So, yet another win of brute force over deft touch, or rather 2 more wins. Justin Henin played the beautiful game, but Serena Williams walked away with the honors. Arsenal had the technique, the passing, the footballing skills, but it was Darren Fletcher (Anti-football? No, not this time) and AF's (Alex Fergusson, for there is only one Sir Alex, Sir Alex Song!!!!) red devils who had the last laugh!! Henin had the drop shots, the pace, the nimble-footedness, the volleys, hell she even had the BEST ONE-HANDED BACKHAND ever but lacked Serena's MUSCULAR STRENGTH. I am taking nothing away from Man Utd and Serena Wiliams here for they deserve to win. In fact, I dont really believe in the statement 'Deserved to Win'. It’s pretty simple and universal and omni-present and ubiquitous etc etc, the team which wins, deserves to win. For otherwise, it would not have won!! (Now, don’t ask me, did Aus deserve to win the Sydney test 2008!! That’s a toughie!! (Darryl Tuffey??))
But, this begs to ask a question, are we entering an era, where 'Brute Force' is taking over from Style and Class? Is there no room for 'Lazy Elegance' no more? When was the last time we saw a Tennis player serve-and-volley his way to a major? Did anyone after Sampras, US Open 2002, win a major? Is there any serve-and-volley player right now in top 10? When was the last time, a team one-touch-passed its way to the EPL summit? Arsenal 2004. Anyone after that?
Andy Murray tried to beat Federer at his own game (with style, elegance and technique) and came up second best. But when Juan Martin Del Potro, in US Open 2009, 'brute force'd his way past Federer he was successful. When Nadal tried to 'Muscle' his way through, he was also successful.
I think earlier, the players were not physically very strong and the equipment/ gear they used was nowhere near as good as they are today. Take anything, the bats, the helmets, the racquets, the shoes all have become better and stronger. In fact, in the earlier days, with the wooden racquet, there was nothing called top-spin, for the strings would break if a player tried to give a tennis ball some heavy top-spin and that is why they relied on serve-and-volley and touch shots and drop shots. Not anymore though. If a player tries to serve-and-volley now, he will get killed by the bullet-like, heavy top-spinned shots.
But, I still believe, Technique and Style has an upper-hand over raw-power. For otherwise, 'Roi' (King in French) Roger would not have taken over from the Narcissist Nadal to become No.1. And that is why I say, in ‘Arsene we Trust’ and that is why I say ‘Keep the Faith’!!!
Please God......Chelsea 1- 2 Arsenal!!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Pakistan to Panicstan!
I was really excited to finally watch a test match. Its always fun and interesting to see Australia lose. (even if its against pakistan!!). So, I got under my 'razai', found a good link(to a website) to watch what I hoped for a Paki voctory over the OZ's. But, it was Pakistan, after all. They have not won till they have won (and they have not lost till they have lost. Martin Crowe will testify that. Remember WC 92!!).
Mohd. Yousuf said "We lost the match because of me. My shot was pathetic" after the match. Well, I am not sure about the second part, I concur with the first part though. For me, Pakistan started loosing the match the moment they put 8 fielders on the boundary to Hussey. You have arguably the best bowling attackin the world, here is the opposition, which is effectively 50 for 8, you have one batsman who is struggling for confidence, was almost dropped form the team, was dropped 3 times by your tiny, squeaky wicket-keeper the previous day, before the start of the series, is averaging below 30 in this series and a tailender with you him and have all but the bowler and keeper on the fence??
This is where, I feel, Pakistan lost the match. Not only did it allow Hussey to control the game, it boosted Australia's confidence and degraded Pakistan's. Cricket (most sport in fact) is 50% about confidence and momentum and Pakistan had neither at the end of their innings. (If only you could combine New Zealand's efficiency with Pak's talent!!)
They made bowlers like Hauritz look unplayable. Fine, Hauritz is a decent bowler who can pick you the odd wicket, but Nathan Hauritz is no Murali and thats what pakistan made him look like.
Phrases like snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, sidhuisms like "bicycle stand. You push one and they will all tumble down.", my old class teacher's saying of "kulhadi pe pair maarna" started coming to my mind. Ponting's decision of batting first seemed to have been vindicated and his theory of scoring more runs in the first innings than the opposition's last innings was made to look good.
