Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Giggs-Seyh!
The race is finally over – and it took the 38th game to settle the year long war. Obviously I am not talking about Malaysian Super League, even though Malaysian football season kickoff shares the same date with other European leagues, particularly the Barclays Premier League (maybe a desperate move to liken the football ambiance, after our own import-players quota policy and league system seem to be futile).

Manchester United, Man U, MU or whatever you called it, crossed the finish line victorious. However, it was not Wayne Rooney who caught my attention and it didn’t take the penalty taken by Ronaldo, or his inexhaustible footworks to mesmerize me. It was the old man in Ryan Giggs, who came on as substitute later in the game.

It was nice to see Ryan Giggs get himself on the scoresheet, a reminiscence of his golden days, which should come to an end anytime now. Actually, he was the reason I adored Man Utd a decade ago – much to the annoyance of my brother who is a life-time Liverpool supporter and the one who loudly denounce my Man Utd spirit by saying that if you are a Man Utd fan, you are new to football. It was when the cute David Beckham and nice Umbro jersey were still around. All of which worked well as attractions and reasons to say it is cool to support Man Utd.

Ryan Giggs stood up high than anyone else in the team, although Eric Cantona and again, David Beckham were there in the same picture. Along with his pace, composure and technique, he was the apple of my eye and inspiration for me to play for my school team. Most memorable moment of his prowess was when he single-handedly crash Arsenal out of FA Cup, dribbled past five ke four tah Arsenal defenders (including Martin Keown and Tony Adams!) before fired an unstoppable shot past through the hands of the then England first choice goalkeeper, David Seaman. Although his bulu dada was not that appealing (especially when he took off his jersey in celebration of the goal), he mesmerized me with his technique – and it is certainly one of many great football experience I had.

Dah macam James Bond

And almost ten years after that, it was nice to see him in action again, although I am donning different colour now. It was a priceless moment when he lifted the Barclays Premier League as a captain, not just another player as he used to be when the great Roy Keane and Eric Cantona were still around. 10th silverware with United, and Ryan Giggs or Giggsy as they called it, is a living legend. He is my legend. Thanks man, for the wonderful experience you gave to us, to me. All the best in the future (may you retire soon, as not to be brutally sacked – thanks to the cruel Premier League money-based system).

Oh yes, congratulations Manchester United, Man U, MU or whatever you called it. If Ryan Giggs is still 25, I would say fuck you to Liverpool right away, and of course, if Steven Gerrard is not a footballer.

P.S. If not Liverpool, I’d rather prefer Arsenal to win the league over Man Utd or Chelsea. I am not quite sure why I hate those two teams very much (or envy?). Maybe it’s just a weird sentiment shared by all Koppites, isn’t it?

 
posted by Izham Ismail at 2:25 pm | Permalink |


3 Comments:


  • At 13 May, 2008 14:54, Blogger Ezlan mohsen

    I wonder what the fan was thinking when he scored the 2nd goal against wigan that day. They asked for him to be axed from the team because he is too old but then,he had done so much to Manchester United. Maybe its not Giggs whos too old, its the fan who's too new that they did not even realized Giggs contribution.

     
  • At 14 May, 2008 00:42, Blogger Kamal Zafrullah

    aku pun x sure naper org x suker chelsea.maybe sbb x puas hati dgn duit yg owner kuarkan kot.x pun sbb nak beli player ramai2...tp man u ngan liverpool pun lebih kurang gak.or maybe sbb chelsea naik mendadak kot.x blh diterima..hmm..its all - MAYBE !

     
  • At 14 May, 2008 14:59, Blogger Muhammad Zuhaili

    Mr Kamal, I respect your opinion but I absolutely thinks that people dont hate chelsea, but people dont have any respect for chelsea. Why do I said so?

    1) Look back at the history, who's Chelsea?they dont have any great history at all. Do they have the best fans?I dont think so, even the name given Chelskis to the chelsea fans maybe was used just since 5 years back? And only suddenly, the Mr Rich came into the club, and he turned chelsea into a giant team and claimed that they are the best. I do agree chelsea is a giant team, but not all giants deserve respect if they win. Why?

    2)Chelsea is just like a new Real Madrid (even worse). They buy titles. Yes Manchester,Liverpool and Arsenal are using money too. But look at Chelsea's transfers, they bought footballers who already have the big names, the big skills, the big talents that has created a lot of glory at previous clubs.

    3)It is not a shocked if Chelsea won games, people expected them to won games. Why? Look at the teams, if Drogba is out, they have Shevchenko. If Ferreira is out they have Belletti,Glenn Johnson. If Ashely Cole's out, they have wayne bridge. If Lampard's out they have Ballack. Ah just forget about it. Therefore there wont be a lot of surprises because the game is BORING.

    4)Chelsea have all the power to dominate the market just like Real Madrid, but they dont have much effort to produce their own talents instead of hijacking some other talents with their advantage through banks. Remember Robben? Remember Essien? Remember Ballack?Remember Mikel Obel? And the latest is Bosingwa.

    5) People dont really hate the team, but they dont have respect to the players. Look at the likes of Ballack, who turned his head to the Stamford Bridge because of the money,and look at Bosingwa who's been given double of wages offered by Chelsea.They dont really have the love and pride to wear the Blue shirts. They came into the club which doesn't have any great history, but they play just because of the best offered given.

    6)If Chelsea won the Champions League, the world's already expecting it
    just like Real Madrid. The excitement isn't there. I think I heard the names of Ronaldinho, Deco that would come to the bridge? Therefore, I think next year it should be easier for the blues to lift the trophy.

    Last but not least, ITS THE LACK OF RESPECT TOWARDS THE TEAM, THE FOOTBALL BY BLUES AND NOT THE HATRED.