forever UNITED

AsSalam wrh. wbt. and hola everybody,

Now that the season has effectively ended with Chelsea's FA Cup Final win over Everton at Wembley last night, it's that time again for reviews to be made and performances scrutinized. The major talking points for United fans, which I'm pretty sure, still revolves around that fateful night in Rome. In the blogosphere, social networking sites, not to mention your friendly neighbourhood mamak joints, it's all about what might have been for the Red Devils.

So-called 'experts' of football popped out everywhere and soon enough we'll be seeing and reading stories or reports from 'close sources' of a United player quoted liberally. One thing that really gets on my nerve is this, before United's defeat to Barcelona, I was reading ad nausea about "This is the greatest United side", or "Scholes and Giggs can go on and on", or "This United team will conquer everything in the next few years"... you get the idea. Post-match, things are looking rather different if you ask me, that includes United fans and haters.

Even some quarters of the United fans are calling for Sir Alex Ferguson's resignation ! Just hang on a minute, I love this club as much as the next United fan and I know just how high the standards are when players come and play for Manchester United Football Club, but surely we can be grateful enough for what United has achieved this season. I bet, if you ask those pesky Scousers or the cocky Gunners if they would like a FIFA World Club Cup, thrown in together with the Carling Cup and the Barclay's Premier League trophy in their list of winnings this year what would their response be ? You be the judge ! And to think that Fergie has taken us to another UEFA Champions League Final for the second year running, you really have to draw a line somewhere. I could sense the general feeling of the Malaysian Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal supporters when United made it to the final, they would instead support Barcelona just as an act of revenge or loathe for the successes that United has achieved this season, what else can you say when on average, the viewers at the mamak restaurant that I went to celebrated Barcelona's first goal outnumbered the United fans by a ratio of 5 to 1. Surely, Barcelona would have to open their first Malaysian Supporters branch if those were 'genuine' Barca fans.

It hurts when the fans felt that they've been letdown by the players, but Barcelona just got everything right that night...the tactics, the players, the strategy, the gameplan, the motivations, the breaks, you name it they have it. The majority of the pundits, critics and commentators alike felt that Fergie has got it all wrong with the tactics he employed, fair enough to me. For all its worth though, I just think that United will rise again from this, Fergie will accept the challenge again because that is exactly what he's thriving for all these years. It used to be that Juventus side in the late 90's that includes the likes of Cico Ferrara, Zinedine Zidane, Edgar Davids, Didier Deschamps and a young Alex Del Piero that everybody wants to emulate and beat, Juve was the benchmark then. Barcelona is the benchmark now. Let's do it again lads...

i'm gonna write this as honest as i can...

AsSalam wrh. wbt. everybody,

I've just watched a - devastatingly wonderful, viciously poised, perfectly organized - Barcelona FC side that turned Man United inside out with its masterclass in passing, creating and finishing. At times, I almost wondered what really hit United after that brilliant 10 minutes of which United started as they mean to go.

Now, please remember that I'm saluting a marvelously fine side here, I personally think that there are 5 things/factors/whys/causes if you like, that contributed to Man United's downfall :-

1. Barcelona FC took their chances when it came. That said, with their very first attack on United's goal, Eto'o scored a goal totally against the run of play. United struggled to come back from that.
   
2. Barcelona FC's passing was immaculate, crisp and almost flawless to the point that the United midfield just couldn't cope with it.
3. Tonight was Barcelona's night, without a shadow of a doubt, I'm not saying that they won it purely because of luck, but luck was certainly on Barca's side, even a slight ricochet of the ball from a misplaced pass from a United player went to a Barca player.
4. All credit to Pep Guardiola and his players, tactically he was spot on, for an example, extra attention was given to Park Ji Sung everytime he tries to create some space simply because Guardiola knew Ji Sung's uncanny ability to get behind Barca's defence without being noticed.
5. Iniesta was superb, Xavi was tireless, Puyol was magnificient and Messi was absolutely magical.
   

It's just so heartbreaking that I couldn't say the same thing above about Wayne, Ryan, Park, Michael, Cristiano and Anderson. Just to remind the readers out there that I'm still a Manchester United fan through and through, there's nothing wrong about being defeated by a team that oozes class in every sense.
Sir Alex Ferguson has put out a game plan and it didn't work out, that doesn't mean we were rubbish, it's just that one moment of losing focus that can decide a game at this grandest of stages and with all the quality players on the pitch in this final.
Deep in my heart, I know that Man United WILL recover from this and start all over again, besides, everybody was talking about how great this United team will be and that it hasn't fulfilled its potential yet. So to all the Red Devils fan out there, take heart in this defeat and keep the red flag flying high.

