A Black Day!

Oct 29th 2005 - A Black Day for ManUtd and its fans!
Red Devils' fans all over the world will mourn the day ManUtd was humiliated 1-4 away at Middlesborough. But ManUtd will fight back...fight back to prove the critics wrong only if...
The Glazers show some money during the January transfer window

Fletcher, Scholes, o'Shea are kicked out of the squad

Rio is made to realize that he has been playing like shit for the past few months and dropped to the bench for a few games

Sir Alex regains his sense and starts to play attacking football with a 4-4-2 formation

Sir Alex buys some decent midfielders in January and when I say decent, I mean no more Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson.

Romans' Champion!

"Wins the ball in his own half with a brilliant tackle, comes through a rough tackle from the opposition player, manages to dribble the ball past two defenders and makes another defender move the wrong way and sees the goalkeeper off his line, chips the ball brilliantly over the outstretched hands of the keeper into the net for a magnificent goal. Truely, one of the very best solo goals in football."

That goal was scored by Roma captain and Italy international Francessco Totti against Inter in a Serie A match this week. A marvelous player, wonderfully gifted and an exceptional centre forward, for me, he is one among the world's best footballers and he is already a legend at his club for the allegiance to his club and his determination, spirit and committed nature when he plays and the passion he displays on the field.

Many clubs, including Chelsea, have tried to lure Totti with the promises of richness and of course, a chance to compete in the world's best club competition, the Champions League. When everyone thought he would succumb to the lure of playing in Europe, he chose to remain in Roma and that too when he is at the peak of his career and Roma seemed to be content just to play in the UEFA Cup.

At a time when money seems to be the crucial issue as it is time and again proved by players such as Robben, Duff, Essien preferring to join Chelsea rather than legendary clubs like ManUtd or Liverpool, Totti's decision to remain in Roma and serve his home club is exemplary and laudable.

Totti, as any other player, too has a dark side to him. He has a fiery temper and gets provoked easily and much of the blame for Italy's exit in the Euro 2004 was pinned on him after he spat on a player. With his suspension, Italy failed to go past even the group stages.

Even as Totti led by example against Inter by scoring 2 goals, one among them, the very best in football, he was provoked into a head bang by Inter's Veron and was promptly ejected from the field.

I am surprised that I do not see Totti's name among the nominees for the European Player of the Year. I am even more surprised to see Zidane's name on the list, considering the fact that he was one of the weakest links in Real Madrid's all-losing team last season. Clearly, it's time officials and players bid farewell to the 'Zidane mania' and herald the Romans' champion Totti!

Sinners and Winners!

Just when everyone thought that the Chelsea juggernaut would roll on, it required a fierce and committed play from Everton to stop Chelsea from achieving the perfect ten. Everton were of course, delighted with the 1-1 draw. Lampard the redeemer for Chelsea yet again with a great equalizing goal, but Mourinho was left fuming as he felt Drogba's goal was wrongly disallowed for offside. I was left fuming why the hell opposition teams aren't able to maintain their goal lead and beat Chelsea!

ManUtd played out a 1-1 draw with the Spurs, who would be thanking Jenas for the lovely free-kick and Ruud for being a statue in the wall. I was very much impressed with Smith than I was with Fletcher in the centre of midfield. Again, I reiterate - ManUtd badly need a world-class midfielder. Aaaah! A glitter of hope when I read the Glazers has sanctioned a huge amount of money when the transfer window opens in January. Realization though a bit too late has at last come - ManUtd looks like a wimp when compared to high-flying Roman-sponsored Chelsea who are calling the shots.

Arsenal always play to entertain. Boy, did they! Arsenal, who were leading Manchester City 1-0 thanks to a Pires penalty had the opportunity to go 2-0 when Bergkamp earned their 2nd penalty. Pires came forward to take it and this time, he tried to pass the ball to Henry who was advancing from outside the box. But Pires' boot just shaved the ball and the ball did not move at all. A city defender then managed to prise it away and the referee gave a free-kick to City! Wenger may have found ze inzidant funny after the match but I guess he'd have gone furious had Vassel's equalizing goal from a header stood for City. Though I felt amused at the Arsenal duo's chagrin, I did feel bad to see them eventually escape with a win.

Now, for some good news. Barcelona won against Osasuna 3-0 and Real Madrid lost at home to Valencia 1-2, the icing on the cake being Beckham and Gravesen's sending off and Real finishing the game with 9 men. Hmmmmmm....the cake tasted goooood!

Meanwhile in Serie A, AC Milan kep pace with leaders Juventus with a win over Palermo thanks to Filipo Inzaghi's winning goal on his comeback from a long injury lay-off. In Germany, Bayern retained their position at the top of the table after their win and in France, Lyon continued their unbeaten run this season with a win. Looks like they are already wondering "Who the hell is Essien?"

Most Popular Sporting Event!

Top ten most popular sporting events in recent times. No prizes for guessing what tops the chart!

1. 2002 FIFA World Cup Final (1.3 billion viewers)

2. Euro 2004 Soccer Final (153 million viewers)

3. 2004 Olympic Games: opening ceremony (127 million viewers)

4. 2004 Olympic Games: closing ceremony (96 million viewers)

5. 2004 Super Bowl (95 million viewers)

6. 2004 Olympic Games: men's 100m metres (87 million viewers)

7. 2003 Champions League (67 million viewers)

8. 2004 Olympic Games: men's 200m freestyle swimming (66 million viewers)

9. 2004 Formula One: Monaco Grand Prix (59 million viewers)

10.2004 Basketball: NBA finals (25 million viewers)

Highlights - The Red Devils!

