Arguably the 2 most important things to us men. Usually 24 hours before any football matches involving Arsenal or Germany, I already start to envisage of how the night and match would turn out to be be – not so much for Arsenal these days. 90 minutes per weekend or twice a week is not too much to ask now, is it?

I tried to get Mel to understand why I love the game, while it failed with Arsenal (simply because they have too many average joes in the team that is a pale shadow of the Invincibles of 2003/2004), she fully embraced team Germany during the World Cup. How I would love to take her to a Germany match in time, which is on my bucket list. Haha!

Of Women and Football

When I used to watch Arsenal play when Mel and I were courting, usually she ends up bored with the match as she should (as Arsenal is all play with no end-product), although I’m in deep conversation with my friend throwing words that anyone under the age of 18 might could pick up as bad influence (although I think the internet has damaged them by the time it’s my turn!).

The turning point of the Germany matches is how I showed Mel (and she read a lot about it too), about how cocky England and their fans were – bunch of dimwits. When we watched the 2010 World Cup game together, Germany beat the shite out of England 4-1, and then walloped favorites Argentina 4-0 (we saw it at a German pub in Bangsar) which sealed her love for Germany.

Besides, the fact that she’s drawn to Joachim Loew helped the cause too (minus his booger escapades)!

Now that Germany is off the radar and with the English Premier League back in action, once again I have no hope on Arsenal winning anything with limited funds and the manager believing in kids, I realized it is not always possible to intertwine your interests in every case.

Happy Malaysia Day!

MORE PHOTOS HERE:

Part 1 – 2010 South Africa World Cup Babes Photo Gallery

Part 2 – World Cup Babes 2010 South Africa Photo Gallery

Part 3 – 18 World Cup 2010 Sexy Fans and Babes Gallery

Part 4 – Hot World Cup 2010 Babes and Female Fans

Part 5 – 18 World Cup Sexy Fans and Babes

Part 6 – 2010 South Africa Hot World Cup Babes

Part 7 – Mouthwatering Hot Babes of the World Cup 2010

Part 8 – 2010 World Cup Hot Sexy Fans Photo Gallery

Paul the Octopus

Apparently this Octopus’ record is 80% accurate, and it has correctly predicted all of Germany’s World Cup matches so far, including that defeat to Serbia. And all of a sudden, it’s a celebrity of its own.

Unfortunately, a number of people BELIEVE (I don’t want to name a race for fear of being called a racist. Haha!) its oracle-like predictions, but did anyone actually think it’s NOT a prophet?

I’ll give you ONE – Germany is a tournament team and naturally do well in competitions – semi-finals or finals, just look at their past record. As for Paul’s choice, do we know what goes into the food container, how do you know for sure that the German zoo figured it out and “fixed” the prediction?

Sure, you would ask what about Serbia. Well, what about Serbia? It is after all a game of chances and luck. Remember, this octopus has a 80% prediction accuracy and NOT 100%.

Of course I don’t believe in this nonsense, but seeing people clamoring about it on Facebook is hilarious. I didn’t know I have a number of muttonhead friends.

Whatever it is, Paul has definitely proof a point that it is NOT a blur sotong! Haha! Now it has predicted Spain to beat Germany in the semi-finals tomorrow. Whatever happens, I’m very proud of this young German team, and just hope an European country lifts the World Cup, because South Americans, despite their style of play, are dirty buggers.

Here are a bunch of other animals trying their luck to become an Oracle, but so far failed.

We have Petty the Pigmy Hippo.

Then we have Leon the porcupine.

And of course, Anton the Monkey.

I wonder why no people in Malaysia have followed suit, maybe Arumugam the Orangutan, Tajul the Tapir, or Puah the Pig and his brother Poh the pig

There’s never a dull moment in football, the best sport on the planet!

Only Spain and Holland stand in the way of Germany claiming their 4th World Cup title. However, I think it could be a case of one too many strong opponents. Spain will and should prove a much tougher opponents than England and Argentina combined, so I’m not expecting much from this young German side.

Unlike most of you out there, I only support ONE team, and not a group of so-called “elite”, hoping for one to lift the world cup to satisfy my footballing desires. If you support more than one national team, you’re just someone who’s scared to lose. I dare you to pick ONE national team only and stick to them forever. Can?

