61
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62
Football / Ronaldinho and Kaka will not play in the Copa America
« on: May 16, 2007, 10:37:43 AM »
steupsssssssss
Ronaldinho will not play in the Copa Américawww.fcbarcelona.cat
Ronaldinho has sent a letter to the Brazilian Football Confederation informing the team coach, Carlos Dunga, that he will not be available to play in the Copa América this summer in Venezuela.
The FC Barcelona superstar wants to take a break from playing during the Spanish close season and does not want to play in the tournament. In recent years, Ronaldinhos willingness to travel extensive distances at all times of the year to play for his country has had a knock-on effect to his fitness.
Kaká out too
With the Copa América taking place between June 26 and July 15, Ronaldinho has asked not to participate in order to be able to recharge his batteries in preparation for the 2007/08 season. Another Brazilian star has already made the same decision after it was revealed that Kaká has also told his country that he will not be appearing in the tournament next month.
In the next few days, Dunga is due to name his squad for the forthcoming friendly encounters with England at the refurbished Wembley Stadium on June 1 and against Turkey in Dortmund on June 5.
Ronaldinho will not play in the Copa Américawww.fcbarcelona.cat
Ronaldinho has sent a letter to the Brazilian Football Confederation informing the team coach, Carlos Dunga, that he will not be available to play in the Copa América this summer in Venezuela.
The FC Barcelona superstar wants to take a break from playing during the Spanish close season and does not want to play in the tournament. In recent years, Ronaldinhos willingness to travel extensive distances at all times of the year to play for his country has had a knock-on effect to his fitness.
Kaká out too
With the Copa América taking place between June 26 and July 15, Ronaldinho has asked not to participate in order to be able to recharge his batteries in preparation for the 2007/08 season. Another Brazilian star has already made the same decision after it was revealed that Kaká has also told his country that he will not be appearing in the tournament next month.
In the next few days, Dunga is due to name his squad for the forthcoming friendly encounters with England at the refurbished Wembley Stadium on June 1 and against Turkey in Dortmund on June 5.
63
Football / The race for La Liga title is on!!
« on: April 23, 2007, 12:54:07 AM »
Real beat Valencia 2-1 on Saturday...Barca lost to Villa Real 0-2 today cutting their lead at the top to just one. So Sevilla are in second place an Real in third...just two point separating Real from Barca. mwahaha!
Anway...ah fed up of the board being doiminated by schupid EPL, lets' talk about the most attractive and exciting league in football.
Spanish Primiera.
Anway...ah fed up of the board being doiminated by schupid EPL, lets' talk about the most attractive and exciting league in football.
Spanish Primiera.
64
Cricket Anyone / Allyuh Samuels didn't even apologise to him
« on: April 21, 2007, 10:10:43 PM »
and the English players gave him a better sending off than his own team. This real heart-breaking.
'At least I had the opportunity to say goodbye' - Lara
Sambit Bal in Barbados
April 21, 2007
Dwayne Bravo was one of the few who demonstrated his affection for Lara enthusiastically © Getty Images
In the end, there was a tear in his eye, and he left to a warm round of applause from journalists, not all of whom had been always adoring. Brian Lara's final press conference was a mammoth affair, and among many warm memories, it carried enough hints about the circumstances that hastened his departure.
"At least I had the opportunity to say goodbye", he said, "I saw Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, all these guys wanted to go that little extra step. Unfortunately they were not granted the opportunity to."
Lara chose not to answer directly what changed his mind about touring England as a Test player, but he repeatedly made it clear it had been his plan to tour. "I sat with the selectors in Antigua to pick the team for England, and of course I picked myself."
What had changed then? "West Indies cricket is at a stage where change is necessary," he said, "We are most likely going to have a young captain, someone under the age of 30 years, and he will need to mould this team with the support that he needs.
"I just thought there is no need for me to be out there? Physically there is nothing much I can do to help at present. It's just a matter of allowing the team that change that is needed. Maybe this is just one of it. Maybe there is a lot more to take place. But I just see no reason for me to carry on at this present time."
Lara sometimes cut a slightly lonely figure on the field during his last match. There was a hug with Chris Gayle as the two crossed path when Gayle was returning to the pavilion, but only Dwyane Bravo, a fellow Trinidadian whom Lara has nurtured, demonstrated his affection enthusiastically. English players welcomed Lara with guard of honour when he came to crease, but there was no such salutations from his own team at the end of the day. On his last day at Sydney, Steve Waugh had his final parade on the shoulders of his team-mates; Lara hurried through stairs, past his team-mates, and disappeared in to the Garfield Sobers Pavillion.
Earlier in the day, he had been run out when Marlon Samuels hit the ball to mid-on, charged off the blocks before retracing his steps. When asked if Samuels had said sorry to him after the game, Lara pursed his lips, fumbled for words, and said nothing. "It would have to be a yes, or a no. So I will leave it."
The subject of his captaincy came up more than once but Lara wouldn't be drawn into a discussion. "What I have to do is just wish the team and the new captain all the best, and try to persuade the West Indies Cricket Board to ensure that the captain and the team have the support that is necessary from them.
"You might see eleven individuals out there and of course we are criticised all the time after we have a bad performance. But West Indies cricket goes deep and unless we lay a proper foundation, you know you are going to get that sort of performance out in the middle. On one day we are spectacular and can score 418 runs to win a Test match in fourth innings, and the next day we can't score 60.
Lara: 'I have no reason to be worried about it anymore. I just want to move on' © Getty Images
"About that captaincy thing, I have no reason to be worried about it anymore. I just want to move on. My support is always going to be there. I have had an open-door policy with the players. They all know my number and they can call me at any point in time, for anything at all and I will be there to support them."
His eternal regret, Lara said, was that West Indies remained an abysmal team for the last 12 years of his career. "The most unfortunate thing in cricket is not achieving what I set out to do from the very beginning: to be a part of a successful team over a long period of time. I had a little taste of it when I started in 1989, and up till 1995. The last 12 years have been very disappointing.
"That in itself is the sort of disappointment I have had. I am just very thankful to be able to break all those records. It has been a great honour to play for the West Indies, to hold a bat and to spend 17 years in international cricket. That is something I am proud of."
Lara didn't rule out the possibility of playing county cricket or getting involved with the game in some way. "Right now, I am going to take a break. Maybe a week, maybe two weeks. Then I will look at options. I not committing to anything, or ruling anything out.
"But first of all, I just want to move back a little bit, relax and wake up tomorrow, or next week or two weeks from now, knowing I can do what I want. I can pick my daughter up and take her to school and do many different things that I haven't been able to do in the past. The future is there and I will have a lot of opportunities in front of me. But there is no reason to rush into anything at this present time."
Sambit Bal is the editor of Cricinfo and Cricinfo Magazine
'At least I had the opportunity to say goodbye' - Lara
Sambit Bal in Barbados
April 21, 2007
Dwayne Bravo was one of the few who demonstrated his affection for Lara enthusiastically © Getty Images
In the end, there was a tear in his eye, and he left to a warm round of applause from journalists, not all of whom had been always adoring. Brian Lara's final press conference was a mammoth affair, and among many warm memories, it carried enough hints about the circumstances that hastened his departure.
"At least I had the opportunity to say goodbye", he said, "I saw Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, all these guys wanted to go that little extra step. Unfortunately they were not granted the opportunity to."
Lara chose not to answer directly what changed his mind about touring England as a Test player, but he repeatedly made it clear it had been his plan to tour. "I sat with the selectors in Antigua to pick the team for England, and of course I picked myself."
What had changed then? "West Indies cricket is at a stage where change is necessary," he said, "We are most likely going to have a young captain, someone under the age of 30 years, and he will need to mould this team with the support that he needs.
"I just thought there is no need for me to be out there? Physically there is nothing much I can do to help at present. It's just a matter of allowing the team that change that is needed. Maybe this is just one of it. Maybe there is a lot more to take place. But I just see no reason for me to carry on at this present time."
Lara sometimes cut a slightly lonely figure on the field during his last match. There was a hug with Chris Gayle as the two crossed path when Gayle was returning to the pavilion, but only Dwyane Bravo, a fellow Trinidadian whom Lara has nurtured, demonstrated his affection enthusiastically. English players welcomed Lara with guard of honour when he came to crease, but there was no such salutations from his own team at the end of the day. On his last day at Sydney, Steve Waugh had his final parade on the shoulders of his team-mates; Lara hurried through stairs, past his team-mates, and disappeared in to the Garfield Sobers Pavillion.