COME ON YOU REDS !!!

malam ini kita tengok kelab bola sepak Manchester Bersatu menentang kelab bola sepak Barcelona

AsSalam wrh. wbt.

Kawan - kawan dan lawan, peminat sukan bola sepak atau bukan peminat bola sepak, mari kita tengok beramai - ramai perlawanan akhir Liga Juara - Juara musim 2008/2009 anjuran Persatuan Bola Sepak Kesatuan Eropah di Stadium Olimpico, Rom, Itali.


Tanya sama peminat kelab bola sepak Arsenal, Chelsea, dan Liverpool samada mereka mahu turut serta meraikan wakil Liga Perdana Inggeris tajaan Bank Barclay's atau mengalih sokongan ke wakil Liga Primera Sepanyol untuk menunjukkan rasa marah dan benci mereka terhadap kelab bola sepak Manchester Bersatu.

Betapa saya ingin bersama dengan puluhan ribu penyokong Manchester Bersatu di Rom, Itali atau lebih dikenali sebagai Kota Abadi. Perlawanan akhir awal pagi (2.45 pagi waktu tempatan)
ini cukup bersesuaian dengan latar belakang Kota Rom sendiri yang kaya dengan bukti - bukti sejarah kegemilangan Empayar Rom suatu ketika dahulu. Gereja St. Basilica tampak seusai dengan sejarah yang bakal dilakar oleh kedua - dua pasukan ini, bayangan hebat cetusan Koliseum Purba Rom juga seolah - olah menjadi sebatian untuk gelanggang terhebat bagi 'gladiator' terunggul ...


Manchester Bersatu dan Barcelona cukup seimbang dari semua segi dan terkenal dengan corak permainan menyerang dan serangan balas pantas dikukuhkan dengan pertahanan yang kebal. Oleh itu, hampir mustahil untuk betul - betul pasti siapa yang bakal menjulang 'piala bertelinga besar', namun, hati kecil saya tegas mengatakan sekiranya Manchester Bersatu mengikut pelan dan perancangan yang telah diatur oleh Sir Alex Ferguson untuk menangani pemain - pemain licik Barcelona, maka Manchester Bersatu akan menjadi kelab bola sepak pertama mempertahankan piala tersebut sejak format sekarang diperkenalkan 17 tahun lalu.

Ramalan saya adalah untuk kelab bola sepak Manchester Bersatu mempertahankan piala tersebut dengan menewaskan kelab bola sepak Barcelona, 3 gol berbalas 1.



Ayuh Manchester Bersatu !!!

AsSalam wrh. wbt. dan Salam Sejahtera,

Genap sebulan dan 3 hari saya tidak mencatat sebarang entri ke dalam blog saya. Berlikut - likut catatan, coretan, buah fikiran dan nukilan ikhlas yang ingin saya kongsi dengan rakan - rakan. Seraya terkumpulnya idea - idea sepanjang tempoh kesenjangan yang tidak dizahirkan melalui tulisan di dalam blog ini, saya pohon izin dan kelonggaran ilmiah daripada teman - teman untuk saya menggunapakai penulisan dwi-bahasa yang saya pasti tampak bobrok dan lompang, dengan pelanggaran lunas - lunas tatabahasa yang saya harap tidak melelahkan pembaca.
Mungkin, ini akan menjadi entri terpanjang yang akan saya tulis tetapi tentunya itu bergantung di atas keizinan Allah s.w.t.

