Our 2011 Best XI (EPL & La Liga)

2011 had come to an end so we decided to pick 11 players from Permier League and La Liga, who we think have performed very well throughout the year. Above are our selections, you may or may not agree, but feel free to share your comments and Best XI with us!

Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup 1st Leg: Hong Kong 2-2 Guangdong

Although Hong Kong stadium wasn’t full last night, the atmosphere was awesome. Hong Kong fans never stop cheering for their team and when the team scored, a lot of people stand up and applauded. The atmosphere had made my friend who entered the stadium for the first time, feeling warm and excited. For me and other friends who didn’t watch Hong Kong football for quite some times, we felt the excitements and were cheering with everyone else as well.

What Did We Miss?! Suspensions, New Twitter Account and more…

Yes yes, internet connection was downed for so long which kept us away from important football news!

1. Luis Suarez Suspensions

Apparently everyone was talking about Suarez’s suspensions lately and no, we are not too late. The racism incident has led to 8 matches suspension but Liverpool is appealing, so Suarez could still play in the previous game. However, the middle finger incident has given him an additional one match ban with immediate effect, so you will not see Suarez in the upcoming Liverpool game. If the appeal fails, there will be total of 9 matches suspension for Suarez, and I am sure this will give Dalglish some headaches.

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

Image via Wilshere’s Twitter

Just a quick update on Christmas, as I am waiting for the party to begin. Merry Christmas to all our readers and hope you guys will receive as many gifts as Archie!

I know we haven’t been updating lately, as the internet at home is still down. I am trying my best to find internet connections elsewhere to keep you guys posted. Hopefully everything will be back to normal next week. Party hard!

Champions League/Europa: What to Watch?

Somehow when you look at the result of both draws, the Europa matches seem to be more exciting. One of the main reasons, of course is because many top teams are going to compete in the lower league this season. So, which teams will us watch?

Picture of The Day: Back on Winning Track

Image via Zimbio/GettyImages

West Ham beat Barnsley to get back on their winning track after losing to Reading and Burnley. Now they are just 1 point away from Championship leader Southamton as the latter failed to get 3 points from Portsmouth.

Get Well Soon, David Villa!

Image via Soccernet/GettyImages

Yesterday we were just talking about should David Villa leaves Barcelona. Looks like he can’t go any where now. El Guaje broke his shinbone in the game against Al-Sadd today, and seems like he may needs up to 6 months to recover. This may not concern Barcelona too much, but Euro 2012 is around the corner, hope Villa can make it in time for the tournament.

Get well soon, David!

Feature: Where Should David Villa Go?

Image via Zimbio/GettyImages

Is David Villa’s time with Barcelona comes to an end?

Transfer window will soon be reopened and many Spanish press have been talking about the future of David Villa. The Spanish top scorer of all time was on the bench during El Clasico and was only given less than 10 minutes time to play. In the game against Levante, David Villa was an unused substitute. When a striker like him, spent more time on the bench than on the field, his future of course becomes a question mark.

Chelsea vs Man City: The Ball is Round

You may be the one who always score, but you can’t always be the winner.
Sorry, not always you. Image via Zimbio/GettyImage

The ball is round. So it rolls to wherever it wants. It can still change side at the very last minute. Us football fan, are used to twists and turns in the beautiful game. We know nothing is secure until the referee blows the final whistle, like the game last night, the El Clasico and many others.

Nicolas Anelka to Shanghai Shenhua FC

Image via Zimbio/GettyImage

No, you won’t get to see this scene any longer, as Anelka has confirmed to leave Chelsea.
The club already confirms that Anelka will leave Chelsea next month and joins Shanghai Shenhua FC for a two years contract.

Real Madrid: From Heaven to Hell

Image via AS

I was just about to sit down in front of the TV right after kick off, haven’t even sat properly and there came the Benzema goal. Surely no one really saw that coming. Firstly, it was fast, the fastest El Clasico goal ever. Secondly, it was a horrible mistake by Victor Valdes. He passed the ball to a Madrid player at their own half.

El Clasico: Iker Casillas vs David Villa?

Already excited about the El Clasico tonight and planning to sleep earlier for the game? Don’t forget there are a few Premier League games on as well, one of them will be Arteta against old club Everton. Think Liverpool versus QPR will be an exciting one too. So what do we think about the El Clasico?

Manchester ‘Twins’ Join Europa

Image via Zimbio/GettyImages

Before we start, just wondering if the fan at the back had gone to the wrong stadium? I am pretty sure Balotelli is playing for the other Manchester team, and would love to join you for some firework. =P

Picture of The Day: Don’t Be Shy, Girl

Image via Zimbio/Bauer Griffin 

Oh girl, there is no need to be shy! You are standing right in front of The One and Only David Beckham. I am sure a lot of girls are dying to be you and will do whatever it takes. ;) (Am I one of them? Nah, I ‘heart’ some other players.)

