18/01/10 ~ 24/01/10 : Football and Me

Time has passed fairly quickly and before I knew it, it is the start of Term 1 Week 4 already. In this post, I shall share with you happenings of the previous week. Before that, I am sad to announce that Liverpool draw 1-1 with Stoke City, further dampening their hopes of reaching the fourth place. Both sides played scrappily but Liverpool managed to take the lead through Kygriakos. However, Stoke levelled in the 90th minute and cause Liverpool to let another valuable 2 points slipped. Visit this link for further information.

During PE lesson on Wednesday, we were required to run 2.4km or 6 rounds on the school tracks as practice for the NAPFA test. It was very tiring but I managed to run continuously without stopping and finished the run under 12 minutes. It was my first time to be able to maintain running throughout. According to the PE teacher, I am able to get an A/Gold for that timing. I came in 3^rd in my class, but that was because several of my classmates who were in track and field were not taking this seriously, else they would be sure to finish before me. This Wednesday, we were going to run 3km, and the next, 4km to train us for our jogathon race. I am not too sure about looking forward to PE lessons which I have always anticipated. Besides that, I have acquired a pain in my calves and was unable to play football for a few days. The pain subsided soon and I resume playing football after that.

On Thursday, there was a fire drill during study time. On other days, I would be glad of it as the study time would be cut down . However, my workload was high on that day with many deadlines to be meet on Friday and 30 precious minutes of my time was wasted. As a result, it was half past one when I finally went to sleep and woke up quite late in the morning. I had a hurried breakfast and fortunately managed to reach school on time (I raced all the way to the terraces). I decided not to leave things undone until the last minute but get them done as soon as possible to avoid this kind of scenario from happening again.

CCA orientation continues on Friday. I played with some secondary 1s who were interested in joining the CCA (Chinese Chess) to find our their standard. Although those who went for orientation that day was unsatisfactory, this batch of sec 1s were promising. We have 2 former champions in their primary school days and whose standard are even higher that mine. We were also happy to include a PRC scholar who is quite a good match for our Team A. This boosted our strength significantly and raise the competitiveness of the club. I will be facing tougher competition and have to work harder to keep my place in the school team.

On Saturday, I went out with my friend to buy the materials needed for the lantern-making competition. I have decided to make one just like this. We walked a few hundred metres to Coronation Plaza and managed to buy everything except the 2 litres mineral water bottle. After that, we took bus to Bukit Timah Plaza and bought files needed for school at the Popular bookstore there. We went back at around 5pm and I went for football.

The next day, I went out again to buy some type of colour paper required for decorating our cluster, take passport-sized photos of myself (I had completely forgotten about it on Saturday), and to have another attempt at buying the mineral water bottle. My roommate accompanied me this time; his only objective was to buy the colour paper. We went to Coronation again, by bus this time, and located the bottle after a thorough search at the NTUC supermarket there, and took the photos, and have bubble tea while waiting for the photos to process. After collecting my photos, we went to Bukit Timah Plaza (again) and walked around and around the mall searching for the colour paper, but we were unsuccessful. I estimated the distance we walked in the mall is equivalent to the distance from the boarding school to BTP. We took a bus back and was tired out. Although so, I went for football (again) after receiving a sms of invitation from my friend. I felt that we must cherish every second on the football court as there will be lesser opportunities for us to play as the exam neared.

On 20^thJan (Wed), Liverpool got their challenge for a Champions League spot back on track with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham. Although without stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, Liverpool outplayed their rivals and deserved the win. Dirk Kuyt scored both goals in the 6^th and 90^th(pen) respectively. Hence, he was awarded "Man of the Match" deservedly. I shall not elaborate more on the match but here's the link for the live commentary.

The 4th round of FA Cup has taken place over the weekends. You can visit this website for the scores.

That's all for today. Bye and wait for my next post!

