The Galaxy didn’t get their equalizer until the 84th minute. A long
throw-in from the left flank was knocked straight up in the air where
Landon Donovan won a header. He sent it back into the middle where Glen
was got lost in the confusion. Glen slipped the ball into the back of
the net, and set the table for the dramatic finish.
from: www.mlsnet.com
Not the best writers in terms of grammar…
ha ha
Jonathan
Rooney’s strike was unstoppable
|
Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park scored as Manchester United won their ninth successive Premiership match.
Rooney controlled Mikael Silvestre’s brilliant cross
before shooting past Jens Lehmann and later crossed for Park to score
from close range.
Lehmann had superbly saved from Rooney twice before his
goal, while Kolo Toure appeared to divert a strike from the forward on
to the post with his hand.
United keeper Edwin van der Sar made good saves from Robin van Persie.
The result means Sir Alex Ferguson’s team move back to
within seven points of Chelsea, who defeated West Ham 4-1 earlier on
Sunday.
United have five games left to catch the reigning champions, including a match at Stamford Bridge against Jose Mourinho’s team.
But the victory over Arsenal means United are assured of
finishing in the top four – and thus qualifying for next seaon’s
Champions League.
 |
For Arsenal, though, their ninth away defeat in the
Premiership this season leaves them five points behind north London
rivals Tottenham in the race for fourth place.
It could have been different for Arsene Wenger’s team if
they had converted one of their early chances – in a match played in
front of a Premiership record crowd of 70,908.
Despite relegating Thierry Henry to the bench Arsenal
made the early running. Gary Neville made a superb challenge to deny
Emmanuel Adebayor after he had been played through by Alexander Hleb
and Van der Sar saved from Van Persie.
It took United a while to settle but eventually they
started to threaten, Lehmann punching clear a Cristiano Ronaldo
free-kick and then making two superb saves to deny Rooney.
Each time Rooney shot across Lehmann, the first from 20 yards and the second considerably closer but from a tighter angle.
Arsenal looked to break quickly and Van der Sar made a superb save low to his left to thwart Van Persie.
Van Nistelrooy, starting ahead of Louis Saha, started to
assert his influence on the contest, shooting wide from a tight angle
and forcing Lehmann into action with a header.
And it was a superb through ball from Van Nistelrooy that led to the major incident of the first half.
He played Rooney through and his team-mate took the ball around Lehmann before shooting goalwards.
Toure, struggling to regain his feet, appeared to handle
as he dived to his right to try to stop Rooney’s strike. The ball was
deflected against the post but the incident went unnoticed by referee
Graham Poll.
Rooney was not to be denied after the break – the
20-year-old smashing the ball past Lehmann after taking one touch to
control Silvestre’s cross.
Arsenal went in search of an equaliser, with Adebayor
shooting narrowly over and Van Persie failing to convert Emmanuel
Eboue’s cross.
Eboue brilliantly eluded Rooney before cutting inside
but his ball to Van Persie was struck firmly, making it difficult for
his team-mate to make a decisive contact.
Arsenal introduced Henry with 18 minutes left but Park’s goal took the match beyond the away team.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Ronaldo, O’Shea, Giggs, Park (Evra 84), Rooney, van Nistelrooy (Saha 62).
Subs Not Used: Howard, Brown, Pique.
Booked: Vidic, O’Shea, Silvestre.
Goals: Rooney 54, Park 78.
Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Senderos, Toure,
Flamini, Hleb (Ljungberg 74), Fabregas (Diaby 69), Silva, Pires, Van
Persie (Henry 69), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Poom, Djourou.
Booked: Silva.
Att: 70,908
Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).
Hello…
I’m full. just had the best damn Cha Siu rice today. Well not the best damn one. The best one is in Wan Chai. But still pretty good. With you. it makes it even better. though it was rushed and in the car… it still was pretty tasty.
Ahhh… it is the the end of another week, and another week of non-work has gone by and still not much done. Sigh. I really really have to work hard next week or else I am going to fucking die.
Ok drama aside, I really want to get this done. I am going to the Film Archives next week, and going to do some more interviews. I want to get this damn project out of the way.
I need to make some calls… Sigh. I hate calling people and setting up appointments.
Jonathan Out!
For the last few days I have seen white clouds and blue skies. And it has reminded me why I remain in this city. It has been beautiful. Eventhough it was a public holiday yesterday, I had a very off day, but the clear skies and the stars at night kept me going. And Braemar Hill kept me smiling at night. It always makes me happy.
Thank you God for always remembering the little things that matter most in our lives. I will do my best to do the same.
Jonathan Out!
