All hail Juan Martin del Potro:The 2009 US Open Champion

Juan Martin del Potro was two points away from the defeat in the 4th set.

Fast forward to the end of the 5th set; He was laying back on the court and the tears came from his eyes, realizing that he had achieved his dream as Federer's backhand sailed long pass the baseline,

Juan Martin del Potro, 20 year old from Argentine finally prove his talent to the world in this year US Open final by beating Roger Federer, 5 times defending champion and also 15 times Grand Slam winner in five tight sets. With his win, he becomes the 1st South American to win US Open since Guilermo Vilas' victory in 1977. He also become the youngest winner of US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003. The most important fact is he is the only player other than Rafael Nadal to beat Roger Federer in Grand Slam final. He had achieved something that Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick and many more could not achieve. This shows how good is del Potro physically and also mentally as he managed to compete head to head with Federer in five long sets after brutally demolished Nadal in the semi finals. In my view, he will win many more Slams if his body can withstand vigorous stress and injuries. He has the packet to dominate tennis' world; booming serve, bullet forehand, solid backhand and also mentally strong. If he improves his volley and his net play, it is pretty sure that he will become one of the strongest force in the next decade.

"I don't have words to explain," Juan Martin del Potro on his victory over Roger Federer to become 2009 US Open Champion.

In the first set, Del Potro showed that he was nervous in his first Grand Slam final. He was missing his massive forehand and Federer managed to find his range to claimed the first set 6-3. Del Potro was calmer in the second set and starting to find his weapon. In the end the second set went into tie break which was won by Del Potro. The third set was also a tight encounter. Both player were matching each other shots. However, once again the Del Potro lost his composure at the end of the set, producing consecutives double faults to give Federer the set. In the fourth set, both players continued to show their superlative skills and shot making. All looks bleak for del Potro however when he served during 4-5 down in this set, as he were two points way from losing to Federer but somehow del Potro finally found his massive forehand in this tight moment and managed to steal the set in tie break. With two sets a piece, both players need to held their composure in the fifth to continue the fight for the trophy. Roger Federer is known to have very good composure during this tense moment. However, his composure was totally missing in the final moment of this match. Instead, del Potro upped his tempo and broke Federer's serve two times, finally broke down in tears when he won the match point. Congratulations to Juan Martin del Potro!!!

Benayoun's treble bombs Burnley ;)

Yossi Benayoun. Is he is really underrated? He is quite decent actually thought not a world class yet. His game play was simple but clever and very effective. Plus the most important is he doesn't complain when he was benched, unlike Ryan Babel. In this match against Burnley, he proves that he really belong to Liverpool's first team. Playing in heart of midfield area because of the absent of Mascherano, Banayoun showed that he can play nicely with Gerrard and Torres. His first goal of the night was a result of his brilliant skill running around Graham Alexander(Burnley's fullback) before passing the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. His second was nicely setup by combination of great play by Torres and Gerrard and he got his hat-trick when he beat the offside trap to tapped in Voronin's pass. He was also involved in Liverpool's other goal when his shot was parried by Burnley's goalkeeper into the path of Dirk Kuyt, who comfortably slotted the ball home. No wonder that he was choosen as MOTM as he was involved in all four Liverpool goals. Final result: Liverpool 4 Burnley 0

With this win, Liverpool manage to climb the table up to fifth place above Arsenal, who were beaten by Manchester City. At the top are still Chelsea, who need last gasp winner from Florent Malouda to beat Stoke 2-1. Next for Liverpool is West Ham United during Hari Raya. I hope Liverpool can continue their recent good form so I can celebrate Hari Raya happily.

Four Matches, 50% Record. WTH!!!!

Transfer season is over.....How about Livepool? No big budget. So only Glen Johnson, injury prone Italian Alberto Aquilani aka Double A battery and unknown Greek guy are in, Alonso is out. And that Brazilian boy? Well he is still here, try to take Alonso's place. Without very much success really....

New season is already on. 4 matches, 2 wins and 2 losses. Our defense were terrible really. 7 goals were already conceded. All of them from set pieces. The Zonal marking system should be abolished now. Only Johnson is up to the task with already 2 goals in his pocket. The others? Don't know what to describe actually. Just sum it all in one word. CATASTROPHE.

Attacking wise, it was quite ok. Not great. Just okay. Kuyt-Sometimes he is useful, sometimes not. Torres-His finishing is up to the mark. Must increase his awareness about his teammates. Voronin-Useless. Riera-Capable to create magic moment but his stamina is low.

And for our beloved Captain. Not up to the high standard but still reliable. Superb strike again shows that he is still Livepool's backbone. Without him, I don't know what will happen to the Red Scouser.

