As Athens Awaits!

The day has dawned! The Champions League Final between Liverpool and AC Milan.

The repeat of two years back and I so dearly hope the result is the same. Though not quite!
I am absolutely sure that Pepe Reina is so much better at shot-stopping than Dida, but why take it to penalties, you can never be sure...

Please Liverpool! Win it in regular or at least in extra time.
But then I am also compelled to think, "If wishes were horses..." by just looking at the Milan side that the Merseysiders take on.

AC Milan play a total mid field game. Kaka playing in the hole between the midfield and the striker gives them a liberty to have two holding/defensive midfielders. Gattuso and Pirlo doing the dogged work of tackling and gaining possession and then triggering someone forward. Ambrosini and Seedorf being their creative forces and did I stress upon the presence of a certain Brazilian? Well, we all saw what he did to the Manchester United defenses. Poor Gabi Heinze was made to look school-boyish! Now another Argentine has his job scripted out: Javier Mascherano has only one thing to do on the pitch - Stop Kaka! Some task!

A similar battle of significance is the Steven Gerrard - Gennaro Gattuso. Then it is also to see how the ageing Milan defense sees off the aerial threat of Peter Crouch or the pace and versatality of Dirk Kuyt.

On the mid-field front Liverpool are blessed with strong and consistent players in Mascherano, Alonso, Sisoko, Gerrard or Zenden. Then there is the surprise Benitez could offer with Harry Kewell! But the question is how they stand against the tricks of the Milan middle-men!

In the back of the field Liverpool has the only Hercules in Athens - Jamie Carragher, ably supported by Daniel Agger. Steve Finnan has had an outstanding season and John-Arne Riise's goal scoring ability can be ignored by opponents only to their own peril. As a striker Filippo Inzaghi is a poacher and in a way does the job by hook or crook. So Carraghercules has to keep an eye out for the oncoming Kaka all the while!

All in all I can't wait for it to begin, and I don't want to count how many times I have mentioned Kaka!

Go Liverpool! And you will never walk alone!!

Sachin

I am sure people are going to argue on this post...but I just had a Divine intervention of sort! Pulp fiction anyone? Anyway, here...

I was reading/commenting Atul's post about Mr. Tendulkar and thought:
Sachin Tendulkar should be made captain!

He had a failed first stint, but was that a conceived failure or was it real?
I think there are three parts of captaincy:
Technical and tactical know how, attitude and aggression, results.
I will check the results as I get time and analyze it statistically.

As far as the second aspect goes, I am 100% sure Sachin has aggression hidden under his refined image. I cannot think a person who's meek can use feet against the likes of McDermot or Malcom Marshall when he is 17! Anyway, I see people seeing this as far-fetched, but I also remember the Sahara Cup tournaments in Canada under Sachin and how he used Ganguly's golden arm, I also remember him putting three people in gully-point area for Saeed Anwar which showed his tactical potential.

I am tending to think that back then it was a case of him having a seconds team with none of Dravid/Ganguly in the scene and a faded Azhar the lone support. Come to think of it, the case is not very different at the moment, then it was the 1996 debacle at the Eden, now its the 2007 loss at the hands of Bangladesh.

But I see it as a step for Sachin's future as well. Brian Lara got extra motivation on his third stint as the Windies captain and it could be great for Sachin to find a new challenge at sorts.

Anyway, just a thought! And I had to write it!! :)

Vision 2007 Failed! What's next?

By crashing out of the World Cup at the group stage, Indian cricket achieved a new low. What would be the next step: Rise from the ashes or be dead and buried? The performance of the Indian team in the West Indies is perhaps as low as the 1975 World Cup, with the memorable innings of Sunil Gavaskar carrying the bat and scoring only 36 in 50 overs. But, then the excuse was him being naive and our team not understanding the shortened game well enough. India has come a long way from there and cannot have that explanation for their shameful debacle at the ninth edition of the World Cup.

