Sneaking away from office on a 2 hour sojourn to watch Barca play Chelski was the last thing on my mind when I came in. Afterall, for the first time during my stint at work, I had sole responsibility on a project (a teeny tiny 3 day one) and I had to have some results by the end of the day. Besides that, this was the first leg and by no means the decider. So, why go today and sacrifice the bigger one coming up in 2 weeks. AND, over the past couple of days, I had sent out 'Leaving early today' and 'Coming in late today' mails to the entire group thanks to some good weekend fun. So, based on logical reasoning, the decision to skip the match was quite simple.
Except, I forgot to account for impulses.....BANG at noon....I opened up soccernet.com on one of the lab machines and followed the gamecast. 15 mins of non-action, at the game and in the lab, I waved goodbye to my supervisor citing a NEED to eat out! What was the reasoning???
I think that the desperate need to watch this one stems from the fact that I have hardly ever got to watch Ronaldinho in a match situation. From the innumerable videos on video.google.com, it is clear that Maradona at his prime couldnt have been any better. Hence, watching him in action, orchestrate a high profile match would make up for the anguish of missing Mexico 1986, was the thought process.
The end result was favourable. Afterall, egg on Moaninho's face is always a delight. But, while Ronaldinho had his moments, he was not always on the ball, both literally and metaphorically. However, this one too had its perks. With Ro being attended to in numbers, Li'l Lio was left to play ball in the park. And Boy, he did! The sublime left foot chip that hit the crossbar is bound to have improved the quality of life of anyone that witnessed it. And now, even more so than before, I just HAVE to watch every single game of Argentina at the World Cup. How??? There's always breakfast, lunch and dinner. And hell, if need be, I'll throw in a workout too!
But first Mr.Pekerman, dont be daft. Just pick the boy!
Friday, February 24, 2006
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Sachin, the PACK HUNTERS and a DUMBO
Losing a match while defending a score of 328 can never leave happy memories, can it? Surprisingly, it did, thanks to the pack that excercised its fangs.
First though is something very disturbing. In context of what is to come, let me start by clarifying that I am no Sachin basher. To say that he is a phenom is an understatement, but at the same time, I do not ascribe to the theory that he is second only to the Don. Anyway, I have never ever been more irritated with Sachin than yesterday when, after showing absolutely ZERO INTENT to find or clear the ropes while in the 90s, he tried something aggressive first ball after reaching 100. Before someone throws details of how his second 50 was a run a ball etc etc, let me make myself clear here. Sachin scored a century that was fast for any accumulator (Dravid, ever so subtly clarified Sachin's role in the team during his post-match comments). And I am perfectly happy with that. However, when we entered the 40 over mark, we were well on our way to a big score with quite a few wickets in hand. And Sachin was in his 90s at that point. Following which, he failed to deploy a single aggressive stroke until he reached 100...which is what I take umbrage at. The complete LACK OF INTENT to take risks during the slog overs when near a personal landmark. The only missing element of this often repeated episode was him receiving the MoM award, following which we could have had the pleasure of listening to his 'I did it for the team. Century does not matter after loss' monologue.
Moving on.......When I finally managed to shut down my PC at 4:30am after the presentation ceremony, strangely, I did not feel the usual quiet desperation that accompanies a loss. No doubt that the loss due to D/L method helped sooth the pain. It was 40-60 against India at that stage and I fully expected a loss. A win from there might have had more to do with the light than anything else....not that I wouldn't have taken it though.
However the bigger factor was what I saw on the field yesterday. The lack of bite in our bowling has been harped upon and there is nothing that I can add to that. However, any keen observer and follower of Indian cricket would/should have noticed something strange about our off-side field yesterday. Yuvraj, Kaif and Raina manning backward point, extra cover and mid-off was a sight for sore Indian eyes. It was a thrill, a dream come true and a lot more to watch these fellows stop every single ball hit their way with outrageous dives on the unforgiving surface at Peshawar. For years, Harsha Bhogle has spoken about how the fielding unit needs to act as the 6th bowler. Yesterday, our 6th bowler was as outstanding as Mohammed Asif, and that is saying something! Long live our pack hunters !!!
