Fariz Blog — Nothin’ but simplicity..

Last night I was shocked. When I was watching Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed movie on the television, a breaking news suddenly appeared. It was Benazir Bhutto’s death. She was shot before she entered her bullet-proof car, after her political campaign. She was shot twice at her neck and her chest. After that, the man who shot her blew himself out. And the explosion killed at least 20 people around him (if I’m not mistaken). What a dirty politics! 

Not only the people in Pakistan got angry. Most people in the world cursed the murder. I hope there will be no more violence in this beautiful world..

Picture taken from www.pbs.org

Tags: bhutto, murder, politics, news, pakistan

In the aftermath of the 1-1 draw with Udinese, Inter coach Roberto Mancini indicated that his team has problems taking the literal heat of summer, if not the metaphorical heat of the Serie A kitchen. In any case, the coach isn’t too downheartened, and feels his side just needs to take its chances…

Inter coach Roberto Mancini was made to sweat as his ten-man side tried to hold on to a one goal lead against Udinese, only to concede an equaliser in the last minute.

In his post match reaction, the manager partially blamed the summer weather for his side’s failure to defend its advantage.

"I’ve always said that, in August, we cannot play at 15:00; we should play at 18:00," he fumed.

"Instead, we play in the early afternoon in the summer, and we see 20:00 games postponed in January."

But he focused mostly on the game, and took some positives from the result, despite slipping up as he seeks to defend his side’s title.

"In the first half, we had plenty of chances to kill off the tie, but didn’t take them," he said.

"We’re just starting the season, and with heat like this, I can understand that the performance was not the greatest one."

Referring to Julio Cesar’s deserved red card for deliberate handball, he added, "When you go down to ten men, to suffer like that is really expected.

"We paid for having numerical inferiority in these conditions."

Inter fell to a last-minute strike, credited to Asamoah but apparently taking a deflection off Cordoba, after a Pepe corner. Dejan Stankovic had earlier opened the scoring for Inter.

Do you like watching movie?
Do you like comedy?
Do you like laughing?
Do you like drama?
Do you respect family values?
Do you like The Simpsons?
Do you like Green Day?
Do you like Tom Hanks?
Do you like Arnold Schwarzenegger?

You MUST watch this movie! 

There’s nothing more I can say about it.. Just watch and you’ll find out.. 

Picture taken from theprotagonist5.wordpress.com

After gaining two draws (1-1 against Thailand and 1-1 against Oman, both in group phase) and four wins (3-1 against Australia in group phase, 2-0 against Vietnam in quarter-final, 4-3 on penalties against Korea in semi-final, and 1-0 against Saudi Arabia in final), Iraq have been admitted as the champions of 2007 AFC Asian Cup. The trophy for the team was presented by the president of Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. And the small trophies for each players were presented by the president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter.

Playing the final match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, the Iraqi squad fought the Saudi Arabians like a bunch of wounded lions. Unlike the current situation in their country after U.S. invasion –conflicts everytime and everywhere, they showed a very beautiful teamwork in a very solid team. I think I haven’t ever watched them play like that before..

I felt some satisfaction after watching the final match. I’m just glad that Iraq won the championship. Don’t know exactly why.. Probably because I got some sympathy on them.. Hehehe..

Bravo Iraq!!

Picture taken from www.afcasiancup.com

It’s been about three years since my last Soundrenaline –probably the biggest music event ever held in Indonesia, at least it’s what I think –. It was held in a couple cities, as always (since 2003, the 2^nd Soundrenaline). I watched that concert in my hometown, Malang, with my friends. But the experience wasn’t as great as I had when I attended the same event a year before in Surabaya (not actually Surabaya though, but in Bumi Marinir, Gedangan, Sidoarjo). I think it was because of the venue here, which wasn’t as big as one at Surabaya.

In these last three years, I’ve felt some kinda hunger of a great music event that can give me some adrenaline rush, and a great satisfaction in music appreciating. I’ve been missing such rock music concert (although there’s not only rock musicians who perform in Soundrenaline). Because of many things, I just couldn’t attend the rock concerts held in these last three years. What a pity..

This year, I’m having a plan to go to Surabaya for Soundrenaline, along with my friends. August 5^th is the exact date. I’m gonna feed my hunger of rock concert, I’m gonna water my thirst of hundred-thousand watts of powerful sound system. I’m gonna watch the concert after missing it for three straight years, even if I had to crawl over the hot mud flood to reach it (ouch, too hyperbolic I guess.. )

Watch out, Surabaya.. We will rock you!!