Wow, what a weekend. From Start to Finsh, this has to be the best feeling Rugby Sevens I’ve had in a long time. From the US losing to England, HK, and Canada in the Pool. To the last second try that England scored in a Cup final that they probably shouldn’t have been in (thanks to a little luck from the shitty ref, agains Samoa), I am completely depleted of energy.
I am exhausted, after the longest and most Intense weekend of my life. Hong Kong played admirably and made everyone one in the 40,000 strong crowd proud when they beat the United States, and put up a vailait effort against England and Canada? Yes they were the surprising team of the year scoring a few tries against Canada and beating United States in Pool B.
Obviously New Zealand, Fiji, and Samoa, were kicking ass all the way through as were England. The Rugby super powers as I call them. France, and Australia, are good too but by principal, I don’t like them. Though it was fine day, when Korea almost beat the French (but ended up drawing). And When Japan, almost beat New Zealand in their pool match, if it weren’t for a last gasp try from New Zealand. All pool Matches were surprisingly brilliant, eventhough the one sided matches got boring at times, the whole day was far from boring.
Some early surprises also, were from Madagascar? and Sri Lanka? Yeah that’s what I thought, but they were fantastic, and put up some great fights. Eventhough they lost all their pool matches. They played some heroic rugby and showed they they deserve to come back next year.
China enterted their name into Rugby Sevens history books wheyn they won the Bowl. The ended up beating Itay, Hong Kong, and Chinese Taipei to win the Bowl Final. The final was one sided against Taipei. But it was predicted. I have to say China has gotten really strong over the last few years. In about 5-10 years you will see them emerge from the depths. By then all the kids who were born and trained as rugby players when they were fetuses, would be ready.
The Plate final, was really intense, with Wales having to go through Portugal, Canada, and a very strong Kenyan team to win the Plate. I have to mention, that the whole stadium erupted at the final whistle when Kenya beat France 24-14. It was high times for the folks, and for us. Noone likes the French apparently.
But nothing prepared the world for all the Cup games. Here is my report on all the Cup games leading up to the final.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fiji destroyed all competition in every game that it played. Scotland looks like it put up a good fight, but the one early try and a close to final whistle try were just consolations, to a highly dominant Fiji performance.
New Zealand, owned Australia, in what was a hyped up and highly anticipated match up. But ended up being highly onesided, though still quite thrilling to watch. New Zealand played beautiful sweeping rugby, and Australia were mere spectators of some brilliant work. South Africa comfortably beat Argentina, which is to be expected. Argentina, has gained some strength and skills over the years and is surprisng many pundits as they get better each year. But South Africa was just too strong for them today. England Samoa, was a tight tight afair. With one Samoan sent to Sin Bin for fouls, and some weird calls in the end, England need to thank their lucky stars for the out of touch violation, and that Samoa’s last try didn’t count. But sometimes, you need a bit of luck to win games, and England had that. England had the early tries in the game, but in typical England fashion, they gave up their lead and Samoa fought back with two quick tries. In the end, the referee won it for them. |
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| 53 | SF Cup | 16:16 | Fiji | 35 – 10 | New Zealand | |
 54 |
SF Cup | 16:38 | South Africa | 0 – 24 | England |
Fiji, smoked New Zealand in the SF game. This was a dream matchup
for all Rugby Fans, because Fiji and New Zealand, are considered by many
to be the strongest Rugby Nations. But as we watched the match, it seems
only one side came to play. A very young New Zealand team were simply
out classed by a Fiji side that was so strong you’d have to kill a few players
if you wanted to win. The New Zealand players were left in the wake of a
very fast and powerful Fiji team, that showed the NZ offense and deffense
just how it is done.
England, eventually showed why they deserved to be in the Semis. With this
24-0 display against South Africa. There was no doubt who would win, in
this match as England showed the dominant play they are know for but often
do not produce. South Africa had a try dis allowed after a yellow card was
shown during play. Regardless, England deserved to be in the Cup final.
| 57 | Cup Final | 18:20 | Fiji | 24 – 26 | England |
Fiji and England. Probably one of the most exciting moments in any Rugby
fan’s life. England lost a very close match to Fiji, at last years’ Sevens
World cup in Hong Kong during the Smei-Finals making this almost a grudge
match. Both sides had tasted victory on this ground, with Fiji taking the Cup
nine times, and England taking the last three in a row (The Sevens World Cup
is considred a separate event.). From the looks of the early beginning, England
looked to be in control with a quick and relative easy try from Tom Varndell
but Ben Gollings missed the subsequent Converseion. Fiji quickly hit back with
a Try but two quick England tries put the ‘Home’ team at 19-7 (albeit with a player sinbinned for a foul). With 5 mins left in the second half, a few mistakes from
England and three uncontested tries later all but sealed England’s fate. And it
looked as they would go home as runner-ups. But Ben Gollings had other plans.
