Manchester United - Champions of England & Europe

Glory Glory Manchester United...

Manchester United (The Red Devils) has once again be crowned as Champions League Champion. And together with this Champions League, they have also conquered their own home league, the Barclays English Premier League (EPL) by beating Chelsea to the crown.

Yes, Red Devils have beaten Chelsea twice - one for the EPL and the other is the Champions League this morning. Chelsea is not that bad to be frank, their squad is very strong, with the whole squad filled with superstars, fuelled by the riches by their russian billionaire owner, Roman Abramovic.

This also proves once again that riches and wealth itself does not instantly create a Championship Team. A strong team is only build over time with a stronf manager/coach that takes times and effort to nurture the team. He has to make sure that all players are not selfish and play for the team. Alex Ferguson, the manager of Red Devils, is certainly good in this area of management. He knows how to prevent his young and promising starlets from too much media cover and disturbancem, as well as re-motivates the older and more experience players to rekindle their touches. He is indeed a master of motivation and inspiration.

I am glad that i bought some chips, and took a taxi at 2am in the wee hours to watch this final in my buddy's house. As he is an anti-Man Utd fan, we really have lots of fun, cheering our "own" team and jeering the opposition whenever they have the ball. But the match is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Chelsea hit the woodwork (aka goalposts) twice during the game, if not Man United might have lost the match. Not to mention the Penalty miss by John Terry (Chelsea's captain) during the Penalty Shootout session.

Well Done Manchester United! Congrats to all Manchester United Fans around the Globe! Do drop me a comment if you one of them reading this humble blogsite of mine.

Truly Inspiring

For those those follow English Premier League (EPL) Soccer, this post will be very familiar to you, especially for those that supports either Manchested United (Red Devils) or Chelsea (Blues).

All eyes are on the last match of the EPL season to see if Man U or Chlesea will clinch the title. I certainly believe Man U will clinch the title, not just because i am a true Man U supporter but the passion and comittment that the whole Man U team is displaying this season.

However, i would like to put my attention to one of Chelsea's player - their 'favourite' son of Stamford Bridge (Chelsea's stadium) - Frank Lampard. During last week's Champion League semin-final game against Liverpool, Frank struck the most poignant and significant goal of his career, driving home an extra-time penalty to help take Chelsea to their 1st ever Champion League Final.

As he wheeled away in celebration, a tearful Lampard sought out his father in the stands, sharing an emotional moment a week after his beloved mother Pat passed away due to pneumonia. Many have not expected him to even play this important game as he was still mourning for his mother, not to mention him taking up the responsibility to take the Penalty shot when one of Chelsea's player was fouled in the penalty box. He could have left that spotkick to his other team mates that have performed so well in such spotkick over last months, but he took up the challenge, the responsibility to score the all important goal.

He was certainly Inspirational and Motivating. He was so committed to his profession and role that must have certainly put his mother at ease towards her journey to heaven.

When the final whistle went, all the chants and thoughts were for Lampard. This are the words from his manager: "Frank is a brave man. He was very close to his mother. What happened to him it was not easy to take this decision to play the match and taking that nerve-cracking spotkick, but he played well and is a little bit happier now."

Frank has certainly did his mum proud and is really a role model - a model that inspire your to be at your best even when the whole world seems crushing down.

WonderKid from Turkey - Next Ronaldinho?

Chance upon this video on Youtube about a 10 year old boy that plays like Ronaldinho and Maradona. Muhammet Demirci is only 10 years old. This video shows his great talent plays against 14 years old mates. He is maybe next Ronaldinho. Many team wants to buy him (Barcelana and PSV) He is wonderkid. Watch video and see him on your eyes.

This boy really got the Dribbling Skills, The Killer Pass and the Vision.
And from the video, you can actually see that he is more like a team player..never selfish and go for the goal himself. Of course, with his dribbling skills, he can dribble into goal against the team in that video.

Wonderkid indeed! So proud of him.

Charlie Edwards - Three year old football Wonder Kid

How about looking at some of the Wonderkids that are on Red Devils' Youth Development Team's radar? Many of parents and guardians are sending in video footage of the child soccer skills, and this have developed a pool of "Wonderkids" that Red Devils and continue to train and develop to become the likes of Beckham, Neville brothers, Giggs, etc.

