FA CUP FINAL: Chelsea 1 – Man Utd 0

I’m speechless, so disappointed, depressed. The Double dream has been shattered.

The goal came in at time when United were controlling the tempo, starting to create moves that is United football, and out of a sudden there was this double substitution for Giggs and Carrick. I thought Carrick was alright in the midfield, breaking up plays and produced some good long passes although he didn’t have one of his best day, and Giggs was still making play, creating spaces for himself, although he probably should’ve done better from that Rooney pass from the right wing –even with his scuffed effort, the ball was clearly over the line, and with the referee giving a goal kick to Chelsea, it was just wrong; if the referee thought Giggs’ motion might’ve pushed Cech who already was holding the ball, he should’ve given Chelsea a free kick –.

It was a final with all the high anticipation of the new Wembley stadium –which does look awesome, except for the pitch condition– and the meeting of a newly crowned Premiership champion in Manchester United and a team that look to lost it all, including their overly irritating coach, Mourinho in Chelsea. The game itself though is left to be desired as the first half was literally walking pace and both teams were cautious. The second half produced better pace, especially withArjen Robben coming in for Joe Cole, and with Man U later introducing Alan Smith, United started to get back to their flowing football. In general though, the final reminded me of the 2005 Final where United were dominating the game against a Thierry Henry-less Arsenal team, only to fail to break their defence and lost in penalties.

As sour as the season might’ve ended for United though with this FA Cup Final loss, we should be proud enough that Chelsea’s arrogance is finally broken. Winning both FA Cup and League Cup might be some sort of double for any team, but winning back the Premiership with the best attractive football is probably a much greater achievement for Manchester United, and according to Sir Alex, United has done football a favor by taking the crown back from Chelsea! Ouchh, eat it Jose!!

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!

Oh yeah!! Manchester United is the 2006/2007 Barclays English Premier League Champions!!! With Chelsea drawing 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium, United’s lead at 7 points with 2 games remaining has confirmed the end of Chelsea’s bid for a three peat. It’s the astonishing record 9th Premiership crown for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in the last 15 years he’s taking charge at the club. No none is even near this record, and with United crowned the king again after a 4 years absence –the last Premiership title was in 2003 when they completed the three peats– signals the beginning of another golden era for Ferguson’s team with the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Vidic, Ferdinand, Carrick, O’Shea and the influential old guards as Giggsy, Scholesy, and Neville, along with van der Sar providing the vital experience for blending with the exuberance of youth. This is one of the best ever runs for the Premiership and every bit of the game that I’ve supported this season worth it. It was a magnificent season, and we truly deserve it. Congratulations to Sir Alex, every member of the Manchester United teams, to everyone associated with Manchester United, and to every fellow supporters!!! We’ve done it!!!

MAN CITY 0 – MAN UTD 1

VAN DER SAR!!!!!

No doubt it might go down as the league clinching penalty –although if you look at the replay it was never a penalty!! I guess the referee awarded it as a result of pressure from the fans and some comments on United’s penalty “rule”. The good thing though is that is there’s any sign that Mourinho will eat his own words, this will be the season. Yes, United finally was given a penalty against, but oh Mr. Jose, it still doesn’t work. We just don’t accept punishment that we don’t deserve.

The game was a typical English game, lots of tackles, and Michael Ball should be praying thanks to God for not being sent off on his cheap stamping on Ronaldo’s body early in the game. I just don’t understand why he’s shaking his head on the penalty given against him, it was an OBVIOUS ill-timed tackle on Ronaldo. Thumbs up for Ronaldo on converting the penalty flawlessly for his 50th goal for United, sending the goalie to the wrong corner and convincingly smashing the ball to the low corner.

At the end, United deserves to win, they dominated possessions, they took a lead, hang on to it, and City was never able to create any penetration thanks to a solid performance from the returning Vidic-Ferdinand partnership. We are getting so close now, and by tomorrow’s night, United might be back to where they belong if Chelsea didn’t came out of the Emirates Stadium with anything other than a win against Arsene Wenger’s team.

OH YEAH!!!

It’s Disapponting, but …

The dream of Treble has long gone since the chilly night at San Siro that crushed United’s dream with a 3-0 loss to AC Milan. It was a disappointing night, especially the way the match folded, high expectations, confident, Manchester-like weather, but the worst of all started to glimpse when Seedorf shot a brilliant thundering drive only for van der Sar to superbly tipped it over the bar no less than only 5 minutes after the referee blow the kick-off whistle. United never find a way to find their rhythm with Gattuso is at the heart of disrupting all United’s movement, especially each time Ronaldo gets the ball, it was closed down first by Gattuso before Oddo waiting at the 2nd level.

I guess what really disappointing for me to see was that why would Ferguson played Vidic after he missed out 8 matches in a row and sit Alan Smith in the bench while he would be perfect to combat Gattuso’s aggressiveness in midfield. Fergie could’ve played Brown and O’Shea in the middle with Heinze and Fletcher at the flanks. It was even more depressing to see Saha came in in the 70th minute and did nothing which I expected as I can see his face is full of nothing but pressure. It was really disappointing especially considering how the first leg was classically won by the brilliance of Rooney.