Last, Inzi has many many strengths, however, my undying support for the Indian team censors me from talking about that. Hence, I will talk about his faults. He might be a lot as captain, but a smart one, he IS NOT. No event more than the one where he failed to take the extra 30 mins on the 4th day when needing about 30 more runs to win against NZ highlighted that. Yesterday, he went ahead and provided further ammunition during the presentation ceremony. When Ramiz quizzed him about his dismissal, he rambled on about how he could not understand the reasons for his dismissal while comparing and contrasting it with his wrong dismissal at Faisalabad against Eng. Inadvertantly, he turned out to be very funny while showcasing a lack of brain. The rules of the game are very very simple. Unfortunately for Inzi, so is the rule of life, 'Batting ability times Brain is a constant'!
First though is something very disturbing. In context of what is to come, let me start by clarifying that I am no Sachin basher. To say that he is a phenom is an understatement, but at the same time, I do not ascribe to the theory that he is second only to the Don. Anyway, I have never ever been more irritated with Sachin than yesterday when, after showing absolutely ZERO INTENT to find or clear the ropes while in the 90s, he tried something aggressive first ball after reaching 100. Before someone throws details of how his second 50 was a run a ball etc etc, let me make myself clear here. Sachin scored a century that was fast for any accumulator (Dravid, ever so subtly clarified Sachin's role in the team during his post-match comments). And I am perfectly happy with that. However, when we entered the 40 over mark, we were well on our way to a big score with quite a few wickets in hand. And Sachin was in his 90s at that point. Following which, he failed to deploy a single aggressive stroke until he reached 100...which is what I take umbrage at. The complete LACK OF INTENT to take risks during the slog overs when near a personal landmark. The only missing element of this often repeated episode was him receiving the MoM award, following which we could have had the pleasure of listening to his 'I did it for the team. Century does not matter after loss' monologue.
Moving on.......When I finally managed to shut down my PC at 4:30am after the presentation ceremony, strangely, I did not feel the usual quiet desperation that accompanies a loss. No doubt that the loss due to D/L method helped sooth the pain. It was 40-60 against India at that stage and I fully expected a loss. A win from there might have had more to do with the light than anything else....not that I wouldn't have taken it though.
However the bigger factor was what I saw on the field yesterday. The lack of bite in our bowling has been harped upon and there is nothing that I can add to that. However, any keen observer and follower of Indian cricket would/should have noticed something strange about our off-side field yesterday. Yuvraj, Kaif and Raina manning backward point, extra cover and mid-off was a sight for sore Indian eyes. It was a thrill, a dream come true and a lot more to watch these fellows stop every single ball hit their way with outrageous dives on the unforgiving surface at Peshawar. For years, Harsha Bhogle has spoken about how the fielding unit needs to act as the 6th bowler. Yesterday, our 6th bowler was as outstanding as Mohammed Asif, and that is saying something! Long live our pack hunters !!!
Last, Inzi has many many strengths, however, my undying support for the Indian team censors me from talking about that. Hence, I will talk about his faults. He might be a lot as captain, but a smart one, he IS NOT. No event more than the one where he failed to take the extra 30 mins on the 4th day when needing about 30 more runs to win against NZ highlighted that. Yesterday, he went ahead and provided further ammunition during the presentation ceremony. When Ramiz quizzed him about his dismissal, he rambled on about how he could not understand the reasons for his dismissal while comparing and contrasting it with his wrong dismissal at Faisalabad against Eng. Inadvertantly, he turned out to be very funny while showcasing a lack of brain. The rules of the game are very very simple. Unfortunately for Inzi, so is the rule of life, 'Batting ability times Brain is a constant'!
Sunday, February 05, 2006
The emptiest of BOWLS
I sit here in front of the TV, with SuperBowl LX on. I sit here with a sense of detachment that I usually reserve for politics, stock news, work.....actually, pretty much anything that isn't sport. I sit here forcing myself to watch the game and see how it works. I sit here watching it only to avoid looking like an idiot the next day at work. And I sit here for 5 mins flat. That's it. I give up. I don't know what it is about this game, but I just dont care for it.
