Bye! February 2006

School begins with part-time job continued, and preparing for the things of studying abroad. (lots of paperworks) = NO TIME for posting and commenting!!

NOT ENOUGH!!!

26 Feb 2006 Liverpool 1-0 Man City - EPL

Liverpoolfc.tv - Harry Kewell was the match-winner as Liverpool bounced back from their midweek Champions League disappointment with a hard-earned but deserved 1-0 win against 10-man Manchester City at Anfield.

BBC - With Liverpool enjoying so much possession it was just a question of whether they could fashion an opening, and they found the space to do just that on 40 minutes. City right-back Danny Mills was dragged out of position, leaving Kewell free to latch on to Gerrard's cross-field pass and steady himself before firing home.

Rafa: "I am not happy with the final score. It was three important points but I like to see us score more goals because at only 1-0 we put ourselves under pressure." "We did create some chances but we didn't take them. Morientes is playing really well outside the box and gives the team a lot of possibilities, but inside the box we need to finish and maybe sometimes be more selfish. I left Morientes on because I wanted to see him score. It is important for his confidence and I think he and Crouch play well together."

'I Wish I Knew How To Quit You'

"Tell you what, we coulda had a good life together! Fuckin' real good life! Had us a place of our own. But you didn't want it, Ennis! So what we got now is Brokeback Mountain! Everything's built on that! That's all we got, boy, fuckin' all. So I hope you know that, even if you don't never know the rest! You count the damn few times we have been together in nearly twenty years and you measure the short fucking leash you keep me on - and then you ask me about Mexico and tell me you'll kill me for needing somethin' I don't hardly never get. You have no idea how bad it gets! I'm not you... I can't make it on a coupla high-altitude fucks once or twice a year! You are too much for me Ennis, you sonofawhoreson bitch! I wish I knew how to quit you."

Hello, Can Someone Give A Shot?

21 Feb 2006 Benfica 1-0 Liverpool - 1st leg of CL Last 16

BBC - Benfica defender Luisao scored a late goal to give his team a slender lead in their Champions League tie - It was Petit whose free kick set up the Benfica goal, Luisao powering a header past the flat-flooted Liverpool keeper. Liverpool had plenty of possession, but laboured to find strikers Fernando Morientes and Robbie Fowler.

BBC - Benitez defends Gerrard decision - "I'd rather have Steven Gerrard ready for the next month rather than just 80 minutes of this match." "I was happy with the effort of my players but maybe we could've attacked more. But it's hard for us after the amount of games we have played this season to perform at a high tempo all the time."

BBC - Sissoko suffers damage to retina - "Momo has undergone further tests this morning which have confirmed damage to the retina in his right eye. The injury is currently affecting his eyesight. Further consultations with eye specialists have been arranged for when the player returns to England."

SAP Open

BBC - Andy Murray's maiden ATP Tour title has propelled him into the world's top 50 for the first time in his career. The 18-year-old's victory over Lleyton Hewitt in the San Jose final lifted him 13 places to 47th and put him within sight of the British number one spot.
Murray is the youngest British player in the Open era to capture an ATP title and the fifth teenager to lift the San Jose trophy, joining John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, Michael Chang and Andre Agassi.

It's a really special competition not only for Murray but also my friend Jimmy(Yeu-Tzuoo Wang), who beat American James Blake 6-3 7-5 for his first victory against a top-20 player. Shame that he couldn't go further to go into the qutar-final losing against Murray 6-4 6-2, who evetually won the title. This is what Murray said about the match: "I think the first set was the toughest I've played on the tour."

The win over James Blake was a big step for Jimmy, and I believe it gave him a lot of confidence. And hopefully he can creat another new record of Taiwan to break into top 80. Keep going, both Murray and Jimmy!

Ash And Charlotte Part Company

A statement on Ash's official website has confirmed that guitarist Charlotte Hatherley has left the band.

"After 9 years Ash and Charlotte Hatherley have mutually agreed to part company. The decision is completely amicable and they wish each other the very best for the future.

"Ash are returning to the studio later this year to make the follow up to 2004's "Meltdown" album. Charlotte is currently recording tracks for her second solo abum (following "Grey Will Fade") which she plans to release in the Autumn this year!"