Earlier in the day, he had been run out when Marlon Samuels hit the ball to mid-on, charged off the blocks before retracing his steps. When asked if Samuels had said sorry to him after the game, Lara pursed his lips, fumbled for words, and said nothing. "It would have to be a yes, or a no. So I will leave it."
The subject of his captaincy came up more than once but Lara wouldn't be drawn into a discussion. "What I have to do is just wish the team and the new captain all the best, and try to persuade the West Indies Cricket Board to ensure that the captain and the team have the support that is necessary from them.
"You might see eleven individuals out there and of course we are criticised all the time after we have a bad performance. But West Indies cricket goes deep and unless we lay a proper foundation, you know you are going to get that sort of performance out in the middle. On one day we are spectacular and can score 418 runs to win a Test match in fourth innings, and the next day we can't score 60.
Lara: 'I have no reason to be worried about it anymore. I just want to move on' © Getty Images
"About that captaincy thing, I have no reason to be worried about it anymore. I just want to move on. My support is always going to be there. I have had an open-door policy with the players. They all know my number and they can call me at any point in time, for anything at all and I will be there to support them."
His eternal regret, Lara said, was that West Indies remained an abysmal team for the last 12 years of his career. "The most unfortunate thing in cricket is not achieving what I set out to do from the very beginning: to be a part of a successful team over a long period of time. I had a little taste of it when I started in 1989, and up till 1995. The last 12 years have been very disappointing.
"That in itself is the sort of disappointment I have had. I am just very thankful to be able to break all those records. It has been a great honour to play for the West Indies, to hold a bat and to spend 17 years in international cricket. That is something I am proud of."
Lara didn't rule out the possibility of playing county cricket or getting involved with the game in some way. "Right now, I am going to take a break. Maybe a week, maybe two weeks. Then I will look at options. I not committing to anything, or ruling anything out.
"But first of all, I just want to move back a little bit, relax and wake up tomorrow, or next week or two weeks from now, knowing I can do what I want. I can pick my daughter up and take her to school and do many different things that I haven't been able to do in the past. The future is there and I will have a lot of opportunities in front of me. But there is no reason to rush into anything at this present time."
Sambit Bal is the editor of Cricinfo and Cricinfo Magazine
65
Cricket Anyone / Tribute to Lara Post whatever memorable pics, videos or articles you've got
« on: April 19, 2007, 06:39:02 PM »
Brian Lara' 277 against Australia in Sydney 1993, his maiden Test century,was the fourth highest maiden Test century by any batsman, the highest individual score in all Tests between the two teams and the fourth-highest century ever recorded against Australia by any Test batsman
Lara celebrates breaking Garfield Sobers' record individual score of 365 in Tests, againt England on April 18, 1994, at St John's, Antigua
66
Cricket Anyone / West Indies vs Sri Lanka
« on: March 31, 2007, 11:44:10 PM »
Do or Die match and if it look like we goan die, sopcast showing Ghost Rider.
Man WI better geh dey act together cos I'm losing enthusiasm for the World Cup.
Man WI better geh dey act together cos I'm losing enthusiasm for the World Cup.
67
Football / USA vs Ecuador
« on: March 25, 2007, 10:11:19 AM »
Donovan score in the 1st min. I real vex.
68
Cricket Anyone / AUS vs SA
« on: March 24, 2007, 08:42:52 AM »
Aye allyuh lazy bombs, get up and watch de match! It showing on sopcast.
AUS 110/1 15 overs.
AUS 110/1 15 overs.
69
Cricket Anyone / Call off the World Cup?! Dey mad!
« on: March 23, 2007, 05:38:56 PM »
Call off the World Cup - Donald
Bob Woolmer's murder has set off a debate over whether the World Cup should be called off. Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, made the opening statement on Thursday, saying the tournament would continue and 'would not be put off by a cowardly criminal act".
"This is not the first time that tragedy has visited a sporting event," Speed said, "but what we must all do now is to show how resolute the game is by proving ourselves strong enough to move on from what has happened."
However, Allan Donald, the former South African fast bowler who played under Woolmer, asked for the World Cup to be called off. "I just don't know how this World Cup can continue under the shadow of what's happened," Donald told BBC Radio Five Live. "World Cup 2007 will be forever remembered for this [Woolmer's murder]. My personal opinion would have been to stop, but knowing Bob he would have wanted this to go ahead.
"I think everyone will continue this World Cup but, at the back of their minds, know that a tragedy took place. I just hope the individuals or individuals are brought to justice because Bob was a great man and would never go to the lengths to put his life in danger."
Goolam Raja, the South African manager, said the team wanted to continue. "He [Donald] does not speak for the team," Raja told Cricinfo. "I think obviously the players are sad over the tragic events and the cause of Bob's death does affect the team, but they want to continue on."
Michael Vaughan echoed Speed's sentiments and said that the World Cup had to continue in spite of the tragedy. "It's a horrific time for world cricket. We all knew what a good bloke Bob was," Vaughan told AFP. "Whatever goes on the field, this incident is a lot bigger because someone's life has been taken away. But I think the World Cup has to go on, the game has to go on. I can understand his [Donald's] emotion and his thoughts there but the best thing for this game is to show it in a great light."
Cricket Australia also strongly agreed that the World Cup should continue while sending their condolences to the Woolmer family. Andrew Symonds also expressed his desire to continue. "The team is obviously sending our heartfelt regrets to his family," he said. "Bob, being a cricket man, I would think that he wouldn't want it to stop. I think he would probably want the games to roll on and the competition to end."
© Cricinfo
Bob Woolmer's murder has set off a debate over whether the World Cup should be called off. Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, made the opening statement on Thursday, saying the tournament would continue and 'would not be put off by a cowardly criminal act".
"This is not the first time that tragedy has visited a sporting event," Speed said, "but what we must all do now is to show how resolute the game is by proving ourselves strong enough to move on from what has happened."
However, Allan Donald, the former South African fast bowler who played under Woolmer, asked for the World Cup to be called off. "I just don't know how this World Cup can continue under the shadow of what's happened," Donald told BBC Radio Five Live. "World Cup 2007 will be forever remembered for this [Woolmer's murder]. My personal opinion would have been to stop, but knowing Bob he would have wanted this to go ahead.
"I think everyone will continue this World Cup but, at the back of their minds, know that a tragedy took place. I just hope the individuals or individuals are brought to justice because Bob was a great man and would never go to the lengths to put his life in danger."
Goolam Raja, the South African manager, said the team wanted to continue. "He [Donald] does not speak for the team," Raja told Cricinfo. "I think obviously the players are sad over the tragic events and the cause of Bob's death does affect the team, but they want to continue on."
Michael Vaughan echoed Speed's sentiments and said that the World Cup had to continue in spite of the tragedy. "It's a horrific time for world cricket. We all knew what a good bloke Bob was," Vaughan told AFP. "Whatever goes on the field, this incident is a lot bigger because someone's life has been taken away. But I think the World Cup has to go on, the game has to go on. I can understand his [Donald's] emotion and his thoughts there but the best thing for this game is to show it in a great light."
Cricket Australia also strongly agreed that the World Cup should continue while sending their condolences to the Woolmer family. Andrew Symonds also expressed his desire to continue. "The team is obviously sending our heartfelt regrets to his family," he said. "Bob, being a cricket man, I would think that he wouldn't want it to stop. I think he would probably want the games to roll on and the competition to end."
© Cricinfo
70
Football / Real Madrid match...
« on: March 18, 2007, 12:06:10 PM »
Ah nuh sure when it starting buh is today...sometime soon...
72
Cricket Anyone / WI vs AUS 1999 (Lara's 153*) One of the most exciting matches ever
« on: November 26, 2006, 02:52:57 PM »
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7619328196246055181&q=WI+vs+AUS
I downloaded it and I uploaded it to google video so it'll be easier to view.
I downloaded it and I uploaded it to google video so it'll be easier to view.
74
Cricket Anyone / Funniest Sledging Incidents
« on: November 25, 2006, 07:08:17 PM »
Sledging has always been a part of cricket.
Even the great WG Grace did it.
Once in an exhibition match given out leg-before, he refused to walk and told the umpire: "They came to watch me bat, not you bowl". And the innings continued.