Official World Golf Ranking(2008 Final Ranking)

1) Tiger Woods(USA):US Open champion, winner of Buick Invitational, Dubai Desert Classic, WGC Accenture Match Play Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational
2) Sergio Garcia(Spain):Winner of Players Championship, HSBC Champion Tournamnet and Castello Masters
3) Phil Mickelson(USA):Winner of Nissan Open and  Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
4) Padraig Harrington(Ireland):The Open and US PGA champion
5) Vijay Singh(Fiji):FeDex Cup champion, winner of WGC Bridgestone Invitaional, Barclays Classic and Deutsche Bank Championship
6) Robert Karlsson(Sweden):European Tour Order of Merit winner, winner of Mercedes-Benz Championship and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
7) Camilo Villegas(Colombia):Winner of BMW Championship and The TOUR Championship
8) Ernie Els(South Africa):Winner of Honda Classic
9) Henrik Stenson(Sweden):Winner of Nedbank Golf Challenge
10) Lee Westwood(England)
11) Geoff Ogilvy(Australia):Winner of WGC CA Championship and Australia PGA Championship
12) Anthony Kim(USA):Winner of Wachovia Championship and AT&T Classic
13) Jim Furyk(USA)  
14) Steve Stricker (USA) 
15) Kenny Perry(USA):Winner of Memorial Tournament, Buick Open and John Deere Classic 
16) Stewart Cink(USA):Winner of Travelers Championship
17) Adam Scott(USA):Winner of Byron Nelson Championship
18) K.J. Choi(South Korea):Winner of Sony Open 
19) Justin Rose(England)
20) Trevor Immelman(South Africa):MASTERS Champion
21) Miguel Angel Jimenez(Spain):Winner of BMW PGA Championship
22) Mike Weir(Canada)
23) Justin Leonard (USA):Winner of St Jude Championship
24) Ben Curtis(USA)
25) Martin Kaymer(Germany):Winner of Abu Dhabi Championship and BMW International Open
26) Ian Poulter(England)
27) Robert Allenby(Australia)  
28) Tim Clark (South Africa):Winner of Australian Open
29) Ross Fisher(England):Winner of European Open
30) Andres Romero(Argentina):Winner of New Orleans Classic  
31) Luke Donald(England)
32) Rory Sabbatini(South Africa)  
33) Shingo Katayama(Japan):Winner of Japan PGA Championship, Japan Open Golf Championship and Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters
34) Graeme McDowell(Northern Ireland):Winner of Ballantine's Championship, Barclays Scottish Open
35) Aaron Baddeley(Australia)
36) Jeev Milkha Singh(India):Winner Asian Tour Order of Merit, Austria Open, Nagashima Shigeo Invitational Sega Sammy Cup, Golf Nippon Series JT Cup and Singapore Open
37) Stephen Ames(Canada)
38) Stuart Appleby(Australia)  
39) Oliver Wilson(England)  
40) Rory McIlroy(Northern Ireland)
41) Angel Cabrera(Argentina) 
42) Paul Casey(England)  
43) Richard Sterne(South African):Winner of Dunhill Championship and South African Open
44) Hunter Mahan(USA)
45) Retief Goosen(South Africa):Winner of Johor Open
46) Zach Johnson(USA):Winner of Texas Open
47) Boo Weekley(USA):WInner of Verizon Heritage Classic
48) Soren Hansen(Denmark) 
49) Lin Wen-Tang(Chinese Taipei):Winner of Hong Kong Open and Asian Tour International
50) Soren Kjeldsen(Denmark):Winner of Volvo Masters

Bold indicates Major Championship

Bang! Bang! Liverpool died at White Hart Lane

What the hell!!!!! After wonderful victory last week, after three points clear at the top of the league, suddenly came the worst perfomance from Liverpool in this season against Tottenham Hotspurs just a moment ago. Let me repeat once again, TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS, YES THAT BOTTOM PLACE SPURS had beaten my beloved Liverpool 2-1. To make me more angry, Spurs scored their winning goal in stoppage time. Again. To Rafael Benitez: Did you watch Arsenal vs Spurs at The Emirates??????

After Dirk Kuyt scored brilliant goal on 3rd minute, Liverpool should play better. Instead, they were happy just to pass the ball around the centre of the field. To be honest, not enough creativity. Yes there were also unlucky when Gerrard hit the post twice but overall their perfomance were scrappy. Not enough chances to trouble nervy Gomes and co. Then when Keane came off, suddenly Liverpool did'nt attack anymore. Spurs started to dominate ball possesion and gave Agger-Caraggher partnership more troubles. Finally they succumbed to pressure on 68th minute as Caraggher headed David Bentley corner into his own net. I know Caraggher had contributed a lot for Liverpool for years but why don't you scores for your own team instead of your enemy??? By then, I still hope Liverpool will pressing for the winner, but judging at their play, I doubted that the miracle will come. Then came the worst part. After a series of thows by Spurs, on 90th minute Bentley somehow managed to find the gap and unleashed a devastating shot that parried by Reina. Unfortunately, the ball dropped to Darren Bent and he crossed to Pavlyuchenko and after that I immediately switched off the TV.

