Unstoppable Long-Distance-Shots... 无法抵挡的远射

It was the fascinating long-distance-shots that brought Germany to celebrate their FIFA bronze, contributed by their young midfielder, Schweinsteiger Bastian who had amazed the world while putting Portuguese Top Goalkeeper Ricardo in great pain.

The undefeatable swerving shots from middle-left of the pitch crowned Schweinsteiger the Man of the Match who had successfully injected the 'Cardiotonic' into Germany's blood, turning the match in German's favor 11 minutes after 2nd half of the match. The cheering crowd had their emotion being aroused into another level when Schweinsteiger powerful free kick lead-to an 'own-goal' by Portuguese midfielder, Petit, marking a regretful stain to Portugal defencing form. Left wing would have been Schweinsteiger lucky field when his 3rd attempt from the far-left-end of the middle pitch (the 2nd 'own-goal' was resulted from his strong free-kick from left-middle-pitch), perfectly soared toward the far-right-corner of the net, giving Ricardo no chance of safe.

Nuno Gomes' header goal from a great cross by Figo at the very last 4 minutes of the match that flew through Kahn's arms had brought the match with 2-goals margin in favor to Germany. Despite with good ball possession, the Portuguese who had made the games even in 1st half had not been capitalizing their possession and strength much, which opened up the scoring opportunity to German from distance. The selfishness in Klose who aimed for Golden Boots had cause in lost of few goalscoring opportunities when his teammates were in better place. Nonetheless, sitting at the top of the scoring chart with 5 goals in hands, Klose should be close to his dream of Golden Boots unless the French player, Henry pierce through Italian's defence wall twice.

A Ticket to Final Awarded by Referee... 由裁判赠送的决赛权

Until now, almost 10 hours after the match, I still couldn't believe that France had advanced to Final with a debatable penalty given by the South American Referee. One forward went to the ground eyeing to goal under one defender's challenge, both fell on the penalty box concurrently, both with their legs extended for the ball and for the fall, one forward being smart enough to 'run towards' the defender and being 'tackled', one referee with his eyes 'witnessing' the moment from his angle, one foul given to the defender, one penalty awarded to the forward... and, one goal being made by one Midfielder who claimed his last World Cup this season. What a moment of 'hurrah' or 'damn' that promised the seat to 2006 World Cup Final, don't think this would impress most of the fans.

Both team played the games very well, with Portugal holding better position in ball possession and goalscoring chances. Great defence wall by French was challenged few times by Portuguese, however, with no luck on Portugal side, all the attempts ended with great sigh of disappointment. France on the other end, leveraging on their magnificent international appearance and experiences, played in their own style, with their impeccable defensing moves, dispossessing Portugal's goalscoring opportunities that could lead the games to extra time. It is undoubtful that few shot attempts by French that had nearly shaken Portuguese defensing form, had again pronounced the players scoring ability. A even game by both team, which shouldn't be destined by a penalty.

Portugal's destiny was almost defined 12-minute before to game, when their captain, their symbol - Figo, headed over with the goal, resulting from Cristiano Ronaldo's long-range-fine-free-kick. Continuous challenge was forced by Portuguese from their 2 wings and crosses as time ticked away to complete the 90min games, had only pressured French to strengthen and hold out with their defence force. No single luck was granted to this small country despite their thrilling performance at World Cup stage.

There is one thing about football match at this kick-out round - winner or loser, enjoying the good fortune as hero or leaving as villain where you could either come back to shine on the stage 4 years later, or bit the international field a big goodbye like Figo, in vain.

Italy Advanced to FIFA Final... 意大利夺得决赛权!!

下半场的加时赛，最后的两分钟，两个妙传，两个不同角度的进球，一位后卫，一位候补前锋，一个失守的龙门，一场拥有上亿见证人的赛事，捍卫了意大利每十二年进入世界杯决赛圈的命运。

早晨3点钟的闹钟声准时地把我叫醒，让我没有错过这场精彩的赛事。双方顽强的踢法，即攻又守，球员们都把持着标准体育精神，完成了90分钟的正场奔跑--特别是意大利队，在加时赛才更换球员。赛前被看好德国队，持着高大的体魄，强攻死守，抹杀了好几个敌队的角球，硬梆梆地阻挡了来势汹汹的意大利队。反观意大利队，身材比起德国要矮上一个人头，可在拥有超高控球、传球技术下，无惧于德国主场气氛的欺压，漂亮地制造了一个又一个的进球机会。必须强调的是，双方的守门员，并没有摸黑世界级最佳守门员的头衔，成功地拦截了好几个险球。