It was easier when I was living within a coterie of fellow FOBs. But now, living all by myself in the corporate world, I can't help but wonder why someone like me, who watches snooker without understanding the points system, who watches golf without completely understanding the technicalities of the game, can't watch this simple sport of throw and catch that unites the US of A. Hell, I even watched Pakistan bat during the two 'snoreathons'!
So, why do I have such indifference towards this sport?
Let's take the makes-me-feel-good excuse first. The absence of skills in the players. From what I gather, plays are typically s-p-e-l-t out by the coach during the indeterminate number of timeouts available. And then the quaterback has the task of throwing the ball to someone that is free. Throw in about 40(?) others running all over the field and Bingo! you have Amercian Football!!! Okay, that was simplistic, but I repeat that the game lacks any special skills among the players. Anyway, that excuse would be the perfect riposte when I find myself fighting against the crowd, only if I was not someone that would watch a well packaged television show showing 2 imbeciles take each other on in a high stakes NFS game !!! I would still use this reason though ;)
Am I totally against all American sports? Let's delve into this. I used to watch a lot of basketball during the Chicago Bulls dynasty. I even used to get up early morn on Sat and Sun during the finals. Over a period of time, I have lost interest in that sport though. My fascination for Ice Hockey begins and ends with THE MIRACLE. Why baseball when there is cricket? :) That leaves AF. Due to the small sample size and the conclusion that that leads to, I decide to widen the horizon and look beyond sports. What about American sitcoms? Friends, Everybody loves Raymond, Home Improvement and now, Becker mean that I have only about 21 hours a day for the other essential activities :). What about American movies that show that they are the saviours of the world? INDEPENDENCE DAY Baby! Need I say more? Okie...What about the American President? hehe...That's got nothing to do with American, does it? So, I honestly don't think that I have any sort of a mental block.
What else can it be....I didn't grow up with this game? It is a possible candidate. But even among the coterie that I mentioned before, we had some avid football fans who kept pace with the Bengals even during their 1-14 season. Not to mention that I did not grow up on snooker or golf (does anyone?). But still let's hold on to this one.
Last, I have worked in a college dorm that housed the Bearcats (who aren't exactly national champions) and have experienced first hand the attitude that they exhibit. Just for clarity, let me state that their behaviour was obnoxious and repulsive (may I add that I am a pretty tolerant person). And these were college kids without a huge pay packet! I do understand that asking individuals who get adored by thousands (count me out) to show identification is akin to waving red in front of a raging bull. Plus, I also believe that working at a dorm that houses the ManU team wouldn't be all that different an experience (I still wish I could I could work there :D). So, I ask players for their playing ability and no more. Hence, this one can't be it either.
Am I any close to a conclusion here? No clear ones for sure. So, maybe it is just a bit of everything that adds up to a sizeable percentage of the apathy. With the rest reserved for the name of the game ;)
Anyway, after all the soul searching, I am happy that I am closer to the first Ind-Pak ODI by an hour. And I fully intend to watch that game with a bowl that means a lot more to me.....a bowl of Lays' Kettle Cooked Jalapeno Peppers!!! Adios.
It was easier when I was living within a coterie of fellow FOBs. But now, living all by myself in the corporate world, I can't help but wonder why someone like me, who watches snooker without understanding the points system, who watches golf without completely understanding the technicalities of the game, can't watch this simple sport of throw and catch that unites the US of A. Hell, I even watched Pakistan bat during the two 'snoreathons'!
So, why do I have such indifference towards this sport?