The media created hype and every former cricketer/expert panelist’s opinion and certainty about India’s chances of winning the cup, created the hope. A dream now stands vanquished. But perhaps, we don’t need reasons! The Indian team simply did not play good enough to warrant a place in the next stage. The fans throwing stones at the players’ properties and burning effigies showed the discontent, but also highlighted how much they did not deserve their team to win! Fanatics have no place in sports. Administration cannot control fans or the media. All that the governing body has to do is to be circumspect in what went wrong at their end. Is their money grabbing technique the correct way to take the sport ahead? Agreed that marketing of the team is an important issue and raising funds for the BCCI is the key in developing the game in neglected areas of the country. But is that the reality? Not going too much into the administration, it is more significant to know if the selection panel for example does the right kind of research and take committed efforts to the best of their abilities? These are some crucial questions to be answered.

On the game itself, a lot of drastic changes have been demanded by one and all. Greg Chappell was appointed with a specific task of getting India perform better or at least on par with their last outing where they finished runners up, but is he the lone person to blame? The Aussie tried hard to put a policy of “Perform or perish”. It sounded great but the parameter negated was its efficiency in the Indian arena. The policy falls short if you cannot define a standard for ‘performance’. Chappell would most certainly give way.

Rahul Dravid’s term of captaincy expires and it’s highly unlikely that it will be renewed. So, does he fall accountable? He has been mediocre to say the least. Making his fast bowlers bowl 30 overs on spinner friendly wickets. Not giving Sachin or Sehwag enough overs against Bangladesh; having a defensive field against Sri Lanka after having them reeling at 97/3 in 25 overs showed how much he was out of the game! A captain has to lead the ship, be aware of every nook and corner, especially more aware when in still water, because you always know there is storm coming and he has to be prepared!

Sachin Tendulkar’s place is the center of the discussion after it was already looking unstable. Though personally I know on the basis of stats from the past year, he averaged highest in the Indian team, but public demand is often not based on common sense and logic. Emotions always rule and it could be in the near future that the inevitable phenomenon of Tendulkar being dropped could come to effect. One thing is certain though, his performance at the World Cup was not up to the mark, either against Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.

Sourav Ganguly was the only mentionable performer in the series. Ganguly with his bat did a perfect job that was desired. The Indian bowling for a change gave a decent performance. Ajit Agarkar was at his peak against the Lankans, troubling them with his in swinging deliveries to the left-handers. Zaheer Khan had the nip and Munaf was miserly. But where were the spin wizards? Harbhajan was at his best! (Read it with loads of sarcasm, as I don't remember when Harbhajan last won a match on his own) The only other bowler worth mentioning was Sachin Tendulkar who bamboozled the islanders with his military swing going either way!

However, the most important questions to be asked of the team: What has Virendra Sehwag done that Mohammed Kaif didn’t in the last two years? What exceptional success has Harbhajan Singh achieved that Romesh Powar didn’t? Why wasn’t Dinesh Karthik given a chance after performing so well in South Africa? What had Robin Uthappa done, except scoring in one match against Sri Lanka at home to warrant his place? There are a lot of questions to be answered and a lot of analysis ahead, but the best way forward is to keep it simple. A strategy is to be formulated to decide and limit the number of chances to be given to an individual.

The leadership conundrum: It’s a major issue, not only because this one can be marketed well in India but also because the team needs someone inspired enough to take them ahead. Every sport sees such humiliating defeats, but the key is to take it up from there. The biggest positive to know that it cannot get worse! Maybe it is time for a younger player like Yuvraj Singh to step up and take the job. He has been in the Indian team for a long time, and a sort of man who loves to be in the team. And this would be the ideal time for him to take up the job and see how he goes about it.

A dismal performance at the World Cup will not go down in good taste. There would be stern reactions, protests and wrong doings from the fans. But it has to be taken with a pinch of salt and move ahead. Politics has to be thrown out of the game and more emphasis to be put on making athletes and giving importance to fitness at grass root levels.