正时赛双方的表现已充分体现出他们杀进四强的实力。虽然意大利队在下半场的表现有所保留，其刚厚的守卫墙却让德国队无从下手，无奈地让球赛进入加时赛。意大利教练看来是吸取了阿根廷对垒德国的教训，并没有在正时赛更换任何球员，适当的观察力及战略上的揣摩，让意大利球员准确地把握时机，在进入加时赛后，把攻守技能发挥的淋漓尽致。

在加时赛进入了最后3分钟，当世人--观众（全世界哦）也好，球员也罢，都以为点球将是决定性的关键时，意大利抢回了一个被德国解救了的角球，经过了Pirlo 的妙传，由后卫球员Grosso以左脚踢出了决定性的一球，闪过了世界最佳守门员的防卫，往龙门的一角滚过进去。惊吓中的德国很快地接回了控球权，飞奔地攻向意大利的龙门，却被意大利漂亮地拦截住，超快地反攻让德国的后卫军没能反应过来，在赛前最后一秒由候补前锋--Del Piero在队友Gilardino 的反传下漂亮地又踢进偏离龙门的角球，巩固了意大利进入决赛的事实！

拥有主场优势的德国队，无法突破巴西前优秀球员比利（Pele)的预言及看好，败北后挥泪离场，无缘实现第四次夺杯的希望。继德国步入巴西的后尘，上届决赛比拼的两只球队都在八强及四强遇上各自的克星后，证实了一物克一物的说法，也确定了在球场上没有永远的赢家，只有顽强拼搏的队伍才足以生存、立足。

FIFA Semi-Final = EURO Cup 世界杯半决赛=欧洲杯

Was so into soccer for the past few weeks - for the once-in-4-year football season. Am not so much fancy about soccer, but will allow myself to be in the fever, at least for the major one like EURO and World Cup - happen with 2 years interval (4 years for EURO, 4 years for World Cup; both interleave in between for 2 years gaps).

Chasing after each and every single match was part of my target every day since June 9, but was not able to accomplish such mission with my 'busy schedule' of work - can't live as zombie for long too... ^_< Selectively, I have to skip most of the 3 o'clock (morning, local time 9pm) matches, except when I was in India (with better time difference of 3 1/2 hours), during weekend, when good teams were playing or skipped earlier match for some rest before continue with 3am match.

Am quite disappointed when Argentina was sent back after quarter-final with Germany, the host of 2006 FIFA World Cup. With such a good skill in ball controlling, passing and juggling, I still can't accept the fact that Germany has won the match over Argentina with PSO (Penalty Shoot Out), where Argentina is (or was) really good at (and they are supposed to be the Pro!). The early substitution of their first choice players (forward & midfielder) cost them dear when Germany stroke back with 1 goal to even up the scores. Even with some 'noobie' like me who know so little about football strategies would know that this could be the most costly mistake by the Argentina coach.

I was in India during the GER-ARG match, catching my flight back to KL on the same night. Managed to watch the first 90mins games, missed the extra time 30min games (where I had used to travel to airport), continued the match with PSO at the airport, with a bunch of German supporters - feel abit lonely until I heard the same 'yes' from another whiteman when Argentine manage to score the PSO. We both pointed at each other with the word "Argentina?" coming out from our lips concurrently, both posted with great smile after knowing that we were not alone, but with big 'sigh' and 'aiks' after Germany's 4th goal that advanced them to semi-final.

Brazil, the defending champion, bit world cup a big goodbye when they were defeated, the 2nd time, by France. A curse or being jinxed, Brazilians were struggling throughout the match with French tough defense team. French had played well - have to admit that they catch up the momentum a bit slower in this World Cup, where they were not performing in the very first 2 matches. With the most 'old' (or experienced, a better word, I guess) players in team, they destroyed the hope of Brazilian of winning the sixth World Cup.

With the 2 South American teams being sent home, World Cup 2006 semi-final has now become the all-European games with France against Portugal in Munich, and Germany meeting Italy in Dortmund, on 5 & 6 July respectively (local time, 9pm). Feel like watching EURO Cup without having any team from the rest of the world playing at this stage.