Monday 4 June 2007

Ways of life from an idiots’ game

20 idiot men chasing a ball, that’s the usual manner a girl will normally describe the world most beautiful game. Well, who would blame them? Ask any ordinary guys and most will in turn find a barrage of females rushing to a MNG sale a total waste of time. It’s a balanced world after all.

But is it all just about 20 men chasing a ball while the balance 2 hope the ball will never reach them? Certainly not, football is more than that. It’s about passion, it’s about pride, it’s about verbal battle when I wrote
this, it’s about money and… while some may disagree, it may also teach us a thing or two about life. Impossible? Well, let us just focus our thoughts to the recently ended English Premier League season, and see what we can pick up from this idiot game.

I would like to start by talking about READING. They started the season as one of the favourite to be relegated (it means demoted to a lower league). They were a team without any superstar and what did they achieve towards the end? They missed UEFA Cup qualification by only just 1 point. What I said may not make any sense to some. But what I am trying to say is that… while the world looked down on you and think you’re doom… the ultimate fate is in your hand. If you believe in what you do and have confident in your own ability, you may just surprise a few souls.

Let’s shift our attention to WEST HAM UNITED. They were the finalists of the 2005/2006 FA Cup and one pundit branded their football as “a display of entertaining attacking football”. They seemed to be heading for higher grounds this season but what happened to them? Not only did they fail to live up to expectations but the club was fighting for survival early in the season. That’s when the press and most idiots football fans around the world wrote them off. But what happened in the end? They beat Man Utd twice in the season and avoided relegation. What can we learn here? The world may have good words on you but as soon as you screw up, everyone else is just going to step on you. But don’t fret, victory is not about winning, victory can be sweet as well when you prove your critics wrong. Never give up!

Next, the once great LIVERFOOL LIVERPOOL. Having enjoyed a glorious past and recently tasted Champions League victory, they always think they can conquer the world. Of course, they failed to win the Premier League… again, and local fans were quick to brand the FA Cup final as Champions League 3rd/4th play-off having qualified for the final. But what can we learn from Liverpool? Just because you have been good in the past, doesn’t mean you will be good forever. Statistics doesn’t guarantee success and in life, there’s no point living in past successes. Also, in life, don’t be too quick to brag about glorious history. Telling people you were very successful 20 years ago simply means you have not been successful in the last 20 years.

When we talk about CHELSEA, 2 things that will come to mind… A Russian who spent a lot of money… A manager who wasted a lot of money. When Chelsea bought Shevchenko and Ballack early in the season, everyone though the title has been won even without kicking a ball. I was one of them. I mean, looking at what they’ve achieved and you add that with Shevchenko and Ballack… no need to play already. But what happened in the end? They didn’t win… and what we can learn from here is that money may buy you initial happiness, it may stretches it for a year or two, but it doesn’t last forever. While money is important… CHELSEA is a testimony that money is NOT everything.

Finally, MANCHESTER UNITED. Yeah, some of you already know that I am a Man Utd Fan. Many will say that I am a glory hunter but I remember I started supporting them when they lost the league in the last day of the season and lost the FA Cup final to Everton in 1994. Anyway, that’s not the notion today. I am here to say, as a fan, I wrote them off before the season started. They were slow in the transfer market and the fact that Chelsea bought Shevchenko and Ballack while Man Utd bought only Carrick AND kept Fletcher, I thought the season was doomed. Of course, I was proven wrong. This is another classic example of not underestimating anyone or anything just because that person or thing has not lived up to your expectation. Always have faith in whatever you believe in, and support the cause that you said you will.

So who said football is just about 20 men chasing for a ball for 90 minutes? If you would only not watch the match but see things from a different angle… there’s much to learn from this idiots’ game.

42 comments:

day-dreamer said...

Hahaha, I'm not a big football fan. Find it rather hard to keep up with the news and happenings of EPL. Kept confusing the players, clubs and stuff. LOL!

I watched World Cup though. Hehe. :D

Anonymous said...

