My He(Rio

I was still recuperating from last week lost to City and as expected, I wouldn’t get any sympathy from anyone….even from Sherie. It was a tough week to endure…..well it has been a tough 2006 to be honest with United struggling with form since the New Year. Trying to erase the lost from your memory was kinda hard as sms and e-mails were sent from all my “caring” friends. One sms stuck on my mind though…….” Don’t worry pok….u won’t have to be sad for too long about this…ur losing to Liverpool next and u will definitely forget about this week ..hahahaha”. Cruel…but I accepted it like a man…. By thinking of a better and crueler comeback later.



Yeah…Liverpool is coming to town. And from the looks of it, Liverpool is the overwhelming favorite to win the game. How dare….predicting a Liverpool win at Old Trafford. It hurts a lot watching pundits were favoring Liverpool and United looked too shaky and not at par with Liverpool. Even the papers were predicting United will loose the game. Liverpool performances of late where they have collected 34 points out of a possible 36 were highlighted and Liverpool’s qualities in the midfield marshaled by Stevie G are a class above United’s current midfield. The poor performance so far by United since the turn of the year also contributed to the odds of a Liverpool win. I feel gutted cos to be honest and fair, if we are to base our prediction on team and individual performance it does seems like a United win would be unlikely. But then again, team performance will go out of the window in a Liverpool-United clash….



I would have loved to watch the game outside with bigger crowd and a livelier ambience but considering the next day is a working day, I went to watch the game at Sherie’s house with her dad. Usually before I come over, I would ask first if there were anything that they wanted and that night was Lay’s Sour Cream and Onion Chips which I happily obliged. Sherie made me a nice cup of sarsi syrup drink and then she went upstairs. Watching Marcus Bent head that goal to deny Chelsea another win was ecstasy and how I just wished Ambrose’s shot ended in the net and watched the Blues turn red for the day…but 2 points dropped at The Bridge is always good news.



As expected in games between the big four, plays will be mostly in the midfield and this one was no exception. It was obvious that Liverpool were controlling the game and winning the midfield battle while the patched up United midfield looked to struggle and keep losing the ball. Despite of all the possession Liverpool had in the first half, there were no decent shot at goal and Van der Saar was merely a spectator picking up occasional long shots by the Liverpool forward spearheaded by Cisse and Crouch. On the United front, Rooney and Ruud were non existence for the entire half as not even a decent opportunity was presented to them. When the whistle were blown for half time, Liverpool looked like a more likely winner.



Liverpool started the 2nd half like they ended the 1st half. United have brought in Saha for O’Shea who joined Scholes, Smith and Park on the injured list with Ronaldo still serving his 3 match ban. Saha moved upfront to partner Ruud while Rooney dropped back behind the two. Somehow, the changes made had a great impact on United as they played better and started to create chances. Rooney was getting more of the ball and United’s engine room looked more of a threat with Giggs defence tearing runs. But It was still a 0-0 game and Liverpool almost claimed that all important goal if not for the heroic clearance by Rio. The ball was on the way in from a Sissoko shot, who was celebrating his birthday, if not for Rio’s determine and accurate clearance although the danger was not over yet. Kewell’s shot from Rio’s Ferdinand was saved brilliantly by Van der Sar but the shot was parried to Cisse. With goal opened wide for him to just tapped in the ball, he kick the ball over the bar and the chance was gone. I was holding my breath for that one minute sequence of almost a goal situation and luckily Cisse decided to make a fool of himself. Maybe the hair had something to do with his bearing that night. Whatever is the reason……it is still 0-0. United created a few more chances with a Giggs’s crossed turn to shot that almost dismantle the goal post and Rooney’s shot from outside the box that miss the far post by inches although I think Reina would have dealt with it.



The match was going for a draw when United new addition to the squad, Frenchman Patrice Evra was brought down by Finnan just outside the box in the 90th minute of the match. Giggs took the free kick responsibility and floated in a perfect ball into the box. To the surprise of all watching the game, Ferdinand was left unchallenged with a powerful header which Reina could only helped into the net. The stadium erupted, the United players were all over the hero of the night and I was up on my feet and screaming in front of my future father in law…but I didn’t care cos he was actually doing the same exact thing. All the pressure and nerves were release with that scream…….while Liverpool players were hanging their head and Liverpool fans cursing Cisse for not scoring from close range.



United were lucky to win….. United fans all over the world can walk with pride with their heads held high for another season. A lucky goal, a disputed free kick, a bias referee and all sorts of reasons were given by Liverpool fans…..but a win is a win and another season of Liverpool having their tails between the legs. Maybe there is a transition of power in English football but that night belong to United and it showed everyone that United will not give in that easy. You want my place, come show and fight for it…..



As for the friend who sent me the sms……. I sms him immediately after the match…….“ You were right…I forgot totally about last week match…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA”





Review :



Hero of The Match : Rio Ferdinand. Not because of the goal he scored but also his defending was top class that night. If Sven has any doubt or still thinks he’s lazy, I think Mr. Sven needs a new pair of glasses



Zero of the Match : Cisse no doubt. Liverpool could have won the match but he screwed the chance. And also for that ridiculous hairstyle.



Moment of the Match : Rio’s clearing the ball just before it crossed the line. Determination and also skill and a bit of luck I guess.



Team Performance : Manchester United 6/10

Liverpool 7/10



Although United won, I do have to admit that Liverpool controlled the game and United only came into the game in the last 25 minutes.



What If : Sissoko’s shot was not cleared?



1. Papers the next day will print “Birthday Boy Scored”, “United blown by Birthday Boy”

2. Cisse would not be practicing to score from 6 yards out now as ordered by Benitez

3. I will be the one receiving sms and e-mails kutuking me till next season match

4. Aida will be replying e-mails with more enthusiast, Jac will be having a better day and Hood would have love to talk about last nite game with the significant other……