("I backed us at the start of the game to make more runs in the first innings than what I thought Pakistan could make in the last innings," he said. "As it turns out we got 120-odd and bowled them out for 139 in the last innings of the game.")
And now, they want Younis Khan to catch the next flight to Hobart. Well, it wont be surprising if he does. If a team can changed its skipper 6 times in the last 12 months, surely one more change wont make a difference!!
Mohd. Yousuf said "We lost the match because of me. My shot was pathetic" after the match. Well, I am not sure about the second part, I concur with the first part though. For me, Pakistan started loosing the match the moment they put 8 fielders on the boundary to Hussey. You have arguably the best bowling attackin the world, here is the opposition, which is effectively 50 for 8, you have one batsman who is struggling for confidence, was almost dropped form the team, was dropped 3 times by your tiny, squeaky wicket-keeper the previous day, before the start of the series, is averaging below 30 in this series and a tailender with you him and have all but the bowler and keeper on the fence??
This is where, I feel, Pakistan lost the match. Not only did it allow Hussey to control the game, it boosted Australia's confidence and degraded Pakistan's. Cricket (most sport in fact) is 50% about confidence and momentum and Pakistan had neither at the end of their innings. (If only you could combine New Zealand's efficiency with Pak's talent!!)
They made bowlers like Hauritz look unplayable. Fine, Hauritz is a decent bowler who can pick you the odd wicket, but Nathan Hauritz is no Murali and thats what pakistan made him look like.
Phrases like snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, sidhuisms like "bicycle stand. You push one and they will all tumble down.", my old class teacher's saying of "kulhadi pe pair maarna" started coming to my mind. Ponting's decision of batting first seemed to have been vindicated and his theory of scoring more runs in the first innings than the opposition's last innings was made to look good.
("I backed us at the start of the game to make more runs in the first innings than what I thought Pakistan could make in the last innings," he said. "As it turns out we got 120-odd and bowled them out for 139 in the last innings of the game.")
And now, they want Younis Khan to catch the next flight to Hobart. Well, it wont be surprising if he does. If a team can changed its skipper 6 times in the last 12 months, surely one more change wont make a difference!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Zoom Barabar Zoom
Here is a look back on the top few sporting moments in this decade
2001- Laxman's 281 and India's victory over Australia in Kolkata after following on. This series was played around the
Feb-Mar season. Despite board exams, and all those Engineering tests hovering, for the last 3 days of this test everything else was switched off.
2001- Goran wins Wimbledon.
First Croat,
First Wild card entry and the only wild card entry to date to win the men's grandslam,
200 + aces
Beating Rafter in the Finals
Espn/Star Sports Did not broadcast this match live
2003- Sachin hits 19 off Shoaib's first over. A Six over thirdman, flick off the wrists for 4, and the classic Sachin on-drive set the tone for India's visctory over Pakistan at Centution. Me and Chotu were just in time at the Off-campus hostel to watch this. If anyone wants the mp3 version of this innings of Sachin, email me. I listen to it when I feel low.....which is everyday I go to work!
2003- Jonny Wilkinson kicks England to world cup win
Yes, England did win the world cup. But it was not cricket or football. With the score tied at 17-17, Jonny steps up to take the "free-kick" and with it the Rugby world cup 2003.
2003-04: The Arsenal invincibles go 49 unbeaten. Henry, Pires, Bergkamp, Ljungberg, Vieira, Gil, Campbell, Toure, Cole, Lauren, Lehman backed up by Wiltord, Edu, Kanu.
I can sense a deja-vu is soon going to happen! Come on you gunners!!
2005 - Mission Impossible to Mission Istanbul
As much as I like AC Milan (my second fav.team), Gattuso, Kaka, Pirlo, Gerrard and Co still bring goosbumps when I look back at this night. Me, kure, vind, sycho, shiki, andy, pawan, havish, gudi, arku, desi, alok, chotu were in the off-campus hostel that night.
"Forza Milan" was the Banner held by the Milan supporters and Desi, Shiki and Havish were going home till we convinced them to stay back as Milan ius leading 3-0, having 75% of the posession and Liverpool cant get our of their half. And then Rafa brought in Hamman for Finnan. They say that was a "Masterstroke". But whenever a manager plays a "Masterstroke" I always wonder, did he err in the first place by not starting with him. Anyway, Jerzy dudek does the "Jelly fish" as pool complete an amazing fightback to win on penalties.
