Sunday, June 27, 2010

Defining moment, most definitely.

England 5-1 Germany - How Liverpool FC defeated the old rivals
by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/)
GERMANY 1, LIVERPOOL 5. The headline in the ECHO’s X Sport said it all, for on a night of immense national celebration the pride was only heightened on Merseyside.
Their most glorious international evening since the World Cup win in 1966, England thrashed Germany in September 2001 thanks to three of Anfield’s leading lights.
From Michael Owen’s close range equaliser, cancelling out Carsten Jancker’s sixth minute opener, to Steven Gerrard’s fizzed strike just before half-time to hand them the lead, it was England’s night in the Olympiastadion but one engineered in front of the Kop.
Early second half goals from Owen gave him a momentous hat-trick before clubmate Emile Heskey rammed in the fifth goal to seal a night which has yet to be bettered.
The DVD proved a bestseller and T-shirts with the ECHO headline were worn around the streets of L4; rarely has an England win been met with such acclaim in the region.
“I had said at the beginning of the week that if everyone plays to the best of their ability then we are better than Germany man for man and we have proved it,” offered Gerrard post-match.
“We can’t believe it ended up 5-1 and it’s hard to sink in. I had dreamed of scoring against Germany. In the build-up there is a lot of time to think about things and I wondered what it would feel like to score against them. When it happened I felt like running into the crowd.”
It would of course be the high point of the Sven Goran Eriksson reign as a predictable quarter-final exit at the hands of Brazil at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea followed before another limp effort in Germany four years later.
Gerrard missed the 2002 finals through injury and despite goals from Heskey and Owen along the way, England crashed out with a whimper.
Although an improved showing against Slovenia in Port Elizabeth has given renewed hope the class of 2010 will not follow suit, what coach Fabio Capello would not give for another scintillating goal from now-captain Gerrard or a sterling defensive display from Jamie Carragher who was an 83rd minute substitute on that night in Munich.
Facing the old enemy for a 28th time in Bloemfontein tomorrow afternoon, England supporters can only dream of repeating what went before as they vanquished their greatest rivals with a Red tide.
“This is one of my best moments of my career so far,” said then Anfield hero Owen.
“We had a great season with Liverpool last season and this is another highlight.
“You can dream about scoring a hat-trick but you don’t think it is going to come true. It was unbelievable. To have done it in Germany’s backyard, they don’t get much bigger than this.”
ENGLAND: Seaman (Arsenal), Neville (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Ferdinand (Leeds United), Campbell (Arsenal), Gerrard (Liverpool) (Hargreaves, Bayern Munich 78), Beckham (Manchester United), Scholes (Manchester United) (Carragher, Liverpool 83), Heskey (Liverpool), Owen (Liverpool), Barmby (Liverpool) (McManaman, Real Madrid 65). Subs not used: Southgate, Martyn, Fowler, Andy Cole.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Olympic Day.

Salam, good day. Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council in collaboration with Youth and Sports Department celebrate an Olympic Day to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on 23 June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris. The goal was to promote participation in sport across the globe regardless of age, gender or athletic ability. To mark the day, this morning an Olympic Day Run was held at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium. His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, The President of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council has consented to joined more than 1,000 participants this morning and also consents to launch the event. Accompanying His Royal Highness were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul 'Aleem. Also present were the Cabinet Ministers, Senior Govenrment Officials as well as the students:)


HRH has joined the 50 years (and above) 5km category.


Girls 15 years old (and below) 5km category.

The special needs was there as well.

This is the 'heavyweight' category, 10km open.

Hello dear, I ain't got any prize!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Never again.

Salam, good day. Yesterday we would consider our (my wife and I) very bad day. We just could not believe that we had forgotten our daughter Zahra' 6th birthday according to the islamic calendar which is on the 14 Jamadilakhir (which falls on the 28 Mei 2010). Meaning that we were 17 days late to celebrate her birthday anniversary (oh my...isn't that bad?). However we bought her small chocholate cake and we are so happy to see her smile last evening. We love you dear:)
Zahra' (L), Sa'adah (C) and Abdul Aziz (R)

Monday, June 14, 2010

Exciting start.

Salam, good day. It was an exciting start to the World Cup in terms of the tactical play, but very poor goal scoring record so far. According to the statistics before the match between Germany against Australia, the average goals scored was only 1.33 goal per match which is less interesting. However the South Korea and Germany have shown the most outstanding perfomance so far, which is very good. Out of 10, I would like to give credit 7 to this exciting early matches and I can't wait for more. In the meantime, I am very pleased to know that local TV viewers rather choose RTB2 than other TV channels to watch the live matches and the RTB3 High Definition was an instant hit as well. This is a very good sign for RTB and also should move forward to be more creative and competitive to attract more local TV viewers. As I've said earlier, I can't wait for more cracking matches to come:)

Scene at RTB studio prior to the live Fifa World Cup match.
Photo above shows the floor-manager on his routine check.
Sound/Audio crew

One of the producer

The script editor

The pundit (L) as well as the presenter (R)
(Images by bruneidaily)

Friday, June 11, 2010

After four years waiting.

