Today being a Saturday, coupled with me not being able to go anywhere but home, should see several entries posted by me. After a 3-month break, which included the World Cup 2006 as well, the EPL is back and it's back to soccer-watching days for soccer fans. I have to admit that my passion for soccer is not that great anymore, though I still support my beloved Manchester United.
I have to sidetrack a bit and take us back to 21 Apr 1991, where my romance with MU started. It was the league cup final in 1991 and against Sheffield Wednesday, which was not a bad team in those days I think. I was only 11 and before that, my only exposure to soccer was Italia 90 (World Cup 1990), where I caught a glimpse of a footballer by the name of Maradona. In any case, I wasn't that interested in soccer at that point of time. My father, who was, by the way, a Liverpool fan, was watching the match when I sat down and joined him in watching that match. (Afterthought: Come to think of it, I think I vaguely remembered my father grinning after the match... Did I think too much?)
I really couldn't and didn't understand what was soccer all about at my tender age and all I could remembered from that match was a long shot by a Sheff Wed player that beat Les Sealey (I still remembered his name, partly because of his name and because of his jersey that looks like a watermelon) in goal. After the final whistle was blown, the players in blue were celebrating while some of the players in red were either sitting or lying down on the pitch, in tears. I felt the players in blue were cocky and I sympathized with the players in red. I asked my dad, "What is the name of team in red?". He looked at me and replied, "Man U". From that day onwards, I decided to support this "red team" by the name of "Man U" who was the so-called "losers" in my opinion. The rest is history.
Snap back to 2006. The hottest topic revolving this season's EPL must surely be "Will Chelsea make or break?". Three consecutive EPL championships is not even a feat that is achieved by both Sir Alex Ferguson (thereafter referred to as SAF) and Arsene Wenger (AW) [Disclaimer: This is according to my limited memory so apologies if I get it wrong.] The pressure is surely on Jose Mourinho (JM) and with the pretenders to the crown seemingly stronger, it will be interesting what comments he will give if Chelsea does not perform to standards.
I always wanted to share my analysis on the championship and perhaps this blog will give me a chance to be a pundit! Hehe... All in all, allow me to say... "Let the games begin!"