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Keterlibatan secara langsung di Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur 2009 yang bertempat di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PDDP) membataskan ruang - ruang waktu yang sememangnya terbatas untuk saya duduk menulis entri, apatah lagi saya bergantung harap sepenuhnya kepada capaian internet jalur lebar dan kemudahan komputer peribadi yang siaga tersedia di pejabat. Walaupun ini sudah menjangkau tahun ke - 3 saya ditugaskan untuk menjayakan aspirasi, objektif, misi serta visi syarikat, saya akui masih 'naif' dan kadang kala 'cuak' dengan tanggungjawab yang diperturunkan.
Tarikh 17 hingga 26 April tahun ini menyaksikan saya sekali lagi menjadikan PDDP sebagai apa yang selayaknya PDDP itu, pusat untuk saya berdagang dengan dunia buku dan penerbitan.
Secara ringkasnya, saya menjadi pemudah cara dan pengelola kontrak pembekalan buku kepada pensyarah, pustakawan, pegawai perolehan, dekan dan individu - individu yang dipertanggungjawabkan untuk pembelian bahan - bahan ilmiah di perpustakaan pusat pengajian tinggi awam mahupun swasta, pun begitu tugasan saya meliputi bidang yang lebih daripada itu.
Pengetahuan asas tentang sesebuah syarikat penerbit - dalam dan luar negara - serta bahan - bahan terbitannya perlu ada, jika sarat dengan informasi dan bait - bait 'know-how' adalah merupakan 'nilai tambah' yang boleh digunakan untuk kelebihan dan kemudahan klien - klien saya. Saya rasa agak beruntung berbanding rakan - rakan setugas lain kerana tahun ini klien - klien yang saya kelolakan tampak senang dibawa berbincang dan mudah berkompromi. Mungkin rezeki, mungkin juga hasil pembelajaran secara intensif selama 2 tahun yang lalu mulai menjadi pembantu.
Pertemuan dengan 'bos lama' saya iaitu Sdra. Sayed Munawwar, cukup terhad dan sepintas. Hanya sempat bertanya khabar dan menyampaikan rasa kagum saya terhadap wawancara beliau bersama Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak beberapa minggu sebelumnya yang saya rasakan 'credible', 'substantive' dan menghadam 'pressing issues' yang bakal didepani 'Najib's Administration' kelak.

Saya bangga menjaja 'flagship product' syarikat iaitu Majalah Ana Muslim dan Sayang Muslim. Kami sepasukan di dalam bahagian pemasaran sebulat suara berpendapat tahun ini, strateginya adalah 'shock and awe' tetapi terancang dan berhemah. Saya berpegang teguh dengan apa yang saya rasakan terbukti, iaitu produk kami mempunyai ramuan dan intipati yang mencukupi serta seimbang untuk menarik perhatian kanak - kanak sambil menyelitkan nilai - nilai indah Islam melalui komik dan kaedah penceritaan kontemporari berserta warna - warna terang, ceria.
'Progress' syarikat jika di ukur tahun ke tahun berikutnya semakin berkembang, dan ini ada saya nyatakan sewaktu berkesempatan ditemubual oleh penganjur pesta buku di dalam "Buletin Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur 2009". Saya cukup berterima kasih dengan sokongan dan dorongan pelbagai pihak yang sama - sama merasakan majalah Ana Muslim dan Sayang Muslim seharusnya dipertingkatkan kerja - kerja untuk mempromosikannya sambil tidak mengambil enteng tentang kualiti dan objektif besar majalah ini sendiri, iaitu " Membentuk Peribadi Mulia". Untuk rekod, tahun ini merupakan penglibatan terbesar kami sempena pesta buku dengan 4 lot gerai, lucunya ada dikalangan pengunjung yang datang menyatakan kenapa gerai kami semakin tahun semakin mengecil!
Sekalung junjungan penghargaan terima kasih dan hormat saya hadiahkan kepada rakan - rakan yang ada datang 'melawat' dan 'menjenguk' setelah sekian lama tidak berjumpa secara realiti kerana kita hanya dapat bertemu secara maya di 'dalam talian' berhubung dan 'bergelak ketawa' di dalam Facebook, friendster dan seumpamanya. Juga kepada tunang terkasih, Syahniza kerana tidak henti - henti memberi dorongan dan mengharapkan yang terbaik buat saya. Berikut seterusnya antara gambar - gambar yang sempat ditangkap sepanjang tugasan bersama rakan - rakan sekerja...

