Reason Why English Football Is So Popular In Asia

I was asked by a German football writer about the reasons why English football is so popular even over at this part of the globe. It took me quite some time to think it through and here's the reasons I gave:

One reason why the Premiership is so popular is because the way English football works, which is the 'blood and thunder' style, compared to most continental leagues such as Serie A and La Liga. It is fast paced and intense, making it a joy to watch for many. Serie A in comparison, is much more tactically disciplined and slow and therefore, not as often entertaining as the Premiership.

There is also a diversity in styles between the teams even though they all play at break-neck pace. You have the technically gifted Arsenal to the gritty Bolton, unpredictable Tottenham and somehow, laughable Newcastle United (at the moment it seems :P). Therefore it makes viewing a pleasure at times because even though the 'top 4' dominates the league, it still makes individual matches interesting and intriguing.

Lastly I believe that it has got an advantage over other leagues because the Premiership is made into a marketable product which makes it look 'tasty and delicious' on the outside. It is marketed well and with the number of stars currently plying their trade in England, it makes it even more engaging and attractive. Just look at the amount that each clubs receive from TV revenue yearly. I don't have the figure with me but it surely is much much more than the La Liga or Bundesliga.

Look at the shenanigans going on in Spain regarding the TV rights and you'll understand why the English league is the preferred league. It's much more well-run and more presentable than the rest.

Do you agree with my view on English football, especially those over in Asia? Do you share a common reasonings as me or do you have other reasons? Do drop a comment or an email is always welcomed!

Torres: It's Hammer Time!

Spanish Striker's Red Hot Form - 2 Consecutive Home Hat-tricks!

English Premiership

LIVERPOOL 4 - 0 West Ham

Scorers:
LIV - Torres (9, 60,81), Gerrard (83);

You know, I don't really know how to write this match report because all you need to do is to just watch how Fernando Torres scores all his three goals and then watch how Gerrard planted that ball right into the top corner.

Like they say, action speaks louder than words. As Gerrard said, want to get the fourth place? Show it! And the 4 goals says it all, really. If we could perform at such standards with consistency, I don't see how we won't get the 4th place.


Torres (1-0):


Torres (2-0):


Torres (3-0):


Gerrard (4-0):

Jussi Clanger

English Premiership

Bolton 1 - 3 LIVERPOOL

Scorers:
BOL - Cohen (79);
LIV - Jaaskelainen (12 og), Babel (60), Aurelio(75);

Liverpool's bid for fourth place received a massive boost after Rafa Benitez finally exorcised the hoodoo at Reebok Stadium with a well deserved 3-1 win over Bolton Wanderers. It's the first time the Spanish manager tasted success against Bolton, a side renown for their physical approach to the game.

Off the field uncertainties continue to plague Liverpool but with 4th place being the be all and end all for the season, Rafa knows that a victory at the Reebok will propel the team back into Champions League contention, albeit for only a few hours.

On the note, Liverpool probably breezed through this game unlike the uncountable times when they huffed and puffed and got nothing away from their north east neighbours. It has been 5 years since the Reds have got all 3 points from their 'unhappy hunting ground'.

But it's obvious that this Bolton team is a shadow of what they were once, under the management of Sam Allardyce. His replacement, former Anfield favourites, Sammy Lee, got them into the mire earlier on and now, Gerry Megson managed to stabilise the ship. Only just.

Bolton started off brightly enough and looked confident that they will get the result. Former Anfield misfit, El-Hadji Diouf was unlucky to see his free kick come off the cross bar while Bolton continuously threatened from set plays.

Martin Skrtel is preferred at centre back alongside Sami Hyypia, pushing Jamie Carragher out to the right. Though uncertain at set plays due to new idea of zonal marking, the Slovenian international excelled throughout the game with nicely timed tackles and interceptions.

Then against the run of play, Liverpool took the lead through an unfortunate mistake by the usually reliable Jussi Jaaskelainen. Skipper Steven Gerrard's shot was inches away from the goal but the Finnish goalkeeper haphazardly dived for it and the ball went in the net, off his head.


