I have
mentioned before that I have developed a big passion towards sports and it
looks like a series of sports galore is heading my way from May 2012 to August
2012. So many sporting events all lined up to quench my thirst for this so
called "passion for sports".
English Premier League - Judgement Day (13/05/2012)
The calendar starts today with the final day of the English Premier League. The title challenge comes down to the wire between both the Manchester clubs. Tied with the same amount of points, Manchester City has the upper hand with the goal difference and will go on to win the title if they manage to secure all 3 points in the Etihad Stadium against Queen Parks Rangers, unless Manchester United manages to register a win against Sunderland and turns around a 8 goal difference which is highly unlikely to happen. But the Red Devils have not given up their title chances as they hope their former player, Mark Hughes, who is also the ex-manager of Manchester City to deliver a blow towards Manchester City's title dreams by procuring a draw or maybe an unexpected win.
Factual Result: Both Manchester clubs secure a win. Manchester City crowned EPL champions after 44 years.
Hopeful Result: Manchester City drops points against QPR. Manchester United become EPL champions for the 20th time.
This year not only the title battle goes down to the wire but also the relegation battle between QPR and Bolton Wanderers. With Wolves and Blackburn already relegated both QPR and Bolton have everything to play for in order to stay in the top flight competition. QPR has a 2 point advantage over Bolton and would need to record a better result than Bolton or just match Bolton's result in order to stay up. Bolton in the other hand would need to register a win and hope that QPR drops points against Manchester City. Both matches not only will determine the relegation battle but also determine the EPL champion.
Factual Result: Both teams drop points and QPR stays in the EPL.
Hopeful Result: QPR nicks a draw or win in Etihad Stadium to stay up and hand the title to the Red Devils at the same time.
Besides the title and relegation, the Champions League spot will also be played for in the last day with Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle all having chances to qualify. There are two places left and three teams fighting for it. One team will be left disappointed and maybe more than one in case Chelsea is crowned champions against Bayern Munich in the Champions League finals. All three matches will be intriguing as they fight for the last remaining places. Arsenal and Tottenham have their fate in their own hands as securing a win will promise a top 4 finish, meanwhile Newcastle needs to register a win and hope either one of the other teams to drop points.
Factual Result: Arsenal and Tottenham win to qualify for Champions League.
Hopeful Result: Tottenham and Newcastle qualify for Champions League. Arsenal misses out but gives chance to Arsene Wenger to focus more on the league next year and challenge for the title. Also chances for younger Gunners to show their worth in the Europa League.
Champions League Final - Bayern Munich vs Chelsea (19/05/2012)
This year will see Bayern Munich go against Chelsea to be crowned as the Champions of Europe. Both the La Liga giants missed out to get into the finals in what was expected to be an All-Spanish final. But this year's build up towards the final is not without its own drama none the less. Chelsea had a horrendous season this year by missing out on a top 4 finish for the first time since the last 9 years. Their season was also marred by the unsettled turmoil in the changing room and saw the departure of AVB. But caretaker manager, Roberto Di Matteo has initiated the resurgence of Chelsea by leading them to two cup finals. Having secured the FA Cup, Chelsea's eyes will be set upon the coveted Champions League trophy which has been Roman Abramovich's dream ever since he bought over the Blues. The Champions League has eluded Roman for the past one decade and this year might be the year he finally gets his hands on it.
Bayern Munich also had a less than satisfying season. They lost the Bundesliga by an 8 points difference to Borussia Dortmund. To add salt to the wound, Bayern lost the DFB-Pokal final to Borussia Dortmund with a score line of 5-2. Bayern Munich was outplayed by Borussia not only in the league but also in the domestic cup finals. Having lost their chances to secure a cup for this season on two accounts, the Champions League remains the last chance for them to finish the season with silverware. Having the home advantage as the finals will be played in the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich are set to avoid a trophyless season.
Factual Result: Bayern Munich nicks a close win in front of the home crowd.
Hopeful Result: Bayern Munich wins to ignite their resurgence for next season.
Thomas Cup 2012 (20/05/2012 - 27/05/2012)
The Thomas Cup this year will be hosted by China in Wuhan from the 20th May to the 27th May. The last we won the Thomas Cup was in 1992 when Cheah Soon Kiat and Soo Beng Kiang secured the last point which was needed to get our hands on the cup. After 1992, the closest we ever came to clinch the trophy once again was in 1994, 1998 and 2002 where we finished as runner-up by losing to Indonesia in all three accounts.
