End to a great world cup cup
Posted on | July 12, 2010 | No Comments
I was strictly absent from blogging due to heavy work load. However, I will definitely post my review of the entire cup in the coming days.
Before signing off, hats of to the best team of the tournament Uruguay and best player of the tournament Diego Forlan.
AND VIVA ESPANA!!!! I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER
THE WORLDCUP IS HERE
Posted on | June 11, 2010 | No Comments
It is finally here. I couldn’t wait for the tournament to begun. I just quickly wanted to mention that South Africa scored the first African world cup goal … excellent second half game and I’m surely impressed by both teams. France has a massive uphill task to make it through the first round. Result, South African – Mexica – 1-1
Preacher Vol. 2
Posted on | June 11, 2010 | No Comments
Hands down the best of the series. Just recently I started rereading Garth Ennis’ ultimate masterpiece, The Preacher Vols 1 – 10. I mostly read Preacher in comic book format, an issue here, an issue there, never really got into the series until I was forced to reconsider by a friend who works at Forbidden Planet. I don’t consider myself a graphic novel / comic book reader, but there is definitely some stuff out there that catches my interest.
The Preacher Vol. 2 is by the far the most intensive graphic novel I’ve ever read (with the exception of Palestine). Ennis does a fantastic job blending heaven and hell and everything in between. I’m somewhat a religious person but seriously, I’m open to all forms of arts and literature.
The book picks up exactly where it left off, hence creating an eloquent story flow. It deals with Jesse’s extremely disturbing past and introduces the turbulent theory about the holy grail. My favourite piece in the entire novel was the part where Jesse is captured by his own grandmother, and his daring resurrection and escape. The novel does a brilliant job in introduces new characters, and exploring older ones. Its a book that will not disappoint and you won’t be able to put it down.
It is a highly recommended read, but I honestly suggest that if you want to start reading The Preacher series, be prepared to buy the entire ten volume set, because you just won’t be able to stop.
Next up: Transmetropolitan Vol. 2
The Mighty Germans
Posted on | June 10, 2010 | No Comments
Three time World Cup champions, three time European champions, the Germans are always a contending force. Although the great Beckenbauer has doubts about the new team, but I have faith that the Germans will shine on the world stage as usual. I for one believe that the absence of Michael Ballack might give the youngsters the chance to prove themselves.
I personally never liked their style of play, but no one here can deny the fact that it has always been effective. They just need to play the way their playing and I think they can reach the semis. The only issue I see is that they do lack a certain creativity, but maybe the young players can provide it.
They have a handful of key players who have been effective for their clubs.
Lahm, Marin, Schweinsteigher, Klose, Podolski, and Muller.
The French Squad
Posted on | June 10, 2010 | No Comments
Yes, thats exactly how the French should feel. The only reason they are in the world cup is because of Henry’s handball. I’m furious, pissed off, and heart broken. Titi is one of my all time favourite players and a french icon. His disgusting handball cost Ireland the worldcup.
Anyways, moving on. France is struggling to elect a leader to lead them in the game. They don’t have Zizou to baby sit and rumour is, there is chaos in the French camp. Plus, they have the worst coach in the history of French football.
In order for France to win, they need to stick to a simple formula; Unity. On paper, France has a team bursting with talent. I meam some serious talent.
Key Players:
Thierry Henry: If he quits feeling sorry for himself, he is the most deadliest striker.
Anelka: He has shown decent form for Chelsea, and he is definitely a lethal striker.
Ribery: Exploding talent. He needs to be fit and in form to do damage.
Gourcuff: Extremely talented Bordeaux midfielder. He has been playing well for the club, just needs to transition into the national team.
Sagna: Explosive season for Arsenal. Definitely a key player.
Evra: He is the new captain of the French team (although I feel Henry should be leading). Great season for Man U, lets bring the talent into the national side.
Diaby: Excellent holding midfielder and in my opinion, a perfect person to fill in for Patrick Vieira. Unfortunately, dick head Domenech doesn’t see it that way.
Toulalan: Great midfielder. Talented, intelligent on the pitch.
I can keep going on and on about the French side. Infact almost every name on the final squad list is highly talented. France is going to bow out of the worldcup in embarrassment. However, they will revive under a new coach and be back as a striking force for Euro 2012.
