Murshidism : New Era of Journalism

It's time for a Holiday!

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:38:00 +0000

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Selamat Hari Raya

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:38:00 +0000

Raihan & Hujan - Salam Aidilfitri Ayahanda Dan Bonda Lirik

Terkenang di ketika itu
Ku dimanja dan disayang selalu
Apa saja kemahuan diri
Akan cuba dipenuhi

Walau hidup dalam kesukaran
Kau kan cuba untuk membahagiakan
Demi anak-anak yang tersayang
Kau berdua kan berkorban

Tetapi baru kusedari
Tidak mungkin kan terbalas budi
Pengorbananmu tiada ternilai
Hanya Tuhan kan membalasnya

Salam… Aidilfitri
Ayah bonda yang dicintai
Maafkanlah anakmu ini
Kerna belum cukup berbakti

Pabila menjelang lebaran
Baju baru kan disediakan
Walau mungkin kami tak mengerti
Keperitan saat itu

Namun wajahmu terus bercahaya
Oh sucinya kasih sayang itu
Di bibirmu kan menguntum senyum
Andainya anak-anakmu bahagia

Salam… Aidilfitri
Ayah bonda yang dicintai
Maafkanlah anakmu ini
Kerna belum cukup berbakti

Selamat Hari Raya.....Maaf Zahir Batin and Happy Holiday to all...!

~murshidism~

Argentina Crash Again

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Its fuller reaches underneath the hammer!

Paraguay secured their place at the 2010 World Cup with a well-deserved 1-0 win over Diego Maradona's hapless Argentina, who lost Juan Sebastian Veron to a red card.

Gunners closing in on Kalou capture

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:27:00 +0000

Arsene Wenger is closing in on Chelsea's Salomon Kalou, according to reports.

Arsenal are said to have offered £6m for the midfielder but the Blues are holding out for a figure closer to £8m.

Wenger has a £30m transfer kitty to spend after the high profile departures of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, who both went to Manchester City.

Arsenal's only signing so far this summer remains Thomas Vermaelen, who they bought from Ajax for £10m.

Kalou is set to be offered the chance to double his weekly wage at the Emirates, with a five-year deal worth £60,000 a week being rumoured.

Kalou was quoted in Ferbuary as saying he would like to play under Wenger. He said: "He is a very great coach and I know that every single player in the world dreams of playing for him.

"I have a lot of respect for him, he is one of the best coaches in the world. Arsenal are achieving huge things and watching them play is beautiful."

Chelsea may be willing to let Kalou leave if they can tie up a deal for Andrea Pirlo. The AC Milan skipper has been the subject of a recent £14m bid from the Stamford Bridge club.

Meanwhile, Marouane Chamakh has reportedly flown to London in an attempt to push though his move to Arsenal from Bordeaux.

The 25-year-old said on Monday he was "disgusted" by the French club's approach to the deal.

"Fed up" Mascherano reiterates Barcelona desire

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:31:00 +0000

Javier Mascherano could be the latest midfielder to leave Liverpool for La Liga after the player's brother said he wanted a move to Barcelona.

After Xabi Alonso reportedly handed in a transfer request in his bid to claim a move to Real Madrid, Mascherano's brother now claims the Argentine is keen on a move to their biggest rivals.

Sebastian Mascherano told Spain's COM Radio: 'If Barcelona really come with a very good cash offer, I believe Javier may leave Liverpool as it would be the best for him and his family.

'But I think that if there is no good offer, they will not let him go."

Mascherano's agent Walter Tamer said last week the 25-year-old is 'tired of life' in England with Pep Guardiola's side his preferred destination.

Now the Liverpool star's brother has claimed Mascherano is keen to link up with fellow countryman Lionel Messi.

'I am sure Messi and Javier have spoken,' he said. 'Leo is one of the people who have been pushing the most for Javier to play at Barca.'

Should Alonso be allowed to leave, Rafael Benitez will surely battle hard to keep Mascherano at the club.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic seals Barcelona move

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:43:00 +0000

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed a five-year deal with Barcelona and claimed that it was fuelled by being "fed up" with Milan and Italian football in general.

The Swede has a fracture in his left hand, but still passed his medical.
The Sweden striker has joined the European champions - with an astronomical buy-out clause of €250m in his contract - after he passed a medical in Spain, though scans did reveal a fracture in his left hand, and wasted no time in launching a parting shot towards his soon-to-be former club.

"When did I start thinking about moving somewhere else? In December, before Christmas,'' he is reported as saying on Tuttomercatoweb.it. "The more I saw Barcelona play, the more I wanted to leave.

"Moreover, I was fed up of Italy, of Milan, of your football: you play badly, there's too much stress. In short, I needed something else. Did Inter pay me more than any other footballer? No comment.''

A statement on Barcelona's website revealed they had paid Inter Milan €46m euros for the Swedish striker, with Samuel Eto'o and Alexander Hleb also joining the Italian champions in the 'swap' deal.