Won't deny that Liverpool under-achieved yet again in the Premiership. Much due to their wretched away form. Credit to man u and their great season, whether they'll be able to continue the form next season is another story.

In England man u is above liverpool. No argument there. But in Europe where the cream of the crop battle it out, Liverpool has been the far more successful team in winning ties over 2 legs and knocking out world class opponents compared to man utd. Funny you didn't mention that. So what can we learn here? You may be underachieving in a lot of things in life, but look at the bigger and broader picture, there just may be an even BIGGER prize.

J.T. said...

Oh Zewt, I need a clearer mind to come back and study these clubs. Thanks for the info, though. Always wanted to know what the hype was about them.

By the way, I don't mind the game - I love to watch the boys in action. 20 guys running after 1 ball for 90 minutes - what's not to love? Some are so darn skillful.
Football on TV is also the best time to dupe the man who is watching it intently. He won't have an inkling of the insane amount of money that is going to be spent at the shopping centre...
"Honey, I am using the credit card today. I off to shop."
"Ok dear, have fun"
"Oh yes, I will!"

hahaha... I joke but I don't do that. :)

Doreen said...

Hey, I guess I'm not part of the barrage then. *grin*

TH said...

Footie again??!! *rolls eyes*

Nevermind, I'll continue to drool at those hot bods and if I'm bored already, I'll go shopping!

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

eh what happen to arsenal la? its another sad case and i guess you would have fun poking at it what? darnit just you watch, they are coming back this season!..

goes to show money cant buy success nor happiness..?

**************Jz***************** said...

i dont know what comment to give zewt

Unknown said...

One more thing to learn is not to put your LIVER in the POOL. It will absorb liquid making it swell. Now we know a swollen liver is not good. It gets all toxic and thing. The next thing you know the toxicity sends wrong signals to the brain like you are better then you actually are. So dissociate yourself from anything with LIVER and POOL unless you want to end up getting all BLOODY, you FOOL.

What have we learnt here? LIVERPOOL=BLOODY FOOL.

ah nel said...

each men got 2 balls but stil wana chase the 3rd ball for wat???

20 person = 40 balls

i don watch football... ;)

Weig said...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Okay, okay... I did learn something reading this post. Implied lesson... never name your team after a pool of curdled blood or after a girl. As much as possible, put up a "United" front, or at least in the name. And book clubs make good footballers too.

Anonymous said...

And yet still I don't really see much in this game of soccer
I still prefer something a little faster in pace

Anonymous said...

You shouldn't have wrote anything on Liverpoo man, it gives your blog a bad taste. LOL.

Anyway, did you read the latest news about Liverpoo fans being the worst idiots in Europe? They should've surveyed Asia too and it would've been the same result - morons. :-)

Huei said...

yea it's 20 men chasing a ball..and y do men wana watch men chase a ball? =P kidding!!!! hehehe

Horny Ang Moh said...

All this is inform for me. I must say I know nut about football.Actually to me as u say it is about a bunch of mens chaseing & kicking a ball from one end to the other end.Luckly for me World Cup cum every 4 yrs. If cum every years then I have nothings left to c on TV.Actually untill now I still don't know why people go nuts on football.Other type of ball not attractive meh??? Have a nice day.

Azlan Zed said...

as a liverpool fan, i'm not the type who like to brag about history... what done is done... maybe the future will bring some glory... god will... :)

Jorji said...

I am very sure that females rushing to a MNG sales is a total waste of time and shopping is NOT a sport and NOTHING can be learn from that.

and 2nd place is for the loser...

and arsenal is boring.

and i'm part of the idiot's game

and i dun mind that.

end.

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

b4 i forget..you also got 2 fleurs guarding a big goalpost..virtually standing for 90 mins and watching the match..then occasionally they break their skulls too!

Anonymous said...

:) nice uplifting post! def sheds a diff light on a game where 20 fit men chasing after a ball......;) so football is not about looking at gorgeous men then?

zewt said...

day dreamer - well, not many girls fancy football league. but yeah, i do know a few who watches world cup. kudos... i think girls who know football have got taste... opps.. did i just offend the rest?