AFC Cup Draw: For Your Information

We are at the draw for obvious reason, because two of our local league teams, Kitchee and Citizen will be participating in AFC Cup 2012. After hearing a lot of A1, C2, B4, and quite a number of clubs that we never heard of (sorry about that!), the groups are as shown in the picture (You can click to enlarge).

Champions League: The Last Battle

Image via UEFA/Getty Images

Here comes the last game in group stage of UEFA Champions League and let’s see which teams are already cleared and through to the next stage:

Bayern Munich, Internazionale, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Apoel, Barcelona and AC Milan.
The rest? They will have to fight hard for their places, and no, winning is not quite enough.

Feature: Euro 2012 Predictions

Image via FIFA/GettyImages

I have given some thoughts to the groups of Euro 2012 after the draw and feel like making some wild guesses. Feel free to disagree with my choices! ;)

Most Unpredictable Group: Group A

Group A consisting Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech. Personally, I think this group can be quite tricky, simply because they don’t have a team that stands out. Yes, Russia looks like the strongest among all but the gap isn’t that big after all. So any combinations is possible for this group. We may see some new faces in quarter-finals. My prediction? Russia and Poland. The host always has some advantages, no?

Player Thursday: Don’t Forget Gary Speed

Image by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images/Zimbio

I don’t recall a lot about Speed, as when I started watching football regularly, it was already towards the end of his footballer career. Although passed his peak, Speed in Bolton still made an impression in my head. As little as I watched Bolton, Speed was the few names that stuck. After few years in Bolton, he joined Sheffield United, a club currently in League One, and ended his player career there.

Picture of The Day: A Promised Tattoo

Image via Facebook

Someone promised to tattoo World Cup trophy on his body if his team won it. It was more than a year since World Cup and he finally did it. Do you still remember who is he? Yes, the one and only Sergio Ramos has just added another tattoo to his body. This is his 13th tattoo and we wonder if he will add more in the future? Maybe the Euro trophy on the other leg if Spain wins it again! ;)

Feature: Dear AFC, Time for Some Changes

I didn’t try to hide my shock and disappointed face when I heard all Japanese and Korean players who were running for AFC player of the year were unable to attend the event. Because it means that these four players would be ineligible for the award. Why is that? Well, AFC has this rule that player must attend the annual awards ceremony to win the trophy. With this rule, a lot of questions arose.

Inside AFC Annual Awards Ceremony

Yes, this was the table for media. We were lucky to be able to attend this ceremony with Rene from Eito Arena, along with many other media representatives from around the world. Although the absence of Honda, Kagawa, Homare Sawa and so on is a big disappointment for us, we are happy to be able to witness this event.

Sepp Blatter Emphasizes Zero Tolerant in Racism

FIFA president Sepp Blatter was in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to attend AFC Annual Award ceremony, and we are delighted to be able to attend this press conference.

Honda Lost in AFC Player of The Year Race

The nominees of AFC Player of the Year award have arrived in Malaysia. As you can see, Honda, Kagawa, Koo Ja- Cheol and Yeom Ki-hun are not able to attend the award ceremony due to club commitments. In other word, the winner will be either Hadi Aghily or Server Djeparov as player must be able to attend the event to win the award.

Picture of The Day: Donovan Gives Becks a Dream Exit

Images via Zimbio/GettyImages

Champion of MLS Cup is the first title Becks won in the United States. As well as the first title for LA Galaxy since 2005. David Beckham’s five years contract with LA Galaxy is coming to an end. The MLS Cup final against Houston Dynamo is believed to be David Beckham last game with LA Galaxy. So nothing could be better than being the winner of the game and takes the trophy back home. With a little help from Landon Donovan, Becks has gotten both.

Referee Attempted Suicide: No Replay in Life

Image via Zimbio/GettyImages

While most attentions were on yesterday’s Man City versus Newcastle league game. In Germany, Cologne's game against Mainz was called off as the referee did not show up.

The referee, Babak Rafati, was found attempted suicide in his hotel room, not long before the game’s scheduled starting time. Fortunately, they found him in the hotel room soon after he had committed suicide. Rafati is alive.

Match to Catch: Chelsea vs Liverpool

The international week is over and the Leagues are back. A couple of big games await us this weekend in the Premier League. It will begin with Manchester City versus Newcastle United, just a few hours later. Both teams remain unbeaten since the season began. Will someone’s record ends today, or will the game ends with a draw instead? If Newcastle managed to win tonight, they will become second on the table (at least for a while until Man Utd beats Swansea).