Barca confirmed that Eto'o is valued at €20m in the deal, while Inter will have the chance to buy Hleb for an initial €10m euros once his season-long loan spell is concluded.

Ibrahimovic, who will inherit Eto'o's number nine shirt at Barca and becomes the Catalan giants' third signing of the summer after Brazilian duo Maxwell and Keirrison, said Barcelona was an offer too good to turn down.

''It's a very big thing for me,'' he said. ''There comes a time when you want to develop more and my desire to come to Barcelona was too big to stay at Inter.''

And he revealed that Inter president Massimo Moratti had given him permission to leave several months ago should an offer from Barca arrive.

''Moratti helped me in every way, he did everything for me and my family,'' he said. ''I said to Moratti a few months ago: 'Nobody can get me, only one club can get me and that's Barcelona', and he told me: 'if you want it like that you will get it like that'.

''So all my respect, because it is not easy to sell player that means so much to the team,'' he said.

And the 27-year-old hopes to emulate Eto'o who was a prolific scorer during his time at the Spanish champions.

''I'm not coming here to be Samuel Eto'o, I'm somebody else, somebody new, but I will try to achieve as much as Eto'o, or even more,'' he added.

Barca president Joan Laporta hailed the Swede's arrival.

''He is not a conformist, he is ambitious, a winner, an authentic man with strong feelings and he wanted to come to Barcelona,'' he said. ''(Coach) Pep (Guardiola) said that Zlatan was the ideal player for us, so we are really happy to have him here.''

The former Juventus, Ajax and Inter striker will travel with the team to the United States, but will miss the friendly with Manchester City on August 19.

But Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain announced that he is set to return for the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao four days later.

Begiristain added that he believed Ibrahimovic was the complete striker. ''He has great technical quality, can adapt perfectly to how we play and can hold the ball up - he is a complete player,'' he said.

Manchester City in talks with Adebayor

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:49:00 +0000

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Manchester City are reportedly in talks with Arsenal over the signing of Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

The striker has been linked with a move away from the Emirates all summer with AC Milan and Chelsea at the head of the queue; however, now that City have ended their interest in Samuel Eto'o, it appears the tall Gunners forward is on their list.

Negotiations are said to be at a 'significant level' and a fee of around £20m is believed to be enough to tempt the club into a sale.

Indeed, Sky Sports reports that talks have begun, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger previously stating that he would not have a problem selling the player to a Premier League rival.

Last month Wenger said of Adebayor's chances of staying at the Emirates Stadium: "If he doesn't want to stay, he will leave. But I think that he will be still at Arsenal this season."

Adebayor has scored 62 goals in 142 appearances for the Gunners following his arrival from AS Monaco in January 2006 and reports have suggested the club could turn to Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh as his replacement.

Barca confirms Villa bid

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:48:00 +0000

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed the club have lodged a bid of over €40million with Valencia for striker David Villa.

A host of top clubs have been chasing Villa this summer, with Barca understood to have been locked in talks with Los Che for the past few weeks.

Real Madrid have already pulled out of the race to sign the 27-year-old forward, saying the price was too high.

Chelsea and Manchester United are both still interested, but Villa's preference is a move to either Real or Barca.

He recently called for a resolution to the situation, with the La Liga season fast approaching.

Now Laporta has confirmed Barcelona want to take him to the Camp Nou. He said: "He's (Villa) a player we're interested in, and we made a good bid for him, closer to €40 million than €50million."

Laporta also confirmed Barca would attempt to sign Franck Ribery, should Bayern Munich decide to sell: "He's (Ribery) a player we are interested in at a logical price. But Bayern don't want to sell. Although if they are interested in selling, we are interested (in buying). We need small adjustments; a left back, a central defender, a midfielder and a forward."

The Samuel Eto'o situation is no closer to being resolved, Laporta said. The Cameroon striker has been offered a two-year contract extension but has yet to respond, while Manchester City have put in an offer for him.

"I have called him a couple of times but he hasn't answered his mobile," Laporta said. "I don't know if he has changed the number or whether he's lost it, but I would like to speak to him."

The Barca president also said there is no way Lionel Messi will be leaving the club: "I love him a lot! He wouldn't leave Barcelona for any price. We are not selling, he has a clause of €150million, but more than that there his commitment to the club."

Laporta confirmed manager Pep Guardiola only has one-year left on his contract, but insisted both parties were content: "He's got a contract until the end of the season and he likes this situation."

Melo heads to Juve as Marchionni agrees Viola deal

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:45:00 +0000

Juventus winger Marco Marchionni has agreed to join Fiorentina in a move that will allow highly-rated Brazilian Felipe Melo to head in the opposite direction in a cash plus player deal.

Juventus will hand over Marchionni and €21m to La Viola to secure the services of defensive midfielder Melo on a five-year contract.

