third and Shaun Wright-Phillips then finished off a great breakaway.
Adebayor’s decision to run the length of the pitch to celebrate his goal earned him a booking but the Togo international, who has now scored in all four of City’s league games, was quick to apologise.
“I shouldn’t have done what I did but the emotion took over me and I’m sorry for what I’ve done,” he told Sky Sports. Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky got Arsenal’s late second.
Spurs, who had not beaten United in their last 19 meetings, went ahead inside a minute when in-form Jermain Defoe swept in a bicycle kick from a Peter Crouch knock-down.
Any thoughts of another upset win soon disappeared, though, as Ryan Giggs equalised with a free kick and Anderson’s first goal for the club had the visitors deservedly ahead at halftime.
United had midfielder Paul Scholes sent off for a second booking after an hour but remained the more dangerous side and wrapped up a terrific win with a length-of-the field counter-attack superbly finished by Wayne Rooney 13 minutes from time.
Last season Chelsea scored twice in the last three minutes to claim a 2-1 comeback win over Stoke at Stamford Bridge and they left the Stoke fans fuming with a repeat performance.
After Abdoulaye Faye had put Stoke ahead, Didier Drogba equalised with a well-taken shot in first-half injury time.
It was all Chelsea in the second half but they had to wait until the last minute for Malouda to snatch the winner.
Burnley’s hopes of adding the scalp of Liverpool to those of Manchester United and Everton were swept aside at Anfield.
Three for Benayoun and one for Dirk Kuyt were just reward for a dominant performance. — Reuters
http://www.thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/9/13/sports/4708073&sec=sports
Saturday, September 12, 2009
T. Music Festival: Great Songs, Great Singers
A little background of tonight's concert
Songs that I hope can listen tonight are..
Let me sum up my feeling for now with a song..
Friday, September 11, 2009
I See A Tough Match In Federer vs Djokovic - US Open Semifinal
Yea, I see a tough match in Fedex vs The Joker! Fedex has been dropping a set each vs Hewitt and Soderling, where the latter seems to create more problems for Fedex. It looks like The Joker will give Fedex a good fight if not a hard win. But but but in a major, Fedex holds the upper hand vs any players except Nadal. Hence, I still favor a Fedex vs Nadal final.
So which guy are you supporting? I see some Federer supporters out there hoping him to win his 15th major, two better than Pete Sampras. Federer is undoubtedly the greatest tennis player in history after his victory no. 14th at the French Open, more so its his first title for the only major in clay. Therefore, a final between the World no.1 vs the new world no.2 is going to be a great match to watch!
Happy weekend! :)
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US Open: Federer, Djokovic to meet in semifinals
NEW YORK (AP) - Roger Federer moved within two wins of a record sixth U.S. Open title, reaching a 22nd consecutive Grand Slam semifinal with a 6-0, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (6) win over 12th-seeded Robin Soderling on Wednesday night.
Federer has won 39 consecutive matches at the American Grand Slam tournament, where he is trying to become the first man since Bill Tilden in the 1920s to win six titles in a row.
In Saturday's semifinals, Federer will play No. 4 Novak Djokovic, who eliminated No. 10 Fernando Verdasco of Spain 7-6 (2), 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 earlier Wednesday.
A trainer treated 10th-ranked Verdasco for a stomach muscle problem during their quarterfinal in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Read more here: http://www.thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2009/9/10/sports/20090910122934&sec=sports
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Del Potro to meet "injured" Nadal in the other semifinal?
Del Potro's next opponent will be No. 3 Rafael Nadal or No. 11 Fernando Gonzalez, whose quarterfinal was interrupted by rain with Nadal leading 7-6 (4), 2-2.
Del Potro beats Cilic to reach U.S. Open semis
NEW YORK (AP) - Juan Martin del Potro's first match inside Arthur Ashe Stadium produced his second trip to a Grand Slam semifinal.
The sixth-seeded del Potro overcame a sluggish first set Thursday and figured out the blustery wind inside the cavernous stadium to defeat No. 16 Marin Cilic, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in the U.S. Open quarterfinals.
"It's so beautiful playing in front of this crowd," del Potro said. "I'm so happy it happened this way."
Jettisoned to smaller courts for every match over his two years at Flushing Meadows - despite his ranking - the Argentine finally got to play on the big stage.
He had a rough time handling Cilic's serve in the first set, and was down a break early in the second. That's when he figured things out and rolled off 17 of the last 20 games.
"He was not missing," Cilic said.
Del Potro is in his second major semifinal, adding this to his trip at the French Open earlier this year, where he blew a lead and lost in five sets to Roger Federer. Del Potro's next opponent will be No. 3 Rafael Nadal or No. 11 Fernando Gonzalez, whose quarterfinal was interrupted by rain with Nadal leading 7-6 (4), 2-2.