So today Liverpool surrendered their league position to Chelsea. Man U won and went to third. Small consolation for me: Arsenal lost 2-1 at Stoke. At least Liverpool got a draw against Stoke. And what a joke from their defenders. Two long throws, two goals for Stoke. Looks like Rory Delap had created a new technique in this beautiful game. And RVP?? If I was Wenger, I just punch him straight on his face. One thing that I regret. Liverpool, just like Arsenal did'nt kill Spurs, and worser than Arsenal, they lost.....

F1: Wonderful Night for Alonso as Pit Lane Fiasco Struck Ferrari

It was the first Singapore Grand Prix. It was the first night race in Formula 1 history and Renault's double world champion Fernando Alonso makes sure he enters the records book after he won the inaugural Singapore GP last night from Williams' Nico Rosberg and McLaren Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton. It was Alonso's 20th wins in Formula 1 and he became the first driver to claims victory during Formula 1 night race. It was also his first win of the season, his first since he cameback to Renault from McLaren and his first since September last year After all hardwork and efforts, Alonso and Renault finally managed to pull it all together. It was certainly a good sign for them and I hope they can mount a serious challenge for the title next year, just like 2005 and 2006.

.

What the hell with that???

In Championship standings, 3rd place Lewis Hamilton extended his lead at the top to seven points from Ferrari's Felipe Massa after disastrous pit stop fiasco left Massa trailing in 13th place, more than half minute down to Alonso. During his first pit stop, Massa accelerated his car while the fuel rig still attached to it. It cost Massa more than one minute in the race as the mechanics need to sprint along the full distance of the pit lane to dettached the fuel rig from Massa's car. Furthermore, he received a drive through penalty after that because of the dangerous released from pit stop. For Massa teammate, defending world champion Kimi Raikonen, his hope for another world title is surely over now after he crashed into the wall with 4 laps remaining while running in 5th place. He has a mountain to climb if he wants to defend his title as he now trails Hamilton by massive 27 points with only 30 points still available. Meanwhile, in Constructors Standings, Ferrari disastrous weekend here means that McLaren lead with one point advantage with three races remaining this season. With the points difference is so close between this two teams, I can assure that the race to ultimate glory will not over until the last race of the season. And don't forget that BMW is only 15 points behind. See you in Japan in next two weeks.

EPL: Magnificient Torres sank Everton.

After more than a month goal drought, finally Fernando Torres a.k.a El Nino showed to us yesterday that he was very lethal and dangerous when he had the fitness and confident in front of the goal. Two goals in space of three minutes from El Nino were enough to help Liverpool beat hapless Everton in Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. It was also a fantastic performance from other Liverpool players. Both Robbie Keane and Dirk Kuyt helped Torres to scored both goals, Albert Riera also had decent shows together with others midfielder and Pepe Reina and defenders almost didn't need to work as Everton played very badly in this game.

After dissapointing 0-0 1st half, Liverpool increase the pressure on Everton in search for the goals. After all, they didn't want another 0-0 draw like last week. Finally during 59th minutes, Torres scored his first goals after more than 42 days when he easily volleyed home Keane cross from left side after Dirk Kuyt dragged Joleon Lescott from marking Torres. And he would wait just three minutes to add his second. Keane pass found Kuyt who was tackled by Jagielka, but the ball fall into Torres who smashed his second and it's effectively game over for Everton.

With this win, Liverpool climbed one place to 2nd places after Arsenal was shocked by Hull City 2-1 at The Emirates. Chelsea now also has same points as Liverpool with 14 but they have better goal difference compared to the Reds. Out of 18, The Reds managed to get 14. That is impressive compared to previous seasons. So I hope Liverpool can continue their good form and finally end 18 years drought of league title this season. YOU NEVER WALK ALONE!!!!

EPL: Merseyside Derby

This week, the big match in EPL is surely the Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton. Last time they met at Goodison Park, Liverpool won the match courtesy of two late goals from Dirk Kuyt. Can Liverpool repeat their performance against Everton last season for this week? I bet they surely will.