Melo, who was also a target for Premier League club Arsenal, had an impressive season for Fiorentina and was a key figure in Brazil's triumph at the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

The 26-year-old will link up with compatriots Amauri and Diego - a €24.5m summer signing for Werder Bremen - in Turin.

The swap deal was originally expected to be completed on Wednesday, but transfer talks stalled over Marchionni's salary demands.

But on Thursday the Italy international's agent Bruno Carpeggiani said: "The situation has been unlocked, the player has accepted the offer from Fiorentina and is married to the Viola project.

"Official confirmation? We can say that it will arrive in a matter of hours."

Marchionni, 28, added: "Florence was always my first choice."

Newcastle confirm multiple £100m buyout bids

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:59:00 +0000

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has received at least two offers of £100m for the club.

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Managing director Derek Llambias confirmed on Monday that several bids at the sportswear magnate's asking price have been tabled as hopes of a quick sale grow.

He said: "There have been more than two bids at £100m.

"At the moment, we are in the hands of lawyers and it is all ongoing.

"We are giving interested parties all the help that they need."

The identities of the bidders remain a closely-guarded secret with all having signed non-disclosure agreements before being granted access to the club's books.

Llambias is understood to have shown a Malaysian consortium lead by Ananda Krishna around St James' Park and the club's training ground last week, while the Singapore-based Profitable Group and former chairman Freddy Shepherd are known to have held discussions with Seymour Pierce, the investment bank handling the sale.

However, amid suggestions that there have been offers at lower prices - the Malaysians were said to have bid £80m, but agreed to take on an overdraft of up to £40m - Llambias is adamant that £100m remains the figure prospective buyers need to meet.

The Magpies were put up for sale days after Ashley and Llambias held talks with Alan Shearer over the manager's job, and that vacancy is still to be filled.

Shearer is keen to take on the role, but it is caretaker boss Chris Hughton who is currently putting the players through their paces at a pre-season training camp in Ireland as talks behind the scenes continue.

Whoever does buy the club, time is fast running out before the start of the new Championship season on August 8 with the squad yet to be re-shaped and an annual wage bill which has been reduced to around £62m in the wake of recent departures, still way in excess of what a side outside of the Premier League can afford.

Barca star Busquets would welcome Mascherano

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:38:00 +0000

Links between Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano continue to strengthen after Barca midfielder Sergi Busquets insisted he would welcome the addition of Javier Mascherano to the treble-winners squad this summer, even though it could spell bad news for his own hopes of securing a starting berth.

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As one of the players whose position could be most threatened by the arrival of Mascherano, 20-year-old Busquets chose not to complain and instead of speaking of his excitement at linking up the Argentine midfielder.

Busquets said in El Mundo Deportivo: "No, the more players that come the better, and they will be welcomed.

"He is a magnificent player and hopefully he can be added.

"The most important thing is that the signings will add to the squad," said Busquets, who believes he has slightly different attributes to Mascherano anyway.

"He is also a defensive player, but perhaps he moves around a lot more conducting play and I maintain my position more and play the ball quicker."

Malaysian consortium given Newcastle tour

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:25:00 +0000

The sale of Newcastle United could have moved a step closer on Thursday after a group of Asian businessmen were shown around the club.

Press Association Sport understands the potential buyers, thought to be from Malaysia, were given a tour of the club's facilities today and have since returned to London to continue discussions.

There was no official confirmation of the story tonight, but with all interested parties having signed non-disclosure agreements, that came as no surprise.

But sources close to the club were not denying it either, and there is a growing feeling that an end to a saga which has rumbled on for more than a month could be in sight.

The identity of the group remains unknown, as do those of most of the consortia who have expressed a serious interest in buying the club.

Current owner Mike Ashley and the people closest to the ongoing negotiations were optimistic yesterday that significant progress could be made within 48 hours, and while there is still much ground to be covered, it appears things are now moving more rapidly.

Indeed, there is a feeling that a deal could be struck within days and the decisive move could be made next week.

A takeover would be effectively complete when the prospective buyer signed a sales purchase agreement, and they could then get on with the business of appointing a manager and starting to re-shape the playing squad.

Ashley put the club up for sale for the second time just days after the Magpies' relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship was confirmed on May 24.

At least four consortia have entered into detailed discussions, with an American-based group among the most advanced, while former chairman Freddy Shepherd has also been heavily involved.

However, Seymour Pierce, the investment bank engaged to handle the sale, have not put any deadline on bids being made and there has always been the possibility that someone could emerge from the pack to win the race.

Ashley has put a £100million price tag on the club and has insisted he will sell to the first consortium to come up with the cash.

A successful conclusion to the current talks would come as a welcome relief for the sportswear magnate, who handed over £134.4m to seal his takeover and has ploughed in around £110million since, although to disastrous effect.

Ramsey signs new "long-term" Arsenal deal

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:02:00 +0000

Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey has agreed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.

