Sunday, January 28, 2007

Singapore reach ASEAN final on penalty kicks
SINGAPORE, January 27 (Asean Football Championship) - Defending champions Singapore advanced to the final of the Asean Football Championship after defeating arch-rivals Malaysia in a tense penalty shootout. With the aggregate score tied at 2-2 after extra time, the match went to the shootout with Singapore goalkeeper Lionel Lewis emerging as the hero, stopping Khyril Muhymeen's weak attempt to give the home side a 5-4 victory.

Malaysia had taken the lead in the game in the 57th minute after Eddy Helmi's shot was fumbled by Lewis, but Muhammad Ridhuan levelled the score with 15 minutes remaining to force the match into extra time and penalties.

Roared on by a capacity crowd of 55,000, the home side dominated the opening half but created few clear-cut openings against Malaysia's well-organised back line. Shi Jia Yi went close to giving the Lions the lead in the ninth minute when he caught the Malaysian defence and goalkeeper Mohamad Syamsuri by surprise with a free kick from the right of the Malaysian box that went just over the crossbar. Noh Alam Shah nearly bagged his 10th goal in five games on the half-hour after being sent clear by Ridhuan's quick pass but the close attention of Mohammed Khaironisam managed to put off the Singapore striker and his weak shot failed to seriously test Syamsuri.

Malaysia offered little in the opening half but could have taken the lead against the run of play on 37 minutes when an excellent through ball by K.Nanthakumar sent Hairuddin Omar clear from the halfway line. The Malaysian striker appeared to have a clear run on goal but right back Daniel Bennett made up enough ground to block the shot with Shukor Adan, following up, ballooning the ball over the unguarded Singapore net.

Singapore turned up the pressure at the start of the second half and Khaironisam had to be alert to cut off a cross by Bennett just before it could reach Alam Shah on 47 minutes.
Singapore were in the ascendancy but were caught out by a sucker punch on 57 minutes when the ball fell to Eddy Helmi on the edge of the box. The Malaysian midfielder fired in a low shot that should have been easily handled by Lewis but the Singapore goalkeeper dived too early, allowing the ball to bounce over his sprawling body and bobble across the line to give Malaysia a 1-0 lead.

Singapore were facing their first defeat in the competition since a 4-0 hammering by the Malaysians at the same venue in December 2002 but they were back on level terms with 15 minutes remaining. Bennett's cross from the left flank was knocked down at the far post by Alam Shah into the path of a charging Ridhuan, who forced the ball in on the goal line past a flailing Syamsuri. With time running out, the hosts nearly grabbed a winner as Alam Shah's cross from the right was headed over by substitute Khairul Amri.

There were few chances of note in the first period of extra time but shortly after the restart, Malaysia nearly broke the deadlock when Shukor Adan got goalside of Baihakki Khaizan but Lewis made amends for his earlier error by smothering Adan's shot at his near post.
Singapore nearly found the target in the 110th minute when a goal-bound shot by Bennett was headed clear by Hairuddin Omar and five minutes later, Precious Emuerjeraye launched a fierce drive from 40 metres that was tipped over by Syamsuri.
With no further scoring, the match went to a shootout with Singapore making no mistakes as Indra Sahdan, Alam Shah, Mustafic Fahruddin, Fazrul Nawaz and Shi Jiayi all converted their attempts.
Malaysia's Hardi Jaafar, Rezal Zambery, Sanramsak Kram, and V.Thirumurugan also scored before Khyril Muhymeen saw his weak attempt saved by Lewis to send the defending champions through to the final.
Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic was a relieved figure after the defending champions reached the Asean Football Championship final, winning a tense penalty shootout against Malaysia in the second leg of the semi-finals.
Playing in front of a full house of 55,000, Singapore edged out their neighbours 5-4 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw on the night saw the tie finishing 2-2 on aggregate.
"In games like this, we must be prepared for everything," said Avramovic, whose Singapore side are unbeaten in 13 consecutive Asean Football Championship matches, stretching back to 2004.
"In the end, we needed extra time and ultimately, the decision came down to penalties, which was the hardest thing for both teams to take.
"I think it was a good even game between two well-matched teams but I think that today we got great support and it was nice to win this game, both for them (the supporters) and for us."
Avramovic was pleased with the contribution of custodian Lionel Lewis, who gifted Malaysia a second half goal after allowing an Eddy Helmi shot to bobble over his body, but stopped Khyril Muhymeen with the final spot kick of the shootout to give his side victory.
"That's part of life of being a goalkeeper that everyone sees their mistakes," said Avramovic, a former goalkeeper in the English top flight with Notts County and Coventry City.
"There are many mistakes that take place on the field during the game, sometimes finishing in goals and sometimes not. But he didn't lose his concentration and his will to win the game. He kept going and in the end, he won the game for us."
Norizan Bakar was reluctant to comment after his side's heartbreaking defeat but the Malaysia coach praised his charges for their courageous performance in front of the capacity crowd at the National Stadium.
"I think that the boys played their heart out tonight but this is football and it had to end up this way," the Malaysia coach said.
"You can plan things for the game but other things can happen during the course of it that can affect the outcome. I don't want to comment on every little incident in the game because I felt that my boys did their best and put up a brave effort, but congratulations to Singapore and I wish them the best in the final."