Grace's ability to stand his ground would have done Sunil Gavaskar proud. Once, when the ball knocked off a bail, he replaced it and told the umpire: "'Twas the wind which took thy bail orf, good sir." The umpire replied: "Indeed, doctor, and let us hope thy wind helps the good doctor on thy journey back to the pavilion."
The best WG Grace sledge was on him, though, not from him. Charles Kortright had dismissed him four or five times in a county game - only for the umpires to keep turning down his appeals. Finally, he uprooted two of Grace's three stumps. Grace stalled, as though waiting for a no-ball call or something, before reluctantly walking off with Kortright's words in his ears: "Surely you're not going, doctor? There's still one stump standing."
Tugga takes on Curtly
Trinidad
This has been one of the most hyped up of all personal confrontations on the field. Especially so since the truth of the matter came to light!
Ambrose vs Waugh
It really does not get any bigger than this, the two legendsof cricket came face to face, literally and engrossed in a verbal duel in a test match in Trinidad. All the juicy details were not to be known until Steve Waugh came out with his autobiography.
Ambrose repeatedly stared Waugh down during a searing spell, and Waugh, who sized up the towering Ambrose, said: " What the f*ck are you looking at?"
Ambrose was stunned because, as Waugh says (in his Autobiography), "no one had ever been stupid enough" to speak to him like that.
Ambrose replied, "Don't cuss me, man", before Waugh's response, which had nothing to do with bowling.
"Unfortunately, nothing inventive or witty came to mind, rather another piece of personal abuse: 'Why don't you go and get f*cked.' "
The Windies skipper Richie Richardson had a hard time keeping Ambrose from hurting the Aussie.
Wonder how that confrontation would have turned out! Too bad, Richie!
We know how that ended...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-735634880241577857&q=waugh
Eddo Brandes v Glenn McGrath
circa mid- to late-90s
In a showdown of best pacers of two countries, Brandes made up for his complete absence of batting skills by displaying some great sense of humor and presence of mind. Aussie paceman Glenn McGrath was bowling to Zimbabwe number 11, Eddo Brandeswho was unable to get his bat anywhere near the ball.
McGrath, frustrated that Brandes was still at the crease, wandered up during one particular over and inquired: " Why are you so fat?"
Quick as a flash, Brandes replied: "Because every time I f**k your wife, she gives me a biscuit."
Even the Aussie slip fielders were in hysterics.
That is quick wit. My guess is McGrath never went anywhere close to Brandes when he was batting again!
Viv Richards v Greg Thomas:
This incident took place during a county championship match between Glamorgan and Somerset. Glamorgan quickie Greg Thomas had beaten Viv Richards' bat a couple of times and informed the legendary West Indian ace: " It's red, round and weighs about five ounces, in case you were wondering."
The very next ball was given the King Viv treament and smashed out of the ground, into a river - at which point Richards piped up: " Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it." (
)
Merv Hughes and Viv Richards:
Merv Hughes usually never short of a word while on the field, rarely keeps quite. During a test match in the West Indies Hughes didn't say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries. "This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say f*ck off. "
Ian Healy Vs Runatunga:
Ian Healy's made a legendary comment which was picked up by the Channel 9 microphones when Arjuna Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a one dayer in Sydney "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat c*nt!"
McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan:
Sarwan, the West Indies vice-captain, and McGrath went toe-to-toe in an ugly shouting match in Antigua in May 2003. The incident was sparked after Sarwan, on his way to a match-winning second-innings century, reportedly reacted to lurid taunts from McGrath by telling him he should get the answers from his wife, who was recovering from radiation therapy for secondary cancer.
The details:
McGrath: "So what does Brian Lara's d*ck taste like?"
Sarwan: "I don't know. Ask your wife. "
McGrath (losing it): "If you ever F*&king mention my wife again, I'll F*cking rip your F*fing throat out."
Even the great WG Grace did it.
Once in an exhibition match given out leg-before, he refused to walk and told the umpire: "They came to watch me bat, not you bowl". And the innings continued.
Grace's ability to stand his ground would have done Sunil Gavaskar proud. Once, when the ball knocked off a bail, he replaced it and told the umpire: "'Twas the wind which took thy bail orf, good sir." The umpire replied: "Indeed, doctor, and let us hope thy wind helps the good doctor on thy journey back to the pavilion."
The best WG Grace sledge was on him, though, not from him. Charles Kortright had dismissed him four or five times in a county game - only for the umpires to keep turning down his appeals. Finally, he uprooted two of Grace's three stumps. Grace stalled, as though waiting for a no-ball call or something, before reluctantly walking off with Kortright's words in his ears: "Surely you're not going, doctor? There's still one stump standing."
Tugga takes on Curtly
Trinidad
This has been one of the most hyped up of all personal confrontations on the field. Especially so since the truth of the matter came to light!
Ambrose vs Waugh
It really does not get any bigger than this, the two legendsof cricket came face to face, literally and engrossed in a verbal duel in a test match in Trinidad. All the juicy details were not to be known until Steve Waugh came out with his autobiography.
Ambrose repeatedly stared Waugh down during a searing spell, and Waugh, who sized up the towering Ambrose, said: " What the f*ck are you looking at?"
Ambrose was stunned because, as Waugh says (in his Autobiography), "no one had ever been stupid enough" to speak to him like that.
Ambrose replied, "Don't cuss me, man", before Waugh's response, which had nothing to do with bowling.
"Unfortunately, nothing inventive or witty came to mind, rather another piece of personal abuse: 'Why don't you go and get f*cked.' "
The Windies skipper Richie Richardson had a hard time keeping Ambrose from hurting the Aussie.
Wonder how that confrontation would have turned out! Too bad, Richie!
We know how that ended...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-735634880241577857&q=waugh
Eddo Brandes v Glenn McGrath
circa mid- to late-90s
In a showdown of best pacers of two countries, Brandes made up for his complete absence of batting skills by displaying some great sense of humor and presence of mind. Aussie paceman Glenn McGrath was bowling to Zimbabwe number 11, Eddo Brandeswho was unable to get his bat anywhere near the ball.
McGrath, frustrated that Brandes was still at the crease, wandered up during one particular over and inquired: " Why are you so fat?"
Quick as a flash, Brandes replied: "Because every time I f**k your wife, she gives me a biscuit."
Even the Aussie slip fielders were in hysterics.
That is quick wit. My guess is McGrath never went anywhere close to Brandes when he was batting again!
Viv Richards v Greg Thomas:
This incident took place during a county championship match between Glamorgan and Somerset. Glamorgan quickie Greg Thomas had beaten Viv Richards' bat a couple of times and informed the legendary West Indian ace: " It's red, round and weighs about five ounces, in case you were wondering."
The very next ball was given the King Viv treament and smashed out of the ground, into a river - at which point Richards piped up: " Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it." (
)Merv Hughes and Viv Richards:
Merv Hughes usually never short of a word while on the field, rarely keeps quite. During a test match in the West Indies Hughes didn't say a word to Viv, but continued to stare at him after deliveries. "This is my island, my culture. Don't you be staring at me. In my culture we just bowl." Merv didn't reply, but after he dismissed him he announced to the batsman: "In my culture we just say f*ck off. "
Ian Healy Vs Runatunga:
Ian Healy's made a legendary comment which was picked up by the Channel 9 microphones when Arjuna Ranatunga called for a runner on a particularly hot night during a one dayer in Sydney "You don't get a runner for being an overweight, unfit, fat c*nt!"
McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan:
Sarwan, the West Indies vice-captain, and McGrath went toe-to-toe in an ugly shouting match in Antigua in May 2003. The incident was sparked after Sarwan, on his way to a match-winning second-innings century, reportedly reacted to lurid taunts from McGrath by telling him he should get the answers from his wife, who was recovering from radiation therapy for secondary cancer.
The details:
McGrath: "So what does Brian Lara's d*ck taste like?"
Sarwan: "I don't know. Ask your wife. "
McGrath (losing it): "If you ever F*&king mention my wife again, I'll F*cking rip your F*fing throat out."
75
Cricket Anyone / The greatest over of them all?
« on: November 25, 2006, 05:49:07 PM »Many people can recall outstanding deliveries, such as Shane Warne's "ball of the century" to Mike Gatting at Old Trafford in 1993. It's not often that a whole over stands out in the mind quite so dramatically, but one which is still talked about came at Bridgetown in March 1981.