The 18-year-old arrived at Emirates Stadium from Cardiff last summer in what was understood to be a £5million deal.

Ramsey made 22 first team appearances for the Gunners, which started with the Champions League qualifier against Steve McClaren's FC Twente.

The former Cardiff youngster netted his first, and so far only, senior goal in the 5-2 European victory at Fenerbahce during October.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is more than happy with Ramsey's progress so far.

"Aaron made a very good contribution in his first season and he showed that he is a very intelligent player with great quality," said Wenger.

"He is still only 18 and we are really looking forward to seeing him develop with us in the forthcoming years."

The Pop King is Dead!

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:40:00 +0000

Michael Jackson, the legendary Pop King is dead....RIP!

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Vermaelen set for Arsenal medical on Friday?

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:08:00 +0000

Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelen claims he will undergo a medical at Arsenal on Friday.

The Belgium international has spoken regularly over the past few weeks of his desire to leave Amsterdam and join the north London side.

And while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has yet to comment on the speculation, the player's agent recently suggested a four-year deal has been offered to his client.

Vermaelen told Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen: "On Friday I will fly to London to have my medical.

"After that I hope to put pen to paper. Boy I feel so proud, Arsenal is a fantastic club and one that, as a child, I enjoyed watching play.

"Arsene Wenger stands for nice, attacking football and dares to work with young talents. That appeals to me enormously.

"Not that that tipped the scales though. When a club like Arsenal stands at your door, then you just go. When I get to the Emirates Stadium on Friday I will be hugely impressed.

"A lot will change in my life. Next season I will come up against the best strikers in the world. I am not scared by that, I will give all my body can give. This is one of the most beautiful days of my life."

Vermaelen joined Ajax in 2004 and has made over 100 appearances for the club.

Frustrated Eboue "could leave Arsenal"

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:23:00 +0000

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Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue could be on his way out of the Emirates after revealing he is unhappy at the Premier League club.

The Ivory Coast international, who can also play on the right wing, has grown frustrated by his failure to hold down a regular starting spot.

And, despite only having signed a new deal last summer, the 26-year-old admits he could be set to leave England.

"It would be hard," Eboue told France Football. "But I think it would be harder to experience another season like this one, too far off the pitch...

"In any case, if I leave Arsenal, it would be for another league because it is out of the question that I develop elsewhere in England."

Eboue moved to Arsenal from Beveren in January 2005 and became a first-team regular in the second half of the following season.

However, inconsistent form saw him overtaken by Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott in the pecking order.

He was booed by the Gunners fans back in December after coming off the bench against Wigan and was himself substituted.

Man Utd accept Real Madrid's £80m Ronaldo bid

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:13:00 +0000

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Manchester United have accepted an £80m offer from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo's last game for United was the Champions League final defeat to Barca
A statement on the United website confirmed that a deal for the 24-year-old should be completed by the end of the month.

''Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

''At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.

''Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice.''

Ronaldo has long been a target for the Spanish giants, whose president Florentino Perez vowed earlier this week to do ''everything possible'' to take the 24-year-old to the Bernabeu.

Champion's League Final: Messi seals emphatic win

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:00:00 +0000

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Barcelona 2 - 0 Manchester United

Manchester United discovered what it is like to lose a European Cup final as brilliant Barcelona ruled Rome on Wednesday, securing a comfortable 2-0 win.
If there is any consolation in failure to become the first side to retain the trophy in the Champions League era, it is that they lost to a side as fluent and brilliant to watch as they are.

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Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi scored the goals either side of half-time but to single those two out for special praise would be unfair on their team-mates, and particularly Xavi, who was simply awesome.

For once Cristiano Ronaldo could provide no magic of his own, instead getting increasingly frustrated as defeat loomed.

It was a shame really. Although having done so much damage to others down the years, he does now know how it feels.

Twenty four hours earlier, Sir Alex Ferguson had spoken of reaching into the far corners of his brain for an inspiring word or two prior to kick-off.

As half-time approached, that same grey matter might have preferred a word or two about Barcelona's performance.

Sublime would have been one. Bewitching, mesmerising would do equally as well. For a football man like Ferguson it would have been a joy to watch if his side were not the ones trying to stop it.

The kind of football that allowed the Catalans to hit six goals past Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium last month was not in evidence for the first eight minutes or so as United held sway.

However, once it began to emerge, Ferguson's side had precious few answers.

The shape of the contest might have been so different had Park Ji-sung been able to snaffle the rebound after Victor Valdes had failed to hold a stinging Ronaldo free-kick.

Instead, former United man Gerard Pique shot across to block what proved to be his old club's best opportunity of that opening period.

Like his team, Ronaldo was clearly in the ascendancy in his personal duel with Messi.

How rapidly things changed. In the twinkling of an eye Andres Iniesta, one of the brightest starts in the Barcelona firmament, slipped a pass to Eto'o.