tensions will separate us from everyday life, free us to create a fictional world which embodied our worst fears and fantasies and offer a retreat from insoluble problems. while at the same time it renders our fears ultimately ,harmlessly by containing and distracting us into a fantasy.it is most ambigious and it emphasie the intuitive, arbitary and supernatural.

the main areas of feeling treat of melancholy, anxiety ridden sentimental love is a shdaowy world of ruins and twilit scenery lit up from time to time by lurid flashes of passion and violence. dangers of sensational and emotional cliche lured into the mysterious irrational side of the human personality.

why don't you turn back and look at me for a more glance?
why don't you wave a gentle goodbye?
you choose to walk away, leaving behind a mellowed sorrow
why can't you think of me a more time?
why can't you relieve all the happy memories?
I yearn to hold your hand and ask you never to let go
I wish you would love me again like before
tell me whose fault is it?
why part when there is love?
with many regrets, i whisper
i wish u could love me again
and not forget me

10 Things Your iPod Won't Tell You

1. "It's good to be king — but my reign may be coming to an end."Since launching the iPod in 2001, Apple has been the undisputed leader in digital music players, owning 90% of the market. What has set the iPod apart is not only its hip, user-friendly design, but also its companion iTunes music store, the first online audio megamart, offering an ever-expanding catalog of songs for purchase at the click of a mouse. This two-pronged approach has given Apple a huge lead over competitors; so far the company has sold over 40 million iPods and more than a billion songs on iTunes. But the iPod's days at the top may be numbered. At issue is Apple's proprietary format, which makes the iPod incompatible with other digital-music technology. According to Chris Crotty, senior analyst for consumer electronics at iSuppli, such closed systems either move toward compatibility or get surpassed by the competition. Think of AOL's early bid to set up its own online world — highly successful, until the bigger and better Internet rendered it obsolete. Apple is similarly positioned and could end up painting itself into a corner, just as it did with Macintosh. "Over time the market prefers open systems," Crotty says.

2. "Customer service is a privilege, not a right."Customer Service isn't what it used to be. According to Ross Rubin, analyst at the NPD Group, companies across the board are pushing "more self-service" to cut costs. But even so, he says, Apple is "pretty aggressive in terms of the consumer electronics industry." IPod buyers, for example, get just one call to customer service during the first 90 days of ownership. So where to turn for free help with your sputtering iPod? You can always visit an Apple Store — if you happen to live near one and don't mind the wait. But the Web is the real motherlode of information. For starters, Apple's site offers tons of troubleshooting advice and some quick-and-dirty DIYs. But for more-complex problems, the company has outsourced customer service to its own customers. Sites like iLounge.com and iPoding.com offer tutorials and bulletin boards where users answer one another's questions and explain tricky repairs. And you get to come back as many times as you want.

3. "If you drop me, I'm toast."You've seen the ads — hip, young people exuberantly dancing with iPod in hand. But the reality is, the device is delicate. Apple's edgy designs "tend to be more attractive, but also more fragile" than other players, says industry analyst Rob Enderle.
At the heart of many iPods is a tiny hard drive that can stop working if it's dropped or even knocked around. But it's not only the hard drive that needs careful handling — the screens on these players have been a source of trouble as well. Apple admits some of its Nano iPod screens were faulty, causing them to crack and scratch too easily, but claims the problem affected less than 1 percent. Patrick Destvet, a New York City psychologist, says it isn't just a Nano problem; the color screen on his new 30-gigabyte video iPod was scratched up after a month, making it hard to see anything on the device. "Coming from Apple, I didn't expect this," Destvet says.