The judgement day!

When I started for office today, I was excited. It is the judgement day for an Indian cricket fan. I say fan, not a fanatic and also not the people claiming to be a part of the group. I am talking about people who claim to be fans and then unenviably say, "I am going for shopping with my wife/girl friend. Anyway, who cares about the match, we are going to lose!" And I strongly hate those, who after India's loss claim, "Aah, bull-shit! These matches are all fixed. All these cricketers should be shot!" I think they should get a life and stop being losers. I feel sad for them, especially for what has happened to Bob Woolmer. Its barbaric and insane. But ignorance is bliss!

Then there is a special sect in which I include 99% of women and some men as well, who claim to be fans. They ask you in the morning (after seeing me sport the Indian team jersey or hear me commenting on cricket): Is India playing today? and I have a strong urge to say: "No. This is to celebrate the win of the Netherlands" and I am sure they will have an answer in a "hi hi" and think they are witty!

Then there are others who don't consider themselves fans as against the first type who do. They are liers as well, for they do go through the papers reading the lead ups and analysis and pass on their smart comments. I LOVE these types. They bask in their defensive attitude to things and are so afraid to lose, that they won't gamble on whether they will visit the bathroom in the day thinking, 'What if I don't?'

I don't understand how watching the match is a waste, when India loses and its the biggest gain when they win! Isn't watching still watching? Isn't being dejected an equally strong emotion to being elated?

Alright, I will stop. I found all the types today. The venting is done and I am grinning. I tell you, I have goose bumps. Have read all sorts of stories on the internet, the predictions, interpretations, previews and what not. The A/C in the office too seems to be too strong and its chilly all of a sudden.

I am in my India jersey and keeping my fingers crossed. Am not going to be able to achieve much at work today. That I can guarantee. Sorry boss, will try and make it up for you sometime!

Critical stage of the tournament!

OK. It might not have been good to criticize the format of the World Cup. It was more that I was agitated at the prospect of watching Ireland being thrashed by 6 teams in the super eights. Unless of course, they cause another upset! I was not talking about Bangladesh as it is a test playing nation and if it does qualify, it was on cards for India or Sri Lanka having a bad day. So I take my words back about that part.

Anyway, letting bygones be bygones, lets look ahead to matches that are more consequential in the first group stage of the tournament.

1. India - Sri Lanka: The 'do or die' clash for India. Interesting!

(This match bears other significance: who carries points into the Super Eights

- Sri Lanka win and India go home, and the Lankans take the points ahead virtue of their win against Bangladesh

- India wins, and they carry the points forward, as Sri Lanka has already qualified.)

Who would have thought it would come down to this. Agreed that Bangladesh was always the strongest of the so called minnows.

Now that the NRR conundrum is out of the equation, its plain and simple for India: Beat Sri Lanka! (As Bangladesh cannot top India on net run rate) Easier said than done of course. Here is what I think it comes down to:

• Controlling Sanath Jayasuriya: India's nemesis. I think he has a strong apathy for India and kills them at sight. He has had problems against Ajit Agarkar's in swinging ball, like Chris Gayle. Zaheer has to be calm when Jayasuriya goes bang bang! He should not resort to pitching it short, which is his bad habit and keep pitching it up to him.
• Then comes the middle orders where Sangakkara and Jayawardene become potent. Not that the others in SL are poor, but these are the one who can milk around and score fifties in no time!
• Kumble should play in the XI and no place for Bhajji...the Lankans play him better. Plus we have Sehwag who can be used there. (Please Dravid, use spinners on spinner friendly wickets! I cannot answer why he made them bowl only 20 overs against Bangladesh)
• I am contemplating having Dinesh Karthik in the XI instead of Uthappa. I would have said Sehwag, but that's not going to be there, so no point in considering. Karthik seems a better late-middle order bat. That could be crucial against the bowling attack of the Lankans.