The Cameroon striker cut inside Nemanja Vidic, then held off Michael Carrick as he prodded the ball goalward with enough strength to take it past Edwin van der Sar.

Suddenly the strategy of containment and hitting at pace on the counter-attack suggested by the inclusion of Park and the exclusion of Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov did not look such a good idea.

Ferguson's team shot across the pitch, able to do little more than firefight as Messi, Iniesta and Xavi lit bonfires all around.

Had a Messi flick found Eto'o in the area, it would have probably brought Barcelona's second. Rio Ferdinand's agility saved his team.

Xavi curled a free-kick just wide, Vidic pumped the ball away after Van der Sar had failed to hold a cross shot, the slick passing wearing United down all the while.

The arrival of Tevez at half-time had to come, and with it a more overtly offensive approach.

Yet in taking such bold action, Ferguson knew he was playing right into Barcelona's hands.

Xavi picked out Thierry Henry with a brilliant pass. The former Arsenal star cut inside Ferdinand with ease but could not find the finish, a similar mistake to the one that proved so costly for Arsenal in Paris three years ago.

When Xavi saw his free-kick come thumping back off a post, memories of 1999 and the mauling United nearly took at the hands of Bayern Munich sprang to mind.

Yet this was different. Ferguson's team were poor until the unforgettable ending. This time they were simply ripped apart by the only team on the planet who can match them.

The introduction of Berbatov midway through the second half was effectively Ferguson throwing his book of tactics out of the window and not worry about the consequences if it all went wrong.

Sadly it did. Quite quickly as Xavi's curling cross dropped perfectly for Messi, who guided his header over Van der Sar.

Ronaldo's world player of the year crown was slipping and Valdes managed to get in the way of a close-range effort that would have given United some hope, as would the volley from Berbatov that followed.

Berbatov had another chance too, although by then Carles Puyol had seen two efforts saved by Van der Sar.

In truth, the Dutchman was his side's best player, which just about says it all.

La Liga: Barca crowned champions

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Sun, 17 May 2009 02:15:00 +0000

Click Here for AnswersBarcelona won their 19th Primera Liga title without kicking a ball on Saturday when Real Madrid lost 3-2 at Villarreal.

Two-time reigning champions Real Madrid relinquished their Primera Division crown to arch rivals Barcelona tonight after slumping to defeat at Villarreal.

Lying eight points behind pacesetters Barca with three games remaining, Madrid needed to win at El Madrigal to keep the title race alive - at least until Pep Guardiola's men met Real Mallorca tomorrow.

But goals from Robert Pires, Ruben Cani and Joan Capdevila cancelled out efforts from Madrid duo Rafael Van der Vaart and Gonzalo Higuain to give Villarreal a much-needed boost in their hunt for a Champions League spot and hand Barca the title.

Madrid found themselves trailing in the 16th minute. The 32-year-old Ariel Ibagaza created the chance as he made ground down the left before whipping in a cross, and the 35-year-old Pires finished the chance off with a thumping header from near the penalty spot.

With their already faint title hopes slipping further away, that goal seemed to knock the wind out of Madrid and they looked a side devoid of ideas for most of the remainder of the first half as Villarreal dominated proceedings.

Madrid coach Juande Ramos had seen enough and at half-time he replaced the ineffectual Klaas Jan Huntelaar with top scorer Gonzalo Higuain, and the move paid almost immediate dividends.

A deep cross from Miguel Torres picked out Higuain at the far post and the Argentinian's first-time pass across the face of goal allowed Van der Vaart the easiest of tap-ins as the Villarreal defence was nowhere to be seen.

However, the visitors could not build on that and the hosts re-took the lead in the 62nd minute through Cani.

Madrid centre-back Fabio Cannavaro's attempt at cutting out a cross saw the ball fall kindly into the Cani's path and the number 10 lashed a first-time shot past Casillas.

Ramos' men then gave themselves a lifeline when Higuain netted in the 88th minute.

Higuain looked to be standing well offside when he picked up Raul's half-blocked shot, but the flag stayed down and the young striker slotted past Lopez.

There was to be no fairytale finale for Madrid though as two minutes later Capdevila scored the goal that finally ended their title hopes.

Casillas made a mess of trying to catch Nihat's corner, and Capdevila could barely believe his luck as the ball dropped at his feet and all he had to do was poke it over the line.

Sevilla and Deportivo Coruna's European aspirations were dented when they were both held to draws by sides fighting to avoid relegation in the Primera Liga on Saturday.

Third-placed Sevilla were held to a 0-0 draw away to Osasuna with the Andalucians on the back foot for much of the game.

Both sides hit the crossbar and after Sevilla had Ndri Romaric sent off near the end, Osasuna defender Sergio Fernandez soon followed.

Sevilla move five points clear of fourth on to 64 points in their bid to secure the third automatic Champions League qualification place.

Later on Saturday, leaders Barcelona (86 points) could be crowned champions without kicking a ball if Real Madrid (78) fail to beat Villarreal at the Madrigal.