The bowler was Michael Holding, and the unfortunate batsman on the receiving end was Geoff Boycott. Even at the time the over was recognised as something special, and almost a quarter of a century later nothing has surpassed it.
The scene was the third Test on England's Caribbean tour of 1980-81. It was a far from happy trip. The opening weeks were dogged by wretched weather, and after a draw in the opening Test, the whole future of the tour hung in the balance when Robin Jackman, a late replacement for the injured Bob Willis, was refused entry to Guyana because of his links with then-banned South Africa. In the end the trip continued, but the Georgetown Test was cancelled.
The Kensington Oval pitch was well grassed but clearly prepared to favour West Indies' four-man pace attack - Boycott described it as "a lottery and a farce" - but any skulduggery appeared to have backfired when West Indies slipped to 65 for 4 themselves on the first morning. A superb hundred from Clive Lloyd helped them recover to 238 for 7 by the close, but England had few problems wrapping things up on the second morning.
When England batted, Boycott opened with Graham Gooch, and after an over in which Andy Roberts twice found the edge of Gooch's bat, Boycott prepared to face Holding. What followed left the crowd in raptures and Boycott - and his team-mates - stunned.
Holding's first ball was a three-quarter-pace loosener which nevertheless rapped Boycott on the gloves and dropped just short of the slips. Each succeeding ball after that was quicker than the previous one. The second beat Boycott outside the off stump, and the third cut back and struck him on the inside of his right thigh. The fourth and fifth both hurried Boycott, but he just about managed to keep them out. "He middled none," wrote Gladstone Holder in The Nation, "but any lesser mortal would have been out." And Ian Botham recalled that Boycott was "jumping about like a jack-in-the-box".
Then came the final ball, the coup de grace, delivered at a fearsome pace ("It went like a rocket," Boycott recalled), which was pitched up and sent his off stump cartwheeling almost 20 yards as he desperately and belatedly brought his bat down. "The hateful half-dozen had been orchestrated into one gigantic crescendo," wrote Frank Keating. After a momentary silence, the crowd erupted. "Boycott looked round," observed Keating, "then as the din assailed his ears, his mouth gaped and he tottered as if he'd seen the Devil himself. Then slowly he walked away, erect and brave and beaten."
In the press box there was also a stunned silence. Holder glanced towards the England dressing-room and saw Chris Old "with his mouth wide open ... he too had the look of a man who had seen a monster".
Boycott spent the rest of the day replaying the sixth ball over and over in his mind, and at the close of play he went to a journalist's room to watch a video of the fateful over. He studied the replays several times before he told them that he had seen what he wanted to see and was going to bed.
Within hours, the onfield incidents of that day were overshadowed by the news that Ken Barrington, England's assistant manager-cum-coach, had suffered a massive heart attack during the night, and had died. "So stunned were they [England]," reported John Woodcock in The Times, "that their hearts went out of it." Nevertheless, England carried on, but it was hardly surprising that on that third day their bowling was flayed by Viv Richards, who made a superb hundred.
On the fourth afternoon, Boycott again opened England's innings, as they chased a distant target. The second ball he faced from Holding was pushed to midwicket for a single, and the sizable English contingent cheered that he had avoided a pair. Gooch then inside-edged a single, bringing Boycott back on strike. Holding again produced an unplayable delivery which spat and reared at Boycott's throat; it was remarkable that he got his gloves in the way, even more so that he then tried to drop his hands to try to deaden the ball. It was to no avail, as Joel Garner held the catch low in the gully.
That dismissal was special enough, but it was the earlier one which people remember, and which Holding admits he is still asked about to this day. "Twice Lloyd had let the magnificently brutal Holding off the leash," said Keating, "and both times Boycott had been humiliated."
Holding himself explained that he doesn't think the over was his fastest. But in 1990 he was paired with Boycott in the commentary box when they replayed the over. "Nine years on," Holding grinned, "and he didn't enjoy it any more."
As for Boycott, he laid much of the blame on the pitch. In his tour diary he wrote: "For the first time in my life, I can look at a scoreboard with a duck against my name and not feel a profound sense of failure. For the first time I remember, I can write off an innings, whatever the history books might say, as being as near to irrelevant as any Test innings will be. It might have been a spectacle which sent the West Indians wild with delight, but [it] had damn-all to do with Test cricket as I understand it."
77
Jokes / Jamaican Bus Driver (Funniest Shit Ever)
« on: July 23, 2006, 11:17:25 PM »
Ever wonder what it would be like if Jamaican buses were set up like airlines, with the flight attendant and captain giving safety instructions?
Bus driver speaking on the intercom: Welcome to Bus numba 40 running from Papine to Down Town Kingston. Please direct yuh attention to di ConDucta who will instruc' yuh on our safety and model features.
ConDucta: Hail up massive! We want yuh fi know dat yuh a ride pon di safes' bus dat run pon di Papine to Downtown route. The moggle of our bus is a 1980 Encava, own and operate by Rough Rider transports. Dis moggle can survive any adversities an' cantravasies. As unnu can si dis bus get nuff lick up an' bad man shot it up nuff time an' it still a drive like new!
This bus seat up to 55 passenger, howeva, due to fi we commitment to excellent service, we no leave anybady straddling ina di streets. So expect to 'ave up to 140 people in yah by di time we reach downtown.
Durin' di journey we may encounta unexpected turbulences.......... dese are known as pot holes. In di case of a sudden bump please refrain fram bawlin' out "Lard Jesus mi dead now!" Our driva is an experience driva an' will mek sure di axle an' wheel noh bruck aff ina one a dem. But in case we drap inna one an ca'an come out.
Please do not climb troo di window dem til unnu pay unnu bus fare....... or I will shat unnu r*ss wid mi 45.
Dis bus no equip wid seat belt. Please hole on pon di railin' when dibus a tun di cana dem. De bus is capable of drivin' pon 2 wheels 'roun' all canas an' bends. When di bus a tun one wicked cana pon 2 wheelie, wi ask dat we seated passengers bear it if s'maddy slide dung inna dem seat an' squash yuh 'gainst di bus side. We seated passengers may experience standin' passengers losin' dem balance an' falling ova pon unnu ... please no yell out, "ey batty bway, coom aff a mi r*ss lap!" Dat might cause a serious shootout!
On exiting de bus please don' expect di bus to come to a full stop. Wi askin' dat yuh hop aff a di bus an' step skillfull .... if unnu drap an' lan' pon unnu backside an' bruck sinting, Rough Rider noh response.
Dis is NOT a non-stop journey. As a matta a fact wi stop any which part wi waan fi stop, at every yaad gate - all ina miggle road wi stop. Howeva dis bus noh stop fi police ... in case of an unexpected police chase, the driva will be forced to increase de bus' normal speed from 100 mph to 160 mph. Yuh will be instructed to hole on tight an shet unnu mout.
In case dis bus is hijacked by a teroris' known as "Pickpocket", hole di bway an' murda 'im, to r*ss. Dat said, if wi reach downtown inna wan piece please prepare fi new passenger fi shoob unnu dung before unnu can get aff Noh mine dem ..... seat kina ration.
Tank yuh for tekin' di iriest Rough Rider Encava pon di route.... and hope you enjoy di ride.
DRIVA - PRESS OUT!
Bus driver speaking on the intercom: Welcome to Bus numba 40 running from Papine to Down Town Kingston. Please direct yuh attention to di ConDucta who will instruc' yuh on our safety and model features.
ConDucta: Hail up massive! We want yuh fi know dat yuh a ride pon di safes' bus dat run pon di Papine to Downtown route. The moggle of our bus is a 1980 Encava, own and operate by Rough Rider transports. Dis moggle can survive any adversities an' cantravasies. As unnu can si dis bus get nuff lick up an' bad man shot it up nuff time an' it still a drive like new!
This bus seat up to 55 passenger, howeva, due to fi we commitment to excellent service, we no leave anybady straddling ina di streets. So expect to 'ave up to 140 people in yah by di time we reach downtown.
Durin' di journey we may encounta unexpected turbulences.......... dese are known as pot holes. In di case of a sudden bump please refrain fram bawlin' out "Lard Jesus mi dead now!" Our driva is an experience driva an' will mek sure di axle an' wheel noh bruck aff ina one a dem. But in case we drap inna one an ca'an come out.
Please do not climb troo di window dem til unnu pay unnu bus fare....... or I will shat unnu r*ss wid mi 45.