Brazil vs Holland
I always believe Brazil can raise their game when they want to, and that trait is exactly what makes Brazil exciting to watch. I think the only way Holland can defeat them is to push the match all the way to penalties. Although Holland has a bunch of stars, they have a weak bench and it’s all eggs in a basket scenario with the team, which is a little predictable. Brazil on the other hand, has a good balance of players, and their substitutes, have as usual, that X factor about them. I am leaning a little towards a 1-0 Brazil win in 90 minutes, else if it goes to penalties, then Holland has a decent chance. It will be very close. BRAZIL

2010 World Cup Brazil vs Holland

Uruguay vs Ghana
Ghana, the youngest team in the tournament, is certainly the underdogs against this Uruguay side, possibly looking to add another World Cup star on their jerseys, which I highly doubt they can pull it off. Having said that, for this match against Ghana, I believe Uruguay has the experience to win this match in full time with a close 1-0 win. As enterprising Ghana is, I believe their open style of play will suit this Uruguayan side, who may even pounce with another goal to make it 2-0. URUGUAY

2010 World Cup Uruguay vs Ghana Preview

Argentina vs Germany
World Cup 2006 repeats itself again, but this time, as much as I would like to see Germany triumph, Argentina has a better tournament team than the one in 2006, where Germany eliminated them on penalties. Still, once again, if Germany can push this all the way through penalties, I believe they will be victors to progress, despite that Podolski penalty miss against Serbia, a first miss for Germany since 1974. With Messi on form and probably eager to score, and an impressive lineup of strikers, I expect this clash to possibly have 3 goals in it. I think Argentina might win this one in 90 minutes, but if it goes to penalties, Germany to win. ARGENTINA/GERMANY

2010 World Cup Argentina vs Germany Preview

Spain vs Paraguay
This is probably the most clear cut match of the quarterfinals, as I believe Spain have more than enough firepower to kick Paraguay out of the World Cup. Spain have all the qualities to finish off this match in 90 minutes without much problem. It may be a close match in terms of the number of goals, but I think Spain should win this comfortably with a 2-0 margin. SPAIN

2010 World Cup Spain vs Paraguay Preview

England's Lampard's Goal Against Germany Was NOT IN!

You’re welcome England fans, hope this makes you feel a little better. The world is a better place now that England is no longer a part of the World Cup.

Germany 4 England 1 (World Cup 2010)

Germany tore England to shreds and it was superb counter-attacks! Every world cup, I throw my support behind Germany and also at the same time hope England’s progress goes about its traditional disaster!

But, don’t fret England fans, you still have that 1966 World Cup win and the 5-1 score many years ago against Germany, although it didn’t have any effect. Germany always stand up when it matters.

DEUTSCHLAND!

However, I’m not putting much hope on the team against Argentina, but happy that they destroyed the shite out of England!

Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Enjoy!

2010 World Cup Group Matches - Greece vs South Korea, Argentina vs Nigeria, England vs USA

Greece vs South Korea – I predict a 0-0 scoreless draw.

Argentina vs Nigeria – I think Argentina will have problems in this one, and may even end up losing their match. I fancy Nigeria to nick a point or to even win it.

England vs USA – England to win this clearly by 2 goals I think, and their supporters will then say they will go on to win the world cup as always. I doubt that.

Based on current form, it is hard to see the German national team progressing far in South Africa. But then again, German teams often don’t look like real contenders on paper, but then go on to do a lot better than expected. The German expression for this phenomenon is Turniermannschaft (literally ‘tournament team’), meaning a squad that rises to the occasion, getting better game by game. And it is this phenomenon, which has been proven to work time and again in the past, on which the hopes of the German team rest.

The weakest link in the 2010 team is probably in the forward positions: the starting line-up of Klose, Gomez and Podolski have had a rather disappointing performance during the current season in their respective clubs. Other strikers who have done much better over recent months seem not to have gained the confidence of coach Löw.

It remains to be seen whether the spirit of the Turniermannschaft can work its magic here again especially with recent injuries to Ballack, Traesch, Westermann and Adler.

One thing that has been a welcoming surprise is the influx of other races into the German team, previously only dominated by whites.