Player Thursday: A Real Fighter, Scott Parker

Image via Zimbio/GettyImages

There are many reasons for us, football fan, to like a player. It can be as simple as he scored the winning goal of an important game; or he has good skills; he plays beautiful football; he is nice; he doesn’t play aggressively, and so on. But it is very hard for me, to admire a player. Scott Parker, is one of the rare.

Portugal, Croatia, Czech Rep, Rep of Ireland: Welcome to Euro 2012

Image via Zimbio/GettyImages

Well well, too bad that we had to miss the play-offs. 6-2 is quite a shock to us when the two teams managed to have a nil nil draw just a few days ago. Portugal has scored some brilliant goals last night and they certainly deserve this victory. No surprises in other games, as everyone could have predicted. Croatia, Czech Republic and Republic of Ireland are qualified to Euro 2012, all of these three teams scored in the 1st leg.

Picture of The Day: WOW! Balotelli at the Goal

Image via Zimbio/GettyImages

For the million things that Balotelli has done, like setting up firework in his bathroom, asking god why he always scores. What would he do if he plays as a goalkeeper? Maybe….Catch the ball with his mouth? Oh man, we would love to see that happens! lol

Have to keep this one short, exam coming up tomorrow. Wish me luck, and happy watching football without me later! =(

Picture of The Day: Iker 126

Images via Facebook

126, a record set by Andoni Zubizarreta, who was Spain’s most-capped player. Was? Because we all know Iker Casillas will break the record soon enough and set a much higher number for others to break. Iker Casillas used just 11 years to equal the record, and he is just at his 30, fairly young for a goalkeeper. It was good that he managed to celebrate his 126 appearances at Wembley with a clean sheet, as Lampard didn’t score until Reina stood in front of goal.

Congrats Iker, one of the best goalkeeper in the world! 126 and counting…

England vs Spain: The Story of Poppy

Images via Daylife/GettyImages/Reuters

Why Poppy?Before I talk about the game, let’s talk about a little history here. England tried so hard just to get FIFA to allow the national team wears poppies in the friendly match against Spain. So what is so significant of this flower? It simply because the poppies was one of the only plants that grew on the battlefields, around the fallen soldiers, after World War One. Therefore, people nowadays wear the flower as memorial to those who died during World War One and many other conflicts after. Poppy day is also for people to raise money and help ex-soldiers and their families.

Turkey, Portugal: On Their Way OUT of Euro 2012?

Image via Soccernet/GettyImages

Well, this isn’t what we were expecting. Most people think Turkey has the upper hand, not only because they are taking on Croatia at home. Also because they have a coach who can do magic, or maybe creating miracles is the right words. None expected a 0-3 result that you can’t even look at.

Feature: Messi-Ronaldo Competition is Hurting La Liga

When everyone is enjoying the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid, counting whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo scored more hat-tricks in a season…Have you realized a big problem is evolving in the La Liga? Let’s call it, the Messi-Ronaldo syndrome.

How do you tell when someone is suffering from this syndrome?

Symptom 1:
They care about who score the goals more than who won the game.

2011 AFC Player of the Year award: Last 10

Former winner, Server Djeparov
Image via Zimbio/China Photos/GettyImages

This year, the AFC Player of the Year award ceremony will be held on November 23, 2011, which is really soon, at the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur. AFC has just announced the second shortlist today:

Picture of The Day: Rio’s Birthday Present

Image via Twitter

Picture speaks louder than words. We will leave it for you to decide, will Rio leads a new trend in fashion. Maybe he can consider being a model after he retires from football, no?

Picture of The Day: The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand

Image via Daylife/GettyImages

Serving a club for 25 years, won many titles and have the North Stand of Old Trafford named after you, what else can you ask for? Alex Ferguson celebrated his 25th years at Manchester United with a victory at home against Sunderland yesterday, the game ended in 1-0 with an own goal scored by former Man United player, Wes Brown. Maybe that’s his way of thanking Fergie? =P

Picture of The Day: ‘I Want It!’

Image via Daylife/GettyImages

Well well, Fabregas looked all lovey-dowey while touching Puyol’s hand watch. His heart must be screaming ‘I want it!’, 'Okay kid, I will get you one as Christmas gift. Stop touching me!!’

Player Thursday: The True Hero, Billy Sharp

Image credits: Billy Sharp’s Twitter/Matt West

Please welcome, Player Thursday! From this week onwards, every two weeks, we will have a Player Thursday, to introduce you players that we think you should know or know more about. And we would like to begin it with, Billy Sharp, a brave dad.

Jonas Scores 2nd Fastest Goal in Champions League History

If you missed the goal last night, like us, you can watch it from the video above! This goal scored by Valencia’s player Jonas, got into the back of the net around 11s but still, cannot beat Roy Makaay’s goal for Bayern Munich against Real Madrid in 2007, which scored at 10s, just slightly quicker than Jonas.