Dis bus no equip wid seat belt. Please hole on pon di railin' when dibus a tun di cana dem. De bus is capable of drivin' pon 2 wheels 'roun' all canas an' bends. When di bus a tun one wicked cana pon 2 wheelie, wi ask dat we seated passengers bear it if s'maddy slide dung inna dem seat an' squash yuh 'gainst di bus side. We seated passengers may experience standin' passengers losin' dem balance an' falling ova pon unnu ... please no yell out, "ey batty bway, coom aff a mi r*ss lap!" Dat might cause a serious shootout!
On exiting de bus please don' expect di bus to come to a full stop. Wi askin' dat yuh hop aff a di bus an' step skillfull .... if unnu drap an' lan' pon unnu backside an' bruck sinting, Rough Rider noh response.
Dis is NOT a non-stop journey. As a matta a fact wi stop any which part wi waan fi stop, at every yaad gate - all ina miggle road wi stop. Howeva dis bus noh stop fi police ... in case of an unexpected police chase, the driva will be forced to increase de bus' normal speed from 100 mph to 160 mph. Yuh will be instructed to hole on tight an shet unnu mout.
In case dis bus is hijacked by a teroris' known as "Pickpocket", hole di bway an' murda 'im, to r*ss. Dat said, if wi reach downtown inna wan piece please prepare fi new passenger fi shoob unnu dung before unnu can get aff Noh mine dem ..... seat kina ration.
Tank yuh for tekin' di iriest Rough Rider Encava pon di route.... and hope you enjoy di ride.
DRIVA - PRESS OUT!
78
Football / Is it just me or was Birchall invisible?
« on: June 15, 2006, 01:57:36 PM »
I know he's usually one of our better mid-fielders but he was rarely present, especially in the first half. He came around later in the socond half but maybe playing against England, his home, was a bit over-whelming for him?
79
Football / Birchall will stay at Port Vale
« on: April 27, 2006, 11:54:26 AM »
Chairman Bill Bratt insists he is confident of keeping World Cup-bound winger Chris Birchall at the club.
Having become Trinidad & Tobago's first white player in 60 years, Birchall's wildest dream is on course to become reality in the coming weeks when the Caribbean nation head to Germany.
Bratt acknowledges that Birchall could further catch the eye of the talent scouts with a series of strong performances for the Soca Warriors, but he insists the 21-year-old will not be leaving Vale Park.
Bratt said: "Chris is contracted to Port Vale for another year after this and there's no way he'll be leaving in the summer.
"I hope he has a great World Cup, and does himself and the club proud, before coming back and continuing his progress here with us. He's a loyal lad and has a bright future at Port Vale."
onevalefan is an editorially independent Port Vale FC website
Having become Trinidad & Tobago's first white player in 60 years, Birchall's wildest dream is on course to become reality in the coming weeks when the Caribbean nation head to Germany.
Bratt acknowledges that Birchall could further catch the eye of the talent scouts with a series of strong performances for the Soca Warriors, but he insists the 21-year-old will not be leaving Vale Park.
Bratt said: "Chris is contracted to Port Vale for another year after this and there's no way he'll be leaving in the summer.
"I hope he has a great World Cup, and does himself and the club proud, before coming back and continuing his progress here with us. He's a loyal lad and has a bright future at Port Vale."
onevalefan is an editorially independent Port Vale FC website
80
Football / Brazilians Shock World; Declare Wish to go by Their Real Names
« on: April 07, 2006, 06:57:13 PM »
In a surprising turn of events, the Brazilian National Team has requested to be called by their real names in the upcoming World Cup. As it turns out, the players have long despised being referred to by their nicknames.
Pele recently complained, âMy name is Edson Arantes Do Nascimento or translated to English, David Matthew Roy. That is what my parents named me and that is what I want to be called. Stupid Americans and your nicknames. What is Pele? I donât even know what that means!â
Ronaldihno confirmed this sentiment when he explained, âI mean, at least in the past the names were original like Pele and Zico. Now they are all the same. What, you couldnât think of any new ones after Ronaldo, so you just add âihnoâ?! Plus thereâs already a Christian Ronaldo. The lack of originality is tasteless. I want to be called my real name, Gaucho.â
Added rising midfield star, known as Kaka, âWhat am I, a bird call or something? Dawg, my name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite or maybe Rick or Ricky. But I ainât no mating call. I hate the media.â
The new starting lineup for Brazil will now read: Luis Nazario do Lima, Adriano Leite Ribeiro, Robson de Souza, Lucimar da Silva Ferreira, Marcos Evangelista de Moraes, Roberto Carlos De Silva, Jose Vitor Roque Junior, Diego Rumas da Cuhno, Jose Roberto da Silva Junior, Nelson de Jesus Silva, and Ronaldo de Assis Moreira. Opinions have sprung up throughout the footballing world. Although ESPN is excited by the possibility of an in-game name-matching game, announcers are lamenting the change. âConsidering the talent on the Brazilian team, it could be 4-0 by the time we finish reading the starting lineups!â exclaimed Tommy Smith.
Meanwhile, Nike is confounded by exactly how to fit these new names onto the backs of jerseys. Phil Knight offered an explanation, saying, âWe donât have print that small. But hey, we could just slap a swoosh on reusable name tags and people will still buy it.â
Although sponsors are trying to convince them otherwise, the Brazilian team is staunch in its stance. The overall team sentiment was best summed up by the brash young player formerly known as Robinho, âWho you calling a ho?!!â
http://www.tsl.pomona.edu/?page=sports&article=1464&issue=51
Pele recently complained, âMy name is Edson Arantes Do Nascimento or translated to English, David Matthew Roy. That is what my parents named me and that is what I want to be called. Stupid Americans and your nicknames. What is Pele? I donât even know what that means!â
Ronaldihno confirmed this sentiment when he explained, âI mean, at least in the past the names were original like Pele and Zico. Now they are all the same. What, you couldnât think of any new ones after Ronaldo, so you just add âihnoâ?! Plus thereâs already a Christian Ronaldo. The lack of originality is tasteless. I want to be called my real name, Gaucho.â
Added rising midfield star, known as Kaka, âWhat am I, a bird call or something? Dawg, my name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite or maybe Rick or Ricky. But I ainât no mating call. I hate the media.â
The new starting lineup for Brazil will now read: Luis Nazario do Lima, Adriano Leite Ribeiro, Robson de Souza, Lucimar da Silva Ferreira, Marcos Evangelista de Moraes, Roberto Carlos De Silva, Jose Vitor Roque Junior, Diego Rumas da Cuhno, Jose Roberto da Silva Junior, Nelson de Jesus Silva, and Ronaldo de Assis Moreira. Opinions have sprung up throughout the footballing world. Although ESPN is excited by the possibility of an in-game name-matching game, announcers are lamenting the change. âConsidering the talent on the Brazilian team, it could be 4-0 by the time we finish reading the starting lineups!â exclaimed Tommy Smith.
Meanwhile, Nike is confounded by exactly how to fit these new names onto the backs of jerseys. Phil Knight offered an explanation, saying, âWe donât have print that small. But hey, we could just slap a swoosh on reusable name tags and people will still buy it.â
Although sponsors are trying to convince them otherwise, the Brazilian team is staunch in its stance. The overall team sentiment was best summed up by the brash young player formerly known as Robinho, âWho you calling a ho?!!â
http://www.tsl.pomona.edu/?page=sports&article=1464&issue=51
81
Football / Anybody has footage of the half-time show?
« on: March 02, 2006, 01:34:59 PM »
Because even though I downloaded the game, the half time show wasn't included and I'd like to see it plzzzzzz! I missed it.
82
Football / Franz: "We don't care."
« on: February 21, 2006, 11:45:46 PM »
"We don't care. It's not our business."
That was Organising Committee Germany FIFA World Cup 2006 president Franz Beckenbauer's response to the ticket fiasco surrounding FIFA vice-president Jack Warner's association with Simpaul Travel Service, official World Cup ticket distributors for the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF).
The "Kaiser", as Beckenbauer is familiarly known, made his comments on Monday night following the Organising Committee's welcoming function at the Hilton Trinidad in St Ann's, during his visit to personally congratulate Trinidad and Tobago on qualifying for the World Cup and present a progress report on preparations for the tournament.