After winning the first set, Nadal sought treatment from a trainer. The exact nature of Nadal's problem wasn't immediately clear, but he did have stomach muscle issues earlier in the tournament.
http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/10023252/Del-Potro-beats-Cilic-to-reach-U.S.-Open-semis
An Unforgettable Birth Date and Time 090909-0909 and a little more
Baby born at 9:09 on 9/9/09 weighs 9 lbs., 9 oz.
Laughter erupted in hospital room when nurse announced significant digits
LA CROSSE, Wis. US - No doubt about it, the nines have it. Chuck Berendes of La Crosse said he will never forget the birthday of his third child, born Wednesday on the ninth day of the ninth month in the year 2009.
Nor will Berendes and his wife, Polly, forget Henry Michael's arrival time — at 9:09 a.m. by Cesarean section at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse.
But they got the biggest laugh when the newborn was placed on the delivery room scale following his birth.
Berendes said it was metric scale so the doctor did the math in his head, but to make sure, he had the nurse also do the conversion.
Berendes said they broke into laughter when the nurse told them Henry weighed 9 pounds, 9 ounces.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32788180/ns/today-parenting_and_family/?gt1=43001
Nuffnang Unveils Project Alpha Trailer
September is here, and Nuffnang finally unveiled the trailer of Project Alpha. Ok my question is: Besides the youtube version, is there any other avenue to watch like Vodpod??
Watch it here: http://www.nuffnang.com.my/projectalpha/episodes/
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Will Nadal Springs a Surprise at US Open?
Winning the US Open adds another feather to Nadal's cap since it is the only major title missing from his grasp to complete a career Grand Slam. Pray pray pray.........
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NEW YORK (AP) - Second-ranked Andy Murray was surprisingly knocked out of the U.S. Open by Marin Cilic of Croatia by a lopsided 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in the fourth round on Tuesday.
Cilic overcame two set points in the first set, then pounded Murray over the last two to reach his first career Grand Slam quarterfinals. Murray, who lost to Roger Federer in the final at Flushing Meadows last year, will finish 2009 without making a major final.
The match ended in the late afternoon in New York, and just before newspaper deadlines back in England, where the sports sections follow Murray's every move. Certainly, those headlines won't be nice on Wednesday morning.
"Today, I could've been better in pretty much every part of my game, whether it was mental, forehand, backhand, return," said Murray, who conceded that, yes, this was the most disappointing loss of his career.
And now Murray will slide back to No. 3 in the rankings, a spot behind Rafael Nadal, who will move up by virtue of beating No. 13 Gael Monfils 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 in Tuesday night's last match to get to the quarterfinals.
Nadal-Monfils featured two men often cited as the best athletes on tour, and it was a spirited contest early, filled with long points, terrific retrieving, powerful hitting - and animated celebrations by both. Monfils eventually began to show signs of fatigue, leaning over to gasp for air between points, and Nadal took control.
Nadal, trying to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the U.S. Open, will meet No. 11 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in the semifinals. Gonzalez eliminated No. 7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
Tennis: Rafael Nadal gets past Gael Monfils to reach US Open quarters
NEW YORK (AP): Rafael Nadal could soon be back at No. 2 in the rankings after eliminating Gael Monfils of France to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals.
Nadal appeared to be back to his healthy, hustling self during a 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 victory over No. 13-seeded Gael Monfils on Tuesday night, continuing his bid to complete a career Grand Slam of four majors.
"Well, very happy, no? After the last two matches I played, I had a few problems, but, anyway, I am here. I am in the quarterfinals for the third time," Nadal said.
The Spaniard moved well against Monfils, covering the court during their many extended exchanges. It was a high-quality, high-speed contest over the first two sets, with both men _ considered by many to be the best pure athletes on tour - displaying tireless defense and powerful offense.
"Unbelievable. Sometimes you think you won the point," Nadal said, "and the ball is coming back another time and another time and another time."
Perhaps, but it was Monfils who began to tire late in the second set, sometimes leaning over with a hand on his knee to rest and gasp for air between points.
"Didn't have the miles in my legs," Monfils explained.
Nadal, meanwhile, showed no significant signs of problems from either the sore knees that kept him off tour for all of June and July - forcing him to skip a title defense at Wimbledon - or the abdominal muscle issue that flared up during his third-round victory over Nicolas Almagro. "His defense was very, very strong today," Monfils said.
Nadal did have a small bandage on his stomach again Tuesday, and he did seem to serve conservatively, with no aces and no double-faults.
"I am improving every day. After a month and a half or two months of (not playing), it is not easy coming back," Nadal said. "The knees are very good, so very happy for that."
He is assured of overtaking Andy Murray in next week's ATP rankings, and a victory over No. 11 Fernando Gonzalez in the quarterfinals would guarantee Nadal a return to No. 2.
Nadal was No. 1 or 2 from July 2005 until three weeks ago, when he dropped to No. 3. But Murray's loss earlier Tuesday, coupled with Nadal's victory, means they'll switch places. There is still a chance Novak Djokovic could pass both of them by winning the title.
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