My Team Germany - 2010 World Cup Chances

THE TEAM
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen), Hans-Jorg Butt (Bayern Munich)

Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburg), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Hamburg), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart)

Midfielders: Sami Khedira (Stuttgart), Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen), Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg)

Forwards: Cacau (Stuttgart), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Cologne).

The Official World Cup 2010 Album (Review)

I will be focusing my posts for the World Cup like I did back in 2006 where I shared loads of hot fans at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, I’m not sure if there will be beautiful fans flocking South Africa, but I’ll do my best anyway.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD R Kelly ft Soweto Spiritual Singers – Sign of a Victory 7/10R Kelly delivers a poignant track with the help of African singers, nice touch. Nice track.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Shakira ft Freshlyground – Waka Waka 5/10
I despise Shakira because I find her nasally style of singing is annoying, while this is a little bearable, it’s not my favorite on the album.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Nneka – Viva Africa 4/10
There’s nothing great about this track, sounds more like a filler.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Matisyahu ft Nameless – One Day 7/10
I blogged this track quite sometime ago, and I’m pleased that it’s been selected as one of the songs off this album. Nice touch.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Ternielle Nelson, Jason Hartman, UJU, Louise Carver, Aya And Deep Level – Shosholoza 2010 6/10
This is Africa’s staple song, and I’ve been trying to find the name forever! However, I’m not excited about this version, prefer the original anyday.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD J Pre, Wyclef, Jazmine Sullivan And B. Howard – Ke Nako 7/10
A very dancing tune typical of uplifting African tracks. I’m enjoying this.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Angelique Kidjo And John Legend – Move on Up 3/10
I hate John Legend, there’s nothing Legendary about this fella, just an overrated singer who once again continues to proof my point in this track.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Judy Bailey ft Uju – Spirit of Freedom 2/10
Boring, another useless filler to this album. Blech.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Pitbull, TKZee and Dario G – Game On 4/10
A classic case of one cook too many, or perhaps I expected a lot more from Pitbull and Dario G, still it’s not bad, just not good enough.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD MISIA ft M2J And Francis Jocky – Maware Maware 5/10
This track could’ve been better, some ingredient is missing to have made this a better song.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Claudia Leitte And Lira – As Mascaras 1/10
What the f. Now this is what I call a bloody anti-climax, and I hope this is not a sign of things to come in Brazil 2014′s World Cup album.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD Siphiwo ft Message Of Hope From Nelson Mandela – Hope 2/10
This is so Josh Groban and because of that I find this annoying. I’m not a fan of this type of music because it’s so dull I’d rather watch plants grow.

2010 FIFA World Cup - My Initial Prediction

Group A
As boring as France is, I think they are favorites in this group, with Uruguay, Mexico and South Africa challenging for the remaining spot. Personally, I would like to see South Africa, the host nation plus Urugya into the next round. Top 2 – France & Uruguay

Group B

It’s obvious that Argentina are hot favorites by a mile, with Nigeria being second favorites. I don’t want to see Greece going through, and I don’t think South Korea would go far either. Top 2 – Argentina & Nigeria

Group C
Oh no, it’s an easy group for England, an arrogant country who think at every world cup, they will win it. While they should easily come away as group winners here with USA giving them a scare, England won’t win the world cup – I hope they don’t because the last win in 1966, they’re still talking about it! Top 2 – England & USA

Group D
A potential bananaskin draw for Germany I must say, with Ghana, Serbia and Australia all having the X factor of surprise. Germany are known to step up when it matters so I reckon they should be able to finish as winners, but second place, it’s a toss up between any of the 3. Top 2 – Germany & Serbia

Group E
The self-imploding Holland will crush Cameroon, Denmark and Japan to move on to the second round. I expect Cameroon and Denmark to fight for the remaining slot. Japan who? Top 2 – Holland & Cameroon.