"It's not our business," the former World Cup-winning German skipper and coach reiterated. "Our business is to give the participating countries the tickets they deserve. What they are doing with the tickets, it's not our business."
T&TFF special adviser Warner, though, did not seem all too pleased with FIFA's response to what he said was his request for advice on the matter and insisted there is no controversy.
"I am in no controversy," Warner stressed. "I asked the FIFA for advice, and they give the advice I asked them for to the world. I have to deal with that in March. That is no controversy. I repeat...I asked them for advice. I asked you for advice, you didn't answer me, you answered to the world. So I'll talk to you in March. That's all."
Warner also claimed he was not worried about the issue.
"I have been associated with all kinds of memories before, and it wouldn't be the last time, it won't be the first time. I remember a judge saying his skin is as thick as an alligator's. My own is doubly thick. It hasn't fazed me in the least. And believe me, I am okay. I'll land on my feet. Right now, I'll tell you this, though, I'm not trembling in my shoes."
The CONCACAF president also slammed the Culture Ministry for their preparations, or lack of, for T&T's trip to Germany for the World Cup in June.
"Germany is ready. More than ready. And I wonder if we are. Because up to now, we haven't gotten our act together as yet," he said.
"...at least we should know who is going, who is not going, what activities we will be having and so on, when and where...the programme should be known."
And when asked who was responsible for those preparations, Warner responded: "We have a Culture Ministry, don't we?"
Beckenbauer was also of the opinion that the only disadvantage T&T's "Soca Warriors" face is the fact they are making their debut at the world's premier football tournament.
"I think Trinidad and Tobago, they have a good team. The only disadvantage I think is that they are participating (in the World Cup) for the first time. They are not used to every situation in a World Cup.
"But they are playing football, and they can be a surprise."
Warner, though, will be satisfied with victory over England in T&T's second match on June 15.
"You know Trinis. For us I think that the sky is the limit. The biggest concern to all of us is the game against England. I'll tell you this...when we beat England, we would have won the World Cup. That's enough for me."
Last week, FIFA determined Warner's involvement with Simpaul created a conflict of interest as he is also on the FIFA executive, which is a breach of the organisation's code of ethics.
Warner faces suspension from FIFA, who have reserved sanction until next month, when the executive committee will meet to discuss the matter.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=137905996
That was Organising Committee Germany FIFA World Cup 2006 president Franz Beckenbauer's response to the ticket fiasco surrounding FIFA vice-president Jack Warner's association with Simpaul Travel Service, official World Cup ticket distributors for the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF).
The "Kaiser", as Beckenbauer is familiarly known, made his comments on Monday night following the Organising Committee's welcoming function at the Hilton Trinidad in St Ann's, during his visit to personally congratulate Trinidad and Tobago on qualifying for the World Cup and present a progress report on preparations for the tournament.
"It's not our business," the former World Cup-winning German skipper and coach reiterated. "Our business is to give the participating countries the tickets they deserve. What they are doing with the tickets, it's not our business."
T&TFF special adviser Warner, though, did not seem all too pleased with FIFA's response to what he said was his request for advice on the matter and insisted there is no controversy.
"I am in no controversy," Warner stressed. "I asked the FIFA for advice, and they give the advice I asked them for to the world. I have to deal with that in March. That is no controversy. I repeat...I asked them for advice. I asked you for advice, you didn't answer me, you answered to the world. So I'll talk to you in March. That's all."
Warner also claimed he was not worried about the issue.
"I have been associated with all kinds of memories before, and it wouldn't be the last time, it won't be the first time. I remember a judge saying his skin is as thick as an alligator's. My own is doubly thick. It hasn't fazed me in the least. And believe me, I am okay. I'll land on my feet. Right now, I'll tell you this, though, I'm not trembling in my shoes."
The CONCACAF president also slammed the Culture Ministry for their preparations, or lack of, for T&T's trip to Germany for the World Cup in June.
"Germany is ready. More than ready. And I wonder if we are. Because up to now, we haven't gotten our act together as yet," he said.
"...at least we should know who is going, who is not going, what activities we will be having and so on, when and where...the programme should be known."
And when asked who was responsible for those preparations, Warner responded: "We have a Culture Ministry, don't we?"
Beckenbauer was also of the opinion that the only disadvantage T&T's "Soca Warriors" face is the fact they are making their debut at the world's premier football tournament.
"I think Trinidad and Tobago, they have a good team. The only disadvantage I think is that they are participating (in the World Cup) for the first time. They are not used to every situation in a World Cup.
"But they are playing football, and they can be a surprise."
Warner, though, will be satisfied with victory over England in T&T's second match on June 15.
"You know Trinis. For us I think that the sky is the limit. The biggest concern to all of us is the game against England. I'll tell you this...when we beat England, we would have won the World Cup. That's enough for me."
Last week, FIFA determined Warner's involvement with Simpaul created a conflict of interest as he is also on the FIFA executive, which is a breach of the organisation's code of ethics.
Warner faces suspension from FIFA, who have reserved sanction until next month, when the executive committee will meet to discuss the matter.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=137905996
83
Football / FIFA in New Jack Fray: Rowley calls for investigation into Under-17 World Cup
« on: February 21, 2006, 11:40:53 PM »
FIFA in New Jack Fray.
By: Anna Ramdass (Express).[/size]
Rowley calls on football body to investigate local Under-17 World Cup $348m spending.
Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley is calling on FIFA to investigate the role of Jack Warner, one of its vice-presidents, in the more than doubling of the cost of four stadia that were built when Trinidad and Tobago hosted the Under-17 World Cup four years ago.
Warner, at Sunday's UNC rally, questioned why Rowley had been pointing fingers at him and, in response, the Housing Minister held a press conference at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to link the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation's Special Advisor to what he charged were inflated stadia costs.
Rowley reminded the media that in October 1995 the then PNM Cabinet had agreed to support the hosting of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup by building four stadia at the cost of $165 million.
However, elections were held later that year and the UNC came into power.
According to Rowley, in 1999 the UNC Cabinet revised the $165 million to $348 million with the cost increases being attributed to what Rowley described as interior fittings, bleachers, fixed spectator seatings, playing fields, flood lighting and score boards all of which, according to him, had been anticipated in the initial costing.
He said according to Cabinet notes, FIFA was to be the project manager for this project and funding was to be provided by Fincor.
He added that under the development programme for the fiscal year 1999, $102 million was allocated in the budget for the project.
"Somewhere in the mix out of the blue that procedure was abandoned...the next thing you know the project was being done by another group of financiers, Fincor was nowhere in the programme," said Rowley.
He said at a Parliament sitting the matter was raised and then Sports Minister Manohar Ramsaran was questioned about the award of the contract and the financiers.
Ramsaran had responded that the Government would not be funding the construction of the stadia and that a consortium of Concacaf, Royal Merchant Bank, Guardian Life, and Barbados Mutual Life Assurance Society known as RGM Ltd was doing so.
Rowley made reference to a web which saw FIFA initially being featured prominently in Cabinet notes as the project manager only for a change that saw the contract being then put in the hands of Concacaf.
"It was illegal and improper for the Government to award any contract without tender to FIFA or Concacaf," the Minister charged.
He argued that the contracts had been awarded in a very strange manner to the point where the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association sent a letter to then Prime Minister Basdeo Panday expressing their concerns.
The question Rowley put to FIFA was what specific services the organisation and if, in fact, it had ever been involved as a contractor.
He said FIFA also had to tell the country whether it had been made aware of Concacaf's advancing itself in the project as well as how much that organisation was paid and for what services provided.
He also raised concern on Concacaf and asked whether or not it is the Concacaf or some local umbrella company.
These questions were being raised, Rowley said, because FIFA has shown an interest in ethics and was very much featured in the Government's business.
He added that if FIFA was terminated from the deal and the contract ended up with Concacaf, FIFA must also answer how that deal had been terminated.
"The reason why I raise all of this, is that huge sums of money was involved," said Rowley.
"He (Warner) is telling the country without batting an eyelid that he put $17 million to fund the national team...why is he so generous? Where this money come from?" he asked.
Rowley disclosed that the Government was still paying for a loan of $4 million a month on this project even as there remained still unanswered questions.
"I am taking the opportunity to call on FIFA to broaden their investigation in Trinidad and Tobago to answer all these questions where the agency has been featured prominently in Government business and for the benefit of the public to tell us the facts on this matter," he challenged.