4. "You say 'backup'; we say 'copyright infringement.'"Apple makes it very easy to load your iPod with music — iTunes software is free to anybody who wants it. But once you've filled your player with as many as 15000 songs, it's not so easy to get them off again. Because of copyright issues, Apple doesn't let you move music from your iPod to another computer or other electronic devices, even though it would be legal to do so. This measure was taken to appease the music companies. "A lot of people are quick to point the finger, but it's not Apple that is necessarily driving the restrictions," Crotty says. "Not that they mind" — since such controlsallow Apple to stymie the competition. Fortunately, there are ways to circumvent Apple's roadblock through third-party software, which allows you to move music from your iPod back to any computer. Among the many options, both Mac and PC users can download PodUtil. After downloading the software, you'll be asked to plug in your iPod so the software can pull the music from your player and save it in your iTunes folder.

5. "My battery life is pathetic."The new iPod boasts a robust battery life of 20 hours. But if you look at the fine print, Apple admits on its Web site that battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. The company also warns consumers that you can recharge a battery only so many times before it must be replaced. According to The Rough Guide to iPods, the magic number is 500, depending on use. And you'll know it's coming after 400 charges, your iPod's battery will hold only about 80% of its capacity. For a few years Apple simply refused to recognize the problem and recommended that users buy a new player if the battery died. Only after a public outcry and a class-action lawsuit did the company develop a battery-replacement program. Now you can send back your ailing iPod and get another. Most likely, you'll receive a comparable used or refurbished unit. Better to extend the life of the battery you have. Do this by regularly updating your iPod's software. Check Apple's Web site for the latest version; you can download a free upgrade. And don't charge your iPod in its case, where it can overheat and diminish the battery's capacity.

6. "I'm destroying your hearing."A major selling point of digital music players is that you can tune out the world around you for hours at a time. But as you crank up your iPod to drown out ambient noise, you could be damaging your ears. According to a study by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, at full volume an iPod can generate up to 120 decibels, equal to the sound of a jet plane taking off. At that level you'll begin sustaining permanent hearing loss or tinnitus after just five to 10 minutes. The issue is serious enough that Apple recently introduced software that allows you to cap the volume of your iPod, or your child's iPod. "Noise-induced hearing loss is easy to ignore until it's too late," says Pam Mason, an audiologist. Extended listening at 80 to 85 decibels is safe, according to Mason. Roughly speaking, that means you should turn it down if you can't hear someone talking normally three feet away from you or if the people around you can hear your music. It also helps to invest in a good pair of noise-canceling or noise-isolating earphones. Both types block out ambient sound so you needn't jack up the volume as high.

7. "I'm out of date before I'm out of the box."Last fall small-business owner Peter Quinones wanted to replace his iPod but kept hearing Apple was about to come out with an improved model. "I was in a holding pattern," the Miami resident says. "You don't want to buy something and find out a week later there's a new product." So Quinones waited six months, then bought a video iPod instead of the Nano he'd been considering. His new player worked with the cradle in his Mercedes; the Nano wouldn't have. All consumer tech companies have shortened their product cycles, adding innovative new features to maintain their competitive edge. But with the iPod, Apple seems to be churning out new versions at an unprecedented rate: In just the past 14 months, the company has introduced 12 models. By contrast, the first 14 iPod models were rolled out over the course of three years. "It can be a nuisance for some consumers," says Susan Kevorkian, an analyst at IDC, since some of the older accessories aren't necessarily compatible with the newer models. Fortunately, Apple has now standardized the docks for the iPod, meaning future models should still work with the one you buy today.