2005 - England tip Australia by 2 runs at Edgbaston. Flintoff offers solace/sympathy to Brett Lee. Kodak Moment!! clik!! Could not watch it live :(
2007 - Joginder Bowls, Misbah scoops, but alas, he forgot there is Mallu in every corner of the world! This was the headline on TOI as Dhoni and Co. erased the memories of the debacle in the Carribean within 20 days of 20-20 magic.
Picture sources: Cricinfo, BBC etc
2001- Laxman's 281 and India's victory over Australia in Kolkata after following on. This series was played around the
Feb-Mar season. Despite board exams, and all those Engineering tests hovering, for the last 3 days of this test everything else was switched off.
2001- Goran wins Wimbledon.
First Croat,
First Wild card entry and the only wild card entry to date to win the men's grandslam,
200 + aces
Beating Rafter in the Finals
Espn/Star Sports Did not broadcast this match live
2003- Sachin hits 19 off Shoaib's first over. A Six over thirdman, flick off the wrists for 4, and the classic Sachin on-drive set the tone for India's visctory over Pakistan at Centution. Me and Chotu were just in time at the Off-campus hostel to watch this. If anyone wants the mp3 version of this innings of Sachin, email me. I listen to it when I feel low.....which is everyday I go to work!
2003- Jonny Wilkinson kicks England to world cup win
Yes, England did win the world cup. But it was not cricket or football. With the score tied at 17-17, Jonny steps up to take the "free-kick" and with it the Rugby world cup 2003.
2003-04: The Arsenal invincibles go 49 unbeaten. Henry, Pires, Bergkamp, Ljungberg, Vieira, Gil, Campbell, Toure, Cole, Lauren, Lehman backed up by Wiltord, Edu, Kanu.
I can sense a deja-vu is soon going to happen! Come on you gunners!!
2005 - Mission Impossible to Mission Istanbul
As much as I like AC Milan (my second fav.team), Gattuso, Kaka, Pirlo, Gerrard and Co still bring goosbumps when I look back at this night. Me, kure, vind, sycho, shiki, andy, pawan, havish, gudi, arku, desi, alok, chotu were in the off-campus hostel that night.
"Forza Milan" was the Banner held by the Milan supporters and Desi, Shiki and Havish were going home till we convinced them to stay back as Milan ius leading 3-0, having 75% of the posession and Liverpool cant get our of their half. And then Rafa brought in Hamman for Finnan. They say that was a "Masterstroke". But whenever a manager plays a "Masterstroke" I always wonder, did he err in the first place by not starting with him. Anyway, Jerzy dudek does the "Jelly fish" as pool complete an amazing fightback to win on penalties.
2005 - England tip Australia by 2 runs at Edgbaston. Flintoff offers solace/sympathy to Brett Lee. Kodak Moment!! clik!! Could not watch it live :(
2007 - Joginder Bowls, Misbah scoops, but alas, he forgot there is Mallu in every corner of the world! This was the headline on TOI as Dhoni and Co. erased the memories of the debacle in the Carribean within 20 days of 20-20 magic.
Picture sources: Cricinfo, BBC etc
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
World Cup Pots
So, FIFA announced the 4 "pots" of next year's world cup. The 8 pools will be decided this Friday with one team coming from each “Pot”.
Pot 1 (seeds): South Africa (Group A), Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain
SA, because they are the hosts are in Pot 1. Obviously, they are the weakest in Pot 1. Everyone else looks strong except Italy.
Brazil and Argentina, with their South American flair and also histroy/mathematics favoring them. For the last 40 odd years, the world cups have been won alternately by a South American and a European Nation. (Italy 06, Brazil 02, France 98, Brazil 94, Germany 90, Argentina 86, Italy 82, Brazil 78, Some european nation 74, Brazil 70, ENGLAND!! 66, Brazil 62). So, will it be Argentina or Brazil this time? I dont like Maradona. So no Argentina please.
England is everyone's favorite. Because of all this EPL broadcast. But, now there is a growing sense of feeling that English players among people are over rated. OR are they?