Far from being content to leave the matter to FIFA, however, Rowley insisted that the PNM would ensure the questions be answered before the UNC "comes near the corridors of power". However, he was bringing via the media and was willing to supply the international organisation with the pertinent documentation.
Warner, for his part, told the Daily Express that he did not have to answer to Rowley and asked his own question: "Why did he wait four years to make this announcement?"
By: Anna Ramdass (Express).[/size]
Rowley calls on football body to investigate local Under-17 World Cup $348m spending.
Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley is calling on FIFA to investigate the role of Jack Warner, one of its vice-presidents, in the more than doubling of the cost of four stadia that were built when Trinidad and Tobago hosted the Under-17 World Cup four years ago.
Warner, at Sunday's UNC rally, questioned why Rowley had been pointing fingers at him and, in response, the Housing Minister held a press conference at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to link the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation's Special Advisor to what he charged were inflated stadia costs.
Rowley reminded the media that in October 1995 the then PNM Cabinet had agreed to support the hosting of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup by building four stadia at the cost of $165 million.
However, elections were held later that year and the UNC came into power.
According to Rowley, in 1999 the UNC Cabinet revised the $165 million to $348 million with the cost increases being attributed to what Rowley described as interior fittings, bleachers, fixed spectator seatings, playing fields, flood lighting and score boards all of which, according to him, had been anticipated in the initial costing.
He said according to Cabinet notes, FIFA was to be the project manager for this project and funding was to be provided by Fincor.
He added that under the development programme for the fiscal year 1999, $102 million was allocated in the budget for the project.
"Somewhere in the mix out of the blue that procedure was abandoned...the next thing you know the project was being done by another group of financiers, Fincor was nowhere in the programme," said Rowley.
He said at a Parliament sitting the matter was raised and then Sports Minister Manohar Ramsaran was questioned about the award of the contract and the financiers.
Ramsaran had responded that the Government would not be funding the construction of the stadia and that a consortium of Concacaf, Royal Merchant Bank, Guardian Life, and Barbados Mutual Life Assurance Society known as RGM Ltd was doing so.
Rowley made reference to a web which saw FIFA initially being featured prominently in Cabinet notes as the project manager only for a change that saw the contract being then put in the hands of Concacaf.
"It was illegal and improper for the Government to award any contract without tender to FIFA or Concacaf," the Minister charged.
He argued that the contracts had been awarded in a very strange manner to the point where the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association sent a letter to then Prime Minister Basdeo Panday expressing their concerns.
The question Rowley put to FIFA was what specific services the organisation and if, in fact, it had ever been involved as a contractor.
He said FIFA also had to tell the country whether it had been made aware of Concacaf's advancing itself in the project as well as how much that organisation was paid and for what services provided.
He also raised concern on Concacaf and asked whether or not it is the Concacaf or some local umbrella company.
These questions were being raised, Rowley said, because FIFA has shown an interest in ethics and was very much featured in the Government's business.
He added that if FIFA was terminated from the deal and the contract ended up with Concacaf, FIFA must also answer how that deal had been terminated.
"The reason why I raise all of this, is that huge sums of money was involved," said Rowley.
"He (Warner) is telling the country without batting an eyelid that he put $17 million to fund the national team...why is he so generous? Where this money come from?" he asked.
Rowley disclosed that the Government was still paying for a loan of $4 million a month on this project even as there remained still unanswered questions.
"I am taking the opportunity to call on FIFA to broaden their investigation in Trinidad and Tobago to answer all these questions where the agency has been featured prominently in Government business and for the benefit of the public to tell us the facts on this matter," he challenged.
Far from being content to leave the matter to FIFA, however, Rowley insisted that the PNM would ensure the questions be answered before the UNC "comes near the corridors of power". However, he was bringing via the media and was willing to supply the international organisation with the pertinent documentation.
Warner, for his part, told the Daily Express that he did not have to answer to Rowley and asked his own question: "Why did he wait four years to make this announcement?"
84
Football / Soca Warriors Animation
« on: February 20, 2006, 07:28:42 PM »
Allyuh see this? It's a kinda video animation of the warriors n dem. It decent. Ah doh know if anyone posted it before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeJdW92_MJM&search=Trinidad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeJdW92_MJM&search=Trinidad
85
Football / Birchall- "I'm Living the Dream Now" ;Jack Warner comments on Draw
« on: December 09, 2005, 10:09:16 PM »
I'm living the dream
Chris Birchall on draw
Saturday, December 10th 2005
CHRIS Birchall declared he was "living the dream" after Trinidad & Tobago were drawn in Group B with England in next summer's World Cup Finals.
The Port Vale midfielder helped the Caribbean country clinch a place in Germany and admits he can't wait for the clash with Sven Goran Eriksson's side in Nuremburg on June 15th.
Birchall-who qualifies for his adopted country through his mother-was plucked from obscurity earlier this year when he was handed an unexpected international call-up.
And he said: "It is just the best possible draw. When the slip came out with Trinidad's name on my mates said I am living the dream and I am.
"For the first ten seconds I was running around the bar but it hasn't really sunk in yet. I will be lining up against the players I watch week in and week out in the Premiership."
And Birchall warned England they could be in for shock if they underestimate their Group B opponents.
He added: "It's the best possible group for us. No one knew anything about us before the draw for the qualifying group but we caused a few upsets and we beat Mexico when they put out a full strength side.
"We'll just go there to enjoy it and there will be no pressure on us."
(Taken from the Trinidad Express- ah tell allyuh it had a way to do itÂ
)
Chris Birchall on draw
Saturday, December 10th 2005
CHRIS Birchall declared he was "living the dream" after Trinidad & Tobago were drawn in Group B with England in next summer's World Cup Finals.
The Port Vale midfielder helped the Caribbean country clinch a place in Germany and admits he can't wait for the clash with Sven Goran Eriksson's side in Nuremburg on June 15th.
Birchall-who qualifies for his adopted country through his mother-was plucked from obscurity earlier this year when he was handed an unexpected international call-up.
And he said: "It is just the best possible draw. When the slip came out with Trinidad's name on my mates said I am living the dream and I am.
"For the first ten seconds I was running around the bar but it hasn't really sunk in yet. I will be lining up against the players I watch week in and week out in the Premiership."
And Birchall warned England they could be in for shock if they underestimate their Group B opponents.
He added: "It's the best possible group for us. No one knew anything about us before the draw for the qualifying group but we caused a few upsets and we beat Mexico when they put out a full strength side.
"We'll just go there to enjoy it and there will be no pressure on us."
(Taken from the Trinidad Express- ah tell allyuh it had a way to do itÂ
)
86
Football / Pictures from the airport today!
« on: November 17, 2005, 07:41:53 PM »
Go here to see the pictures because the links were moved.
http://www.triniview.com/album/WC-Celebrations-161105
Video links of the celebrations also (ah hope dey eh move de links too)
http://www.triniview.com/videos/swairport5.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/videos/swairport4.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/videos/swairport1.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/videos/worldcup.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/videos/worldcup2.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/videos/swairport3.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/album/WC-Celebrations-161105
Video links of the celebrations also (ah hope dey eh move de links too)
http://www.triniview.com/videos/swairport5.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/videos/swairport4.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/videos/swairport1.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/videos/worldcup.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/videos/worldcup2.wmv
http://www.triniview.com/videos/swairport3.wmv
87
Football / Lovely New York Times article.
« on: November 17, 2005, 02:48:15 PM »
Copyright New York Times Company Nov 17, 2005[Author Affiliation]
E-mail: geovec@nytimes.com
''ONCE in a lifetime,'' Damian Snagg said. ''You only see this once.''
He was absolutely right. In Flatbush, Brooklyn, right there on the television yesterday, Trinidad and Tobago was trying to qualify for the World Cup. It had never happened before.
Trinidad and Tobago had come heartbreakingly close in 1989, however, when Paul Caligiuri of the United States put the boot to the two-island nation on the final day of qualifying.
Americans remember that day with a touch of sadness and guilt. Never have we seen such sportsmanship as we saw that November day in Port of Spain. The stunned fans, all of them wearing red, patted American journalists on our backs, congratulating us, as if we had anything to do with it.
Caligiuri remembers that day, not only for his booming 25-yard goal in the first half, but also for the way the Yanks were treated after the game.
''We arrived in two little vans and walked right through the crowd,'' Caligiuri recalled the other day. Then, after the 1-0 victory, the United States had to leave in the same two flimsy vans.