Best Wishes For Alan

18 Feb 2006 Liverpool 1-0 Man Utd - FA Cup 5th Round

BBC - Liverpool recorded their first FA Cup win over Man Utd 85 years with an impressive Anfield victory - Peter Crouch headed home Steve Finnan's cross after 19 minutes to give Rafael Benitez's side a deserved place in the quarter-finals. Edwin van der Sar had saved brilliantly from Harry Kewell seconds earlier as Liverpool dominated a poor United side. United's misery was compounded as substitute Alan Smith suffered a broken leg blocking a free-kick late on.

BBC - Smith suffers horrific leg break - Ferguson: "It's one of the worst I've seen. He's broken his leg and there's a dislocation of the ankle joint. It's a very long-term injury - we're all behind him as he's a brave lad."

Rafa: "The first thing to say is that we are all so sorry about the injury for Smith. You never like to see your own players injured and it's the same for opposition players as well. All we can say to him is good luck and we wish him well."

I don't particularly feel happy about this victory, though I think we've done a good job. Smith's injury just made me so sad. This is the last thing we want to see for any player on the pitch. Even if it was Gary Neville who broke his leg, I would have the same sympathy for him.
I was in a bar with some other Reds watching this match, and I found myself being worry about Alan Smith on my way home instead of being happy for the 1-0 revenge against Man Utd. All the wishes for him and hope he can come back...well, it won't be 'soon' I know, but hopefully one day! You'll Never Walk Alone.

Rafa's Magic Subs

14 Feb 2006 Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal - EPL

Liverpoolfc.tv - FROM LUIS WITH LOVE, GARCIA THE VALENTINE HERO - Supersub Luis Garcia made it a Valentines night to remember at Anfield, coming off the bench to score a crucial winning goal three minutes from the end of an enthralling clash with Arsenal.

BBC - Before Garcia's 86th-minute strike, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had single-handedly kept Liverpool at bay. The Arsenal keeper saved Steven Gerrard's first-half penalty having previously brilliantly turned away a wayward header from Philippe Senderos. But Lehmann was only able to get one hand to a raking shot from Dietmar Hamann and Garcia rushed in to thump the ball past the German goalkeeper.

Riise: "I think it was important for Luis to get a goal to show he's back. He's someone who can miss chances but then pop up with the important goal. That's the type of player he is." "He tries things. When it doesn't work, maybe people aren't happy about it, but that's his game." "Obviously we're really happy because we deserved to win the game. We dominated the first half and we should have had more goals. It just goes to prove if you keep going for 90 minutes the goal can come at the end. When it does come late and you win, it's even better."

Best Centre-back Partnership

11 Feb 2006 Wigan 0-1 Liverpool - EPL

BBC - Sami Hyypia's first goal of the season was enough to give Liverpool their first win in four Premiership games - Hyypia latched on to a hopeful punt from Jamie Carragher and, although he scuffed his shot, it still beat Latics keeper Mike Pollitt and rolled home. Pollitt redeemed himself with a great save from Fernando Morientes at the end of a first half dominated by Liverpool. But it was Wigan who were on top after the break and only several good stops from Jerzy Dudek denied them a point.

Rafa: "We were trying to play well and I think we were organised throughout. At the start of the second half Wigan pressed but we controlled most of the match. We showed character, our movement was good but at times our final pass let us down."

*Update* 13 Feb 2005

Hyypia: "I go up to set-pieces and I've waited to score a goal. Of course my job is to keep clean sheets rather than score goals, but goals are a bonus. And on Saturday it was with my left foot as well."

Carra: "It was a battle. You've just got to hit the channels and get the second ball. We had to get back on track and to get a win against Wigan is a great result."

Fowler: "It's been a long time since I started, but I felt I didn't play too badly. Although I did tire, I was happy with what I put into the game." "There had been a bit of a blip, and that's not down to anyone in particular. Maybe the lads are tired with the run they've had, but the three points are a boost. Thankfully that blip is behind us, and we have to look forward."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....

Well..it's not so bad Chelsea, you still can win the title! It won't hurt and doesn't matter at all.

Acoustic Of The...Week or Month?

Whatever. It's been a long time since the last time I posted about music.
Just enjoy this - Jason Mraz Live - UGO Music Exclusive.
[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]

I love Part 3 especially.

So, We're Back To That?