Our Prediction for FIFA Ballon d'Or

'So Pep, if Messi and Xavi both got into the final 3 this year, who do you think will win?’
'Oh man! I DON’T KNOW!’ Image via Daylife/GettyImages

Yes yes, the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or is just around the corner and the 23-man shortlist was just released. No doubt that Messi, Ronaldo are both in the running and we are not surprised that Barcelona players have dominated the list, there are all together 8 of them on the list:

Picture of The Day: Trick or Treat?

Image via Wilshere’s Twitter

Well, where is little Archie’s head? So I guess Jack’s big head plus a baby skeleton body does look a bit scary, no? Nah, think Archie is just too cute to scare people away, I think this team must have gotten themselves a lot of candies yesterday!

Book Review: Match Fixer

Book Title: Match Fixer

Author: Neil Humphreys

What is it about: Unlike the two books that we had introduced before, this is a fiction book. So for those who don’t read biographies of people that you’re not interested and think football statistics are just so boring, this may be the book for you, especially if you are a West Ham fan.

This book tells the story of a young ex-West Ham reserve player, Chris Osbourne, who is trying to bring his football career back on track, at the S-League, the Singaporean League. If this is all the story going to talk about, of course it is not interesting, but it is more than that, it talks about match fixing in Singapore, and also some other part of Southeast Asia: How does the systems work, How is it being fixed, What kind of people are involved. You may be surprised by how deep it has gone into, and yes, this is just a story, but who knows? Everything seems so real. To one point, you may find you telling yourself..hmm..maybe, maybe this is true.

Films Review: Goal! Trilogy

Images via imdb

Film Title: Goal! ; Goal II & Goal III
Cast: Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel
Synopsis: Think this three films pretty much sum up what a footballer’s life is expected to be. Firstly, you try hard to get into a professional club, then you fight for a place in the first team. Secondly, you move on to a better club, one of the giants and plays in the European stage. Lastly, you play in the World Cup.

Jack Wilshere Answered Us on Twitter

Remember Jack Wilshere had an #AskJack session on Twitter last Thursday? Not sure if you have sent in your questions, but we did! And most importantly, Jack answered two of them!

Picture of The Day: Sergio(s) and Golf

Image via Real Madrid website

We know this is an old picture, but since we are going to a golf course to watch our first ever golf tournament tomorrow, it reminds us of the picture: Ramos playing golf. And this reminds us of Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia, not only because they share the same first name, but Ramos’ full name happens to be Sergio Ramos Garcia. Unfortunately, Sergio Garcia is not going to play in CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia that we are going to watch tomorrow. :P

Rosy Glove Can’t Save Granada

We screamed (in our heart) when we saw this pink glove! They are lovely, aren’t they?

Okay, let’s get back to the topic. I think we shall give Granada an applause for their performance against Barcelona last night. Although we hoped Barca can get that three points to keep the table interesting, we were gutted for this newly promoted La Liga team.

Their performance wasn’t flawless, but they have shown determination in defending one of the best team in the world. They were 10 men down early in the second half, yet they managed to keep Barcelona away from goal. The only goal Barcelona scored last night, was an awesome free-kick by Xavi. If not for referee misjudgement, which mistaken an onside move as offside, Granada could have grabbed one point at home against Barcelona.

In the end, another Granada player, Benitez, got his second yellow and was sent off. Bad news for Barca fans, Pedro picked up an injury in the game and was replaced by David Villa. Hope he can recover soon!

Image via Daylife/GettyImages

Canales Out for Up to Six Months

Image via ValenciaCF Facebook

Sad news to all! Sergio Canales suffers from  knee injury which can take him off the pitch for up to six months. He was forced to leave the field after 37 minutes while facing Athletic Bilbao. Canales is on loan from Real Madrid and has been a regular player in Valencia squad this season. A few players have shown their concern for the player:

A Weekend Full of Surprises

Image via Zimbio/GettyImages

Remember last season there was this weekend when every team at the top of the table lost points? Things only get better in the weekend that just passed, not only teams lost points, but, in a dramatic way!

Picture of The Day: Why Always Me?

Image via Daylife/GettyImage

No one can forget this three words after tonight, “Why Always Me?”, we can’t help but laughed when Balotelli revealed his shirt after scoring the first goal. “Why Always Me?”, the sentence passed our mind again, after Balotelli scored his second goal for City today. “Why Always Me?”, third goal scorer Aguero, forth and sixth goal scorer Dzeko and fifth goal scorer Silva can ask the same question as well, as they always make it to City score sheet. Oh what? We didn’t mention Man Utd lost 1-6 at home? Think everyone should know it by now, and maybe Ferguson can finally feel Arsene Wenger’s pain, now that they are being trashed by their noisy neighbor.