The BAM has set a semi final target for the Malaysian squad which in their opinion seems the most achievable target. Though, the Malaysian squad of Dato' Lee Chong Wei, Daren Liew, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Chong Wei Feng, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong are not considered the favourites to win the title, the Malaysian fans are giving their full support to them and remain hopeful that they will return from Wuhan with the trophy in their hands. Maybe this is the year where the 20 year long wait will come to an end.
Factual Result: China win the Thomas Cup for the 5th time in a row.
Hopeful Result: Malaysian squad pulls a surprise win and comes back home as Heroes.
French Open 2012 - Les internationaux de France de Roland-Garros (27/05/2012 - 10/06/2012)
The three way battle for the Grand Slam title between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is upon us once again with Andy Murray providing challenge from time to time. All four of them have everything to play for with each having their personal reason to prove something.
But the French Open clay court plays advantage to the reigning King of Clay, Rafael Nadal. Having won the title 6 times, equalling Bjorn Borg's record, Rafael Nadal is set to surpass that record. Nadal showed his confidence in the clay court with his win over Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer in the finals of Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and the Barcelona Open respectively even though he crashed out in the 3rd round of the controversial blue clay court of the Madrid Open. Rafael Nadal would want to retain his French Open title and cement his place as the King of Clay.
Novak Djokovic after losing to Nadal in the Monte Carlo open finals would want to avenge his defeat and prove that he is worthy of the world number 1 title in all type of courts. He also would want to break his drought of not having ever won the French Open title. Another player who is set to break his spell of not having a Grand Slam title is Andy Murray. The British media will once again focus on Murray to see whether he will finally secure a Grand Slam title. Will he be able to handle the pressure and come out victorious?
One player which you can never put aside is Roger Federer, who is considered the greatest player to embrace the game of tennis. Looking to add to his 16 Grand Slams title, Federer would want to win the French Open which he has only manage to win once making the French Open his least successful Slam. It has been 2 years since Federer won his last Slam, the 2010 Australian Open and the closest he has ever come to win another Slam after that was the 2011 French Open, where he once again finished as the runner-up losing to Rafael Nadal. But this might be the Slam that "The Emperor" makes his comeback.
Factual Result: Rafael Nadal wins his 7th French Open title.
Hopeful Result: Roger Federer wins his 17th Grand Slam title.
UEFA Euro 2012 (08/06/2012 - 01/07/2012)
The UEFA Euro will be back this year after Spain won it the last time in 2006. Spain will be looking to retain the cup since no nations has won it in a back-to-back tournaments before. Spain will also want to make it their third win of the tournaments. Germany the strong hold of European football will also be one of the team to watch.
England under the new management of Roy Hodgson will have a lot to prove since they didn't qualify for the previous tournament. The English media will have all their eyes on the manager and the players putting them under immense pressure as usual. Netherlands has had an amazing record during the qualifying rounds and the EPL top scorer RVP will be trying to achieve the same in this tournament.
Besides team victory, a personal agenda will be looming with the name of Cristiano Ronaldo. He is the only person standing between Messi and his 4th World Player of the Year Award. Both have scored an immense amount of goals in the LA Liga and all other competitions. Messi if he wins the Copa Del Rey, having the bigger goal and assist numbers than Ronaldo might have the slight advantage of bagging the title, unless Ronaldo emerges victorious in winning the UEFA Euro 2012 or the Golden Boot of the tournament. But being in the group of death with Germany and Netherlands will make things tough for him and Portugal.
The UEFA Euro tournament which has been full of surprises teaches us that we cannot write any team off. There might be surprises waiting to happen in the likes of France, Italy, Russia, Sweden and the other countries too.
Factual Result: Favourites to win the tournament; Spain, Germany or Netherlands.
Hopeful Result: England wins the tournament to end their fan's years and years of disappointment or Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal wins the tournament and of course he bags the Golden Boot too en route.
Wimbledon 2012 (25/06/2012 - 08/07/2012)
The tennis giants will be back on the grass court after the clay court Grand Slam. The statistics in Wimbledon will have a slight twist in comparison with Roland Garros. Novak Djokovic will want to retain his title. Roger Federer's win will tie him with Pete Sampras as the player with the most Wimbledon Singles title. Rafael Nadal who has only won the title once would want to add to it. Andy Murray will still be in line to win his first Grand Slam if hasn't won it yet during the French Open 2012. More twist and turns will be expected depending on the result of the French Open that would have concluded around two weeks before.
Factual Result: Novak Djokovic to retain the title.
Hopeful Result: Roger Federer wins to equal Pete Sampras record.