Recent happenings

Last Friday, I completed my online portfolio which we were required to finish as a term project for Infocomm Studies. The project was crucial as it constitutes 33.33% of the overall 50% for Type 3 Assessment for Infocomm Studies; therefore, I put my best effort in it. You can click on the link above to view it and please comment so that I can improve it. Thanks a lot!

On the 23^rd of April (Thursday), 9 Sec 1 classes , including mine, went to give our support to our track and field team in the Inter-School Track and Field Competition. In this round, our school did not perform well and only managed to bag 5 silver medals and a bronze, despite our cheering. Most of us shout until our voice grew hoarse, especially the councillors. However, HCI still clinch the overall champions for B and C division boys and A division girls and boys were the 2^nd and 3^rd runner-ups respectively, as they were brilliant in previous rounds. We continue to dominate the B and C division boys with 19 and 9 consecutive champions respectively. The track and field team has done us proud.

As a result, Dr Hon announce that school will end early on Friday!

Three cheers for track and field!

Three cheers for Dr Hon!

It was tiring, but nonetheless a fruitful day.

As for football news, I am sorry to say that Liverpool draw 4-4 against Arsenal, and with Man Utd's victory, the chance of regaining the long-lost title seemed slim. Last night, Hull City saw off with a 1-3 loss, due to goals by Alonso and Kuyt (2), and also an overwhelming 73.5% of possesion. However, Man Utd won 5-2 over Tottenham in a late match and dampen their hopes. Liverpool are currently trailing their rivals by 3 points and are at a disadvantage of one more match played.

Links :

My Online Portfolio

Matchcast : Liverpool vs Hull City

Matchcast :Man Utd vs Tottenham

Premier League table

Manchester Utd claimed Carling Cup on penalties

Manchester United won the Carling Cup 4-1 on penalty kick-outs against Tottenham Hotspurs who attempted to defend the title after 2 goalless hours at Wembley Football Stadium.

With Jamie O'Hara's penalty-kick being saved by Ben Foster and David Bentley missed, and all 4 Man Utd takers converted and suceeded to score, Anderson's cool finish delivering the first part of a possible quadruple for them. Man Utd's delight proved there is still a place for the League Cup in an increasingly congested football calendar.

Ferguson made good on his promise to stick with the players who helped them to advance into the final, as striker Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson and goalkeeper Ben Foster all started. However, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Patrice Evra also featured from the outset, thus it could hardly be called as a reserve side.

Wayne Rooney would also started too if he had not been struck down by a virus. Tottenham's Jonathan Woodgate, who scored the winner in last year's final against Chelsea, also missed the match out of injuries.

Roman Pavyluchenko and Darren Bent both played up front, albeit only in the loosest sense of the word. The Russian, particularly, was quite woeful and Harry Redknapp substituted him just after the hour mark.

Man Utd began faster, and Ronaldo was keen to make his presence felt. The world player of the year smashed an early free-kick just over, before bringing a save from Heurelho Gomes in the Tottenham goal. Gibson flashed a superb 25-yard shot inches wide, while Scholes delivered some pinpoint passes that appeared too good to be true for their startled recipients, Welbeck and the perennially frustrating Nani, who did at least test Gomes early.

It seemed business as usual for them, but gradually Tottenham came back courtesy of the electric Aaron Lennon on the right wing. Evra was repeatedly beaten by the nifty footwork and rapid acceleration of Lennon. Every now and again, Lennon delivered his final ball and could only find the opponent's players. Captain Ferdinand made several last-ditch interceptions and, at the other end, saw an ambitious dipping volley drop just over the crossbar.

On the hour mark, Carlos Tevez nearly broke the deadlock with an instinctive back flick from a wayward Jonny Evans shot, but sent the ball just wide. Then controversy reigned as Ledley King appeared to foul Ronaldo in the Tottenham box, but he was instead booked for diving. If that was harsh on Man Utd, it perhaps offset Chris Foy's decision not to show John O'Shea another yellow card for a clumsy, late foul on Luka Modric. I agree whole-heartedly.