The problem is India has played Sri Lanka and the West Indies so often in the last year, it is difficult to define a yard stick. It is good and bad. Both know their strengths and weaknesses.

2. Australia v South Africa: Mouth watering!

Enough of build-ups, here is the real matter. Australia and South Africa have crushed the minnows ruthlessly and here's their test. This match is more about mental edge to be carried along with the points into next stage.

Gibbs' six sixes in an over feat, Kallis and Hall against the Scots, Ponting's century against Scotland and Hodge's all round performance against Netherlands, it warms up for a scintillating contest. I am going nowhere on Saturday night, being glued to the television sets is my POA.

3. West Indies- Ireland: Points, of course! But does it matter?

Upset? Why not? I remember the Beatles every now and then...Whisper words of wisdom..Let it be!

4. England v Kenya: Another do or die, upset, points at stake etc.

But this one is more interesting than the previous one. England is one helluva team! I do not under rate the Kenyans as well. They have always managed an upset in every now and then. West Indies in 1996. Sri Lanka in 2003. England in 2007 would not be a surprise.

I am going to wear my India shirt and am looking for a tape to cover my finger nails! Keeping fingers crossed!!

The group of death!

First, I would like to pay a tribute to Bob Woolmer. I am sad about his untimely death yesterday after Pakistan's shock defeat at the hands of Ireland and thus bowing out of the tournament.

March 17 highlighted a feature of World Cup 2007...losing one match can have such a huge bearing!

One bad day and the team almost definitely goes out of the tournament. I must admit I was pretty happy with the format of the world cup. Giving the 'minnows' a run in the first stage and having a group of Super Eights to match up the top eight teams sure sounded a logical approach. But one bad day for India against Bangladesh and couple that with Pakistan's ouster, the format looks flawed. For that loss against Bangladesh could easily put India out of the tournament as well.

Some may call me giving excuses for India's bad performance and trying to neutralise the facts. Logical it may sound, but on thinking a little more, how many people cherish the idea that Ireland or Zimbabwe (if they too manage to dislodge Pakistan) will play six matches in the super eights...almost every time getting thrashed by mightier opponents, who would have got settled after the group stage fixtures. Does one bad outing deserve this? I say one bad, because losing against a fellow top team is much more probable.

In the meantime, all my predictions have gone astray for that day. But I was back to my best after guessing West Indies and India thumping their opponents and England beating Canada, while the Dutch getting an Aussie beating.

The weekend is going to bring crucial fixtures vis-a-vis India facing the 'do or die' match against the Lankans and Australia taking on South Africa. Watch this space for a lead to those two...

Sri Lanka

First, let me tell you I did not get it all wrong - at least I got the result right! Though, I just realized that you've got to stay in your pants. I mean, I got predicting Aussies winning by wickets and they batted first and Kenya winning by runs and they chased! Hence forth, only results :P (Hopefully in the next post I don't write another first)

So, today Sri Lanka plays Bermuda and Zimbabwe play Ireland! What a night in prospect. I hate watching Sri Lanka play! I admit. A sports aficianado I maybe and I am sure I am going to watch both the matches tonight, but I hate watching Sri Lanka. They are plain and simply too boring. Still one dayers are better, don't bring me Sri Lanka test matches - especially against a team like South Africa.

Nevertheless, one of my friends is a die-hard fan. And for you 'lungi' (Now I have made your nickname immortal) Sri Lanka sucks! How great it would be for the southy tigers to lose against bengal tigers later in the tournament!

And Zimbabwe...was nice to see good man Henry Olonga on Set Max Extraaaaaaa Innings. Those a's epitomise the load you got to bear watching Ms. Bedi and co. I swear I can rather watch Aaj tak. Coming back to the point, Zim would be happy to score some.

West Indies v Pakistan

In the West Indies win over Pakistan, I got me my first prediction correct.

I don't completely understand the psychology of making predictions and the happiness derived by its coming true . Especially for such a long tournament, when constraints change everyday! But still I have an excel sheet marked up with all the results.

