The one where its been a while

Hello all. How do? Happy fasting to the Muslim community.

Guess its been a while since I wrote something here. Surprised I still remember my password.

So whats new? Well, now I'm coming into 3 months at my new gig. So far so good, doing what I used to do when I started my career.

Aidan is growing right before my eyes. Its a joy to see him grow and watch him reach new milestones everyday. He will be 11 months next Sunday. And when I look back at his photos, he has grown so much.

Earlier this month, me and the Mrs celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary.

Also, just bought the new Spurs jerseys for next season. Yup, I bought both home and away jerseys, and boy do they look sexy.

 aidan at 10 months

 celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary

the new spurs jerseys for the upcoming season

The one with another disastrous futsal tournament

Last Saturday 14th April 2012 was the 2nd edition of the EPL supporters club futsal tournament. It was bigger then the last tournament with a total of 12 teams. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle all sent 2 teams while Manchester City and Spurs sent 1 team.

Prior to the tournament we didn't really prepare well. All attempts for centralized training was met with lukewarm response and injuries. With that, I came into the tournament with zero expectations. And how wrong I was. I didnt know we were suppose to win the whole shindig. The best part was the players who never turn up for training are the ones demanding a win. 

First I'll get to the results. We drew our first game against Chelsea B 0-0 and I didn't see any playing time in that one. Next we lost to Man Utd A 2-3. I came in after half-time and we were already 2-down at that point. I came in and help stabilize the defence (sometimes you just need big guys at the back). I also got yellow-carded in that game. I was carded because I ran over a very small Man Utd player which I didn't see when going for a high ball. Funny call but it was against Man Utd. Craig pulled us level with 2 quick goals. Then disaster happened. I under hit a pass forward which was intercepted by a Man Utd player and I was caught out with a quick 1-2 counter. I was blamed for that goal which I owned up too. But the rest didn't accepted it. They claim that I should have been subbed because I was 'tired'. Well that was suppose to be their call on who comes in and out. My number wasn't called so I carried on. With that I knew I was going to be benched for the rest of the tournament. I missed our next 2 games, a 2-1 win over Arsenal A with goals from Leonard and Conrad and a 1-3 loss to Liverpool A with Conrad scoring our lone goal. We were already eliminated from the semis before our last game against Newcastle B. I was asked to start because there was nothing to play for. Due to be out cold, I wasn't ready for the game and made 2 early errors which lead to their goals in the first 3 minutes or so. Everyone was making me the scapegoat and then I had it. I walked out on the team, asked someone else to replace me. We lost 1-3 with Shahrul getting our goal. I didn't say goodbye to the team and walked back home straight after the game. The tournament was just across the road from my in-laws place so I decided to just walk to the tournament venue.

So i just played less then 8 minutes in the tournament from a total of 50 minutes playing time. Only played in 2 games while I was benched for the other 3. I didn't appreciate being made the scapegoat for the losses in which I played a part in. We didn't even prepare as a team. What do you expect? You think we can win by just showing up? Even Barcelona don't win without any preparation. With that I officially quit the team (like I was needed anyway). I will not make myself available for any future Spurs Malaysia futsal teams. 

A frustrating tournament and also a wasted weekend.

The one with the evening with Gary Mabbutt

On Tuesday, 27th March 2012, was a memorable occasion for the Spurs Malaysia fans. We had the opportunity to sit down, chat and dine with our legendary captain during the late 80s to 90s, Gary Mabbutt. The event was held at Seri Pacific here in Kuala Lumpur.

When he arrived, he was greeted with rapturous applause from all of us. It was my first experience seeing a Spurs legend up close. I had goosebumps and didn't know what to do with my hands but clap.

He shared his experiences and stories from his playing days as well as his opinions on the current Spurs squad.

When asked about the current squad, his believes it can go places, and he also says that if Harry Redknapp wants the England job, then the team should let him pursue his dream. As for who could replace him, he had 3 names - Carlo Ancelotti, Jurgen Klinsmann and Guss Hiddink. He felt British names like David Moyes and Brendan Rodgers could be within a shout for the Spurs managerial post should Harry leave.