I think if Liverpool want to grab all three precious points, they need to score more goals. Scoring goals is their problem lately. I start to think that Robbie Keane is flop of the season. How come they signed him for 20 millions Pounds?? But it is only five games. Maybe he needs more time to settle with the team. After all, the lanky Peter Crouch scored his first goal for Liverpool after more then 20 matches. So hope Robbie Keane can scores earlier than that or everyone will starts to boos him like Crouchy case. Overall, I hope Liverpool win this match and I believe they will. Everton's squad is not so strong today compared to last season. My advise? Just mark Tim Cahill and Liverpool will win 2-1. :)

EURO 2008 Semi Final : The End of Journey for Turkey

Another dramatic match... Another late drama... Another late goal...Sounds familiar right???? Except that late goal is not for Turkey. Philip Lahm sent Germany to the final when he scored the winning goal on 90th minute of the match. That goal left all Turkey fans around the world heartbroken...including me. :( To me, Turkey were better side for the most of the match. They play attacking football and have more chances but just unlucky not to score more goals. And its pity that Turkey was eliminated by the same way they beat Switzerland, Czech and Croatia. Like the commentator Paul Masefield said, football is a cruel game.

Lahm creeps through the Turkish defence to slot home the winner.
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Dalam perlawanan ni dari awal lagi Turki main memang bagus. Diorang lagi mengancam bila menyerang berbanding dengan German. Colin Kazim Richards hampir-hampir nak gol tapi rembatannya terkena palang. Lepas beberapa kali menyerang akhirnya Turki mendapat gol pertama apabila rembatan Ugur Boral masuk celah kangkang Lehman. Tapi hanya 5 minit lepas tu German menyamakan kedudukan setelah hantaran lintang Podolski dikuis masuk Bastian Schweinsteiger. Sebijik macam gol dia masa lawan Portugal.

Pada separuh masa kedua, aku tak ingat sangat pasal siaran tv tu tertanggu. Ingatkan Astro buat hal tapi tengok tv3 dengan ntv7 pun sama gak. Yang lawaknya ada ke pengacara satu stesen tv ni(bukan astro) cakap diorang akan cuba 'membaiki' siaran. Setahu aku siaran tu bukannya stesen tv tu yang buat. Aku bace kat espn pun diorang cakap x de siaran. So kira satu dunia arr x de siaran. Tak abis-abis kelentong penonton je stesen tv ni.(saje je kutuk sebab tengah bengang tak dapat siaran, tambah-tambah Turki kalah)

Bila siaran dah tak de tu aku tengok arr internet. Sekali score dia dah dua sama. Mula-mula Miroslav Klose gol masa minit ke 79 tapi Semih Senturk sekali lagi menunjukkan magicnya dengan gol penyamaan pada minit ke 86. Ketika siaran kembali ada, German tengah menyerang pada minit terakhir dan Philip Lahm....................and bye bye to Turkey.

EURO 2008: Spain vs Sweden

Satu perlawanan yg pada awalnya Spain dijangka akan menang mudah, tetapi di atas padang berlangsung agak sengit terutamanya mase 1st half.

Spain menguasai awal permainan dan Fernando Torres menjaringkan gol pertama pd min ke 15 setelah menyudahkan hantaran lintang David Silva. (Ok dah gol ni jangan x nak salam dengan coach)

Selepas gol pertama, defender Spain mula goyah dan setelah Johan Elmander membuang peluang utk Sweden, Ibrahimovic berjaya merobek benteng Spain dgn menewaskan Casillas drpd bola hantaran Stoor.

Pada 2nd half, Sweden telah menggantikan Ibrahimovic yg cedera dan ketiadaannya telah menyebbkan Sweden lebih bnyk bertahan. Walaupun begitu, Spain kelihatan kurang kreatif walaupun banyak menguasai bola. Malah kemasukan Cesc Fabregas dan Santi Cazorla juga gagal menambah peluang Spain. Beberapa peluang yg datang kpd Torres pula gagal disempurnakan dengan tepat. Namun begitu, terbukti bahawa bola sepak adalah kejam. Ketika game hampir tamat(min 92) dan kelihatan berakhir dengan seri, left back Joan Capdevila telah membuat hantaran jauh ke dpn gol yg gagal dikawal oleh defender Sweden dan bola smpai ke kaki Villa yg menggelecek seorang lg defender sebelom meledakkan rembatan padu, GOOOOLLLLLL. In the end, joy 4 Spanish, heartbreak 4 Swedish. Dgn kemenangan ini, Spain hampir pasti ke 1/4 final manakala Sweden perlu menang ke atas Russia utk layak. Aku puas hati gak sebab masa 2nd half, Sweden macam x nak main je. So memang patut arr kalah.

Result:Spain 2 Sweden 1

Goals:Spain-Torres(15), Villa(90+2)

Sweden-Ibrahimovic (31)

My man of the Match:David Villa