Barca do not visit Real Mallorca until Sunday.

Deportivo remain sixth with 57 points after their striker Ivan Riki scored a late equaliser against his former club Getafe for a 1-1 home draw.

Roberto Soldado had headed the visitors in front just after the restart.

Getafe are 14th with 38 points, one more than Osasuna and four above the relegation zone.

Barcelona beat Athletic to lift 25th Copa del Rey

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:37:00 +0000

COPA DEL REY FINAL

Three goals in a devastating nine-minute spell at the start of the second half saw Barcelona to a 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday and the first of three possible titles.

Barcelona celebrate during the 4-1 win
Yaya Toure levelled for Barca in the first half before Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Xavi struck after the break to give the club their 25th Copa del Rey.

The Catalans could wrap up the Primera Liga title this weekend and they face Manchester United in the Champions League final on May 27.

"Now we are reaping the rewards of all the hard work we have put in during the season," Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets told Spanish state television as the team celebrated on the pitch.

"I hope this weekend we can secure our second title."

Barca had an unfamiliar look in defence with reserve keeper Jose Manuel Pinto in goal and Yaya Toure at centre back again, and they were quickly exposed at a set piece.

Pinto had tipped a Javi Martinez shot round the post and Fran Yeste made it count. His whipped-in corner after nine minutes found Gaizka Toquero rising above two defenders to head in at the back post.

Athletic looked fresher, snapping at Barca all over the pitch, until Toure stepped up to level in spectacular fashion as he advanced out of defence.

The Ivory Coast midfielder went past three Bilbao players in the 31st minute, and from outside the area drilled a low shot inside the near post.

Gradually Barca asserted themselves and as they swarmed round the Bilbao area in the 55th minute it was Messi who struck, firing through a crowd of legs after Gorka Iraizoz could only parry Samuel Eto'o's shot.

Three minutes later, Bojan raced through on a break to score off the far post and with Bilbao reeling Xavi curled a superb freekick over the wall and in off the near post in the 64th.

Just before Xavi's goal the match was held up briefly after Barcelona defender Daniel Alves was hit on the head by a tin can thrown from the stands.

Alves was able to continue and television pictures showed police leading a fan away.

Athletic were a broken team after that, but earn a place in next season's Europa League with Barca's place in the Champions League assured for next year.

Champion's League: Iniesta's late heartbreaker

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:52:00 +0000

Chelsea 1 - 1 Barcelona
2ND LEG: 1 - 1 (Agg)

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Ten-man Barcelona robbed Chelsea of a place in the Champions League final in the cruellest of fashions with a 93rd-minute away goal at Stamford Bridge.
A stunning first-half volley from Michael Essien looked to have earned Chelsea victory and set up a repeat of last year's Champions League final against Manchester United.

But Andres Iniesta beat Petr Cech in the third minute of added time to send the Spanish bench and their fans delirious and leave Guus Hiddink crestfallen.
At the final whistle, Chelsea's players confronted referee Tom Ovrebo, who had waved away at least four penalty appeals during the game.

The scenes descended into anger when Drogba emerged from the tunnel to confront the Norwegian official and was shown a yellow card.
Ovrebo had a poor game and was marshalled down to the tunnel by Chelsea stewards as Drogba continued to complain about his performance.
The Ivorian then vented his fury by shouting "it's a f***ing disgrace'' down the lens of a TV camera, and the fall-out from Drogba's behaviour may yet be met by a UEFA investigation.
It had all looked so promising for Chelsea when Essien, who missed six months of the season while he recovered from a serious knee ligament injury, despatched a 20-yard volley beyond the despairing Victor Valdes.

Chelsea's collective desire to reach the final once more was epitomised in the way they took the fire out of Barcelona's early football.

The Catalans, missing their two first-choice centre-backs through injury and suspension, played some neat, fast and accurate football in the first 20 minutes.
It was a perfect example of the beautiful game mastered by coach Pep Guardiola but it lacked the cutting edge in the absence of the injured Thierry Henry.

The Barca attack has shared more than 90 goals between them this season but Chelsea managed to prevent them scoring in 180 minutes of high-tempo football.
That Chelsea scored with their first real attack of the game would have left the Barca coach bitterly disappointed.

Frank Lampard's attempted cross cannoned off Yaya Toure and Essien despatched his volley into the net via the underside of the crossbar.
It sparked Chelsea into life and, for the remainder of the opening half, they bossed the game.
Lampard almost put Drogba through in the 22nd minute but Valdes managed to beat the Ivorian to the ball on the edge of the penalty area.
Barca were rocking now and a catalogue of fouls by Dani Alves was finally punished with a yellow card when he brought down Ashley Cole. It meant the full-back was out of the final.
But Ovrebo waved away penalty appeals from Chelsea when Drogba, a colossus in attack all night, was brought down by Eric Abidal.
The second half promised more drama and it did not disappoint. Drogba missed a gilt-edged chance when Florent Malouda and Anelka put the Ivorian clear in the 52nd minute.