Liverpool couldn't believed their luck but after years of questionable refereeing decisions at the Reebok including Reina's alleged handball outside the penalty box and also Luis Garcia's wrongly disallowed goal, it's probably time for Lady Luck to switch side.

Bolton continued to threaten through diagonal crosses, with Kevin Davies perfectly made as a target man. The centre forward had a fantastic chance to draw level, only to be denied by Pepe Reina. His header 6 yards out was miraculously kept out by the Spanish goalkeeper.

The game drew on into a chess-like affair with Liverpool playing more cautiously. Yet the game was somehow, wide open after the break as both Bolton pushed forward and leaving huge gaps in their defence.

Liverpool grabbed their opportunity in the 60th minute as Ryan Babel took his chance well and put the visitors in the driving seat. Kuyt turned Carragher's cross against the post and a poor clearance from Bolton enabled Babel to get hold of the ball before slamming it past the hapless Jaaskelainen.

They then extended their lead through a marvelous strike from Brazilian full back, Fabio Aurelio. He was known to score goals from free kicks but this time, he took his chance fantastically and finds the net for the first time in the red shirt.

Gerrard's corner was headed clear but Aurelio was on hand to chest it down nicely before sending a half volleyed shot into the net, with aplomb. Bolton should've closed him down sooner but at that point, the home side were already losing hope.

A consolation came their way though, through a corner. Not a surprised as Liverpool struggled every time there is a corner and this time, they were punished through their former player's son. Tamir Cohen, son of Avi Cohen, eluded his ball watching man markers and slammed it past Pepe Reina.

The visitors held on for an important and crucial win as Rafa would finally breathe a sigh of relief for finally defeating an old nemesis. The 3 points lifted them into 4th place until city rivals, Everton, defeated Portsmouth 2 hours later with the same scoreline.

The race for the title is heating up just as it is for the race for the final Champions League placing. Rafa previously admitted that Everton and Aston Villa are 2 teams that will most likely wreck the team's chances to qualify for next season's Champions League but now, he should be quietly confident that his side can take the all important 4th place.

The Reason Why....

You shouldn't celebrate after a goal. Yes, I mean er, the defenders.

'Pool Left It Late

UEFA Champions League

Last 16 First Leg

LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 Inter Milan

Liverpool bounced back from an utterly embarrassing result last weekend to put up a surprise 2-0 lead over Italian league leaders, Inter Milan. Rafa Benitez and his men were under intense pressure after they were knocked out of the English FA Cup by the unfancied Barnsley side.

Though considered giants in Europe, both teams were in different circumstances. Inter are currently the run-away leaders in the Serie A while maintained a wonderful record of 29 games unbeaten prior to the meeting at Anfield and they are the team to fear, with stars like Ibrahimovic and Figo, adding to their experienced squad.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are probably the most unstable club in England currently with the club's direction unclear. Whether Tom Hicks will sell his stake to DIC or not, remains a mystery and as long as that isn't cleared up, they are a rudderless ship with no direction.

Out of FA Cup and also having totally no chance in the domestic title, both teams have mixed fortunes and it's probably a mismatch at the moment, with Inter being a clear favourite and Liverpool, the wounded animal.

Yet it is in games like this that you see the best of Liverpool, adding to the mystifying questions surrounding Rafa Benitez and his men in red. Why are they so inconsistent? Why do they always perform when needed yet fail to accomplish task that many thought that they could?

Though the sending off of Marco Materrazzi in the 30th minute might have been the turning point of the game, it was the determination of the home side which enabled them to go into the second leg with much more confidence.

With 6 of the 11 starting players being defensive minded, you would've expected Inter to come to Anfield and try to neutralise Liverpool and hold on for a draw at the very least. The decision to play Javier Zanetti and Maxwell on the flanks was apparent that Roberto Mancini wants to let Liverpool have a go at them.

The 70-30 possession at the end of the game says it all about Liverpool's total domination of the match. 23 shots on goal to a meagre 2.