The best part is, if I am not allowed to look at the sheet and start predicting all over, I will get different answers, but still it is an enthralling feature of the game

Today's prediction:
Australia winning by 4 wickets.
Kenya cruising to a 90 run victory.

Hoo Haa India, Aaya India!!

So...what could be an ideal pecking order for India at this World Cup?
Here's what I think.
1. Sourav Ganguly
2. Virender Sehwag
3. Robin Uthappa
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. Rahul Dravid
6. Yuvraj Singh
7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
8. Ajit Agarkar
9. Harbhajan Singh
10. Zaheer Khan
11. Anil Kumble/Munaf Patel

I would play both the spinners against teams like England, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and the West Indies. Play lone spinner in Harbhajan against Australia. And play only Anil Kumble against Sri Lanka. Major reason being the Aussies playing Kumble like a medium pacer and Sri Lanka handling Bhajji better. The other teams play our seamers too well and are found wanting against spinners.

Champions League prequarters - two nights to savour!

Liverpool winning over Barcelona, Manchester United going through. Two teams I follow are through to the quarters.
Arsenal and Real Madrid, two teams I hate are out!
Perfect results!!!

No one would have thought that Liverpool would dump holders Barcelona out of the competition. That too with such domination. At the Nou Camp, the Reds made sure they come home in a strong position by winning 2-1. After a night of drama with Riise and Bellamy, they both scored to put Liverpool ahead and at Anfield, they dominated play...and although they lost, they won many hearts. The intent was terrific. Riise going close on three occassions and Gerrard, Kuyt and Bellamy pushing tirelessly. But the man of the moment was Jamie Carragher! A defense that made you feel that Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto'O did not take part in the match! The only concern for me would be: Converting chances into goals as they have lost two consecutive matches (Man United and Barca) after dominating the game!

Manchester United on the other hand had a more clinical approach to their tie against Lille. In the Champions League, one can always see the less fancied teams keen to impress and trying too hard. The bigger clubs might lose out, if they don't give them the respect and break them down. By always fielding a strong midfield, Sir Alex made sure that Lille did not have much contribution and a goal in his final match for United (to add to effect that he scored in his first match too) will leave Henrik Larsson etched in the memories of the Red Devils' fans.

Arsene Wenger sees black. The crib, after beaming about the team's presence in four competitions- the Premiership, FA Cup, Carling Cup and Champions League just a fornight back, sees his team out of contention in all four!! That would be hard to swallow! Boasting about his tactics, he was simply not upto it against PSV. For me, Wenger has always been too boastful about himself that his ego does not allow him to see his deficiencies. He cannot see that his so called 'total footbal' is a hoax. He cannot compare his players to the likes of Johan Cryff and co.

Real Madrid on the other hand is a sad story. Trying to buy stars in an attempt to buy trophies rather than earn them! The simple logic is they have forgotten the reasons that brought them success! They had a system to groom youngsters at their own camps and make stars out of them through performances. Thats what got them both - star power and medals. The likes of Hierro, Raul, Cassillas who made them the giants of spanish and European football. Also, they had players who put themselves on the edge and gave committed performances match after match - likes of Geremi, Makelele etc. Players whom they buy now, go to Madrid just for the pay...how can you get such players motivated to play for their lives? And to top it, the ridicule that Fabio Capello brought on himself by claiming he would never play Beckham again, when he was the only midfielder ready to assist in defence, when even the defenders like Roberto Carlos (who I think is a farce!) are not ready to fall back.

That leaves the following eight for the quarter final match up:
Liverpool
Manchester United
Chelsea
AC Milan
AS Roma
Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven
Valencia

Thats 3 English teams, 2 Italian teams and one each from Germany, Spain and Holland.
Lets wait till Friday to know who plays whom. Given that now on the draw is free, there is a high chance one of the English teams will find a fellow Premiership team in their way.