Gary also shared the work footballers do during the off-season. While a majority of players will make the headlines for the wrong reasons, footballers actually do a lot of community work. He talked about the charities and community work done by the club in Africa.

Gary also shared about his playing experiences. Who were his toughest opponents and such. He always wanted to play fair. He wasn't the "out-to-break-your-legs" type of defender. He always won the ball fairly. And how the current Spurs team could use a defender like him now to stabilize the squad. He was also the last captain to lift the FA Cup back in 1991. It was one of his proudest moments in his career.

There were topics we avoided asking, but Gary talked about it anyway. He talked about his own-goal in the 1987 FA Cup final. And how he became on of Coventry's influential people in their history as well as getting meals for free there for life. The other topic was Paul Gascoigne. His life story is well documented and Gary said its good to see Paul try to get his life back together.

The evening ended with an autograph session. And I didn't bring anything for him to sign. So I only got his autograph on the invitation card. I admit I was star-struck the whole evening and even when we chatted during the autograph signing, I was at lost for words. It's not everyday a Spurs legend comes to town.

The one with the year that was 2011

Happy 2012 people. May the new year bring you health and happiness.
Planning to post a review of my 2011. No outline of how I'm going to write this, so I'll just write as I go along.
First the main highlight of the year. The birth of my son, Aidan Danial. He came to this world on 5th September 2011 at 6.06pm. He came in weighing in at 2.65kg and 47cm in length. He will be 4 months in a couple of days, and the last check-up before Christmas he weighed 6.1kg and grew to 60cm in length.
On the sporting front, this year was the first year I decided to keep track of my stats in futsal and basketball. Yes, after all these years of playing and I've only decided to keep track of my stats when I'm past my prime.
In futsal I played a total of 64 games (eat your heart out you overpaid-footballers-who-say-you-play-too-many-games). In those 64 games, I racked up 108 goals and 112 assists, averaging 1.7 goals and 1.8 assists a game.
I've participated in 2 futsal tournaments. The KHR-organized tournament was ill-fated but the EPL supporters club fared better for me.
In basketball I've made 32 appearances and averaged 7.1 points, 15.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 2 steals a game.
While I didn't keep track of my tennis stats, I did feel this was the year I improved. I felt I stalled in 2010, but think I got it together in 2011. It might not be on Roger Federer's level, but enough for me to enjoy the game.
Career wise, this year was a lost and wasted year. Nuff said.
For my beloved Spurs, 2011 was a roller coaster with plenty of ups and downs. Among the highlights was reaching the Elite-8 of the Champions League and being 3rd in the league going into 2012. The low-points was missing out of the Champions League as well as too-many dropped points in games where we should be winning especially when our rivals have lost. My player of 2011 is Luka Modric, followed closely by Gareth Bale.
A lesson I learned in 2011 was finding out who my friends are. And this was a majority of friends from when I was working in the treasury line. It seems after I left the line, I was discarded and cast aside. Only one person from the line remained a true friend. The rest, just choose to forget me. It was obvious they only needed me for business relations and nothing else. Even during the days leading to the 'decision' a lot of them called me up, but then stopped calling after I didn't take my talents to the 13th floor.
2011 was a mixed year, with the birth of my son being the highlight. May 2012 be better than 2011.

The one with the new Spurs kit for the 2011/12 season

Another season, another range of kits. I miss the days where kits would last for a couple of seasons or more. Now, we have new range of kits every season. All to generate income for teams.

At last, Spurs have come up with a decent home kit. I've missed every puma home jersey as it did not as I would say 'look great with jeans'. For me I prefer jerseys with collar as it looks more sophisticated.

This season will be our last range under puma before switching to Under Armour next season (why can't we get adidas?). Hopefully UA can come up with decent kits.

The home kit is a clean sleek classic white. And this will be the first home kit I will buy since we were with adidas (I skipped the kappa and previous puma home designs).