He doesn't know the alphabet, but his left foot is amazing. When it comes to football Charlie Edwards is no dummy. He is already catching the eye of soccer scouts at the tender age of THREE! Talent scouts have been watching what his parents have seen for over a year - bags of energy, control, co-ordination and a sweet left foot. As soon as he could walk, 13 to 18-months-old he could play with star quality, and former Manchester City and Macclesfield Town player Steve Hodgson who now runs the local Football Academy has been amazed at the accuracy and power the three year old can strike a ball. "He's twice if not three times his age limit. He's three now and he has played competitive matches with seven and eight year olds."

Beckham back on Top of Rich List

According to news, David Beckham has overtaken Ronaidinho to regian the title of football's highest-paid player, according to France Football Magazine.

The magazine claimed that Beckham's earnings from salary and endorsements increased 82 per cent to 31 million euros after his switch from Real Madrid to Los Angeles Galaxy from Real Madrid. Ronaldinho income is unchanged at 24.1 million euros.

Beckham has thus reclaimed the position he held for three consecutive years through 2005. He has a $7.6 million base salary with Galaxy and other earners include emdorsement deals and profit sharing.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Manchester United's Ronaldo rose to third and fourth respectively and this is the 1st time they make it to the Top 10 as shown below:

1.David Beckham
2.Ronaldinho
3.Lionel Messi
4.Cristiano Ronaldo
5.Thierry Henry
6.John Terry
7.Michael Ballack
8.Ronaldo
9.Kaka
10.Steven Gerrard

For managers, their wealth is arrnaged in the followinf descending orders with Jose Mourinho topping the wealth chart.

1.Jose Mourinho
2.Fabio Capello
3.Alex Ferguson

AC Milan set based in Singapore

(Image from Yahoo Singapore)
With seven European Cups in the trophy cabinet and 18 international club titles in all, AC Milan are one of the biggest names in football.

In their 109—year history, the Italian giants have also produced some of football’s biggest superstars, including Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini.

Now, the 17—time Serie A champions are believed to be keen on establishing a foothold in Singapore.

TODAY has learnt that Milan plan to set up a football school in Singapore. According to sources, the project — to be called AC Milan Junior Camp — will be for youngsters aged between six and 18. The camp will provide the highest quality of football coaching by the club.

One of the parties involved is believed to be a local hotel group and negotiations are currently ongoing.

When ready, it would be the first football camp in South—east Asia established by the Italian giants, and one of two in Asia, after the one in Japan. The club also have an official football camp in the United States, and all are designed to enable youngsters youths to pick up football skills and foster new friendships.

According to sources, a delegation from Milan could be in Singapore as early as next week to explore possible sites for the camp and also to meet local officials. The Rossoneri could well have the Champions League trophy in tow for the three—day visit, tentatively scheduled from April 14—16.

Milan are the outgoing holders of the trophy, having beaten Liverpool 2—1 in last year’s final in Athens. Last month, they were eliminated at the first knock—out stage of this season’s competition by Arsenal and the club, currently coached by Carlo Ancelotti, are lying in fifth spot in Serie A, 20 points behind city rivals Inter Milan. — Article by TODAY/il

Highlights from Weekend EPL matches

Missed that early morning game? And want to catch the highlights and the goals of those matches? Now you can do so by going to the Football Channel Online platform to watch the video on the highlights. It is absolutely F*REE.Just click on the video play button on the right hand side .

Cheers
Sean

2008 Jan GOTM from EPL

Lot of brilliant strikes from the English Premier League for January.

All the Goals of The Month have their own merits and specialties.

To me, special mention is to:
- Cristiano Ronaldo Freekick (Laser-focused and with lots of venom)
- Cristiano Ronaldo run towards goal (Teamwork is the key)
- Kevin Nolan Strike (Total focus with attention just to score)

Enjoy:

2008 Feb GOTM from EPL

Yet another month of Feb with wonderful goals have been scored. Let's forget some of the unhappy things that happened in the EPL that may end an outstanding soccer professional career. Yes, i am talking about Eduardo, the brazil-croatian star from Arsenal that has broken leg now after some horrific tackle by Taylor from Birmingham. It sertianly hurts. I know cos i have a torn cruciate knee ligament that was caused by a horrific tackle from the side.

Back to Goal of The Month for February. We are seeing some wonder team-play that results in Wonderful goals being scored. Check out the lightning counter attack play by Chelsea and the skills by Eduardo. Hope this is not the last time that we see him playing at that level again.