Liverpool for life - hi there and welcome. yes, i guess i missed out that part. but i also remember MU knocked out roma. Plus... it's not the process, but the final outcome. you can knock out many good team but if you fail to win anything... u fail to win anything. thanks for visitin.

JT - hahahaha.... yup, couldnt agree more. that man will just agree to anything whenever you ask for something when he is glued to the green pitch. now... isnt that pure bliss for the women?

Doreen - good for you... then are you one who enjoy the beautiful game?

Twisted Heel - where got footie.... it's about way of life... :) yeah, shopping is always good eh?

Constant craver joe - haha... i was tempted to talk about them when i realised, nothing can be learnt from them...

zewt said...

jaezrel - ok ok... i try to blog about shopping next?

kata tak nak - hahaha... looks like your hatred towards them is much deeper than mine.

ah nel - wahhh... u dunno what you're missing!

cirnelle - book clubs? which one? dont sleep la... i know it's monday. and remember... it's triple ok!

zeroimpact - like..? ? ?

Gallivanter - haha... yeah, i wrote about that and wanted to mentioned it... but then, i wasnt going to talk bad about anyone.

zewt said...

Huei - wah... u made it sound so gay... haha! so should i ask your boo to watch fashion show where the girls dress skimpily?

hor ny - ah yes, i know what you mean, surely... there are more interesting balls than football...

alan zed - now, that is a good comment. yeah, let us await the excitement of next season.

jorji - you're not alone, i am also part of this idiot gang. haha!

freelunch2020 - of cos not... becos they are certainly not gorgeous to me.

Wickedsa said...

TREUTRUE!!!
haha, that's how I described football
20 men chasing a lousy rolling ball on a big green field...
and I don't know what is so interesting about that...

Rabbit said...

footie knows me i dono footie.

oh at least now i know a little bit of their logos already lah. =P

li ann said...

where's arsenal?!!

TingTitLei said...

holy shit!
i told everyone else the same thing. 20 sweaty men chasing for a ball.
=P
well same goes to those who say formula one is boring because its just "24 cars going round and round and round the circuit"
fuck alonso's fans btw

confessing7girl said...

hey hey hey hey hey u never heard me say that football was just 22!!! i underline 22 men running around with a ball!!!!!! i love football!!!!! hello im from portugal everyone breaths football around here!!!!
oh and damn u must really hate liverpool!! as for chelsea its true, more money doesnt mean better players specially when they dont give anything to the game!!! and yeahh go go manchester , C. Ronaldo is the best!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

So, going by zewt's zewtpinion that girls who know football have taste, I fall squarely in that category. *preens* How do I qualify myself? (A: I love football and have been a Man Utd supporter since I was seven (began in the '90/'91 season). OKlah, so Dad was a big influence in me watching the sport and in the team I support. *grin* But now I watch footie for its merits and not for the hunks. Not that I don't watch them too. *double grin*)

But I still think MNG sales are something to rush for. Heh!

Rashikaps said...

I don't follow the game per se but do enjoy watching, esp with friends. Team work makes all the difference.. Very heady! :)

hikazew® said...

haha.. i am a girl and i watch football.. but not to the verge of fanaticsm. My uncle is an Arsenal fan, my BF is a Chealsea fan, his best friend is a Liverpool fan, my ex is a Man U fan.. I am a David Beckham (hairstyle) fan.. together we can form a league..

hikazew® said...

oops i mispelled Chelsea.. my Bf is gonna kill me.

hikazew® said...

"But is it all just about 20 men chasing a ball while the balance 2 hope the ball will never reach them?"

since we r talking about balls.. it's 40 balls chasing 1 single ball while 4 balls don't wanna make a group of 3 balls in a net.

confusing?

Bee Ean said...

Watching football is fine, but why has to bet? When my French hubby first visited Malaysia, he remarked that all the guys bet for the football. He said how come they can just enjoy it without betting? My BIL told him that no betting not exciting lah.