Then Lennon squandered Tottenham's best opportunity, collecting the ball on the right side of the box but seeing the impressive Foster push the ball to safety. From that point, extra time looked a certainty until Ronaldo - with 20 seconds of stoppage time left - jinked inside from the right and hit a savage left-foot shot. The whole Wembley stood still, but the ball came back off the inside of the right-hand post and Nani sent the rebound wide.

The extra half an hour produced few moments of quality, with both sides sapped of energy. Only Bent's shot at Foster troubled either keeper and penalties duly followed. Giggs, Tevez, Ronaldo and Anderson all converted for United, while Corluka was Tottenham's only successful taker.

For finer details of the match, click on the title of this post which will link you to the website. Happy surfing!

Keane rejoins Tottenham Hotspurs

Robbie Keane, 28, who cost Liverpool £19 million pounds last July, will partner again with former team-mate Jermain Defoe who has also returned to the struggling London club from Portsmouth.

"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement for the transfer of Robbie Keane back to the club from Liverpool," a statement on Tottenham's website said. "Personal terms have been agreed and a medical completed.

The transfer fee was undisclosed. With French defender Pascal Chimbonda also signing for Tottenham from Sunderland, Tottenham have bought back a total of three players sold when previous manager Juande Ramos was in charge at White Hart Lane.

Keane made 28 appearances for Liverpool, but only scoring 7 goals and struggled to hold down a regular place in Rafael Benitez's starting side. He admitted on Monday his "lifelong dream" of playing for Liverpool had not worked out.

"It was a difficult decision to make to leave Tottenham in the summer," Keane stated. "It proved not to be the right move for me.

"I know some Spurs fans will feel I let them down by leaving but I can assure them I shall be giving my all for this club (which) has terrific fans and I want to repay them for all their support. We've got to get on and fight our way up that league table."

It is a surprising U-turn for Keane and another twist in the career of the 28-year-old who began at Wolverhampton Wanderers and had spells with Coventry City, Inter Milan and Leeds United before joining Tottenham in August, 2002.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said: "We never wanted Robbie to leave in the summer, we acknowledged the six years dedicated service he gave this club and reluctantly let him go. I am delighted that he has chosen to return to us."

Keane, Ireland's record scorer, became a firm favourite with Tottenham fans, netting 107 goals in 254 games in his first spell there. He struck up a lethal partnership with Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov who was sold to Manchester United in August.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who replaced Ramos in October after a terrible start to the season, will hope the return of Keane, often the captain at Tottenham, can help lift them away from the relegation zone.

Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent have failed to fill the void left by the sales of Berbatov and Keane this season having scored only 11 goals in 12 home league matches. They are 14th in the table but only just two points above bottom club West Brom.

"Sometimes good players cannot settle down in the team and when this happens you have to consider the situation and try to react quickly," said Liverpool manager Benitez.

"If it is not good for the team then it is better for everyone to make a decision and because of the situation in the transfer market and for the opportunity for the player we had to do it now.

"I have to analyse things and try to look at the bigger picture and this means thinking of the club and the team and what is best for them."

Benitez believes he has enough quality to cope without Keane as the Reds look to keep their title bid on track.

"We still have Ryan Babel, David Ngog and Dirk Kuyt as well as Torres," added the Reds boss. "It is a risk but the situation was not good and we needed to do something.

"Now I would like to wish Robbie the best because although things did not work out he has been working hard for us.

"He was trying to do his best and the key was that Spurs showed a lot of interest and they were pushing really hard for him.

"The player needed to play and he was not doing that as much as he would have liked with us.
"But I cannot criticise him in any way because, as I have said, he tried to do his best for us."

Keane has reiterated his relief at completing a move back to White Hart Lane after akwardly scoring only five goals in half a season at Liverpool.

"I'm delighted to be back at a club I have very strong feelings from having previously spent six wonderful years here," he said.