Olympics - London 2012 (27/07/2012 - 12/08/2012)
The Summer Olympics is back after 4 years. We see a venue change from Beijing to London this time around. If i start listing the amount of events that i am looking forward to, the list will just get longer and longer. Just to sum things up; Usain Bolt will definitely be under the radar whether he will be setting another world record, Liu Xiang in the track events, Michael Phelps in swimming, the men and women tennis singles, football, basketball where the USA will be putting their "Dream Team" on to the court and many more.
But of course being a Malaysian, my full focus will be on the badminton court. The Olympic Gold medal has eluded our country ever since its conception. We came close to winning it on two occasions, Cheah Soon Kit - Yap Kim Hock losing out in the Men Doubles finals to Rexy Mainacky - Ricky Subagja in Atlanta 1996 and Dato' Lee Chong Wei losing out in the Men Singles final to Lin Dan in Beijing 2008. But the Gold Medal shall not elude us no more. This year will be Dato' Lee's year and Malaysia will clinch its first Gold medal in London. If only squash was in the Olympics, Dato' Nicol David would have won the Gold Medal by now and will probably be eyeing her second Gold this year.
Let’s hope that London 2012 will be an event to remember and they mesmerize us during the Opening Ceremony. Waiting to see who will light the Olympic Flame and how it will be lit because Barcelona 1992, where Antonio Rebollo shot his flaming arrow into the cauldron is considered the best flame lighting ever and none of the events after that have come close to beating it yet.
Factual Result: Only for badminton - Lin Dan wins Gold again.
Hopeful Result: Only for badminton - Dato' Lee wins the Gold and surprise package Koo Kien Keat - Tan Boon Heong win the Gold also giving Malaysia double victory and 1 day public holiday or maybe 2.
Looks like I have listed the sporting events that are coming my way for the next three months. I might have left out a few; the F1 races that will be taking place in the weekends will be full of excitement with so many drivers contending for the F1 Champion title, the Copa Del Rey which might take Lionel Messi's goal tally for the season even higher and of course the Women Single's tournament for both the French Open and the Wimbledon which I will be supporting Maria Sharapova as usual. A week after the Summer Olympics, the football season will kick off and it’s the whole circle of sports once again with other events all lined up for next year. Well I hope most of my "Hopeful Results" will be realized. I will be writing a "post-mortem" article once the events are over.
Until then, I would like to quote Datuk Haji Hasbullah Awang, "Majulah Sukan Untuk Negara".
English Premier League - Judgement Day (13/05/2012)
The calendar starts today with the final day of the English Premier League. The title challenge comes down to the wire between both the Manchester clubs. Tied with the same amount of points, Manchester City has the upper hand with the goal difference and will go on to win the title if they manage to secure all 3 points in the Etihad Stadium against Queen Parks Rangers, unless Manchester United manages to register a win against Sunderland and turns around a 8 goal difference which is highly unlikely to happen. But the Red Devils have not given up their title chances as they hope their former player, Mark Hughes, who is also the ex-manager of Manchester City to deliver a blow towards Manchester City's title dreams by procuring a draw or maybe an unexpected win.
Factual Result: Both Manchester clubs secure a win. Manchester City crowned EPL champions after 44 years.
Hopeful Result: Manchester City drops points against QPR. Manchester United become EPL champions for the 20th time.
This year not only the title battle goes down to the wire but also the relegation battle between QPR and Bolton Wanderers. With Wolves and Blackburn already relegated both QPR and Bolton have everything to play for in order to stay in the top flight competition. QPR has a 2 point advantage over Bolton and would need to record a better result than Bolton or just match Bolton's result in order to stay up. Bolton in the other hand would need to register a win and hope that QPR drops points against Manchester City. Both matches not only will determine the relegation battle but also determine the EPL champion.
Factual Result: Both teams drop points and QPR stays in the EPL.
Hopeful Result: QPR nicks a draw or win in Etihad Stadium to stay up and hand the title to the Red Devils at the same time.
Besides the title and relegation, the Champions League spot will also be played for in the last day with Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle all having chances to qualify. There are two places left and three teams fighting for it. One team will be left disappointed and maybe more than one in case Chelsea is crowned champions against Bayern Munich in the Champions League finals. All three matches will be intriguing as they fight for the last remaining places. Arsenal and Tottenham have their fate in their own hands as securing a win will promise a top 4 finish, meanwhile Newcastle needs to register a win and hope either one of the other teams to drop points.
Factual Result: Arsenal and Tottenham win to qualify for Champions League.