Somehow, Valdes got a foot to his shot to keep Barca's hopes alive.
But the Catalans were in deep trouble in the 65th minute when Abidal brought down the free-running Anelka and, as the last defender, was shown the red card.
Chelsea continued to take the initiative as Barca were reduced to long-range shots.
In the 70th minute, Valdes saved Guardiola's side again when a Lampard shot took a wicked deflection.

But two minutes later Drogba was replaced by Juliano Belletti, much to the crowd's surprise and the Ivorian's clear disapproval.
As the clock ran down, Chelsea continued to pour forward in search of a decisive second to calm the nerves but, although they had made Barcelona look very ordinary, there was a sting in the tail.

Chelsea's heroes had fought for every ball as if their lives depended on it but they allowed Iniesta too much room and, when he beat Cech from 20 yards in the 93rd minute, chaos descended on Stamford Bridge.
But there was still time for more drama when Michael Ballack's goalbound effort seemed to hit a defender's arm only for Ovrebo to wave away more appeals.
Ballack was shown the yellow card for protesting and, when the final whistle sounded, Barca celebrated in unbridled fashion while Chelsea's players began their attacks on Ovrebo.

It was an unsavoury end to Chelsea's European campaign that may yet have further repercussions for the English side.

Transformer 2: Revenge of the Fallen Theatrical Trailer #2

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Sun, 03 May 2009 02:15:00 +0000

Here's the second trailer released by the Dreamworks for this coming Transformer 2 movie.

Enjoy!

La Liga: Barcelona humiliate Real

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Sun, 03 May 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Real Madrid 2 - 6 Barcelona

Barcelona took a giant step towards winning the Primera Division title after crushing arch rivals and nearest challengers Real Madrid in stunning fashion at the Bernabeu.

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Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi both netted braces while Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique were also on the scoresheet as Pep Guardiola's treble-chasers inflicted a first league defeat on in-form Madrid since beating the reigning champions at the Nou Camp in December.

Madrid had picked up 52 points from a possible 54 since that match, but their hopes of a third successive title now look sunk after they fell seven points adrift of Barca with only four games remaining.

Barca, who also hold the better head-to-head record against their rivals, can now clinch the title next weekend if they beat Villarreal and Madrid lose to Valencia.

In last season's corresponding fixture Barca had a night to forget, starting with the chastening experience of giving hosts Madrid a guard of honour and applauding them onto the pitch for having just won the league, and ending with a 4-1 hammering.

It was a completely different story tonight, though they needed to bounce back from an early deficit as Madrid went ahead inside 14 minutes through Gonzalo Higuain.

Sergio Ramos sent over a cross from the right and Higuain rose unmarked to head home his 19th league goal of the season to send the Bernabeu wild.

Barca need not have worried though as within six minutes of that goal they had turned the game on its head with strikes from Henry and Puyol.

The lively Henry drew Barca level in the 18th minute when Ramos failed to cut out Lionel Messi's through-ball and the Frenchman coolly rolled his shot past Iker Casillas.

Henry was also involved in the goal that put Barca ahead soon after, winning a free-kick to the left of the area that Xavi curled into the area where the unmarked Puyol headed home inside the near post.

It was a two-minute spell which could have helped decide the title, as after that turnaround Barca went into overdrive.

The visitors rode their luck briefly when goalkeeper Victor Valdes did well to deny Arjen Robben, but otherwise it was home custodian Casillas who was under the cosh.

He produced three superb saves to deny Lionel Messi (twice) and Samuel Eto'o in the space of six minutes as Barca repeatedly swept through the home defence.

Casillas could do nothing to prevent Messi putting Barca 3-1 up in the 35th minute though after Madrid committed defensive suicide.

Lassana Diarra was caught in possession by Xavi deep inside Madrid territory, and with the home side's backline nowhere in the vicinity, Messi had all the time in the world to collect the ball, stroll into the area and slide a low shot past Casillas.

That was a bitter blow for Madrid after seemingly weathering the worst of the Barca storm, but it was no more than Guardiola's side deserved.

Barca continued to look the more likely to get another goal as well, with Dani Alves testing Casillas with a long-range free-kick just before the break before Iniesta went close at the start of the second half.

It was actually Madrid who would find the breakthrough though thanks to Ramos.

Iniesta was adjudged to have fouled Robben just outside the box, and from the resulting kick Ramos headed home Robben's cross at the far post to give Madrid a much-needed boost.

That euphoria was to last all of a minute before Henry restored Barca's two-goal advantage.

Xavi picked out the Frenchman's run in behind Ramos and Henry reached the ball before the outreaching Casillas. Madrid fans could only watch in horror as the Barca striker's shot slowly rolled into the net.