At the end of the day though, as a football fan, I must come to realize that no team can win everything, and Manchester United, with the squad that they have, and the injuries that they suffered towards the end of this campaign, have done superbly to be still at this stage, challenging two out of three major trophies. It was disappointing, but United can build on this European semifinal appearance for next year, adding probably Hargreaves and one other big-name striker, and I know I’ll be supporting them more than ever.

For now, Manchester City, and we’ve got back the Premiership!!! One game at a time, and God knows the Double is still ahead of us!!! Go, Man U!!!

It’s Gettin’ Closer!!!

It was an amazing night at Goodison Park, trailing 0-2, Manchester United came back in style wrapping up the match at 4-2. As Sir Alex Ferguson indicated, perseverance is a great attribute, and that was what this United team were able to live up to. It’s Ferguson’s team, and they’re fighting ’till the end.

Trailing 0-2 going into the 51st minute, United were able to keep the composure, unlike last week when they met Middlesbrough, United kept attacking and playing the flowing United way, although with Everton putting up a solid defense before their young Scot -Iain Turner, in for the ineligible Tim Howard– dropped a Giggs’ inswinging corner, and slotted coolly by O’Shea for yet another crucial away goals from the Irishman. From then on, United looked confidence for a comeback, and not too long after Ronaldo was introduced –kept due to small knock that he was carrying– his header forced Phil Neville, a former United stalwart, to conceded an own goal, and it was 2-2!!

Rooney’s goal was marvellous, and it just showed how much talent this kid has. If he were able to put up this type of consistency that he has shown in the last couple of weeks, there’s no doubt United will be a great force in the coming years with Ronaldo partnering him. The best part is definitely Chris Eagles’ icing on the cake on the 93rd minute, as he came in for Solskjaer –his first Premiership appearance in 3 years — and bent a brilliant goal. The celebrations was wild, and with Chelsea drawing 2-2 at home to Bolton (amidst leading up 2-1 at the time when United was 0-2 down), it suggests the Russian domination is coming to an end –and more importantly, and end to non-sense talks that Mourinho kept putting up. It’s gettin’ closer, fight on lads!!!

ROOOOONEY !!!

In a night that was meant for Ronaldo and Kaka to shine, it was Rooney that rose to the occasion. Two brilliant goals, especially the match winning injury time goal, showed that amidst the inconsistency throughout the year, this kid has special talent, special determination, a battling perseverance that no other kid has. It’s no wonder that Sir Alex included him as one of the greatest players he ever had –considering Rooney has only won a League Cup with United.

Back to the game, it was a night of passion, uncertainty, and character in good spirit and fair play at the highest level from both teams. Professionals at the utmost, combined by harmony between Milanese and the Mancunian makes this affair a totally different one with that of AS Roma ties. The end result, if you were to ask me before the game started, wouldn’t be that ‘fantastic’, BUT if you were into the game from the first minute ’till the end, United fans should be singing all night long for the 3-2 win against the much-decorated and disciplined AC Milan team in this first leg of 2007 UEFA Champions’ League Semifinal. Had Gattuso, a player that United has linked with for many occasions in the past- survived his own ultra combativeness style that force the foot injury on him, I would thought that Milan might be able to break the flow of United’s midfield. Having said that though, with Scholes pushing upward and Fletcher taking over the midfield, United were able to keep pressuring Milan and created chances.

Man-of-the-Match: No doubt, Rooney was the key, his two goals turned the pressure on Milan to open up the game next week in San Siro. Fletcher deserves credit for his battling performance in the midfield during the second half, and Giggs/Scholes for their assists in each of the goal. Ronaldo, although having quite a quiet night by his own standards, deserves credit for the early header that forced Dida to concede an own goal –and it turned set the tone for the night.

Sing Manchester United fans, we’re still up for the Treble!!! Up next, Everton!!!

UEFA Champions’ League Semifinal: MAN UTD vs AC MILAN

Manchester United, in a few hours time, will kick-off their pursuit of a double Treble, against another team of my boyhood, AC Milan at Old Trafford, in what to be billed as youth versus their masters. 10 European finals appereances are what AC Milan has accomplished in their decorated history, winning 6 or 7 of them in the process, although the last lost to Liverpool in Istanbul a couple of years ago is something that’s not so pleasant to be looked at even after years have passed by. In a pale comparison, United has only managed two European Cup finals, winning it in 1968 and of course the Treble year in 1999 –which I remembered vividly how the magic of Solskjaer has turned the misery on the German team.

There are three survivors on United’s team tonight from that great 1999 team, being the ever-green Giggs, Scholes, and Wes Brown –Gary Neville (still out due to injury) is the other one. AC Milan, last won in 2003, coincidentally at Old Trafford, still carries the majority of that team including Gattuso, Pirlo, Dida, Kaladze, and of course one of my all time greats, Paolo Maldini.

