The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion
The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion |
| Six-pointer encounters from Mersey to North London Posted: 06 Feb 2014 02:53 PM PST
The top billing for the weekend is not one but two critical matches that coincidentally are Mersey-North London battles. The more famous of these two battles though will be fought in the city of Liverpool as the Reds host the Gunners (Saturday, 8.45pm). For the Arsenal, the trip to Anfield is perhaps the start of the most difficult scheduled two-month period in history. The loss of Aaron Ramsey (injury) and Mathieu Flamini (suspension) is diminished in cruciality as Liverpool will be missing their midfield lynchpin Lucas Leiva. The comfortable 2-0 home win back in November would not surprise anyone this time around, especially if Brendan Rogers insists on continuing his midfield experimentation. Playing three up front against an away side adept at counter-attacking with pace is not always a recipe for success. The strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are devastating. However, Arsenal have no real reason to fear them. After all, the Gunners' defence are the only ones in the English Premier League to have successfully kept a clean-sheet against this prolific striking duo this season. That is, the only one out of 11 matches that Suarez and Sturridge played together this season. The partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker at the heart of the Arsenal defence is as steady as ever. They even recently achieved the unique record of going over two years without having lost a single EPL match when partnering each other at the back (for a full 90 minutes, sending offs and substitutions notwithstanding). It would be vital for Brendan Rogers to emphasise stretching out play – forcing fullbacks Nacho Monreal and Bacary Sagna into one-on-one situations with Raheem Sterling and Sturridge, which allows Suarez the space to operate between the two Arsenal holding midfielders and both central defenders. Attacking the second ball will be key and one would hope Steven Gerrard finds himself in a position to attack these opportunities, if and when they crop up. His devastating shooting ability from distance could very well make the difference in this fixture – if Liverpool manage to stop the goals from leaking in at the other end, that is. Six goals conceded in the last four Premier League matches for Brendan Rogers's men (albeit with the caveat of 12 goals scored) is concerning chiefly because the goals came against mid-table sides involved in a massive relegation battle. In summary, individual errors have to be minimised if Liverpool are to hold out against an organised Arsenal onslaught. In the reverse North London-Mersey encounter this weekend (Sunday, 9.30pm), my thoughts are if this is a do or die tie for Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in their quest for the 4th spot in the Premier League? There may still be three more months of football to go, but this is a game Spurs must win. A game that could prove pivotal to the future of the club after all the investment made. Unfortunately, circumstances count for nought as Tim Sherwood is in charge and will take responsibility, as much as it would be unfair, if results go south. The game of football at White Hart Lane will be exciting, an offensive 4-4-2 lining up against a ball playing 4-2-3-1, but the result has to favour Spurs or another team from the city of Liverpool will be in the driver's seat for the much coveted ticket into UEFA Champions League qualification. Looking beyond the lucrative top-four race, at the overall league table, we can see that the top nine has practically been decided and there are now 11 teams battling to avoid relegation. A mere five points separates Aston Villa in 10th and West Ham United in 18th. And why, you might ask, is the situation so tight at the bottom? Well, it is because owners have been brave in making managerial changes. Yes, three clubs will still go down but sure as hell, it will be one mighty battle. On the subject of battles, even wilting West Ham United have woken up. So, hats off to the owners for making brave decisions, with Michael Laudrup being the latest manager to be shown the door. Hopefully, Swansea City will make the right choice in appointing Laudrup's successor as their brand of football has been refreshing despite having Jonjo Shelvey in their side. Seven managers have been shown the door during this season alone, and six of the seven teams they departed from are involved in a relegation-dogfight for the rest of the season. The Premier League may be lacking in some aspects, but drama and narrative is never one of them. – February 7, 2014. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider. | |
| Get that RM1,200, Teresa Kok! – Zan Azlee Posted: 06 Feb 2014 02:43 PM PST
Time and time again I have said it. Malaysians have no appreciation for satire, sarcasm and humour. And that is just so laughable that it just is not funny. Everyone is now familiar with the parodic Chinese New Year video produced by Teresa Kok, the DAP MP for Seputeh, and her team. I was very amused by the video and found it hilarious, and quite true too (my Cantonese is atrociously mediocre, but I think I got a bit of the nuances!). Okay, fine. I can accept the fact that not everyone would understand the video and that many might even be offended by it. That is okay. These people have all the right and freedom to oppose and object to the video. They can write articles, make statements, or even hold peaceful protests. Heck! I think the best way would be to actually produce another video to mock or even oppose the video by Teresa Kok and her team. But then a group of so-called Muslim NGOs came out to prove my thought that Malaysians do not seem to have the intellectual capability to comprehend satire. By offering a cash reward to commit violence (RM1,200 for anyone who slaps Teresa Kok and provide photographic evidence) cannot be very Islamic. One of the most common phrases in Islam is "Bismillahirahmanirahim", which means "In the name of God, the most compassionate and most merciful". That in itself proves that the basis of Islam is about compassion and mercy. And wait a minute! What does "Islam" mean? I think it actually means "peace"! I am sure that this group, which goes by the name The Council of Islamic NGOs, must be very proud that they are encouraging violence in the name of religion. But I think I have a suggestion for Teresa Kok to turn the tables around and play another joke. This time at the expense of this so-called Islamic council. Now hear me out. Their leader, Zulkfli Sharif, has declared publicly that this offer of money to slap Teresa Kok is open to all Malaysians. So how about Teresa Kok organise a group of underprivileged people to gather and get them each to slap her in the face (lightly!) and take pictures. Then they can all go and claim their reward. But they better bring their MyKad to prove your citizenship (make sure you know the words to "Negaraku" as well!). I have got a still camera and a video camera. So if you need my help for that photographic evidence, just give me a buzz. I will be willing to offer my time. – February 7, 2014. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider. |
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