Let's take the makes-me-feel-good excuse first. The absence of skills in the players. From what I gather, plays are typically s-p-e-l-t out by the coach during the indeterminate number of timeouts available. And then the quaterback has the task of throwing the ball to someone that is free. Throw in about 40(?) others running all over the field and Bingo! you have Amercian Football!!! Okay, that was simplistic, but I repeat that the game lacks any special skills among the players. Anyway, that excuse would be the perfect riposte when I find myself fighting against the crowd, only if I was not someone that would watch a well packaged television show showing 2 imbeciles take each other on in a high stakes NFS game !!! I would still use this reason though ;)
Am I totally against all American sports? Let's delve into this. I used to watch a lot of basketball during the Chicago Bulls dynasty. I even used to get up early morn on Sat and Sun during the finals. Over a period of time, I have lost interest in that sport though. My fascination for Ice Hockey begins and ends with THE MIRACLE. Why baseball when there is cricket? :) That leaves AF. Due to the small sample size and the conclusion that that leads to, I decide to widen the horizon and look beyond sports. What about American sitcoms? Friends, Everybody loves Raymond, Home Improvement and now, Becker mean that I have only about 21 hours a day for the other essential activities :). What about American movies that show that they are the saviours of the world? INDEPENDENCE DAY Baby! Need I say more? Okie...What about the American President? hehe...That's got nothing to do with American, does it? So, I honestly don't think that I have any sort of a mental block.
What else can it be....I didn't grow up with this game? It is a possible candidate. But even among the coterie that I mentioned before, we had some avid football fans who kept pace with the Bengals even during their 1-14 season. Not to mention that I did not grow up on snooker or golf (does anyone?). But still let's hold on to this one.
Last, I have worked in a college dorm that housed the Bearcats (who aren't exactly national champions) and have experienced first hand the attitude that they exhibit. Just for clarity, let me state that their behaviour was obnoxious and repulsive (may I add that I am a pretty tolerant person). And these were college kids without a huge pay packet! I do understand that asking individuals who get adored by thousands (count me out) to show identification is akin to waving red in front of a raging bull. Plus, I also believe that working at a dorm that houses the ManU team wouldn't be all that different an experience (I still wish I could I could work there :D). So, I ask players for their playing ability and no more. Hence, this one can't be it either.
Am I any close to a conclusion here? No clear ones for sure. So, maybe it is just a bit of everything that adds up to a sizeable percentage of the apathy. With the rest reserved for the name of the game ;)
Anyway, after all the soul searching, I am happy that I am closer to the first Ind-Pak ODI by an hour. And I fully intend to watch that game with a bowl that means a lot more to me.....a bowl of Lays' Kettle Cooked Jalapeno Peppers!!! Adios.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Not so elusive 2800
When I read that Sasikaran/Humpy/Ganguly/Harikrishna came in 4th with a plus 1 score (or whatever), my immediate reaction is to congratulate them for doing so well in a Russia domimated sport. Vishy though, evokes completely different reactions. I resorted to privately calling him 'permanent bridesmaid' when he came in 2nd at the World Chess Championship (WCC) last year to Topalov.
With Kasparov out of the way, and Kramnik not really in the picture, I thought that Vishy's time at the top had just begun. Afterall, the others, Topolav/Ivanchuck and co were secondary in my mind to our great Vishy. I conveniently dismissed Topolav tying Kasparov at Linares 2005 as a one-off. Thus, Topalov's spectacular victory at the WCC was quite a rude shock to me, leading to some unfair criticism of Vishy.
With Ind-Pak cricket being a dull affair during the first two tests, the privilege of my 'first web visit of the day' invariably went to rediff-sports. And Vishy kept me happy by playing aggressively (as always) and winning (as almost always) with the black pieces (this is new!). Topalov's loss to Adams cleared the path to victory....or, so I thought.
However, the name of Kamsky made me quiver ever so slightly. The 1994 debacle in the Candidates Chess Championship is an ever lasting scar, in spite of the thrashing meted out later at the PCA Candidates finals, when they played for the right to challenge Kasparov. And sure enough, my worst fears came true with last placed Kamsky beating leader Vishy, enabling Mr.Topalov to catch up.
After which, Topalov was either sole or joint leader through the rest of the tournament, forcing Vishy to fight back. When round 12 between the leaders was a tame draw, I used the bridesmaid remark once again and shut out the Corus tournament from my mind. You see, in my achievement laden life, second place just wasn't worth a web visit.