A very quick move by Dave Seymour opened up just enough space for Gollins to
slip by the Fijian defense and score a try, just to the left of the posts, to tie up the
scores at 24. Then it was just a matter of Gollings, completeing the conversion to
seal the win for England.
Wrap Up.
30 years of Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong, came to a close at that final conversion and for me, it was one of the greatest Sevens tournaments in Hong Kong. I had the pleasure of sharing this with so many of my friends making this even more special. Notable absense were Bellinda and Kevin, but they were in England so that was understandable. But I am sure they were watching or heard about the amazing win and would have wished to be here.
I couldn’t ask for a more storybook ending for this night. After England won, there were possibly 12 pitch invasions and one male streaker who went from the Southeast Stand all the way to the Northwest stand, though the field, and somehow evaded capture from about 6 security people (twice). I think Hong Kong sevens next year needs to hire some guys who work out at California Fitness to be security cause the ones they have now are just too old.
I must have gained a few extra pounds with all the beer and food that I ate but I don’t care. I have all week to to lose it. sigh, two more months till beach season… gotta work hard at the gut.
BTW This makes me very proud….
Courtesy of http://www.irbsevens.com
My voice is still Hoarse, my body aches, my head hurts and I love it. GO ENGLAND!!!
Jonathan for Xanga.com Out
If you know any French people who are nice, please introduce them to me, cause so far all of them have been assholes to me. And apparently they begin at a very early age too…
sigh
A very knackerd,
Jonathan Out
Braemar Hill…
Ahh the joy of driving and sight seeing. Braemar Hill is the best place for it. If you drive a Honda Accord, 3.0 with a V6 Vtech engine, there is nothing better for it than Braemar Hill. It will blow your mind, and take you to places that you could never imagine.
It has curves so smooth, and sharp that it will test you and your car. Bu will enjoy every moment it spends on this Hill, and every subsequent road you go down.
The twits and turns may worry you, but your car hugs the road, as you navigate around. It never gets too dangerous and at night it is deserted. You will take pure pleasure in the sudden strating sections of the road.
At certain points, you will see the Hong Kong, and realise how beautiful she is. And at anytime of the day, you will all see what everyone who lives here knows already.
Then open your window and breath in the beautiful air, that it provides. One of the last places in Hong Kong, where you will find such sweet air. And you will know that you are somewhere special. The smells will arouse your senses, and you will not be able to concentrate on anything else other that that fragrance.
Because that is what you are there for. It will float and continue to linger in your mind for a while.
No fakes, no speeders, no people to bother you. It’s just you and Braemar Hill…
I just love it.
Jonathan Out!
It was perfect. Amazing. Holidays should always be this good. Nevermind that it got hot, or that, times it was raining. Nevermind that we were tired for most of the time we were there. Nevermind that you dragged me shopping. Nevermind my knee and ankle started to hurt. Nevermind that I lost my good sunglassess. All I know that, the holiday was pefect.
It was excatly what I needed and the perfect time for me to have it. And having you there, was the only way for me to enjoy my holiday…
Jonathan Out!
I would like to Single out Solomon, for finding a Job today. he has spent the last two months looking hard for a job, and probably went through over 30 hours of interviews. And Now with Michael Page, he’s got one. 11 rounds and about 20 hours later, he is here.
Post Rugby Sevens hangover, he will start work on Monday. I’m excited for him, and I know he’s gonna knock this out out the park.
I took him out to Ruth’s Cris Steak House for dinner to celebrate last night and we had a lot of food. But dammit, it was good.
Drinks
1x House Red
1x Pelligrino Sparkling Water
Appetiser
2 x Lobster Bisque
1 x Garlic Bread
Main Course
1 x 16oz Ribeye (Australian Beef, cause American beef will kill you.)
Medium Rare
1 x 16oz Ribeye (Australian Beef, cause American beef will kill you.)
Medium
Side Dish
1 x Lyonnaise Potatoes
1 x Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce
1 x Onion Rings
1 x Sauteed Mushrooms
Dessert
1 x A fucking huge Creme Brule
mmmmmmm Goood.
Jonathan Out!
Holy crap, we did a lot today.
We spent the whole day at Sentosa, and it was amazing. I do not normailly take to enjoying my time on that island but this time has been great with her, it makes it extra special.
We ate, walked around, look at things, took pictures, went to an aquarium, and finally hit the beach for 3 hours. It was really great. After wards, she had a glass of wine, and I had a Corona, and we say by the beach and watched the Sun Set.
A pefrect afternoon, ended with an even better ending.
Sigh… I don’t want to go back to school.
Jonathan Out!
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