Watched it so many times, and never failed to make me die of happiness.

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Yea. I don’t have much to blog about.

‘Mereka gembira dengan kedatangan Ramadhan dan menangisi pemergiannya.’

Alhamdulillah. Segala puji-pujian hanya bagiMu yang mempunyai kekuasaan dan kemuliaan yang mutlak.

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SELAMAT HARI RAYA to everyone.

‘Sesiapa yang berpuasa dengan iman dan mengharapkan keredhaan Allah, diampuni dosanya yang terdahulu, dan sesiapa yang membangunkan Ramadhan dengan penuh keimanan dan mengharapkan keredhaan Allah, diampuni dosanya yang terdahulu, dan sesiapa yang membangunkan malam Lailatul Qadr dengan penuh keimanan dan mengharapkan keredhaan Allah, diampuni dosanya yang terdahulu. (Hadis Muttafaqun Alaih)

“Carilah sedaya-upaya kamu Lailatul Qadar itu pada sepuluh malam ganjil pada akhir Ramadan.” (Riwayat Bukhari)

“Sesungguhnya Kami telah menurunkan (Al-Quran) ini pada Malam Lailatul-Qadar, Dan apa jalannya engkau dapat mengetahui apa dia kebesaran Malam Lailatul-Qadar itu? Malam Lailatul-Qadar lebih baik daripada seribu bulan. Pada Malam itu, turun malaikat dan Jibril dengan izin Tuhan mereka, kerana membawa segala perkara (yang ditakdirkan berlakunya pada tahun yang berikut); Sejahteralah Malam (yang berkat) itu hingga terbit fajar!” (Al-Qadr 97: 1-5)

‘Dan bersegeralah kamu kepada keampunan dari Tuhanmu dan kepada syurga yang bidangnya seluas langit dan bumi yang disediakan untuk orang-orang yg bertakwa’ (Ali Imran 133)

Innalillahi wainnailaihirajiu’n.

Wouh. Penuh sampai last saff.

wow.

“Hai orang-orang yang beriman, di wajibkan atas kamu berpuasa sebagai mana diwajibkan atas orang-orang sebelum kamu agar kamu bertakwa. Iaitu dalam beberapa hari yg tertentu. ……….. (Yakni) bulan Ramadan, bulan yg didalamnya diturunkan (permulaan) al-Qur’an sebagai petunjuk bagi manusia……….” (Al Baqarah: 183-185)

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Alhamdulillah.

With all the unforeseen and unfavorable stuffs that swamped me over last week,  I didn’t get the chance to gather the right and proper mood for Ramadhan as I usually would. So I was behind schedule and to help me with that, was the first night of Tarawikh. The excitement slowly crept in as expected. Parking was full.. (standard, malam 26 tgk apecer.)

So the thing with the jemaah in my area is, they don’t get the concept of  ’rapatkan dan penuhkan saff ‘. When i was younger, I thought that this will pass, once the new generation replace the makciks whose mindsets and way of doing things have been rigid and impossible to change. So when i found myself praying in a saff where there’s a gigantic gap in the middle, between two small groups on each sides, I took a glance at the fully lined saff behind mine. And surprise, suprise, they were not those makciks whom i so wished they were. They were all young adults who are supposedly educated with these kind of knowledge. We should’ve learned this all in sekolah agama. When will this ever stop? These ladies are accustomed with the practice year after year. And the kids who followed their mums to the masjid will see this and thought, ‘Its ok, this is how things are’. It will never stop unless we are reminded of this every day, every year.

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I wish us all success in madrasah Ramadhan. May Allah grants us all the taufiq to make great use of this month by performing good deeds and increasing our relationship with Him.

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So the curtain falls on the 19th World Cup of football. Before the dust completely settles, allow me another post so to set the record straight on few matters. First off, while I am somewhat an avid watcher of the event, I am never truly a fan of football at heart. Sure, I plan to continue keeping track on the highlights of La Liga, Premier League, Serie A and the likes. But know that I will always have issues with big mainstream entertainment events, held by big corporate institutions and supported by a big proportion of men on earth who voluntarily submit themselves to the hype of it all. Call it anti-majority I won’t mind. Having said that, no one can take away the fact that that World cup has given me enough reason to smile on certain days. It’s not going to be for another 4 years, so wth, why not another post.

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At the risk of sounding supremely cliché, I’ve always known (or wanted) Spain will champ it. The only doubt I had, was when I watch Brazil (and germany..blergh) played.  Brazil was my 2^nd favourite team, you see. Had Spain lose, I can only find solace if they lose to Brazil. Not Germany, not Argentina, not the Dutch. Only to Brazil. But with Brazil out of the picture before the semi final (_insert your out-of-the-world surprised expression here_) I know the path for Spain to the cup is clearer. I’m not gonna claim I’m the biggest fan of Spain’s national team here, but truth be told, that team is the dream team of football. They are a complete team. Some teams have great strikers, lousy defence (case in point: argentina). Great keeper, boring midfielders (CiP: NZ, Paraguay). Good defenders, just another striker (CiP: all those who played defensive). Most of the other nations are one-man-show teams. But Spain players, are of another class, and I say that without bias:

Casillas, the big man of goal, need I say much? Well, I wouldn’t go as far as calling him the best keeper in the world, he did mess up here and there last season, but easily top 5. But the reason not many against goals are conceded in WC is because of his defenders.