My favorite--Italy looks bad on paper. But they looked worse in 06 and yet won it. And also, they brought back the coach who won them the 06 world cup, Marcello Lippi.
Pot 2: Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Honduras, Mexico, USA, New Zealand
The Socceroos and the USA look the strongest here with Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer and Dempsey, Tim Howard, Donnavan etc.
Weakest would be NK and Honduras.
Pot 3: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
Wouldn't we love to see an African Nation going all they way?
IVory coast with Drogba, Toure Brothers, Aruna Dindane, Salomon Kalou, Eboue look really strong.
Algeria looks the weakest here.
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland.
France-strongest
Slovakia, Slovenia- Weakest.
There is every chance that we could have a pool with Argentina, USA, Ivory Coast and France in one pool. Or England, Australia, Ghana and Portugal in another.
Countries and players to miss out on WC 2010:
Bulgaria (Berbatov), Sweden (Zlatan), Togo(Adebayor), Russia(Arshavin and GUUS HIDDINK!!), Ireland(Given and Roobbie Keane).
Don’t miss the draw. Its on Friday 8:30 pm India time.
Pot 1 (seeds): South Africa (Group A), Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain
SA, because they are the hosts are in Pot 1. Obviously, they are the weakest in Pot 1. Everyone else looks strong except Italy.
Brazil and Argentina, with their South American flair and also histroy/mathematics favoring them. For the last 40 odd years, the world cups have been won alternately by a South American and a European Nation. (Italy 06, Brazil 02, France 98, Brazil 94, Germany 90, Argentina 86, Italy 82, Brazil 78, Some european nation 74, Brazil 70, ENGLAND!! 66, Brazil 62). So, will it be Argentina or Brazil this time? I dont like Maradona. So no Argentina please.
England is everyone's favorite. Because of all this EPL broadcast. But, now there is a growing sense of feeling that English players among people are over rated. OR are they?
My favorite--Italy looks bad on paper. But they looked worse in 06 and yet won it. And also, they brought back the coach who won them the 06 world cup, Marcello Lippi.
Pot 2: Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Honduras, Mexico, USA, New Zealand
The Socceroos and the USA look the strongest here with Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer and Dempsey, Tim Howard, Donnavan etc.
Weakest would be NK and Honduras.
Pot 3: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
Wouldn't we love to see an African Nation going all they way?
IVory coast with Drogba, Toure Brothers, Aruna Dindane, Salomon Kalou, Eboue look really strong.
Algeria looks the weakest here.
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland.
France-strongest
Slovakia, Slovenia- Weakest.
There is every chance that we could have a pool with Argentina, USA, Ivory Coast and France in one pool. Or England, Australia, Ghana and Portugal in another.
Countries and players to miss out on WC 2010:
Bulgaria (Berbatov), Sweden (Zlatan), Togo(Adebayor), Russia(Arshavin and GUUS HIDDINK!!), Ireland(Given and Roobbie Keane).
Don’t miss the draw. Its on Friday 8:30 pm India time.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sachin Tid Bits (1)
Sachin was the first overseas player to be contracted by Yorkshire. Before he was signed in 1992, Yorshire had this policy of not allowing 'outsiders' in their team. There were claims that the Yorks were Racists. But, seeing the plight of Yorshire cricket, Geoffery Boycott, who was in the Yorkshire's cricket council, desperately wanted Sachin in the team. So, it was not easy for Sachin to play in the team, as there were lot of oppositions to his contract-signing at Yorkshire. But, the great man won the hearts of the Yorks. Even though, his performance was not as outstanding (a mere average of 46!!), he was commended by the Yorks for the way he carried himself on and off the field.
For some people, who might blame me for copying or plagiarism (LOL)!!!, I will be on the safe side. I got this info from a book which I was reading the other day,
Sachin: The Story Of The World's Greatest Batsman(Paperback - Nov 2003)
by Gulu Ezekiel (Author)Write a Review
For some people, who might blame me for copying or plagiarism (LOL)!!!, I will be on the safe side. I got this info from a book which I was reading the other day,
Sachin: The Story Of The World's Greatest Batsman(Paperback - Nov 2003)
by Gulu Ezekiel (Author)Write a Review
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