I was watching the worldcup last year and I celebrated with the crowd everytimes France advanced. But there are fans who behaved too violently, they pushed through everybody to go infront eventhough they arrived later and threathen to fight if people interfece. Then those drunk one stink and trying to play innocent toughing women around. All these behaviors just make a woman hates football.

mh said...

Great piece! Have neglected EPL the last year mainly due to the items you've highlighted re Chelsea and Man United, but final placings have resuscitated interest. Can't wait for the next season to start now.

zewt said...

baby sa - haha... well, that's typical girl... so you're forgiven ;)

Rabbit - so it's quite educational lor... right?

DLG - hi, welcome to AZAIG. well, dont seem to be learning much about life from arsenal last season. :)... thanks for droppin by and hope to see ya again...

TTL - different guy... different taste ler. i am the '24 cars going round and round'... not F1 fan so dun care about alonso. hah!

confessing7girl - haha... manchester just bought a new portugal player... luis nani... looks like most of the attacking player in MU will be from portugal. and you will definitely like MU more!

rinnah - yup! you certain have... and by virtue of you being MU fan... u have authentic taste! haha... wow... you're a much longer fan than me. as for MNG sale... perfectly understandale.

Rashikaps - well, at least you dont fall asleep at the sight of that green pitch. good that you see teamwork in it too.

hikazew - hi there, welcome to my humble AZAIG. with the galatic combination... which team do you support? as for your last line... not confusing at all... it's always about 40 balls on 2 legs chasing 1 ball... but then again... it all doesnt happen at the same time. it's when 2 balls on 2 leg kick the ball with one leg into the 2 waiting balls and if the waiting balls' hand didnt catch it, that's when the goal happen... confusing?

Bee Ean Tee - totally understand how you feel. have to agree men can be a bit violent after a few drinks and when passion for football takes over. i guess it's only fair for women to turn away after such bad incident.

mh - haha... with Man U buying 3 new players already, i am sure the new season would be of much excitement. thanks for your compliment.

ah nel said...

i don hv ani tin missing worr!!!

i stil can scratch my balls... ;D

rainbow angeles said...

Sorry lah, I catch no bola... and I only watch bola matches once every four years ;)

Doreen said...

I do watch occasionally but not as crazy as those boys. hehehe

zewt said...

ah nel - got wan... like... you missing those nice booze with your friends when they watch :P... ok... scratch balls issue u keep to yourself la... haha!

angel - wahh.. that's good enough. brazil?

doreen - crazy? we are just passionate :)

Anonymous said...

let's support local football! (bwahahahahahhahahahah!) er... telling your gf you are going to watch football or formula one is the best excuse to get away from her :P heheh...

zewt said...

bongkersz - hey... i didnt say anything ah... heh heh...

Anonymous said...

hai zewt. are you a football fan or manchester united supporter? there's a fine line in between supporting a club and being a fan of the game.

if you are doing a review on certain clubs achievement in a season, it's best to review it in perspective. to include fans denial or glory-hopping does not associate with the clubs achievement in a season.

i was hoping to read a bit more perspective and realistic view (about the game) blogging from a manchester united supporter.

have u read four four two may edition? i suggest you treat yourself with few pages in the magazine about liverpool and manchester united rivalry. really good article. it will enrich your knowledge about the game entirely, rather than indulging in one team.

it's good that you didn't include arsenal season. the gunners will be back with their upcoming youngsters. it's a sorry state now with the departure of david dein. he is a bloke, really enthusiastic bout football. i was fortunate to have cuppa coffee with david many years ago.

actually it's an exciting time now for them because there are so many talented youngsters coming up. denilson, diaby and walcott will storm the league in many years to come.

really appreciate that you didn't mention arsenal empty trophy cabinet for the past two seasons.

zewt said...

joseph - hi, i must say that i wrote it with a tad of bias-ness. i wont deny it. anyway, you sound like you commented like an arsenal fan... so... a bit prejudice from that aspect too? football is about passion... we tend to be a bit 'imbalance' when we talk about other teams. thanks for dropping by anyway.