It was past mid-day when I actually went to rediff Sports, more out of habit than anything else. And I notice that the AUS Open headlines was bumped off the top by our very own Vishy. Turns out that against some mighty defending by Gelfand, sheer genius found a way (much like 'Life found a way' in Jurassic Park).
And what more, due to more victories with black pieces, Vishy is crowned champion for the 5th time at Corus! AND THEN.....for the first time ever, Vishy broke through the magical 2800 Elo mark!!!...after performing at over 2850 at this tournament. Shamelessly, without any remorse, I enjoyed and savoured the historical moment and continue to do so. What an easy life this is!!!
ohhh and btw...in case you didnt know, Vishy is a fellow Don Bosco dude!!! :D
With Kasparov out of the way, and Kramnik not really in the picture, I thought that Vishy's time at the top had just begun. Afterall, the others, Topolav/Ivanchuck and co were secondary in my mind to our great Vishy. I conveniently dismissed Topolav tying Kasparov at Linares 2005 as a one-off. Thus, Topalov's spectacular victory at the WCC was quite a rude shock to me, leading to some unfair criticism of Vishy.
With Ind-Pak cricket being a dull affair during the first two tests, the privilege of my 'first web visit of the day' invariably went to rediff-sports. And Vishy kept me happy by playing aggressively (as always) and winning (as almost always) with the black pieces (this is new!). Topalov's loss to Adams cleared the path to victory....or, so I thought.
However, the name of Kamsky made me quiver ever so slightly. The 1994 debacle in the Candidates Chess Championship is an ever lasting scar, in spite of the thrashing meted out later at the PCA Candidates finals, when they played for the right to challenge Kasparov. And sure enough, my worst fears came true with last placed Kamsky beating leader Vishy, enabling Mr.Topalov to catch up.
After which, Topalov was either sole or joint leader through the rest of the tournament, forcing Vishy to fight back. When round 12 between the leaders was a tame draw, I used the bridesmaid remark once again and shut out the Corus tournament from my mind. You see, in my achievement laden life, second place just wasn't worth a web visit.
It was past mid-day when I actually went to rediff Sports, more out of habit than anything else. And I notice that the AUS Open headlines was bumped off the top by our very own Vishy. Turns out that against some mighty defending by Gelfand, sheer genius found a way (much like 'Life found a way' in Jurassic Park).
And what more, due to more victories with black pieces, Vishy is crowned champion for the 5th time at Corus! AND THEN.....for the first time ever, Vishy broke through the magical 2800 Elo mark!!!...after performing at over 2850 at this tournament. Shamelessly, without any remorse, I enjoyed and savoured the historical moment and continue to do so. What an easy life this is!!!
ohhh and btw...in case you didnt know, Vishy is a fellow Don Bosco dude!!! :D
Oh Valentino
I am not an avid MotoGP fan, however, I am well aware of the bulletted points on Valentino Rossi's resume and have no doubts that if anyone fits the description of maverick genius, it is him. Simply put, the guy is a 'character who wins'! What more can the press want. For the moment, they can't stop speculating about his F1 prospects, thanks to his test runs with Ferrari. And now, to add fuel to the fire, he decides that is time to mix it up with the big bad boys and one crybaby tennis-player-on-bike of F1.
The media is bound to go bonkers if he posts a laptime within 0.2 secs of Massa. The repercussions in the event of him going faster than the Regenmeister are just not worth contemplation. Mind you, the fact that Rossi will be driving the faster F2004 when compared to the slower 248 F1 (2006 version) wouldn't matter to the British media nor to the ones that lap up on such BS.
And all this is bound to put me in the firing line of the water pistols held by some pals in the McLaren camp. Bring it on, I say. I sure look forward to some exciting argumentative times ahead :)
The media is bound to go bonkers if he posts a laptime within 0.2 secs of Massa. The repercussions in the event of him going faster than the Regenmeister are just not worth contemplation. Mind you, the fact that Rossi will be driving the faster F2004 when compared to the slower 248 F1 (2006 version) wouldn't matter to the British media nor to the ones that lap up on such BS.
