Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United

Liverpool escaped 5 losses in a row by beating Manchester United, who play below-par (again), by 2-0, scored by Torres and David Ngog. This match is also noted for the red cards given to Nemanja Vidic and Javier Mascherano. This is the third time Vidic got sent off against Liverpool and Mascherano's second against United.

United, unsurprisingly, played 4-4-2 and started well. However, the match soon became all Liverpool throughout first half, but the score remained intact 0-0. Second half, Liverpool started brilliantly, and United counter attacked occasionally. However, the game changed when Torres managed to hold off Ferdinand and scored a goal in 65 minutes. Soon, the game became all United as they searched for the equaliser.

Michael Owen and Nani came on for Berbatov and Scholes in 72 minutes. United began their flurry attacks but to no avail. The situation became worse when Vidic got red card in injury time.

Although Mascherano got red card too a couple of minutes later, a counter attack by Liverpool sent David Ngog through and he comfortably beat van der Saar to kill the game.

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Finally! Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 Review

My second most anticipated game of the year! Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is released and I tried it straight away. This will be a quick review because I've just played it recently, but so far I like the improvement in general gameplay over the past installment.

The gameplay is a bit slow-paced compared to 2009, but it is to my liking. I somehow am annoyed with how 2009 strayed away from realism, since using Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi will almost always guarantee you a win. You can just zap your way with those players and tried outrageous shots that will more likely than not hit the back of the net.

However, that thing is fixed in 2010. No longer Ronaldo nor Messi be able to dance their way through the defence as they see fit. They still can do it, because of the abundance of skills and techniques they have, but not that easily anymore. I'd say, 7 out of 10 times the defence will be able to block them or steal their ball, just like in real life. That's a plus for me.

Some issues still are not fixed, like tackling a player just after he passes the ball won't generate a foul. This is quite a blunder by Konami in 2009 and still isn't fixed in 2010, but it's not really a fatal flaw that marred the gameplay.

I don't want to write a really long review, since I just got into this game, but I'd give it a nice 8.5/10. Not perfect yet, but slowly getting there. Konami should listen to fans' feedback more.

Okay, one week to go. My most anticipated game of the year...

(WHAT DID YOU THINK? COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED)

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CSKA Moscow 0 - 1 Manchester United

Manchester United maintained a perfect record in Champions League after defeating CSKA Moscow 1-0, thanks to Antonio Valencia's second goal in 2 matches 4 minutes from full time. United now leads Group B with 9 points in 3 games.

In truth, it was a boring match, since United played 4-5-1 with Berbatov as a lone striker. That's a first, and probably the last, since Berbatov was really isolated throughout the match, and only played better once Owen was introduced after 70 minutes.

The defensive duo, Ferdinand and Vidic, returned to partner with Edwin van der Sar, but early errors seemed to shake the English champions a bit. Fortunately, CSKA was playing below par, too.

Throughout the first half, it was a match with few moments, the best was Scholes' speculative rocket shot from thirty yards which Akinfeev succeeded to turn away.

Second half was another story, though. CSKA suddenly disappeared as United took control of the match. Fortunately for CSKA, Akinfeev was in mood to impress his possibly future employer. He kept his goal clean from a lot of United efforts, the best was when he turned away Nani diving header, but had little to do when Berbatov flicked the ball for Valencia to blast in a far-post shot 4 minutes from time.

Owen had 20 minutes to impress, but missed half a chance. World Cup 2010 dream looked quite bleak day by day, unless Ferguson did his best to bring out the best of Owen.

With O'shea and Scholes as anchor midfielders, Anderson should've been the man to turn to in every United attack. Sadly, he seemed incapable of doing that role. He seemed busy in the field, but truthfully, it was an awful performance of trying to impersonate the man he's supposed to replace in the future, Paul Scholes.

Anyway, a good win but boring match. Next match, Liverpool in Anfield.

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Manchester United to face Barca in UCL 07/08 semi

Following Manchester United's 1-0 victory against AS Roma at Old Trafford this Wednesday with aggregate 3-0, Manchester United set their way to face the test of Barcelona, who also won 1-0 against Schalke 04 with aggregate 4-0, in UEFA Champions League 07/08 semifinal. The other semifinal will match Liverpool, who eliminated Arsenal, against Chelsea, who eliminated Fenerbache, for the third time in the last four years to ensure one English football club to reach the final for the fourth time in a row.

United won the hard-fought game against Roma 1-0 at Old Trafford, thanks to Carlos Tevez's 4th goal in Champions League in 70 minutes and disaster penalty by Danielle de Rossi in 30 minutes in the first half. Barcelona also scored their only goal in the game against Schalke in the first half, this time by Yaya Toure.

This semifinal match will be the most anticipated game in Europe and will be the battlefield between Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, top scorer in Premiership and in Champions League , and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who is expected to return from injury by the first leg of the semifinal. This will also be a match of two most offensive football clubs in the world. Barca trio striker, Samuel Eto'0-Bojan/Thierry Henry-Lionel Messi will compete in terms of productivity against Cristiano Ronaldo-Wayne Rooney-Carlos Tevez, who have scored altogther 15 goals in Champions League this season.

Manchester United are considered favorites in this game, being in their very best form this season led by the extraordinary Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 37 goals in 40 matches this season. However, they should be aware of the potency that last season incident can happen again. Last season, England has three representatives in the semifinal only to lose the title to AC Milan who beat United in semifinal and Liverpool in the final.

Check out the first leg of the semifinal on 23 April at the Nou Camp and the second leg on 29 April at the Old Trafford.