Pique and Puyol’s combination as centerback defenders couldn’t be more effective. For me, Puyol is about experience, but Pique.. If there’s one defender in 2010 WC that deserves a hug from FIFA president, it’s Pique. (Feel free to skip reading anytime, I’m a big fan, will be bias).  He exploited his agility well and rarely gave way for a breakthrough. His style of defence is like no other and reads the ball like no one’s business. People don’t call him Piquenbauer for nothing. Woots for the Spain fort.

Now for midfielders, can anyone deny the dynamics of Iniesta and Xavi? Where one is, another will be. Iniesta is a great game reader, and rightfully became the hero in the final. And lastly, but definitely not the least, the hitman. David Villa’s transfer of €40 million to Barcelona says it all. Now, get what I mean about the dream team? Not only the players, they have the luxury to make Fabregas and sometimes Torres, as substitutes.

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Now, with all that accolades, I am not the biggest fan of their style of play. I know they are specifically praised for just that, but as a fan, watching a Spain game and say, a Brazil game is a total different experience. With Brazil, you enjoy watching the game, and you somehow know that they will win the game (irony there). It’s good fun with all that fancy goals. But with Spain, u know they play beautiful game, and you want them to win, but your heart races all the time watching the patient game because you know, anything could happen. They lack risk taking flare, maybe?

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So, there’ll be a 4 years waiting period now… If we ever get there. And since I had the luxury to be a full-time follower of 2010 WC, why don’t I list the top 10 memorable events or highlights of the tournament, just to help fill in few seconds of the 4 years time? So here goes, the top 10 you’d remember, that makes South Africa WC10 what it is.

1. Of course, Spain winning the golden cup for the first time in the history of man. And Iniesta’s defining goal after 116 minutes of terrifically tense football. I could never tire from watching the Worldcup trophy presentation to the team after the final game. These boys know how to receive a trophy. What a moment.
2. The deafening sound of the much fussed over Vuvuzela. Mark my word, the vuvuzelas music won’t die with the conclusion of WC10. You’ll hear them around.
3. The very controversial Jabulani ball that are smashed by the players early on the tournament which caused the lack of goals. But later on, the guys got the hang of it and we saw amazing shots like Van Bronckhorst’s goal against Uruguay.
4. France Drama-of-the-Week (or meltdown of the tournament) where they skip practice to boycott Anelka’s sending home. So when they got eliminated from the group stage, no one is there to pat their backs showing sympathy. Is it possible that with Zidane gone, France is no more the force to be reckoned with?
5. Italy’s shocking exit after a very dramatic game against Slovakia, placing them last in the group. And the aging, but beautiful Cannavaro is no more. I will not be surprised if that day became a public holiday in Slovakia.
6. Luis Suarez’s handball that denied Ghana, the last African nation standing, from the semi-final. Suarez became a hero instead of a sinner the second Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty awarded.
7. The controversial red cards (..or maybe the lack thereof): Kaka’s sending off from Keita’s back-dive, Harry Kewell’s shoulder ball, and Tim Cahill’s unworthy red card. On the other hand, how De Jong’s karate kick on Xabi Alonso’s chest is not a red card is beyond me.
8. Frank Lampard’s goal that was, but was not? Come on England fans, still weeping over that? Know what, I actually feel sorry for the ppl who were under the impression that England is good enough to win the World Cup. One word, delusional. But that denied goal is good to stay on this list, because at least it may be the turning point where FIFA might actually implement video technology in the game. So, history worthy.
9. The rampaging young Germany squad that crashed Argentina, England and Australia all at score line of 4 goals. They’re good, really. I’m just not a fan.
10. Oh yea, Robert Green’s awful howler against the Americans. That ball just rolled in, like black magic stuff. With all the ruthless paparazzi clan in England, I don’t know how he’s going to get back from that.
11. What the hell, let’s make it 10+1. This will be, the fact that New Zealand is the only team in the tournament that was unbeaten in any game. Haha.

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Looking forward to Brazil 2014? Let the countdown begins.

I therefore decided for another world cup post to be written today.

I’ve always rooted for New Zealand, world cup wise. Maybe because I had a good memory as a kid when we visited NZ few years back. And since Australia played like shit the whole time, it’s only right to keep rooting for the All Whites. And man, was I proud to cheer for them last night. In the 7th minute, NZ made the shocking and unexpected breakthrough against the 5th ranking team of the world, leading the game. And they were what, 78th in rank? Rankings and reputations don’t mean much now, does it? Luckily for Italy, a penalty later in the first half save them from a World Cup embarassment. Seriously, the defending champion needed a penalty to score against the Kiwis? Throughout the game, they really struggled to find a way past Kiwi’s outstanding goalkeeper, Paston. Outstanding, him. Every save he made, set the game to be more and more interesting.  Full time scores, New Zealand held on for a famous draw of 1-1, creating a history for their country, at the expense of the reigning world champion… Well done.