8 Feb 2006 Charlton 2-0 Liverpool - EPL

Liverpoolfc.tv - Despite a dominant first half performance two goals against the run of play on the stroke of half-time did the damage as a glorious chance to close in on second place went begging. A 42nd minute penalty from Darren Bent was quickly followed by a Luke Young strike and the shell-shocked visitors were unable to recover.

Curbishley: "Liverpool showed why they're Champions of Europe in the first half. They were fantastic and they didn't just pass the ball well - when we won it back they forced us into errors but we ended up coming off at half time 2-0 up. That's football sometimes, but we'll take it." "The penalty was probably a bit fortunate but we've hardly had a penalty in the five years we've been back in The Premiership."

Rafa: "It's clear to see it wasn't a penalty but when you concede a goal you then can't concede another." "We've been talking about mistakes after recent games and tonight we have made another two." "I can't criticise the players' work-rate because we always wanted to attack and try to win the game but again the problem was the mistakes that we made."
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So, are we back to that? Can't score and can't win the game. How many those controversy can happen? Did we just use up all the luck on the pitch during the past few months? Rio Ferdinand's wining header in the last minute, Alonso's own goal, Reina's red card because of Robben's acting, captain's absence due to injury, Dudek's controversial penalty, serial big matches dated on the schedule and tired players..... Damn, what we need is spirits! Stay confident and keep our heads up! It's not that we played so bad that we lost. We dominated those games most of the time!! It's disappointing, but we will bounce back soon! Come on the Reds!

Damn Kid

Can someone tell me what's wrong with this kid????? How DARE YOU, little monkey!! Who taught him to do that? If that was my child, I would drown him I swear...

Shut The Fuck Up Robben!

Sorry, I can't help. The title just came out after watching the match. I'll post about it in detail tomorrow. Now I'm too angry in the middle of the night and need to calm down... For one thing I'm sure, is that I've never hated about losing to one team so much...
-------------------------------------------------------------------*Update*
5 Feb 2006 Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool - EPL

Liverpoolfc.tv - Liverpool have missed the chance to close the gap on Premiership leaders Chelsea after goals from William Gallas and Hernan Crespo gave Jose Mourinho's side a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge. But it was familiar story for the Reds after they will again leave one of English football's toughest venues with nothing to show for a confident display. It was only 14 days ago when Rio Ferdinand made sure Manchester United took the points while Liverpool took the credit. And it was a similar story here as Chelsea punished the Reds for not scoring when they were on top. And to make matters worse Pepe Reina was controversially sent off after his 83rd minute tackle on Gudjohnsen created a melee.

Rafa: "I'm in a hurry and I must go to the hospital to see how Robben is, he could be in hospital for a week!
It's a crazy situation. Reina made a mistake when he was provoked and touched Robben on the face, but has he broken his neck? I don't understand why you can kick everyone in a game then you touch one player and you are sent-off. What sort of professional would do that to another professional knowing he could make him miss three matches?"

"On the game itself we created chances in the first half but we made a mistake from a corner and we paid the price for it. Chelsea are a good team and played good counter attacks. What we need to do is score more goals from the chances we create. In the first half we played well but as soon as we made the mistake Chelsea could play the game as they wanted. They're a good side."

An Offside Flag...

1 Feb 2006 Liverpool 1-1 Birmingham - EPL

Liverpoolfc.tv - Steven Gerrard had earlier put the Reds in front with a 65th minute strike but despite their obvious superiority they failed to build on the lead and were punished when Alonso deflected the ball past Pepe Reina three minutes from time.
In a further twist to a night of high drama, returning hero Robbie Fowler, on as a second half substitute, had an injury time winner ruled out for offside as a game that should have been easily wrapped up ended in bitter disappointment.

Rafa: "I am very disappointed because when you score one goal you need to score the second to finish the game, especially against 10 men, and we didn't do that. We had a lot of chances but the Birmingham goalkeeper was fantastic. If Luis Garcia had scored from his good chance then we win the game and it is a totally different situation."

Robbie's return
Rafa: "We know Robbie needs to improve his physical condition but his movement was really good. What we need to do better is give him better service. Robbie makes good runs and we need to give him the ball in the right areas or exploit the space he creates for others."

Agger's debut
Rafa: "Daniel Agger's start was nervous but after that he started to control the situation and played well with the ball and kept a good position."