Salam, good day. After four hard years! Later this evening local football fans will have the opportunity to watch the FIFA World Cup 2010 live on RTB 2. RTB has signed the sub-licence Media Rights Agreement for FIFA World Cup 2010 with Kristal Astro Sdn Bhd which was held recently.
I'm sure such cooperation between RTB and Kristal Astro would benefit all viewers nationwide mainly for whom does not have their Kristal Astro decorder (including myself).
RTB is to air all the 64 matches on RTB 2 as the main channel and RTB 3 for those who wish to watch in HD (High definition) format. *which is very good*
Beside that, the state's television also provides RTB 1 as an alternative channel to broadcast eight matches. There will be four live telecast matches and four delayed telecast matches. Most of the matches will be held at three different times daily from 7.30pm, 10pm, and 2.30am.
RTB sports production teams (also, including myself) now has shifted to fifth gear to cater the viewers through out the country:)

Getty Images

Steven Beacom: Captain Marvel and the Fantastic Four
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/
Just Bobby Moore. He’s the only one to have lifted it. Others, before him and after, tried and failed.

Billy Wright, Johnny Haynes, Mick Mills, Bryan Robson, Peter Shilton, Terry Butcher, Alan Shearer and David Beckham.

Some of the biggest names in English football. All captains of their country at a World Cup and not a medal between them.

Steven Gerrard does not want to be added to that list.

Looking as determined and as focused as I’ve ever seen him on national team duty, he’s saying England are in South Africa to bring the trophy home.
No messing about, a bit like the way he plays.

At his best Stevie G is an all-action hero. For Liverpool over the past decade he’s been Superman, Batman and Spiderman rolled into one. Fighting danger for his beloved Reds and performing miraculous deeds. At times the only thing missing was a cape.

It hasn’t exactly been the same story when he’s been wearing the white of England, but his country desperately needs him to be captain marvel now.

Gerrard seems like a reluctant skipper for England.

He’s certainly not one to guard the honour with his life like, say Beckham did.

That’s maybe not surprising given that he was a distant third choice for Fabio Capello until Rio Ferdinand’s injury added to John Terry’s insulting behaviour and left Gerrard holding the armband.

But in his own often understated way marching out in front of his team-mates tomorrow in England’s first World Cup match against the USA will mean a lot to the boy brought up on the streets and parks of Huyton on Merseyside.

At Liverpool Gerrard has always been one to lead by example. Actions rather that words have inspired.

He will become more vocal in South Africa, but it will still be what he does rather than says which will be more important.

Gerrard has played 80 times for his country, scoring 16 goals, yet it’s difficult to pick out many matches in which he has completely dominated the way he has done on countless occasions for Liverpool.

This is a guy who virtually won Champions League finals and FA Cup finals on his own, but at international level his career hasn’t got close to those dizzy heights.

He’s been good, without being great, with too many managers not knowing where his best position is.

For the start of the tournament Capello should stick him in the centre of midfield, yes with Frank Lampard, and as the tougher tests come in the knockout stages he should play just behind Wayne Rooney in what would be a devastating double act.

For me the two gifted scousers, along with the solidity of Terry, skill of Joe Cole and speed of Aaron Lennon, can take England close to repeating the feats of captain Moore and his 1966 vintage. I’m not sure that Gerrard will play in another World Cup, so this is his time, his moment to prove that he can shine on the biggest stage of all.

He’s just come off the back of a horrid campaign with Liverpool and his future at Anfield remains unclear with Real Madrid ready to pounce.

For once, though, Liverpool has been placed at the back of his mind.

It’s all about England now.

His country will feel thebenefit.
(Steven Beacom: Captain Marvel and the Fantastic Four)
Read more:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

The Queen's Baton is in town.

Salam, good day. This morning Brunei Darussalam has welcome the Queen's Baton with a relay run passed through various historical landmarks in the capital such as Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Bubongan Dua Belas to name a few, but also through various roads such as Jalan Mc Arthur and Jalan Residency which synonymous to the Commonwealth. For myself, I'm proud to be part of the run:)
(Pictures by bruneidaily in chronological order)
HE The High Commisioner of Bangladesh with his teams
The Pakistan High Commisioner teams at Residency Bridge

This group represents 'the land down under' lead by HE The High Commisioner

2nd runner-up for the best hairdress

1st runner-up

Both of them won the Best hairdress award!

The Queen's Baton at Budiman Walk

Alka Lamba all the way from India (representative of the organising commitee) during her speech

Proud parents to see their kids involved and she is 'from the land down under' as well

The last runner handed over the baton to HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah

Friday, June 4, 2010

Muchas gracias seƱor Rafael.

Salam, good day. Mr.Rafael Benitez has ended his tenure as the Manager of Liverpool after almost seven years in charge. He joined the Merseysiders from Valencia in 2004 and has successfully brought in the likes of Xavi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger and the most notable Fernando Torres. Although he was consider as one of the most successful gaffer in Europe, however Mr.Rafa unable to transform their european form into the domestic competitions. Mr.Rafa will always be remembered when he guided Liverpool to clinch the European Champions League at Istanbul in 2005 and brought The Reds to final of the same tournament the following year. He also went closed to win English Premier League with Liverpool last season when they finished runner-up behind Manchester United. Adios Anfield:)

Our recent Miri trip. Prior to diving!

Better not to choose the 7th floor at this hotel, the so called 'roof-view'.

Zahra' took this picture *well done dear*

Dessert means 'always' for Sa'adah

Utilising the fast internet connection to watch 'Upin & Ipin'

Semester Break!

Assalamualaikum, good day everyone! Of late I've been busy juggling between work and study whilst also supervising them kids e-learning ...