Group F
What an easy group for Italy! Maybe Paraguay is the “biggest” threat, but Slovakia and New Zealand? Ha! Unless New Zealand play football like rugby, they don’t have a chance in hell. Top 2 – Italy & Paraguay

Group G
It may still be a clear cut route for Brazil, once again, hot favorites as usual. It’s nice to see the overrated Portugal in the same group because I hope Ivory Coast finishes second. As for North Korea, as much as I would like to say they’re the whipping boys, I think they might provide a scare. Top 2 – Brazil & Ivory Coast

Group H
This is by far the easiest group of the draw, as Spain faces competition from Chile, Switzerland and Honduras. I would not mind seeing Spain lifting the title giving European countries the lead. Chile should be able to dispatch off Switzerland and Honduras. Top 2 – Spain & Chile

Round of 16
I would love to see upsets in the form of Nigeria & Serbia, and with that, I’m sticking my neck out to say that Serbia might be the likely upset. The most entertaining tie of the round would be Spain vs Ivory Coast with Spain just shading it.

France vs Nigeria – France
England vs Serbia – Serbia
Holland vs Paraguay – Holland
Brazil vs Chile – Brazil
Argentina vs Uruguay – Argentina
Germany vs USA – Germany
Italy vs Cameroon – Italy
Spain vs Ivory Coast – Spain

Quarterfinals
France vs Serbia – France
Holland vs Brazil – Brazil
Argentina vs Germany – Argentina
Italy vs Spain – Spain

Wow. How mouthwatering is that? As much as I would like to see Germans seeing off Argentina, I think it could be a tough one for them. As for France, the luck of the draw is what keeping their name here, for me anyway.

Semifinals
France vs Brazil
Argentina vs Spain

This is where France’s campaign ends, to the mighty Brazil. Argentina might provide some scare but in the end, Spain’s class will see them through.

Final
Brazil vs Spain

Spain to win it for me. I just hope the final is not an anti-climax like the Brazil vs Italy final in 1994.

If you can see me now, I’m grinning from ear to ear that would put the Joker to shame. Wenger’s visit to Malaysia wasn’t publicized much, and thanks to my colleague, who spotted a lilliputian section of the back page of the NST newspaper last week, I called my Arsenal compadre to confirm the news!

Arsene Wenger Castrol Dataran Merdeka 2009

Until Monday, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go. I’ve been supporting Arsenal for 19 years so who was I bloody kidding? I put on my Arsenal shirt, left my office at 11am to Dayabumi. I then parked the car and dashed across to Dataran Merdeka hoping that I didn’t miss his arrival. I didn’t.

Awaiting the Arrival of Arsene Wenger in KL

Castrol Girls @ Dataran Merdeka

Arsene Wenger's Arrival at Dataran Merdeka - I was THAT Close!

I was energized to catch a glimpse of the man who symbolizes Arsenal. And boy I did! The short wait was worth it for me, despite basking in the terrible heat plus haze with some other 300+ fans.

Thanks to my ties with Anand, I got inside the ground with 50 supporters for a group photo session with Arsene Wenger! Unfortunately, I was positioned too much at the side, however the reason I did that because I was clean-shaven (NO GOATEE!). Yes, I had a shaving mishap! LOL!

Fans Outside the Football Enclosure while I was INSIDE!

I was holding the Arsenal plaque at the photo session

Arsene Wenger acknowledging the Arsenal supporters (including me!)

It was indeed an unforgettable experience to be able to get this close to Arsene Wenger.

Arsene Wenger Group Photo Session @ Dataran Merdeka KL

Arsene Wenger shaking hands with some lucky supporters!

Sing it with me, (in the tune of Guantanamera)

One Arsene Wenger! There’s Only One Arsene Wenger!
One Arsene Wenger! There’s Only One Arsene Wenger!

The million dollar question is, which Germany will show up? The one against Portugal? If that is the case, then Spain will find it hard to contain the Germans. Having said that, Spain do look like the best side in the tournament, partially thanks to Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas who is the main engine in the team, although Aragones fails to see it.

The Spaniards have a number of attacking-minded players in their team. Except for David Villa who will miss the final due to injury, David Silva seems to catch my eye whenever I watch Spain play. Although I would love to have him join ARSENAL, but I don’t think he could take the rigours of the EPL.

What can I say about the Germans when all has already been said by the media? This team does not know when to give up. They simply do not stop playing until the whistle blows. No matter how off form they can be, but their mental desire to win outweighs their performances. And when they actually play, they can be devastating. Just ask Christiano Ronaldope’s Portugal.

Will Ballack score 2 goals in the final? Will it be a low scoring 90 minute draw, with extra time and even penalties? This is a tough one to call – it all depends on GERMANY.