8. "I've sparked a crime wave."You know a product is popular when it becomes a favorite target of thieves. In New York City, an increase in crime on the subways has been blamed on the iPod, as folks sporting the telltale white earphones are being ripped off in record numbers. And sadly, 15-year-old Christopher Rose was killed last summer in Brooklyn when he refused to hand over an iPod to a mugger. But iPod crime isn't isolated to urban areas. A number of college and high school campuses have experienced a rash of thefts, leading some schools to ban the device. Keith Bromery, spokesperson for the Broward County school board , says that district recently restricted the use of iPods and other electronic devices, citing theft and peer pressure to own these items as distractions to learning. Kevin H. Watson, spokesperson for the Law Enforcement Alliance of America, says the iPod is a favorite among thieves because "it's easy to conceal, it has turnover value on the street and people are willing to buy one on the black market." Not to mention, they're easy to spot: "The white headphones are a giveaway," he says, "just like flashing a fancy watch." He recommends other earphones and not using your iPod in dicey areas.
9. "We'll nickel-and-dime you any chance we get."The first quarter of this year was a record-breaker for Apple: The company reported new highs for both revenue ($5.75 billion) and earnings ($565 million). Yet even with these impressive financial stats, the company continues to pile on extra fees for owning and maintaining an iPod. We're not talking about the burgeoning iPod accessories market, such as stylish cases and portable speaker systems. Apple has begun charging for standard equipment it once included with the cost of the player. Why? "It keeps retail prices down and drives sales volume," Kevorkian says. Early iPod models shipped with a wall charger and a dock. Adding insult to injury, should your iPod conk out after the warranty expires, you could end up paying more to get it fixed than it would cost to buy a new one — repairs on a Nano,

10. "Once you go iPod, you're locked in for life."One of the reasons Apple has been able to dominate the digital music player market until now is that while the iPod can play songs from a variety of sources, music bought online at the iTunes store can be used only on an iPod. That's because the company developed its own format for songs, called Protected AAC, instead of using the widely compatible MP3. Crotty points out that while basic AAC is an open format, the digital rights management software Apple lays over it — called "Fair Play" — renders it incompatible with other players. No other company is legally allowed to make a device that can play songs in Apple's format. The company claims AAC has many advantages over MP3, but the format also serves as the lock on the iPod's closed door — which could lead to its downfall. "They've set themselves up as Apple and the iPod versus the rest of the MP3 market," Crotty says. "Customers may get upset that they can't move their purchased music." The tide is already turning in Europe, which, he adds, "doesn't accept a closed system as a business practice": The French government is considering a law that would force Apple to allow music on the iTunes store to work on competitors' players.

So without further ado, here is my A-Z list for the New Year.

Arsene Wenger, please manage an entire 90 minutes without moaning, groaning or getting sent from the dugout — and if you're going to get into some quality handbags, at least kick off with Jose Mourinho.

Beckham, the David variety, face the facts — your Spanish lessons will pay off far better in Los Angeles than they ever will in Madrid. Stop wasting time warming the bench at the Bernabeu and cozy up to Alexi Lalas and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Chelsea ... bah humbug!

David Dein (Vice Chairman of Arsenal and Chairman of the G14), instead of munching prawn sandwiches in your luxury box at Emirates Stadium, slum it with the true fans once in a while. You'll learn a lot and perhaps get a clearer picture of what the game is really all about.

England, stop embarrassing me, please.

Freddy Adu, put up or shut up.

Goals, we need more of you. This EPL season is on target to be the lowest-scoring term ever. Perhaps it's time to start tweaking with the goalposts!

Harry Redknapp, don't ever change, you're one of the biggest characters football has ever seen — and Harry Kewell, I just want to see you play football again.

Instant replay! We've got it so we might as well give it a go. One thing I respect US sports for is that they're always willing to try something new. If it doesn't work, junk it! But let's face it, there is too much money floating around to have matches blown by bad calls that could be rectified by a simple replay.

JJB, home of Wigan Athletic and the worst-supported club in the Premiership. 'Let's be having ya' Latic fans and get that average attendance over 20,000 where it belongs. Remember, it was only a few years ago that you were in the bottom league of English football welcoming the hordes from Scunthorpe United.

Kanu, you are an ungrateful man.Redknapp resurrected your career at Fratton Park and you repay him by saying that if a better offer comes along in the January transfer window you're off? I would like you to apologize to your manager, teammates and more importantly, the fans who pay your wages.

Louis Saha, don't stop scoring goals and keep this title race alive.

Mourinho. shut it; you're becoming a laughing stock.

Nineteen-ninety was the last time Liverpool FC won the title. Their captain, Steven Gerrard, thinks that despite being thirteen points behind leaders Manchester United, they can still triumph — does he believe in Santa or what!

Obafemi Martins has caught fire at Newcastle and is seemingly on a mission to turn the club's fortunes around. The Gallowgate End has their new Alan Shearer. Just imagine the atmosphere at St. James' once Michael Owen gets back to full fitness.