Hopeful Result: Tottenham and Newcastle qualify for Champions League. Arsenal misses out but gives chance to Arsene Wenger to focus more on the league next year and challenge for the title. Also chances for younger Gunners to show their worth in the Europa League.
Champions League Final - Bayern Munich vs Chelsea (19/05/2012)
This year will see Bayern Munich go against Chelsea to be crowned as the Champions of Europe. Both the La Liga giants missed out to get into the finals in what was expected to be an All-Spanish final. But this year's build up towards the final is not without its own drama none the less. Chelsea had a horrendous season this year by missing out on a top 4 finish for the first time since the last 9 years. Their season was also marred by the unsettled turmoil in the changing room and saw the departure of AVB. But caretaker manager, Roberto Di Matteo has initiated the resurgence of Chelsea by leading them to two cup finals. Having secured the FA Cup, Chelsea's eyes will be set upon the coveted Champions League trophy which has been Roman Abramovich's dream ever since he bought over the Blues. The Champions League has eluded Roman for the past one decade and this year might be the year he finally gets his hands on it.
Bayern Munich also had a less than satisfying season. They lost the Bundesliga by an 8 points difference to Borussia Dortmund. To add salt to the wound, Bayern lost the DFB-Pokal final to Borussia Dortmund with a score line of 5-2. Bayern Munich was outplayed by Borussia not only in the league but also in the domestic cup finals. Having lost their chances to secure a cup for this season on two accounts, the Champions League remains the last chance for them to finish the season with silverware. Having the home advantage as the finals will be played in the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich are set to avoid a trophyless season.
Factual Result: Bayern Munich nicks a close win in front of the home crowd.
Hopeful Result: Bayern Munich wins to ignite their resurgence for next season.
Thomas Cup 2012 (20/05/2012 - 27/05/2012)
The Thomas Cup this year will be hosted by China in Wuhan from the 20th May to the 27th May. The last we won the Thomas Cup was in 1992 when Cheah Soon Kiat and Soo Beng Kiang secured the last point which was needed to get our hands on the cup. After 1992, the closest we ever came to clinch the trophy once again was in 1994, 1998 and 2002 where we finished as runner-up by losing to Indonesia in all three accounts.
The BAM has set a semi final target for the Malaysian squad which in their opinion seems the most achievable target. Though, the Malaysian squad of Dato' Lee Chong Wei, Daren Liew, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Chong Wei Feng, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong are not considered the favourites to win the title, the Malaysian fans are giving their full support to them and remain hopeful that they will return from Wuhan with the trophy in their hands. Maybe this is the year where the 20 year long wait will come to an end.
Factual Result: China win the Thomas Cup for the 5th time in a row.
Hopeful Result: Malaysian squad pulls a surprise win and comes back home as Heroes.
French Open 2012 - Les internationaux de France de Roland-Garros (27/05/2012 - 10/06/2012)
The three way battle for the Grand Slam title between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is upon us once again with Andy Murray providing challenge from time to time. All four of them have everything to play for with each having their personal reason to prove something.
But the French Open clay court plays advantage to the reigning King of Clay, Rafael Nadal. Having won the title 6 times, equalling Bjorn Borg's record, Rafael Nadal is set to surpass that record. Nadal showed his confidence in the clay court with his win over Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer in the finals of Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and the Barcelona Open respectively even though he crashed out in the 3rd round of the controversial blue clay court of the Madrid Open. Rafael Nadal would want to retain his French Open title and cement his place as the King of Clay.
Novak Djokovic after losing to Nadal in the Monte Carlo open finals would want to avenge his defeat and prove that he is worthy of the world number 1 title in all type of courts. He also would want to break his drought of not having ever won the French Open title. Another player who is set to break his spell of not having a Grand Slam title is Andy Murray. The British media will once again focus on Murray to see whether he will finally secure a Grand Slam title. Will he be able to handle the pressure and come out victorious?
One player which you can never put aside is Roger Federer, who is considered the greatest player to embrace the game of tennis. Looking to add to his 16 Grand Slams title, Federer would want to win the French Open which he has only manage to win once making the French Open his least successful Slam. It has been 2 years since Federer won his last Slam, the 2010 Australian Open and the closest he has ever come to win another Slam after that was the 2011 French Open, where he once again finished as the runner-up losing to Rafael Nadal. But this might be the Slam that "The Emperor" makes his comeback.
Factual Result: Rafael Nadal wins his 7th French Open title.
Hopeful Result: Roger Federer wins his 17th Grand Slam title.