And all this is bound to put me in the firing line of the water pistols held by some pals in the McLaren camp. Bring it on, I say. I sure look forward to some exciting argumentative times ahead :)
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Beauty turned UGLY Down Under
Haven't quite recovered from the only punch Henin threw during the finals. After raving and ranting about the quality to expect from the finals, I was mighty disappointed to see her lose the first set 6-1. But at the same time, was quite sure that the inevitable comeback was just around the corner. Even at 0-2 in the second set, I was hopeful...but then came the low blow. And to think that I sacrificed the beautiful blonde for Henin in the semifinal!!!
Peter Bodo minces no words in his assessment of the incident. Not that this comes without a precedent. Henin, with a game that personifies grace as much as her male equivalent Federer, has always had a dark side to her which I never cared to explore in depth. Dug up this article from 2003 that narrates a few of the unsavoury incidents that Henin has been involved in. This one though, makes me feel bad for Serena (yeah!!!) in that 2003 French semi.
I just hope that the WTA finds a way to mete out some punishment that fits the crime, though, not sure how someone can prove that Henin did not have a stomach ache. Maybe, proving that Henin has a 'weak stomach' would do!!!
Peter Bodo minces no words in his assessment of the incident. Not that this comes without a precedent. Henin, with a game that personifies grace as much as her male equivalent Federer, has always had a dark side to her which I never cared to explore in depth. Dug up this article from 2003 that narrates a few of the unsavoury incidents that Henin has been involved in. This one though, makes me feel bad for Serena (yeah!!!) in that 2003 French semi.
I just hope that the WTA finds a way to mete out some punishment that fits the crime, though, not sure how someone can prove that Henin did not have a stomach ache. Maybe, proving that Henin has a 'weak stomach' would do!!!
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Incredible Davy
I am watching Davy for the first time ever. And I sure chose a good moment to do so. This guy is hitting the pants off each and every ball coming his way and is holding himself comfortably against Roger Federer from the baseline. Actually, he pretty much dominated the third set but ended up conceding it to Federer the fighter as much as Federer the genius.
And then, when I thought that I had the 4th set scoreline all figured out, this dude (who just gave up 6 set points) comes out fighting and breaks Roger straightaway. He seems like the real deal. Will watch out for him from now on....and would suggest that you do the same!
And then, when I thought that I had the 4th set scoreline all figured out, this dude (who just gave up 6 set points) comes out fighting and breaks Roger straightaway. He seems like the real deal. Will watch out for him from now on....and would suggest that you do the same!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Cmon, that is not a fair substitution!
Now I understand how Ponting felt when he was run out by the substitute.....sort of.
To have Inzamam come in at 216/4 and guide Afridi to a swashbuckling century... and in the process score a century himself was painful (but also inevitable), to say the least. And then, instead of seeing a lumbering giant sleep on the field, I notice a livewire Farhat gliding all over the field and then running out a very very generous Dravid (still can't believe that Dravid was sloppy). Thats it. I'm convinced. Its time for a 'replace like for like' substitute rule! and if they cant find an Inzi in their squad, we better lend them our very own Ganguly!!!
...or maybe, I just stop rambling and succumb to the truth that this very good Pak bowling lineup is bound to prevail over our very good batting lineup on an uneven bounce surface.
To have Inzamam come in at 216/4 and guide Afridi to a swashbuckling century... and in the process score a century himself was painful (but also inevitable), to say the least. And then, instead of seeing a lumbering giant sleep on the field, I notice a livewire Farhat gliding all over the field and then running out a very very generous Dravid (still can't believe that Dravid was sloppy). Thats it. I'm convinced. Its time for a 'replace like for like' substitute rule! and if they cant find an Inzi in their squad, we better lend them our very own Ganguly!!!
...or maybe, I just stop rambling and succumb to the truth that this very good Pak bowling lineup is bound to prevail over our very good batting lineup on an uneven bounce surface.
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