Picture taken from www.amild.com

Few mistakes in youth futsal for newly formed teams:

1. Short rosters. Teams have short roster to have more playing time. This is not the spirit of Futsal. In Futsal coaches should replace players often to get the most of their energy and coach them while they are out.

2. Excessive kicking. Futsal is not a kicking sport. It is a moving and getting close to the goal.

3. Bad transition from attack to defense and vice-versa. When your team has possession all players attack. Immediately when the ball is lost all players defend. If you have to tie your shoes ask the coach to sub you.

4. Dead zone players. Players that don’t move get in a dead zone. If a coach perceives a player in a dead zone the coach should replace the player immediately and talk to him. Either the player is tired or don’t understand the game.

5. Giving up. Do not look at the score board, a goal can be scored in 2 seconds in Futsal. If you think that your game is lost because you are loosing by 5 or 6 goals you are mistaken.

6. Not using the goalie as a 5^th player when available. Use the goalie when you can. The goalie becomes the fifth player and gives an edge. If the opposing player goes after the goalie the goalie passes to the open player. If the goalie can’t pass he can kick to get rid of the ball after 4 seconds of possession.

7. Over committing on the last minute. When players see the clock on the last minute they get desperately on the attack. The odds are that they will get scored against. This tactics of over committing should be used only when the game or tournament is completely lost.

8. Marking. Futsal is dynamic and so is marking players.. A front player walking back slowly should be replaced immediately.

9. Goalie bouncing the ball to players. Goalie should roll the ball as close to the floor as possible because it is easier for the player receiving the ball to control.

10. Slow ball reposition. The fastest the ball is played after a game stop the better is for your team.

11. Distracted players. Players should have the eye on the ball as close to 100% of the time as possible.

12. Controlling the ball with the side of the feet. in Futsal the ball is controlled with the bottom of the feet.

13. Players loosing focus. There is no time in Futsal for getting upset. Getting upset with a play or the referee may cost your team dearly. If you don’t have the focus the odds are that your team will suffer.

14. Physical games. Futsal is skills; it is not a physical game. Instead of play physical players need to focus on the game.

15. Playing Futsal just to enhance skills. To benefit from Futsal you have to understand the spirit of the game.

16. Lack of movement. When attacking, players should be moving constantly. Rotation is highly desirable. When attacking, players need to be constantly looking for open space.

Other tips:

1. The kick start is a forward kick. Place the receiving player close enough so he can get the ball before the opponent.

2. Place the ball on the line and have your body outside of the field to restart a play after the ball goes out of the boundaries.

3. The goalie must use his hands for a goal clearance.

4. The opponent player should allow 5 yards in a kick in play.

5. When the goalie throws the ball it must hit his own court or a second player before it hits the opposing court.

6. There are no shoulder charges, slides or even play the ball when you are down allowed in Futsal.

Source: Tri-Valley Futsal
Picture taken from www.futsal.com

Mexico secured a shock 2-0 victory over reigning champions Brazil in their opening Group B clash of the Copa America.

In front of a crowd of 40, 000 at the Cachamay stadium in Puerto Ordaz, Hugo Sanchez’s side were far superior against a depleted Brazil outfit.

First-half goals from Nery Castillo and Ramon Morales secured the stunning victory for Mexico.

Alex came close to opening the scoring for Brazil but it was Mexico who took the lead in the 23rd minute when Olimpyacos’ midfielder Castillo completed a superb individual move with a powerful shot.

Just six minutes later and another stunning strike made it 2-0.

Guadalajara midfielder Morales fired home a superb free kick that nestled into the right corner of the net.

Chances were few after that as Brazil struggled to find their rhythm and impose themselves on Mexico.

Castillo saw his effort well saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Helton while Robinho’s shot for Brazil went straight into the hands of Ochoa.

With only a few minutes remaining Robinho smashed a shot against the crossbar while Alex had a header well saved by Ochoa.

Brazil will try to recover against Chile, who earlier secured an impressive 3-2 win over Ecuador, in their second game on Sunday while Mexico will face Luis Fernando Suarez’ side.

Both games will be played at the Juana La Avanzadora stadium in Maturin city.

England manager Stuart Pearce said it was "probably the proudest moment of my career" after his side pushed the Netherlands all the way as a thrilling UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-final ended with a UEFA competition record penalty shoot-out. England had led for almost an hour through Leroy Lita’s 39th-minute opener before Maceo Rigters scored a dramatic bicycle-kick equaliser a minute from time. Yet the drama was far from over. With all England’s substitutions used, injury forced Nedum Onuoha off in extra time while Steven Taylor limped through the additional 30 minutes before penalties ensued – 32 of them to be precise. The Netherlands eventually sealed a 13-12 victory which their coach Foppe de Haan admitted was "bad for the heart".