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Brazil played well against Ivory Coast last nite. That was the kind of game you expected from the yellow-green squad, and you can see their tremendous improvement from the match against Korea DPR. But eventhough they won by 3-1 and comfortably qualify in to the next round, I still feel tulan over Kaka’s sending off. That was bs at its best. Stupid decision by the referee, who  didn’t even see what happened. Drogba is a great and respectable player but i’m so hating Ivory Coast. Keita’s good acting was a pathetic and a desperate act to get a Brasilian booked. Or in Kaka’s case, sent off. I mean, if you are going to lose to the country that has won the most world cup tournament, at least do it with some dignity. It was clear that Keita ran into Kaka’s elbow, and then Kaka’s fingers hardly tapped his chest. And there he was, dramatically wrapping his hand over the face, as though he had been punched and falling on the ground. It’s frustrating because people would wanna see Kaka in the next game against Portugal, and thanks to the Ivorians who kept inciting him, he would miss that game. Demmit. Couldn’t FIFA rescind the red card for wrongful dismissal?

I’m sick of draw games, but not as much as i’m sick of scoreless games. Could that explain that dream I had?

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So you may have noticed that there is a World Cup going on and I for one was one of the billions who got excited waiting for June to come. But a sad turn of a world event switched my well stimulated eagerness into a dull, almost demoralised attitude against the World Cup. My heart still aches everytime i think of that rude, offensive foul by the israel militants against the Gaza flotilla carrying humanitarian aid. My heart sank deeper to the realization that i couldn’t and didn’t do much for that cause lately, and to the fact that the whole world’s anger towards the incident will most probably end with just a series of stagnant condemnation, as long as they are backed by the unwavering support of the US. While the white house continues to mum the word, israel will continue to con the world.

To be honest, this issue will be a perfect opening post for the purpose of this blog’s resurrection but if i would write about Gaza, it has to be  well-thought and perfect, opinion-wise and emotion-wise. I’m just not in that state of mind. So pardon me, let’s dump it on the next big thing.
That ball fever.

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The underdogs of this year, at least in the opening games, have gone loco, many would say. And what made some more special than the other is that the fact that they scored their first world cup goal in a veeeery long time. Some, ever.. Case in point, Brazil vs Korea-DPR and Slovakia vs New Zealand. Korea, regardless of north or south, in my opinion has somewhat relentlessly trying to brand their country(ies) to match up Japan in all areas.  LG, K-Dramas,  Hyundai, K-pop singers, and now, their national football team. For most seasonal football fan, what do we really know about the Korean team? Uhm.. well, ahm… Not much, i assume. There is no way, NO way, could they win against brazil the mighty Brazil. Right? Many even predicted the game will easily copy the pace of Germany vs Aussie. (Btw, did u watch that one? Ouch is the word. That is exactly how the Socceroos became the Soccer-who? Well, I did think Cahill’s red card was a bad call ..just hang tough, mate). And many would be right. But you gotta give it to them. They marched down, to battle by defence, armed to the teeth. To lose 1-2 to Brazil is a brilliant success, and they deserved it. When they scored their first goal in World cup finals in 44 years, i almost got tears in my eyes . And i’m never a fan of Korea.

Another goal that rocks is New Zealand’s goal against Slovakia. On paper, Slovakia was the favourite. And so it appeared to be throughout the game, almost. They equalized with a last-gasp goal during injury time, at 92nd minute! What a time to score your 1st World Cup goal. I had no idea why but I felt a gush of pride or maybe a relief from that last minute score. I guess it’s one of those events that shows you hope, kinda.  It was awesome.

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And of course, the first big shock of the World cup has to be Spain’s 0-1 defeat to Switzerland. Everyone promised that World Cup 2010 would really kick into gear when Spain played.  Bear in mind, this was a Spanish side who won ten qualifiers out of ten. .. What can one say, shit does happen. But i assume everyone knows, Spain brought everything that the World Cup has been missing apart from the goals that are required. They had skilful play, just no points. Well, of course it always look bad when you lose in the opening game. But fret not, it’s a long way to the final and if any team can turn it around, its Spain.
It’s weird watching Spain’s international football team without Raul, still. Everytime i caught sight of Iker, my mind automatically projects flashes of Raul. For me, Casillas and Gonzalez goes like, to quote Forrest Gump, ‘peas and carrots’.

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But watching this year’s World cup is somewhat dissappointing. Apart from Germany’s and Argentina’s respective 4 goals, there is a serious shortage of goal numbers produced from all that game. Could the season’s goal draught be due to the much talked about Jabulani ball, i wonder.

I hate posts with no soul. I kind of hate this post.