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Kesibukan dan ruang litup peribadi yang saya ketepikan sementara untuk memberi fokus di pesta buku dikejutkan dengan panggilan telefon daripada adik bongsu saya. Mohd Fakhri atau Mamad yang memohon pandangan saya perihal kesihatan Abah yang semakin membimbangkan. Abah menghidap penyakit kencing manis atau diabetes sejak awal tahun 2000 dan perkembangan terbaru yang diberitakan oleh doktor - doktor yang merawatnya mengesahkan apa yang kami gusarkan, saya bertolak - tarik dengan perasaan dan akal saya. Benar saya masih ada tugas untuk di selesaikan di sini namun, Abah juga merupakan keutamaan saya lebih - lebih lagi sejak Mama tiada.
Saya tekad berjumpa dengan bos saya dan menerangkan situasi di samping menyatakan komitmen sekiranya saya diperlukan, alhamduliLlah bos faham dan membenarkan saya balik segera. Selepas menyerahkan beberapa tugasan kecil kepada rakan - rakan lain, saya berlepas pulang ke Sabah bersama Atuk pada petang 26 April lalu untuk bersama Abah. Natijahnya, Abah dan kami sekeluarga terpaksa menerima hakikat bahawa berikutan jangkitan kuman dan komplikasi pendarahan di kaki kiri Abah, cara terakhir adalah untuk menyelamatkan nyawa Abah daripada membiarkan kuman terus naik ke organ - organ yang lebih 'vital' adalah dengan melakukan prosedur BKA atau 'Below Knee Amputation'.
Setelah doktor pakar membuat penerangan terperinci dan memperjelaskan prosedur pembedahan yang akan dilakukan, Abah selamat menjalani pembedahan tersebut pada 2 Mei yang lepas. AlhamduliLlah, sejak Abah selamat menjalani pembedahan untuk membuang bahagian kaki yang telah rosak dan dipenuhi sel - sel mati, kesihatan Abah bertambah pulih dan baik. Di mana sebelumnya Mamad menceritakan Abah tampak lemah, tidak bermaya dan sering demam perubahan positif ketara selepas pembedahan amat jelas.
Saya akui, Abah tidak dapat menerima fakta pada mulanya, namun setelah kami adik - beradik dan ahli - ahli keluarga menjelaskan peri pentingnya pembedahan dan implikasi jangka panjangnya terhadap kesihatan Abah, dia mula bertenang dan bersetuju. Ruang ini saya ambil, untuk menyatakan dengan rasa rendah diri, rasa terima kasih kami sekeluarga kepada Dr. Nahulan Thevarajah ( Ketua Jabatan Ortopedik), Dr. Baskaran Subramaniam, Dr. Anantha, Dr. Salehuddin Abdullah, Dr. Hester Pudin, Dr. Constance Liew, Dr. William, Dr. Leong, Dr. Che Ismail, staf - staf nurse, jururawat - jururawat pelatih dan seluruh warga Wad Ortopedik, Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Kota Kinabalu.
Saya berada di Sabah sehingga 13 Mei lalu setelah benar - benar pasti akan perubahan baik keadaan Abah dan kembalinya adik perempuan saya, Nabila Farhana atau Yayang setelah menjalani peperiksaan akhir semester di UiTM Shah Alam untuk bercuti. Antara perkembangan menarik semasa menemani Abah di hospital ialah pengumuman Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak bahawa kerajaan Persekutuan akan membeli hospital swasta Sabah Medical Centre, bagi menggantikan satu blok 8 tingkat Hospital Queen Elizabeth yang disahkan tidak selamat untuk digunakan lagi. Sabah Medical Centre merupakan hospital tempat Abah dirawat, berikutan tindakan kerajaan negeri menyewa premis hospital swasta tersebut bagi menempatkan pesakit - pesakit yang terpaksa dipindahkan dari Wad Ortopaedik, Hospital Queen Elizabeth. Saya tentunya ingin menulis dan membincangkan secara mendalam signifikan pembelian hospital yang dinilaikan berjumlah RM 245,000,000.00 ini, insya-ALlah saya akan usahakan pada penulisan entri selepas ini.