Inter didn't really bother, especially after the sending off of Materrazzi. Instead, it gave them an excuse to put 9 men behind the ball and hoped for the best. It actually did work for majority of the game but some inspired substitution from Rafa Benitez cracked the game open at the last moment.

His decision to bring on Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch were justified as both made their impact in the victory. Ryan Babel was very active throughout but he is never a out and out winger and therefore, limited when it comes to situations where he's not given too much space and opponents playing back against the wall.

Pennant, being a traditional winger, puts crosses in with fair amount of accuracy. Something which Liverpool didn't do throughout the game. His cross in the 80th minute found Dirk Kuyt, who duly delivered when called upon.

The plummet in form over the past few months was apparent but when he was called upon last night, he did the exact right thing and his volley went straight into the top corner. The Kop rejoiced.

For the previous 80 minutes, Liverpool toiled and threw almost everything at Inter as they gained control of the game totally. Yet their weakness was apparent and they just didn't have the cutting edge required to break down a world class defence, well marshaled by Ivan Cordoba.

It was a deja vu moment for most of the time as Liverpool forces Inter into the corner and yet couldn't find a way past Julio Caesar. Time and again, crosses were cleared and shots blocked. Peter Crouch and Fernando Torres both had great opportunities but failed to deliver.

It was just then, a moment of brilliance from the man under fire. His goal probably ease the pressure of another man under fire, Rafa Benitez. The very man who put in so much trust and faith and he really did him proud, like what a disciple would do to his master.

The game was then, beyond Inter as they were caught in no man's land. Should they attack and get the all important away goal? Or should they sit back and limit the damage?

At that point, doesn't matter really. Inter couldn't be bothered from the start and didn't bother even when Kuyt struck the goal. Star player, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, looked as hard working as Dimitar Berbatov ever was while Patrick Vieira didn't look like the player he once was.

Then came a moment of magic from the scouser magician, whom so often come up with the goods when expected. Mr Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, struck a wonder goal as the Inter defence watched in horror. It was totally out of the blues yet it is always the skipper who comes up with something extraordinary.

It really did send the Anfield faithfuls (or fans like me) into raptures. It was a special goal and it really gave Liverpool a huge advantage going into the second leg. Thought it will be held at San Siro in a fortnight's time, they would go into this game with confidence and also an apparent plan to stifle Inter in their own backyard.

Surely, that is something Liverpool would be good at? The very campaign which the Reds won the Champions League, they held on to a 2-1 lead at Stadio Del Alpi and against all odds, went through unscathed.

Could Liverpool make history repeat itself in Italy? It will be an intriguing one indeed.

Adebayor....

Suffers from a speech irregularity which is caused by too much rap-music in his input. Listen:

Carry On Adebayor!
by Rrrseblogging

Kids, DON'T learn that!

Stalemate At The Bridge

English Premiership

Chelsea 0 - 0 LIVERPOOL

The most predictable scoreline between the two had always been a goal less draw and yesterday's match proved to be yet another unsurprising one as Chelsea maintained their brilliant home record.

And Liverpool fell further behind the pack despite having played one less game.

Cliche as it sounds, familiarity certainly breeds contempt and it's a norm where Liverpool would play Chelsea in at least one of the cup ties and Rafa must be happy that at least his team didn't go down like they did in the League Cup tie.

All in all, it was a fair result at the end as both sides scuppered golden opportunities to take the lead. The game was as expected, tight and controlled, just like any of those between the 'Big Fours'. At times, it does look like a chess game, with Rafa and Avram Grant moving the pieces like chess masters.

Yet it was Liverpool who upped the tempo and looked most likely to score in the first period when Steven Gerrard's cross found Peter Crouch but he just couldn't conjure up enough power on the ball to beat Petr Cech.

It was one of the three chances that fell to him and the England striker failed to take advantage of it. Not very surprising, isn't it? Scoring has always been a problem for Liverpool, with strikers going on long goal droughts.