For Spurs fans in this part of the world, we have to get our kits online. As the soccer fan base here only know red teams and blue teams. So after calculating on the online store just now, the jersey is 39 pounds and shipping is 13 pounds, 52 pounds in total which roughly translates into RM 260.00. I haven't placed my order yet, as it will only be released in September. I will place my order later.

Heres to a great season ahead.

The one with the derby win

Finally a reason for Spurs fan to rejoice. After 11 years, we have recorded our first win over rivals Arse-nal. A 2-1 win at home, gave fans a lift after the FA Cup exit.
Our first goal, from a youngster making his premiership debut, Danny Rose. After the Arse keeper punch the ball out from a corner, the ball fell nicely into the stride of D-Rose. Most people would just control the ball with their first touch and knock it back into the box. But young Danny decided to whack it into the goal. The whole stadium (as well as those watching on telly) went nuts. A contender for goal of the season. And this was after 10 minutes.
Our second, was a goal by our in-form player, Gareth Bale. A great time to score his first of the season. A tap-in after a defence splitting pass from Jermain Defoe.
Late into the game, our goalkeeper, Gomes kept us in the game with a number of world-class saves.
A game to remember, which I've transfer ed the highlights to my ipod for future viewing.

The one with another season down the drain

Another season has almost come to an end. But as a Spurs fan, it probably has ended. After an impressive start, we ran out on empty again.

Sunday's loss in the FA Cup semi-finals ended all hope of a trophy this year. It was very frustrating losing to a team who are already relegated and couldn't field 11 healthy players on the field. The loss can be attributed to a lot of factors - the ref, the horrendous pitch and our injured list.

Indeed it was a sad day for the Malaysian Spurs forum, everyone was down in the dumps. Some called in sick as they couldn't face work. I for one avoided all new with regards to the games. Even stayed away from the blogs.

Looking back, we started well then lost our way, then found our way again, but the cost during our 'losing our way period' proved very costly.

Our best hope, to finish fourth, but with a tough run-in, I don't see where our next points are coming from. Not sure if the players can lift themselves us for one final push.

Still, I'll always be a Tottenham Hotspur fan till I die.

The one with Spurs and adidas

Recently read news of a potential deal regarding my favourite team and brand. Adidas is in talks with Spurs. Which is very good news for me, being an adidas guy.

Adidas did supply Spurs kit between 1999-2002. After that it was Kappa (who seem to make the jerseys body hugging) and the disastrous Puma. Adidas did provide some nice looking jerseys and it would be nice to actually wear a Spurs jersey which looks good.
Here are the previous adidas kit designs from the historical kits website.

The one with the new Spurs signing

It is a dream for me to play for Spurs ever since I was a little boy growing up.

The one with the new Spurs kit range

Home kit as modeled by Jonathan Woodgate

Away kit as modeled by Luka Modric

Third kit as modeled by Michael Dawson

Goalkeeper kit as modeled by Heurelho Gomes

The one where Spurs won the League Cup

At last something for Spurs fans to celebrate. Our first trophy since 1999, when Ginola roamed freely down the left flank. Sadly the team could not build from that and fell apart and went through numerous managerial changes.
Nine years since we had something to cheer about. And finally 4 months into the Ramos era we've done it. Ramos help instill a sense of self belief in performing more than ourselves. He instilled the winning mentality and the difference is for all to see especially in the final. Had the previous regime still lead the team, Spurs would have folded after going one down. But now the team never gave up and kept fighting. We our new found stamina we lasted the entire game, and the blue side from West London couldn't keep up.
I will spare all the details and highlights of the game. You can catch the goals here. But Spurs fans all over the globe would like to hail our goal scorers, the Count from Bulgaria and the 70s hippie trapped in the 21st century. As well as all the players who just played their hearts from start till finish. And not forgetting, our gaffer Mr Ramos.
Even today at work I just kept going on and on about our win. Then again its not everyday Spurs fans have something to celebrate.