Stuart Pearce, England manager
The players are crestfallen. They’ve given their lot emotionally and physically and it was an incredible evening’s football. It’s probably the proudest moment of my career. At the moment I want a nice cappuccino and to go and cuddle some of the players in the dressing room. We have to congratulate the Dutch after putting in so much effort tonight. We were prepared for penalties though. We’ve studied the players, showing statistically which way they could go. The penalties I was involved in only went to five or six penalties, so we’re going in the right direction. Credit to their goalkeeper, he got his hand to a couple, one more than ours. We’ve given a good account of ourselves, and I’m very proud of them all. As a young player you can only benefit from tournaments like this. We’ve got the nucleus of nine or ten players who can represent the U21s going into the next tournament in two years. It bodes well.

Foppe de Haan, Netherlands coach
A remarkable match. First half we didn’t play well. There was no tempo. We always had a spare man in midfield and they scored. It was poor defending and then we had to do it. And we did it. We were happy in the last minute when Donk headed across for Maceo’s goal although we were not good in extra time. We trained penalties a lot after a bad experience on penalties with the Netherlands U20s against Nigeria. It’s our second time in the final – if you’d have told me we’d get there before the tournament, I’d have been very happy. Before the match we talked everything through so they knew what to do when we went to penalties. Royston Drenthe missed his first, but it was a good spot-kick and he then scored his second. Penalties are awful though. There is a lot of tension and you have to think positive all the time – it’s bad for the heart. It was a real team effort. We played better last year so we have to work harder to win.

Samuel Eto’o has revealed that he has talked to Thierry Henry about joining him at Barcelona.

The Arsenal captain has once more been linked with a summer move to the Spanish giants, but there have been questions about how he would slot into a front-line also comprising Eto’o, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.

Eto’o is not worried by such a conundrum and the Cameroon striker is hoping Henry can be enticed to Camp Nou for next season.

"Henry? I was chatting to him while he was boarding the plane that took him to the States to see the NBA final," Eto’o told The Times.

"He is a great mate of mine and we will play all together. There is room for everybody."

Eto’o has also expressed his determination to stay after being linked to UEFA Champions League finalists Liverpool and Milan.

He was at odds with Ronaldinho and coach Frank Rijkaard last season, but is adamant he will not be forced out of the dethroned Spanish champions.

Eto’o added: "I am the owner of my own future and I have a very clear idea of what I want. The club cannot force me to do anything, nobody can.

"I have a very good relationship with the club, a very good one with the chairman and I don’t think we will get to that point (leaving).

"There are people interested in me leaving, I know that. When I don’t have anything more to give Barcelona I will let the board and the coach know.

"But at the moment, someone is building a huge lie, so big that everybody believes it. Only I will decide my future and I will continue here."

China will not issue licences for any new internet cafes this year amid concerns that access to online material is harming its youth.

The announcement comes a week after a Shanghai court ordered the owners of an internet cafe to pay $11,200 to the family of a boy who collapsed and died after playing online games for two straight days.

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce said on its website that it would carry out an industry-wide inspection to see if the cafes, which are supposed to limit the time minors are online, are improperly renting out their licences or failing to register customers’ identities.

The Chinese government encourages web use for commerce and education, but blocks access to online material deemed obscene or subversive.

It reportedly operates an online police force numbering in the tens of thousands to monitor internet activity and block sites officials consider unsuitable.

‘Guidance’

In April, China launched a crackdown on online pornography after the Chinese president ordered the authorities to promote a "healthy online culture".

Hu Jintao said officials needed to "raise the level of guidance online" to protect the stability of the state.

His comments came at around the same time as a report by the Beijing Reformatory for Juvenile Delinquents which said that 33.5 per cent of its detainees were influenced by violent online games or erotic websites when they committed crimes such as robbery and rape.

Earlier this year the government launched a crackdown on the transfer of licences after it said some of those given licences, including schools, were renting or selling them.

China has the world’s second-largest population of internet users, numbering some 137 million people in 2006, up 23 per cent on the previous year.

Its 120,000 internet cafes are particularly popular with customers who spend hours playing online games that link multiple competitors.

Given current rates of growth, China is expected to surpass the US as the largest online population in two years.

Source: Al Jazeera