Adding fuel to fire, Fernando Torres was ruled out of this game because of a needless international friendly which he was involved in. With the top scorer out, the visitors were left with two profligate strikers, or was it one?

Dirk Kuyt has been pretty awful this season and he was utilised as a wing forward. He certainly needs to start scoring before the chopping knives are sharpened at the end of the season.


Second period of the game was played at a frenetic pace and the number of misplaced passes was horrid. At times, both teams looked like little school children, playing football for the very first time.

The midfield area was utterly congested with Liverpool deploying 3 central midfielders to negate Chelsea's tenacious midfield.

The referee too, was a fussy one as he didn't let the game flow and it turned into a really stop-start game. It was as though every nudge on the players were considered foul and though the game is supposed to be competitive by nature, Mike Riley was visibly being picky.

Chelsea, then, carved out a perfect opportunity but Michael Ballack wasn't able to get his shot on target.

It was a predictable end to a top of the table clash, especially for the Blues and the Reds. Chelsea failed to take advantage of the slip up by ManYoo earlier on after their defeat to Man City while Liverpool surely, out of the title race.

Happy Chinese New Year !

Amidst my busy schedule and visiting after visiting, I shall wish all Chinese readers of this blog a happy lunar new year.

Have a blessed new year ahead and 'Wan4 Shi4 Ru2 Yi4' (May all your wishes and dreams come true).

Drogballs out.

Egg On Face Moment

Over at Football365 forums, a wonderfully titled thread 'Woodgate: Transfer of the Season' became a laughing stock. Why? Have a look:

16:53: Tottenham 1-0 ManYoo

Thread Content:

2 Games
2 Clean sheets.

Eat S**t MotherF**k*r

Then....

1654: GOAL Tottenham 1-1 Man Utd

Very, very late doors. So late Van der Sar is up for the corner from which Carlos Tevez volleys home Nani's corner at the near post.


Seriously, never EVER post before the final whistle. ManYoo really have to thank the forummer for posting on that thread.

Again, 2 games, how many clean sheets? :P

For more, laugh here!

What's Happening?

Wow, a really eventful month of January passed by and still, I have much problem figuring what is going on here at Liverpool FC.

What's happening to the team on the pitch? We haven't won a single game since Boxing Day, mind you. If it isn't worrying then start to, because we're a massive 17 points behind leaders ManYoo (Even by saying that, I feel the stab in my heart).

Almost outplayed by West Ham at Upton Park was hard to watch. It was a bitter pill to swallow but it killed my soul when Carragher conceded the penalty and Mark Noble making no mistake, condemning Liverpool to the abyss. Well, at least it stopped us from drawing games....

What's happening with the Javier Mascherano deal? It should be sealed as soon as possible yet it always seemed like anything to do with Mascherano and Liverpool ends up with the words 'last minute'. Like how we signed him at the nick of time last season, we did the same but failed.

He's an important asset and one of the best in the business but there's a worrying thought that he's being tempted to leave in the summer after such an abysmal season, yet again. Rafa Benitez's future at the club is also one of the keys that he'll consider if he is to put the pen on the paper.

Although he really doesn't contribute much to the attack, he is really one heck of a player in the middle of the park. We need quality and he is that.

Oh, and finally, what's happening to technologies and Microsofts nowadays when a transfer deal is still done over a facsimile. Yes, a fax machine, in 2008!

Lazio president Claudio Lotito has revealed the signing of defender David Rozehnal nearly fell through because of a pair of errant fax machines.

The Czech Republic international moved to the Stadio Olimpico on loan for the rest of the season from Premier League side Newcastle on transfer deadline day.

But Lotito revealed to Sky Sport Italia: "There was a problem with the fax machines - one was broken and the other one had run out of ink.

"But we sorted the deal in the nick of time and we are satisfied."

Well, I guess at least the fax is still very reliable, considering the millions of geeks and technofreaks trying their best to create viruses and hack into email accounts. But seriously, just imagine if the transfer didn't go through and the reason being...

The fax ran out of ink. Sorry boss. Great excuse!