make or break at Estadio Do Dragao

AsSalaam and hola everybody,

I was quite dumbfounded actually when I wanted to write a new posting today, the reason being I can't decide whether to comment on the latest twists in Malaysian politics i.e, the BN Terengganu State Representatives debacle OR the apex court's decison on the Datuk Seri Zambry vs Perak State Assembly Speaker case OR the Tan Sri Muhyiddin's so-called 'twisted words' on the Chinese support OR should I just focus on the all important clash, between Manchester United FC against FC Porto in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final, hmmmm.... decisions, decisions. After much deliberation over countless cups of tasteless Neslo Ais at my local mamak joint, I just can't resist the temptation of making a prediction on the score for the Man United clash and the thought of putting my neck firmly on the guillotine for all the Man United natsayers out there seems a very good prospect this time of the year. Here goes...

Now, let's start with the negatives of Man United going over to Porto tomorrow night. Uno, FC Porto is clearly the favorites to go through after their fearless performance at Old Trafford, dos, Man United needs a high scoring draw or a straightforward win to advance to the next stage, a scenario made even more intriguing for the fact that NO British teams have ever won at Estadio Do Dragao in 12 attempts, but rest assured Man United have won on Portuguese soil before when they beat both Sporting Lisbon and Benfica a few seasons back, tres, Man United seems to be out of form, out of favor and out of sorts these past few weeks and are literally limping their way towards the end of the season. Whilst this might be the case, it's obvious that United have played in more games than any of the top four teams in the Barclays' Premier League this season and travelled the globe more than Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC combined. For United fans though, all is not lost! The positives are, err... emm... well... ehhemm...yes, the positives are Manchester United Football Club is not just any other club, it embraces challenges such as these and I for one believe that there will always be a first for everything. To accomplish this, United definitely needs to call upon the best of forms for its forwards and full concentration from the first whistle to the final blow for its defenders. Cristiano should be fresh after playing just 30 odd minutes against Sunderland and boy do we need him now.

Dimi Berbatov said earlier in the season that he joined United to play in the grandest stage of all and nothing comes bigger than the UEFA Champions League, critics have come down hard on him and say that he's not justifying his own high standards when playing in recent weeks, but we know for a fact that Dimi has the class and unquestioned ability to do just that. Whatever team that Sir Alex Ferguson will be putting out tomorrow, more than anything else Manchester United have to be UNITED. My prediction for the clash is 1 - o to United with Wayne Rooney scoring the decisive goal, come on you Reds!