Match in Mind 11, by Shadiq A-H. Free of charge.
Uzbekistan 1-0 Singapore
FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifiers - Asian Qualifying 3rd Round
7/6/08
5.00pm
MHSK Stadium, Uzbekistan
Intro: MiMs are back, after EPL, A Div and so on ended. Could have done one on the European Champions' League final, but was tired after a hockey match and just didnt feel like it after a hugely disappointing hockey tournament. Could have done a few on the recent international friendlies, but didnt feel like it either. And (refer tagboard) I did say Euro 08 was starting and it meant MiMs. But this was not an EURO 08 match, if u're still wondering how S'pore is European. Hey maybe it is... (Some of u will get that little joke. Rest of u, can ask me if u want.)
Tactics: Both teams started with a 4-4-2. Basic 4-4-2, except Uzbekistan had their RM, Maksim Shatskikh, joining the 2 strikers whenever possible. Singapore had their LM, Khairul Amri, join their 2 strikers whenever possible. So, very similar. Uzbekistan made a tactical change halfway through the first half by bringing on Timur Kapadze, a CAM, to make it a 3-5-2. So, not very similar.
My Man of the Match: Daniel Bennett (S'pore). Did that statement sound funny? (Again, the same some of u will get why it may have been funny. But guys, no joke lah. I respect this guy. Looks like a real professional.) Was steady at LB, although he had Maksim Shatskikh to mark. I can safely say he was back to his usual, after how he, with e rest of e S'pore defence, made so many mistakes in their previous match. he was back to his usual, reliable, safety-first LB.
“What the..?”: U know what, i cant think of any such moments during e match. But, one such moment may be.. Why did this guy watch this match, and mim on it, when euro was starting right after it?! he should have watched e 1st euro match and mimmed it instead!.. Some of u might be thinking that right now. But hey, S'pore soccer is cool. Well, but is S'pore soccer really S'pore soccer? Cant help it but say that. (Again, some of u will get it.) But yes, S'pore soccer is interesting too. And e S'porean ST is quite good too, that Aleksandar Duric. Cant help it cant help it! (Again, those of u.)
Commentator’s memorable quotes: Dez Corkhill was commentating. Got a few quotes. "Lionel Lewis wouldn't need reminding of how Server Djeparov scored direct from a corner in the previous match", "S'pore would be very happy if all Uzbekistan do is take shots from 25m out today" - Corkhill. Didn't get that many quotes i guess.
Implications/Expectations: Uzbekistan are through to Asian Qualifying 4th round. And looking at how they play, i'm not surprised. Depending on the result of the other match in this group today which has not started yet, Lebanon vs Saudi Arabia, S'pore will know if they still have a chance to qualify for the next round of qualification. Hmm. So, good luck Uzbekistan. S'pore too. Or is it S'pore.. okay i'll stop. (haha guys. sorry lah cant help it.)
So, classmates, enjoy ur hols. Don't study too much. If u want to know what I did today, I spent 2 hours tracing down how the song that Liverpool fans sing for Fernando Torres came about. Yes, 2 hours. if u're a liverpool fan and don't know the song, go and hear it. adapted from an American civil war song called When Johnny Came Marching Home. Johnny?