Pemandangan daripada katil Abah, Wad Ortopedik, Sabah Medical Centre

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Sepanjang tidak berkesempatan menyunting tambah laman blog saya ini, saya mempunyai masa yang lebih untuk meneliti laporan - laporan akhbar yang ada antaranya saya boikot dan enggan saya 'acknowledge' isi laporannya, akhbar tempatan (New Sabah Times, Daily Express dan The Borneo Post) mahupun nasional (The Star, dan Utusan Malaysia) berkenaan perkembangan politik tanah air, rumusan berita mengenai virus H1N1 yang akhirnya sampai jua ke negara kita.
Tipikalnya, saya tetap juga mengendur untuk memberi komentar tentang bola sepak, tempatan dan antarabangsa. Umum mengetahui Man United telah pun berjaya melangkah ke perlawanan akhir Liga Juara - Juara anjuran UEFA, bertingkah merebut Piala Eropah dengan juara Primera Liga Sepanyol, FC Barcelona pada 27 Mei kelak.
Menarik untuk dikongsi, Man United akan turun beraksi menentang Pasukan Kebangsaan Malaysia di Stadium Nasional, Kompleks Sukan Negara, Bukit Jalil pada 18 Julai nanti. Saya amat berharap pemain - pemain kita dapat berkongsi padang dan memberikan aksi terbaik semampu mereka dalam menyaingi Man United selaku Juara Piala Eropah (harapan saya). Buah minda saya berkenaan perlawanan tersebut insya-ALlah akan saya berikan semakin kita menghampiri tarikh yang dinyatakan, kerana di Sabah juga akan berlangsung satu perlawanan yang hampir serupa tetapi agak berprofil rendah apabila pasukan pilihan Sabah menentang North Queensland Fury - sebuah pasukan baru yang akan bersaing di dalam Liga A Hyundai di Australia - yang dibarisi bekas bintang/legenda terkemuka Liverpool FC, Robbie Fowler pada 27 Mei 2009. Perlawanan istimewa ini dijayakan oleh sebuah syarikat pelancongan sukan yang diterajui oleh Scott Ollerenshaw, pemain legenda dan penyerang berbisa Sabah lewat tahun 90-an.

Scott Ollerenshaw bersama Bendahari Sabah FA, Johari Ayub
(gambar ihsan The New Sabah Times)

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Seadanya saya mempunyai 2 entri yang perlu saya tulis dalam masa terdekat, insya-ALlah saya akan tulis kerana kedua - duanya akan mengupas isu - isu yang amat dekat di hati saya, iaitu perihal pengurusan kebajikan dan perlaksanaan sistem kesihatan rakyat Sabah dan perihal pasukan bola sepak kegemaran saya, Manchester United FC secara khusus dan perkembangan bola sepak tanah air secara amnya. Terima kasih kerana sudi meluangkan masa, wassalam.

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!

The score is Pakatan Rakyat 2 - Barisan Nasional 1

AsSalaam and hello everybody,

Belated congratulations and well done are due to all Pakatan Rakyat's voters, supporters, campaigners, party workers and not forgetting the candidates of the Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai by-elections. Now let me set something straight, I for one have constantly regarded myself as a Man United fan/blogger first and socio-economic-political-general blogger second, but as you all can see for yourselves my political affiliation and aspirations are obvious.
Naturally, for the recently concluded tri-by-elections I was hoping for another clear message from the ballot box be sent to the powers that be. Now, receiving a message is one thing, but interpreting a message is definitely another. Out of the three by-elections, Pakatan Rakyat won at Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau with more majority than last year's General Election, and lost the Batang Ai seat to Barisan Nasional. What makes me turn red all over is the way these Barisan Nasional leaders insult our intelligence everytime they're campaigning. Having an advantage of 'horse riding' the crony-controlled media in attacking, lambasting the Pakatan Rakyat leaders is used to the maximum without ever thinking the consequences.
Pre contest, we see endless statements and claims from Barisan Nasional leaders that they have what it takes to start afresh with glorified stature for the word 'reform', 'transparency' and what not takes place almost instantenously from the lips. Post contest, another trend sets off with more reserved comments, as if putting on that woeful faces will score them any sympathy from the rakyat. As I see it, the rakyat are better at interpreting messages.

P/S - My beloved Manchester United were held to a 2 - 2 draw by Porto FC at Old Trafford, earlier this morning. A monumental task awaits...

Remember the name !!!

AsSalam and a very pleasant evening,

As you've might have noticed, that up there is none other than the hero for Manchester United against Aston Villa yesterday... yup, it's Frederico Macheda or simply 'Kiko' to the rest of the Man United squad.
He has definitely become an overnight celebrity for that sublime goal past Brad Friedel at Old Trafford when things were looking pretty grim for the Red Devils, a draw with Aston Villa would mean Liverpool stayed top of the Barclays' Premier League but Kiko repaid Sir Alex Ferguson's trust in him by scoring a goal which looked like a combination of a 'Cryuff turn' to shrug off Luke Young's attention before curling in a wonderful shot from the edge of the box. Man United won 3 - 2 and I honestly think United fans all over the world celebrated like crazy!
Let's just hope that Kiko will go from strength to strength after this and become another star at Old Trafford, from what we've seen so far during yesterday's match, Kiko has what it takes.

Now it's 8 games to go and the race to the finishing line is at full throttle!