ManUtd started their season in a good way but then since then, things have gone terribly wrong for them. They are still among Europe's elite clubs but then they really need to buckle up if they want to win at least one major trophy this year.

So what has really happened this season?

New owners of the club - the Glazers, after promising 20 million pounds as transfer cash, did not even show a pound.

No wonder, the fans are seething 'red'.

Striker Saha gets injured and is ruled out for a few months, even before the season has started.

Yep, still as brittle as glass!

Last season's Player of the Year as voted by fans, Gabriel Heinze has a serious knee injury and is ruled out for almost the rest of the season.

Why couldn't have Silvestre been injured instead of Gabby? At least, Van der Saar's job would be easier.

Gary Neville gets injured and collapses again on his comeback after a month. A few more weeks out.

With replacement Bardsley doing well, is Gary's position finally being threatened?

Wayne Rooney sees red after sarcastically applauding the referee in the Champions League clash with Villareal. Without him, ManUtd struggles to beat Benfica and draws 0-0 with Lille, both home matches.

Rooney might be a bit loony but he still is the best!

Skipper and midfield lynchpin Keane gets injured and is ruled out for many weeks. In his absence, ManUtd lose their home clash with Blackburn.

Alan Smith replacing Keane!!! Surely Fergie, you must be joking!

Fergie gets booed by fans after the home loss against Blackburn.

4-4-2! 4-4-2! 4-4-2!

Keane announces that this would be his last season with ManUtd and he would quit the Premiership at the end of the season.

Perhaps, eyeing one last bumper contract??

Cristiano Ronaldo is arrested on suspicion of rape and is later released on bail.

Thanks for the influence, Rio!

Wacky World of Football

Jose Mourinho has registered himself as a trademark to stop firms using his name in promotions without paying. Isn't he truly "the special one"?

Most Brazilians do the most bizarre goal celebrations and Ronnie is no exception. The reigning world player of the year does a small samba dance sometimes followed by singing with the corner flag as his mike.

Ronaldo attributes to his good goal scoring records to the sex he has before a football game. After seeing his latest bizarre animal type celebrations after scoring goals, it makes me wonder he has been at it with his dogs!

One celebration that I like that of Robbie Keane, who does a small cartwheel roll followed by a pistol-shooting action.

For many years, David Beckham had been voted the best dressed English person, in a poll conducted by a UK magazine. But in this year's polls, surprisingly, he was voted the worst dressed person! This means either people are bored of him or maybe, it's just the Spanish connection!

Book Your Tickets!

Teams that have qualified for World Cup 2006

South America
Argentina
Brazil
Ecuador
Paraguay

Asia
Japan
South Korea
Saudi Arabia
Iran

North America
U.S.A.
Mexico
Costa Rica

Europe
Germany
Ukraine
England
Holland
Portugal
France
Croatia
Sweden
Poland
Serbia & Mont.
Italy

Africa
Angola
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Togo
Tunisia

Playoffs
Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey, Norway, Swiss, Slovakia

Trinidad vs Bahrain
Uruguay vs Australia

Major Teams to miss out
Ireland, Greece, Denmark, Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa, China, and India :(

Anyone willing to sponsor my ticket to Germany is welcome :)

Pavel Ravel

Czech and Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved refuses to come out of international retirement. With just 2 crucial matches left in the qualifying stages, it is surprising to see him not interested in leading the Czech team to his World Cup.

He cites his age as a reason for his decision. But at 33, he is not too old. Considering that this is his final chance to appear on the big stage at the World Cup next year, I don't think he has made a wise decision.

Nedved talks about winning the Champions League with Juventus and it's a pity the Czech team is not the same without him. His decision just makes me question his pride and commitment for his home country.

Respect? Heck, NO!

After a lot of flak about EPL getting boring, last weekend saw some highly entertaining matches in the EPL. Chelsea tightened their grip on the Championship by beating Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield. ManUtd beat Fulham 3-2 in an extra-ordinary match where all goals were scored in the first half. Rio Ferdinand who considers himself to be the best defender in the world has to hang himself for some crucial blunders leading to the Fulham goals.

Wigan are continuing their good form by beating Bolton 2-1 and Tottenham came from 0-2 down to beat Charlton 3-2. Although Tottenham are stuttering at the moment, I still feel they'll be the team to watch for the rest of their season.Boro beat Villa 3-2 as Yakubu scored a brace and Boro, finally did not seem to be affected by the hangover from their European action.

Mourinho and his team players have come out and said that his team deserves more respect after proving they can play entertaining football. Ok! They proved themselves in one match, but can they carry on from here. Even if they do, I still can't seem to stomach the fact that they are on their way to buying themselves a second consecutive title.

Meanwhile, Juventus continued their 100% record by beating Inter in Serie A and surprisingly, Real Madrid continued their good form by winning their La Liga match and went ahead of arch-rivals Barcelona in the championship table. Barcelona drew their match against Real Zaragoza 2-2. They better get a good defender soon to have any chance of retaining their title!!