UEFA Euro 2012 (08/06/2012 - 01/07/2012)
The UEFA Euro will be back this year after Spain won it the last time in 2006. Spain will be looking to retain the cup since no nations has won it in a back-to-back tournaments before. Spain will also want to make it their third win of the tournaments. Germany the strong hold of European football will also be one of the team to watch.
England under the new management of Roy Hodgson will have a lot to prove since they didn't qualify for the previous tournament. The English media will have all their eyes on the manager and the players putting them under immense pressure as usual. Netherlands has had an amazing record during the qualifying rounds and the EPL top scorer RVP will be trying to achieve the same in this tournament.
Besides team victory, a personal agenda will be looming with the name of Cristiano Ronaldo. He is the only person standing between Messi and his 4th World Player of the Year Award. Both have scored an immense amount of goals in the LA Liga and all other competitions. Messi if he wins the Copa Del Rey, having the bigger goal and assist numbers than Ronaldo might have the slight advantage of bagging the title, unless Ronaldo emerges victorious in winning the UEFA Euro 2012 or the Golden Boot of the tournament. But being in the group of death with Germany and Netherlands will make things tough for him and Portugal.
The UEFA Euro tournament which has been full of surprises teaches us that we cannot write any team off. There might be surprises waiting to happen in the likes of France, Italy, Russia, Sweden and the other countries too.
Factual Result: Favourites to win the tournament; Spain, Germany or Netherlands.
Hopeful Result: England wins the tournament to end their fan's years and years of disappointment or Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal wins the tournament and of course he bags the Golden Boot too en route.
Wimbledon 2012 (25/06/2012 - 08/07/2012)
The tennis giants will be back on the grass court after the clay court Grand Slam. The statistics in Wimbledon will have a slight twist in comparison with Roland Garros. Novak Djokovic will want to retain his title. Roger Federer's win will tie him with Pete Sampras as the player with the most Wimbledon Singles title. Rafael Nadal who has only won the title once would want to add to it. Andy Murray will still be in line to win his first Grand Slam if hasn't won it yet during the French Open 2012. More twist and turns will be expected depending on the result of the French Open that would have concluded around two weeks before.
Factual Result: Novak Djokovic to retain the title.
Hopeful Result: Roger Federer wins to equal Pete Sampras record.
Olympics - London 2012 (27/07/2012 - 12/08/2012)
The Summer Olympics is back after 4 years. We see a venue change from Beijing to London this time around. If i start listing the amount of events that i am looking forward to, the list will just get longer and longer. Just to sum things up; Usain Bolt will definitely be under the radar whether he will be setting another world record, Liu Xiang in the track events, Michael Phelps in swimming, the men and women tennis singles, football, basketball where the USA will be putting their "Dream Team" on to the court and many more.
But of course being a Malaysian, my full focus will be on the badminton court. The Olympic Gold medal has eluded our country ever since its conception. We came close to winning it on two occasions, Cheah Soon Kit - Yap Kim Hock losing out in the Men Doubles finals to Rexy Mainacky - Ricky Subagja in Atlanta 1996 and Dato' Lee Chong Wei losing out in the Men Singles final to Lin Dan in Beijing 2008. But the Gold Medal shall not elude us no more. This year will be Dato' Lee's year and Malaysia will clinch its first Gold medal in London. If only squash was in the Olympics, Dato' Nicol David would have won the Gold Medal by now and will probably be eyeing her second Gold this year.
Let’s hope that London 2012 will be an event to remember and they mesmerize us during the Opening Ceremony. Waiting to see who will light the Olympic Flame and how it will be lit because Barcelona 1992, where Antonio Rebollo shot his flaming arrow into the cauldron is considered the best flame lighting ever and none of the events after that have come close to beating it yet.
Factual Result: Only for badminton - Lin Dan wins Gold again.
Hopeful Result: Only for badminton - Dato' Lee wins the Gold and surprise package Koo Kien Keat - Tan Boon Heong win the Gold also giving Malaysia double victory and 1 day public holiday or maybe 2.
Looks like I have listed the sporting events that are coming my way for the next three months. I might have left out a few; the F1 races that will be taking place in the weekends will be full of excitement with so many drivers contending for the F1 Champion title, the Copa Del Rey which might take Lionel Messi's goal tally for the season even higher and of course the Women Single's tournament for both the French Open and the Wimbledon which I will be supporting Maria Sharapova as usual. A week after the Summer Olympics, the football season will kick off and it’s the whole circle of sports once again with other events all lined up for next year. Well I hope most of my "Hopeful Results" will be realized. I will be writing a "post-mortem" article once the events are over.
Until then, I would like to quote Datuk Haji Hasbullah Awang, "Majulah Sukan Untuk Negara".
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