Portsmouth has made it feel like Christmas Day everyday to their loyal supporters this season. Champions League football, anyone?

Qualifying campaigns are fraught with sweaty palms and sleepless nights. Please Santa, let England get back on track for Euro 2008.

Ronaldo has been a shining light in the Premiership ever since his arrival from Portugal. At this particular point, there could be no argument as to this season's player of the year.

Steve McClaren, how about showing us that you're not a complete 'numpty'.

Terry Venables, how about helping out your 'numpty' mate and delivering a national team we can be proud of.

United, the Sheffield variety. I love the way Neil Warnock wears his heart on his sleeve and the supporters get behind the team. My wish is for you to get another season in the top flight, you're all a credit to the game.

Van Persie, you truly are the heir apparent to the Dutch master, Dennis Bergkamp. Please continue to dazzle me with that sweet left peg.

Wembley, are you really going to be the greatest football stadium in the world?

Xabi Alonso, give me another strike from inside your own half. I finally wised up and put a few quid on you down at the bookies.

You'll never walk alone sung at full blast is still the most stirring song heard at a football match. I suggest we bring it to Los Angeles and the Galaxy.

Zinedine Zidane, I hope that in retirement you enjoy Christmas at home with the wife and kids.

With the month-long transfer window opened at midnight Sunday, the outcome of Europe's top leagues could turn on transfer activity.

English champion Chelsea trails Man United by 6 points in the EPL and has key players injured, it isn't clear whether owner Roman Abramovich will be called upon to spend more money.

"If the club ask for my opinion, I say 'yes,' but at the same time, when I see the eyes of some clubs and they ask for incredible money for normal players, I would say 'no,"' Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said.

"I need the best goalkeeper in the world (Petr Cech) back. I need the best central defender in the world (John Terry) back. I don't need millions for replacements. I need them back." Cech could return from a fractured skull in February, while Terry has targeted the League Cup semifinal against League Two side Wycombe on Jan. 10.

Abramovich has spent about 276 million pounds ($540 million) on transfers since taking over at Stamford Bridge in 2003. Against that, Chelsea doesn't have much of a history of bringing in players in January - one of the two periods a year that clubs are allowed to trade players.

A year ago, Chelsea was 11 points clear atop the table and went on to win a second straight title.
However, offseason acquisitions Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko have not impressed and, this time, the Blues have been linked with Manchester City's England defender Micah Richards and Birmingham defender Matthew Upson, who turned down a five-year contract extension with the League Championship leaders.

Despite its place atop the Premier League, Manchester United is seen by many as the most likely club to go shopping, judging by its track record.

The Red Devils, who are seeking their first title in four seasons, bought Serbia defender Nemanja Vidic in January 2006 and paid a British January transfer-record 12.85 million pounds ( $25.2 million) for France striker Louis Saha from Fulham in 2004. Saha has since scored 36 goals in 88 games for United.

Striker Henrik Larsson is already joining on loan from Swedish club Helsingborg until March, while England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been linked since an offseason move was rebuffed by Bayern Munich.

Bayern sits three points back in the chase of Bundesliga leaders Werder Bremen and Schalke, and reportedly wants 18 million pounds ($35.3 million) to release Hargreaves. Lyon, which has a 15-point lead in France, and Inter Milan, which is seven points ahead in Italy, are well-placed to take their league titles.

Inter tied a league record with its 11th-straight win before the winter break and, aside from losing Portuguese forward Luis Figo to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad, is unlikely to tamper with its side.

Sevilla leads defending champion FC Barcelona by two points in the Spanish league, but it is Real Madrid - five points behind Sevilla - which has already signed three new players ahead of the transfer window.

The arrival of Boca Juniors midfielder Gago and River Plate striker Gonzalo Higuain could spell the end of David Beckham and Antonio Cassano at Madrid.

Former England captain Beckham could even move to the US since no firm offers have come from English clubs. Madrid has expressed an interest in Franck Ribery, increasing the pressure on Beckham. Cassano has been linked with former club AS Roma.

Barcelona striker Javier Saviola is out of contract at the end of the year and could move.
Sevilla signed Russia striker Alexander Kerzhakov from Zenit St. Petersburg in a US$6.6 million deal on Thursday to bolster its attack.