That knocked the stuffing out of Madrid, and they were left facing total humiliation after Messi made it 5-2 in the 75th minute, the Argentinian magician picking up a pass from Xavi before beating Casillas at his near post.

The nightmare had not finished there for Madrid though, and Pique wrapped up the scoring eight minutes from time with what was Barca's 100th league goal of the season.

Barca can now look forward to their midweek Champions League semi-final trip to Chelsea confident that they virtually have the Primera Division title wrapped up.

In Saturday's other Spanish games Numancia climbed off the bottom of the league after beating Malaga 2-0, while Seville won 2-0 at Villarreal with Luis Fabiano and Frddie Kanoute scoring the goals.

La Liga: "El Clasico" could shift title momentum

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:44:00 +0000

Spain's "El Clasico" between Real Madrid and Barcelona is already one of the biggest club matches in world soccer but has added significance this time with champions Real only four points behind leaders Barca.

Real host the Catalans at the Bernabeu on Saturday knowing victory will put them within one point of their arch rivals with four matches left, while Barca can take a huge step towards a first league triumph in three years.

"Winning the Clasico is the key," former Real midfielder Zinedine Zidane said on Real's website.

"Beating Barcelona would send a signal and create a great chance to be league champions," he added. "If Real Madrid win everything will be different and the league can have a new frontrunner."

Barca's 2-0 victory at the Nou Camp in December, Juande Ramos's league debut as Real coach, put them 12 points clear, but the champions then went on a stunning run of 17 wins and one draw in 18 matches to haul themselves into contention.

Real's elimination from the Champions League and the King's Cup has allowed them to concentrate fully on the Primera Liga, while Pep Guardiola's side are still alive in all three competitions.

The Clasico is sandwiched between Barcelona's two-legged semi-final against Chelsea in Europe's top club competition.

Barca stuttered in February and early March when they drew with Real Betis and then lost to city rivals Espanyol and Atletico Madrid.

Their 2-2 draw at Valencia last weekend, when Real came from a goal down to win 4-2 at third-placed Sevilla, injected new life into the title race.

"If I was a Barcelona player I would be very scared to see a team like Madrid breathing down my neck," Real defender Marcelo told Thursday's As newspaper.

Barca visit the Bernabeu for the first time since last season's humiliating 4-1 defeat when they had to applaud Real on to the pitch in the traditional tribute to the newly-crowned league champions.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi, who scored Barca's second goal in the 2-0 win in December, said there was no desire among the players to avenge that loss.

"Let's hope we can win in Madrid and that will be a big step toward winning the title," he said at a media event in the Catalan capital on Wednesday.

"If we win, we'll be able to go to Chelsea (next week) feeling more relaxed," he added. "We are a very close-knit team and are all very motivated to win a title for Barca after two years without one."

Both coaches have problems with injuries and suspensions.

Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez is out for the season after damaging a knee in the 0-0 home draw with Chelsea on Tuesday, and Real defender Pepe has been banned for 10 matches following his sending off against Getafe on April 21.

Real will also be without midfielder Guti, who has an ankle injury, and it is unclear whether winger Arjen Robben and midfielder Wesley Sneijder will recover from muscle strains in time to feature.

Swine flu symptoms similar to those of human flu

murshidee@gmail.com (murshidism) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:10:00 +0000

Swine flu has similar symptoms to the more common, human seasonal form of influenza.

It is one of a number of viruses that cause illness among people and animals, causing respiratory problems, fever and fatigue.

Avian flu - which has previously been the subject of pandemic fears after humans began contracting it - is another deadly strain.

According to the Health Protection Agency, outbreaks of swine flu - a disease caused by type A influenza - regularly affect pigs.

People who are around pigs are most likely to suffer from the H1N1 virus but it is also possible for the virus to spread from person to person.

Evoking memories of the fears associated with bird flu, the latest perceived threat of a pandemic was brought to public attention after cases of human swine flu were reported in Mexico and parts of California and Texas in the US.

There have been no cases identified in the UK for at least 10 years.

Scientists found this virus is contagious and spreading from human to human although they do not know how easily the virus spreads between people, the HPA said.

The symptoms of swine influenza in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.

Testing has shown that the human swine influenza H1N1 can be treated with the antivirals oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).

Seasonal flu is caused by viruses that are adapted to spread in humans, who have some natural immunity to common strains and can boost it by immunisation with a vaccine.

Avian flu is caused by influenza viruses adapted for infection in birds while swine flu is caused by influenza viruses adapted for infection in pigs.

Potentially major problems can arise when human and animal flu viruses mix and lead to the development of new viruses which are resistant to immunity and can spread through the population, sparking a pandemic.

The HPA said it was too early to say whether the cases in Mexico and the US would lead to a larger outbreak or could represent the appearance of a potential pandemic strain of influenza virus.

There is currently insufficient evidence to understand the extent to which the cases are firmly linked.

Experts from around the world are working in close collaboration with the World Health Organisation to help determine what risk this situation poses to global public health.