It’ll be an interesting to game watch, however, there’s no doubt that I’ll be supporting Manchester United. Milan was great, but this United team I thought has something special in the making, something that’s so strong that Sir Alex’s team has been missing these last years, that is, togetherness and ability to pull out something when the going get tough.

MINDCUBES‘ CORNERKICK: Ferguson will likely play with 4-3-1-2 with Giggs playing just behind Rooney and Smith and Ronaldo attacking from wings supported by Carrick and Scholes (returned from suspension) in the middle of the park. Evra, if fit will likely take the left full-back with Heinze playing in the center covering the injured Ferdinand. It’ll be interesting to see whether Ferguson will risk O’Shea who’s not fully fit and play Fletcher on the right back, but my guess is that O’Shea will start considering Kaka and Seedorf who could attack from anywher in the midfield. It’ll be a tight game, with Milan playing possesion game and waiting for United to open up, but I just thought United, coming from a disappointing 1-1 draw with Boro and with Ronaldo claiming PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year (for only the second player to do so, being the last one is 30 years ago), will be strongly motivated and with 76000 crowds behind, it’ll be one step slower for the aging Milan backfield. United will come out on top, although they must be on their best nights to avoid any away goal conceded. MAN UTD 2 – AC MILAN 0

Newcastle 0 – Chelsea 0

I can’t be happier with the result!   Full credit to the Newcastle team who was disciplined at the back throughout the game, and the kid Carroll could’ve made it a day to forget for Chelsea.  Joe Cole almost snatched a winner though for Chelsea at the 93rd minute.

Manchester United got a break from this result, and we’re back at 3 points advantage.  With two matches before Man U meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, United will be visiting Everton and Manchester City (where they haven’t won in the last couple of years), while Chelsea will be playing home to Bolton and away to Emirates Stadium, oh yeah Arsenal!!

Both teams’ schedules are tricky, on paper it might look that Chelsea’s schedule is tougher considering the visit to Arsenal, however, I guess 3 away games in successions for United, i.e. Goodison Park, City of Manchester Stadium, and San Siro Milan, before these two sides meet at Stamford Bridge might require a brilliant tactical planning from Sir Alex, considering the mounting injuries that we have.

Fight on, United!!

FA CUP Semifinal: WATFORD vs. MAN UTD

In an hour time, Manchester United will face Watford for a place in the 2007 FA Cup Final at the historic new Wembley stadium. The morale is high after a 7-1 thrashing of the Italian side Roma during the mid-week, while Watford is coming-off an impressive 4-2 victory over Portsmouth, who beat United 2-1 last week in a game where nothing was right for United.

Watford’s best player, their Man Utd’s on-loan goalie, Ben Foster will miss this game due to Premiership rule that doesn’t allow a player to play against his parent club — a rule that I supported wholly especially when looking at what Fernando Morientes did to his own club, Real Madrid while he was on loan at Monaco. United themselves, will be again without Saha –who’s still not yet fit for this match, Gary Neville –who faces another week on the sidelines, and the latest injury victim, John O’Shea who picked up a calf knock early in the second half on the game against Roma.

Man Utd will likely play with 4-4-2 or rather more of 4-2-3-1 with Giggs in a withdrawn role to support Alan Smith upfront and with Rooney lurking in slightly from the left side of the field. Scholes is expected to start, mainly due to his enermous exprience in the FA Cup –although Fletcher’s performance in midweek might suggest differently. Evra will most likely come in for O’Shea at right-back, while Heinze, Brown, and Ferdinand will continue their defensive partnership.

MINDCUBES’ CORNERKICK: Although Watford might try to produce the biggest headline story this year, I thought they might just end up putting too much pressure on themselves. If Man Utd managed to get a goal in the first 20 minutes, it’s all over for Watford, BUT if Watford can pull one in in the first quarter of the game, I think they might have a good chance of making the history –by disrupting United’s flowing rhythm. The confidence though is very high for United, and I just don’t believe they will let this slip-up. Alan Smith will get another chance for another headline, and he will surely take it. WATFORD 0 – MANCHESTER UNITED 4

I Sette Magnifici

The picture says it all … the magnificent seven!!

It’s been a few days since the magnificent seven goals “best-ever” European performance that Sir Alex’s team has ever produces –according to the man himself — and I’m still feeling the euphoria, this awesome feeling knowing that this team has character, this team is hungry, this team has the togetherness that when everything just seems not right for whatever reason, we’re all standing together, re-group, and pull one back –a big one that make everyone else looking at us in great awe –with respect.

4 assists from captain marvel Giggs, two amazing goals from Carrick, the determination and relentless performance from Alan Smith –his first European starts since his horrified broken leg injury more than year ago — that ignites the stadium, the scintillating performance from Cristiano Ronaldo, a compose and confidence back-line inspired by the energetic Heinze, and the list could go on and on … this was truly the best ever performance that I’ve seen from all the United teams that I’ve watched growing up.

Brilliant lads!!  … and Old Trafford was singing and dancing all night long !!