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Nasib EPL

Dari akhir Juni lalu, penggemar EPL dikhawatirkan dengan rumor trans7 yang tidak akan menyiarkan EPL lagi musim 2007/2008, dan sekarang rumor itu terbukti benar. Bagi EPL mania (termasuk gw), ini tentu mimpi buruk bagi kita semua. Bayangkan, kita bakal kehilangan aksi2 spektakuler Ronaldo, Rooney, Scholes, Lampard, Gerrard, ampe si anak baru Torres yang biasa menjadi tongkrongan kita tiap minggunya.

Lewat pencarian di internet, gw dapat kabar bahwa hak siar EPL sekarang cuma antara ANTV dan LATIVI saja, dan kabar terakhir ANTV yang bakal menayangkan EPL namun hanya pertandingan Super Sunday saja (yang berarti gak bakal selalu klub besar yang ditayangin yang tentu saja agak membuat kecewa penggemar EPL yang pastinya lebih ingin menonton klub2 semacam MU, Chelsea, Arsenal, atau Liverpool dibandingkan klub-klub lain)...

Terus terang, gw adalah penggemar super berat MU, n jujur saja yang gw harapkan adalah tiap minggu bisa menonton pertandingan MU, gak peduli mau siar di mana atau kapan, gw bakal menontonnya. Namun, walau MU gak disiarkan, EPL tetap jadi tontonan favorit gw cos I love football, that's the only reason...Jadi, plis, TV lokal apapun, ambil hak siar liga inggris...gak bakal rugi gw yakin, lagian beberapa musim terakhir EPL mendapat rating yang cukup tinggi sebagai acara yang paling banyak ditonton orang Indonesia...

God...please let there be EPL again next season in our beloved country...

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Manchester United's dream of treble is crushed by Milan

Manchester United was crushed 0-3 by Milan in San Siro Thursday, May 3, 2007, thus ending their treble dream. It was again Kaka, who scored two goals at Old Trafford, that once again inspired his team to win the match. He scored a goal, thanks to poor defending by Man Utd's backs, in 11th minute. And Clarence Seedorf put United's dream to an end by scoring at the similiar spot as Kaka's goal, and once again thanks to laughable defence, in 30rd minute.

United tried to fight back after the break although it was all in vain thanks to great defending performance by Milan. They never really tried Dida's goalkeeping ability and Ronaldo was completely nullified by Gattuso. Everytime he got the ball, Rhino was already there to charge at him, making him the least effective player at United's side. United's fightback was ended by Gillardino who just come on from bench.

For me, this performance is by far the worst this season. Not just they conceded 3 goals (the first time this season), but also their attacking pattern has been recognized. Although I think United's style of playing is ineffective against Milan's slow and controlled play, they shouldn't play this bad. Especially Ronaldo, who's just been crowned three Best Player award. For his standard, this performance is unthinkable.

The best performer for United I think is Paul Scholes. He didn't give away the ball easily, unfortunately all his teammates didn't play like he. Even Carrick, whom I really expect to shine this season, was too groggy and giving away passes too cheaply.

Double is still on for United, with Premiership and FA Cup final showdown is against Chelsea.

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'Proud' Ronaldo wins double PFA crown

Cristiano Ronaldo tonight became the first man since 1977 to win both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year Award in the same season when he was honoured at a gala dinner in London.

Not since Andy Gray scooped each of the coveted accolades 30 years ago has one player dominated the voting of his fellow professionals in such fashion.
Ronaldo, 22, has been in awesome form for United, as the Red Devils remain on course for a Barclays Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League treble.

The achievement is all the more remarkable considering the somewhat harsh criticism the Portuguese winger received following England's demise at the World Cup.
Ronaldo beat Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to the award, with United's former England midfielder Paul Scholes third.

Ryan Giggs and last year's winner, Steven Gerrard, also made the shortlist, alongside 19-year-old Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Ronaldo said it was a 'big honour' to be singled out by his peers.

He said: 'It is a special night. It is amazing and a big honour for me to win trophies like this in the English Premier League. I am very proud.

'My colleagues have voted for me and that is fantastic because the players know the qualities of players.

'I want to keep working hard and getting better because these trophies have now given me more motivation.

'At this moment, I am consistent. I am more mature now and I am playing better.

'This great team has helped me as well, because when the team win it is more easy for us all to play with more confidence.

'Everything is right this season and I am really enjoying it.

'I am still young and I am learning more every day.

'I have much time to learn more and improve myself.

'I try to improve all aspects of my football - not only in training but also in games.'

Fabregas finished runner-up in the young player category as well, with 20-year-old Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon third.

Ronaldo's team-mate Wayne Rooney (21) was also shortlisted, as were Reading striker Kevin Doyle, 23, and 18-year-old defender Micah Richards of Manchester City.

It was Manchester United who took centre stage at the Grosvenor House hotel this evening - with eight of their players making it into the Premier League team of the year and manager Sir Alex Ferguson being honoured with the PFA Special Merit Award.

Ronaldo said: 'This shows what quality we have at Manchester United.

'To have eight players in the team of the year is great.'

Ferguson paid tribute to his multi-talented young winger, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon in a £12.2million deal during August 2003.

The United boss said: 'When we saw him play in a pre-season friendly for Sporting against us, at half-time I knew we had to get him and I said to [then chief executive] Peter Kenyon 'we are not leaving the stadium until we get the boy'.

'At this moment in time, I think he is the best player in the world and his season has been incredible.'

PFA Player and Young Player of the Year 2007 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2007 - Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra (all Man Utd); Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo (all Man Utd) & Steven Gerrard (Liverpool); Didier Drogba (Chelsea) & Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)

Special Merit Award - Sir Alex Ferguson

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