''I've played in Latin America and the Caribbean, where they throw rocks at you, the military police have to stop them from rocking your bus,'' Caligiuri continued. ''Never, ever, did you hear people congratulate you the way people did in Trinidad. The guys started giving them paraphernalia -- our shin guards, our headbands, anything. We appreciated it so much. Normally, you'd be ducking down in your seat.''
That was the start of a rising American era of soccer -- five straight World Cups as of next year. But 16 years was a long time for T&T to wait for another chance. All over the world, there are smaller nations trying to reach the World Cup just once, for a chance to play Brazil and Germany. These ethnic supporters mysteriously do not show up on television ratings, but they are all over the United States.
Half a dozen men from the islands, who play for the Synergism S.C. of Brooklyn, were fidgeting in Derek Marshall's apartment yesterday, watching good old Fox Soccer Channel. Either T&T, with a population of 1.1 million, or Bahrain, with a population of 727,000, would become the smallest nation to reach the World Cup. Because of a road goal in the 1-1 draw in Trinidad last Saturday, Bahrain would qualify with a scoreless tie at home yesterday, a huge advantage.
Marshall, a friend of a friend of a friend, had invited me to root with his countrymen yesterday. I don't mind admitting it: I came to root, wearing a red shirt. Before the game, I rang up Caligiuri, now the men's and women's coach at Cal Poly Pomona in California.
''I am rooting for them,'' Caligiuri said the other day. ''Every place I go, there's somebody from Trinidad. They look at me and say, 'I am Trinidadian.' I just want them to win so I can get off parole.''
I handed my cellphone to Marshall, Snagg and Earl Boyce. Caligiuri invited them to visit sometime. Their laughter seemed like a good omen. We ate spicy jerk chicken, rice and beans and drank beer. (Marshall had supplied Beck's, and I had brought some St. Pauli Girl -- two great minds thinking alike: German beer for good luck.)
Early in the first half, Chris Birchall, the English-born minor leaguer whose mother is from Trinidad and who had scored the 30-yard Caligiurian-style boomer last Saturday, was injured and had to leave the game. This was not a good omen.
T&T was clearly the better team -- but without a goal, its stutter steps and deft passes would be worthless. The score was 0-0 at halftime. Early in the second half, Dwight Yorke took a corner kick. Once a top striker in England, Yorke was facing the possibility of never playing in a World Cup, like George Weah of Liberia and Ryan Giggs of Wales and George Best of Northern Ireland.
Yorke whacked a high, curving kick, and Dennis Lawrence, all 6 feet 7 inches, rose above the sparse Bahrain defense and headed the goal between a defender's sluggish ankles. In Flatbush, pandemonium began.
Now began the scary part. Marshall, our host, kept telling the defenders, ''Get back, get back, that's what soccer is all about.'' We writhed as Bahrain stripped the ball from the goalkeeper for an apparent goal, only to have the referee nullify the play, ruling a foul had been committed against the goalkeeper. Marshall, who knows the game, thought the referee was wrong, but the call stood.
As the final whistle blew for a 1-0 victory, we all stood up and traded high-fives. I reached Paul Caligiuri's answering machine, and Brian George, Dave Dean and Henry Inniss and the others chanted ''Ger-ma-ny! Ger-ma-ny!'' into the phone. The sporting gesture of that crowd in Port of Spain in 1989, 16 long years ago, had been rewarded.
E-mail: geovec@nytimes.com
''ONCE in a lifetime,'' Damian Snagg said. ''You only see this once.''
He was absolutely right. In Flatbush, Brooklyn, right there on the television yesterday, Trinidad and Tobago was trying to qualify for the World Cup. It had never happened before.
Trinidad and Tobago had come heartbreakingly close in 1989, however, when Paul Caligiuri of the United States put the boot to the two-island nation on the final day of qualifying.
Americans remember that day with a touch of sadness and guilt. Never have we seen such sportsmanship as we saw that November day in Port of Spain. The stunned fans, all of them wearing red, patted American journalists on our backs, congratulating us, as if we had anything to do with it.
Caligiuri remembers that day, not only for his booming 25-yard goal in the first half, but also for the way the Yanks were treated after the game.
''We arrived in two little vans and walked right through the crowd,'' Caligiuri recalled the other day. Then, after the 1-0 victory, the United States had to leave in the same two flimsy vans.
''I've played in Latin America and the Caribbean, where they throw rocks at you, the military police have to stop them from rocking your bus,'' Caligiuri continued. ''Never, ever, did you hear people congratulate you the way people did in Trinidad. The guys started giving them paraphernalia -- our shin guards, our headbands, anything. We appreciated it so much. Normally, you'd be ducking down in your seat.''
That was the start of a rising American era of soccer -- five straight World Cups as of next year. But 16 years was a long time for T&T to wait for another chance. All over the world, there are smaller nations trying to reach the World Cup just once, for a chance to play Brazil and Germany. These ethnic supporters mysteriously do not show up on television ratings, but they are all over the United States.
Half a dozen men from the islands, who play for the Synergism S.C. of Brooklyn, were fidgeting in Derek Marshall's apartment yesterday, watching good old Fox Soccer Channel. Either T&T, with a population of 1.1 million, or Bahrain, with a population of 727,000, would become the smallest nation to reach the World Cup. Because of a road goal in the 1-1 draw in Trinidad last Saturday, Bahrain would qualify with a scoreless tie at home yesterday, a huge advantage.
Marshall, a friend of a friend of a friend, had invited me to root with his countrymen yesterday. I don't mind admitting it: I came to root, wearing a red shirt. Before the game, I rang up Caligiuri, now the men's and women's coach at Cal Poly Pomona in California.
''I am rooting for them,'' Caligiuri said the other day. ''Every place I go, there's somebody from Trinidad. They look at me and say, 'I am Trinidadian.' I just want them to win so I can get off parole.''
I handed my cellphone to Marshall, Snagg and Earl Boyce. Caligiuri invited them to visit sometime. Their laughter seemed like a good omen. We ate spicy jerk chicken, rice and beans and drank beer. (Marshall had supplied Beck's, and I had brought some St. Pauli Girl -- two great minds thinking alike: German beer for good luck.)
Early in the first half, Chris Birchall, the English-born minor leaguer whose mother is from Trinidad and who had scored the 30-yard Caligiurian-style boomer last Saturday, was injured and had to leave the game. This was not a good omen.
T&T was clearly the better team -- but without a goal, its stutter steps and deft passes would be worthless. The score was 0-0 at halftime. Early in the second half, Dwight Yorke took a corner kick. Once a top striker in England, Yorke was facing the possibility of never playing in a World Cup, like George Weah of Liberia and Ryan Giggs of Wales and George Best of Northern Ireland.
Yorke whacked a high, curving kick, and Dennis Lawrence, all 6 feet 7 inches, rose above the sparse Bahrain defense and headed the goal between a defender's sluggish ankles. In Flatbush, pandemonium began.
Now began the scary part. Marshall, our host, kept telling the defenders, ''Get back, get back, that's what soccer is all about.'' We writhed as Bahrain stripped the ball from the goalkeeper for an apparent goal, only to have the referee nullify the play, ruling a foul had been committed against the goalkeeper. Marshall, who knows the game, thought the referee was wrong, but the call stood.
As the final whistle blew for a 1-0 victory, we all stood up and traded high-fives. I reached Paul Caligiuri's answering machine, and Brian George, Dave Dean and Henry Inniss and the others chanted ''Ger-ma-ny! Ger-ma-ny!'' into the phone. The sporting gesture of that crowd in Port of Spain in 1989, 16 long years ago, had been rewarded.
89
Football / Can people stop acting as if TnT is out of it?
« on: November 13, 2005, 12:30:01 AM »
Please?
We didn't lose today, we drew. There are still 90 mins of football left to be played on Wednesday. For a so-called Waggonist I seem to have more faith in the team than a lot of Die Hards out here. Wham tuh all de "Vibes is up"? Come nah man pull allyuh self together. We go mash up Bahrain Wednesday, ah telling allyuh!
We didn't lose today, we drew. There are still 90 mins of football left to be played on Wednesday. For a so-called Waggonist I seem to have more faith in the team than a lot of Die Hards out here. Wham tuh all de "Vibes is up"? Come nah man pull allyuh self together. We go mash up Bahrain Wednesday, ah telling allyuh!