Lets Talk about Spain
Posted on | June 10, 2010 | No Comments
Well, Spain is the No.1 favourite team at the moment. Euro 2008 champions have an extremely talented team. Most of their players are fit, and they possess an explosive midfield and front line. My only worry is their defense. Iker Casillas is a great a keeper, but he hasn’t been in great form as of late. Both Carlos Puyol and Sergio Ramos had a decent season with respective clubs, nothing spectacular. Deep down I want them to win because they deserve it, but being a pessimist, I feel they’ll lose to one of the big teams in the quarter finals.
Their strength lies in scoring goals. They need to keep feeding Torres and Villa. Spain will not win by keeping a clean shit, they will win by scoring goals.
Lets look at the players as individuals.
My favourite, Cesc Fabregas: A midfield maestro, can score goals, can hold the ball, can read between the lines, and an excellent passer. He can create goals out of nothing. I call this quality ‘the Zidane’.
Xavi & Iniesta: I tend to combine them as one because they are the heart of FC Barcelona. They can be the heart of Spain if they pull together as they do for their club. Unfortunately, Iniesta is slightly injured and might not be fit enough. As for Xavi, well, he can break an Italian defence within seconds with his brilliant passing.
Casillas: I’m really worried hey might screw things up. He is not playing well recently and he needs to bring the A game.
Villa: Keep feeding him and he’ll keep scoring.
Torres: Deadly striker, and thankfully, he is back on the pitch after a minor injury. He NEEDS to be fit for the duration of the cup.
I will not mention any defenders since I feel that Spain has to rely on its attacking abilities and capitalize on goals.
Worldcup 2010
Posted on | June 10, 2010 | No Comments
I will be blogging about the worldcup after every game. Well, atleast games I care about.
Here is my list of top 3 teams to take the worldcup and a wish.
1. Spain
2. Brazil
3. Germany
Wish: I hope France wakes up once and for all and takes over the world.
Current Reading List & Tariq Ali
Posted on | June 10, 2010 | No Comments
Charterhouse of Parma – Stendhal (Modern Library Edition)
Preacher Vol. 2 – Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon
Cerebus Vol 2 – Dave Sim
Last week I wrapped up Tariq Ali’s ‘Night of the Golden Butterfly’.
Tariq Ali is one of the most respected authors in my library(I’m talking about his fiction works). Night of the Golden Butterfly is the fifth and final volume of the Islam quintet. I must mention that the other four books in the series: Shadows of A Pomegranate Tree, Book of Saladin, The Stone Woman, and Sultan of Palermo. In my opinion, book three and four are the weakest, and crossing them out on your reading list is understandable.
I love the fact that one doesn’t have to read all five books in order. Each book is a self contained work of art. Eloquent prose written in beautiful intervals and dressed in wonderful historic facts (and fiction in some places).
In absolute honesty, after being somewhat disappointed in Stone Woman and Sultan in Palermo, I did not have strong expectations for the last book in the quintet. However, the first few pages proved me wrong. This particular volume in the series strikes close to my heart because it mainly revolved around Pakistan. Tariq Ali did a fantastic job in portraying a compelling picture of a country crippled by conspiracies, political madness, and cultural issues. However, as a side note, I’d like to mention that I don’t agree with most of Ali’s critique of Pakistan. But hey, everyone can have an opinion.
The book is about four college friends from their youthful naughty days in Lahore. They grow up, scatter around the globe, and come together in a poetic fashion for a grand finale. The story is told by Dara who is asked by his dear old friend Plato to write his biogprahy. The quest of Plato’s biography opens the book up to the main theme; Pakistan and its problems; America, the military, mullahs and the corruption of politicians. The book also deals with love, betrayal, misunderstandings, and a good chunk of history of displaced chinese muslims. The story jumps from continent to continent, prose to prose, story to story. It is a beautiful blend of literature at its best. As Night of the Golden Butterfly develops, it becomes sharper. It goes through Plato’s impotent love affairs, vibrant beats of lahore, streets of Paris, streets of London, heart of America, and the hearts of individual characters in the book.
I highly recommend it, and if you haven’t read any other volume in the series, I suggest starting with Book of Saladin and ending with Shadows of A Pomegranate Tree. I know its not in order, but is anything in our lives in order?