"Coming back to Spurs was an easy decision to make because this is my home. Firstly in respect of the Club - but also my house is in the area and everything is set up for me to walk right back into.

"It's funny how football works sometimes and situations turn around very quickly, but I can assure fans I will be giving my all to make sure this club stays in the Premier League.

"It would have been difficult for me to have gone anywhere else while a club I have such strong feelings for has this fight on its hands.

"It was a difficult time for me at Liverpool, but there's no point in dwelling on it."

Keane's future undecided

LIVERPOOL, England - Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez remained coy about the future of Robbie Keane after the striker was left out of his side's crucial 2-0 victory over Chelsea.

Although Benitez said that he believes Keane will still be at Anfield after Monday's transfer deadline, there were suggestions on Sunday that the Republic of Ireland international is on the verge of returning to his former club Tottenham in a 15 million-pounds deal.

Keane, who only joined Liverpool in pre-season, was forced to watch from the main stand as Fernando Torres struck twice in the dying moments to reduce Manchester United's lead at the top of the Premier League table to two points and keep Liverpool's title hopes alive.

Even if Keane doesn't leave on Monday, his long-term future must be in doubt but the Liverpool manager appeared irritated having to answer questions about the former Leeds star's future after Sunday's win.

"I think so," Benitez said unconvincingly when asked whether Keane would still be at the club after the transfer deadline had passed.

Pressed for an explanation as to why he left Keane out of his plans for Chelsea, Benitez said: "You have to decide on all the players you have.

"We have some good players and we were thinking about the best way of approaching this game. I haven't received any offers (for Keane). Has the club? I don't know.

"I spoke to him before and after the game. He was pleased after because the team had won."
Pressed further about Keane's future, Benitez added: "I will not talk about if, if, if. He's here, he's our player and that's it. I want to enjoy this win. The situation is we have won three points."
Keane has played just six minutes of Liverpool's last three games and has now failed to feature in four of the last seven outings.

He has not completed a full 90 minutes for the club since the 3-1 Champions League victory in Holland against PSV Eindhoven on December 12.

Keane cost 20 million pounds when he moved to Anfield from Tottenham but reports on Sunday suggested that Harry Redknapp is ready to bring him back to White Hart Lane.

According to various sources in the English press, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £15 million deal that will see Robbie Keane return to White Hart Lane.

The Irish forward arrived at Anfield only six months, but he has failed to make an impact since his £20m dream move to the club he supported as a child.

And now, after being omitted from the Reds’ critical 2-0 victory against Chelsea yesterday, the 28-year-old is expected to rejoin a Spurs side desperate for some attacking options.

The Lilywhites have already re-signed Jermain Defoe, but the England forward will miss the next three weeks through injury. That leaves only Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko up top, and that partnership hasn’t gelled particularly well.

Thus, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp wants Keane to reclaim the second-striker role and forge an understanding with Pavlyuchenko that could prove as profitable as his much-heralded pairing with Dimitar Berbatov.

No word from either club as yet, though, so it remains to be seen whether the deal has actually been struck

LONDON, England - The Gunners and Zenit St Petersburg have still not agreed a fee for the Russian international but the midfielder has decided to travel to the capital in case that changes.
Arshavin is staying in a hotel in Hertfordshire near to Arsenal's training ground and will travel there for a medical if a late deal is agreed.

The proposed transfer of the playmaker has been one of the most talked about and debated deals of the transfer window with Arsenal said to be unwilling to pay more than £12 million for a player that Zenit originally valued at £20 million.

Last week Arsene Wenger reiterated his desire to sign the Russian but insisted the club would not be held to ransom.

"If we can find an agreement, we will do it, if we cannot we will not overspend what we have planned to do," he said.

Arshavin, who was one of the stars of Euro 2008, has reportedly agreed to repay Zenit half of a £4m signing-on fee to leave the club, and he is thought to have agreed to a salary cut in order to secure a move to the Emirates.