Kekalkan Bendera Biru Terbang Tinggi

KTBFFH! Mohon tidak disalah ertikan short-form ini kerana ia sebenarnya melambangkan betapa setia dan semangatnya saya dalam membakar dan memacu perjuangan pasukan favourite saya ini.

Maaf saya hulurkan terlebih dahulu kepada teman-teman pembaca yang agak tidak berapa “syok” bab bola sepak. Tapi inilah saya, pasukan biru Barat London ini yang berpangkalan di “Jambatan Stamford” ini memang tidak boleh dipisahkan daripada saya. Namun tidak bermakna saya tegar dan obses dengan pasukan ini. Hanya minat menikmati keseronokan dunia bola sepak.

Ya, entri ini khusus berkenaan pasukan Kelab Bola Sepak Chelsea (Chelsea FC).

Walaupun hakikatnya saya kurang gemar dengan jersi terbaru “Kami” ini (walau pun saya sudah pun memilikinya!), KTBFFH! Musim baru yang masih lagi baru ini menampilkan pasukan Kami yang juga kelihatan baru disebabkan oleh kemasukan beberapa pemain baru dan yang ketara pengurus baru. Malah staf kejurulatihan juga baru. Corak permainan pun baru. First-Eleven yang turut baru. Jadi mudah-mudahan ini semua akan menjadi sebab kepada semua The Blues untuk terus bersemangat tinggi, tidak kiralah sama ada mereka yang di atas padang, di bangku simpanan, di kotak pengarah, di Matthew Harding Stand, di depan Astro, di restoran mamak, atau di mana jua sekalipun.

Apa yang pasti topik utama adalah terarah kepada prestasi pemain No. 9 Kami, dan kemampuan AVB Kami. Syukur Fernando Torres dilihat sudah menemui kembali sentuhan berbisanya apabila berjaya menunjukkan permainan berprestasi tinggi dan cemerlang setakat ini. Malah sudah berjaya menjaringkan 2 gol dalam 3 perlawanan terakhirnya. Malah mungkin juga lebih, andaikata beberapa penjaga gol lawan tidak menampilkan “aksi luar biasa hebat” dalam beberapa  perlawanan Kami setakat ini untuk menangkis bola penyudah Torres.

Andre Villas-Boas, pengurus baru kami pula dilihat sebagai individu yang tidak boleh dijangka. Bagaimana pun saya melihat masa depan Kami yang cerah dengan AVB di tampuk pengurusan pasukan. Harapan saya hanyalah satu, iaitu Tuan Roman Abramovich dapat menjadi seorang insan yang lebih bijak dan penyabar. Saya sangat yakin kejayaan Kami dan trofi idaman Kami akan berada dalam genggaman, malah boleh berdiri sama tinggi dengan Manchester United mahupun Barcelona andai tuan empunya kelab ini memberi kepercayaan kepada AVB seperti mana Sir Alex Ferguson mahu pun Arsene Wenger perolehi dari kelab masing-masing.

Sebelum berundur, suka saya berkongsi barisan kesebelasan utama pilihan saya untuk pasukan Kami dengan semua teman-teman pembaca. Fikir Rasa saya inilah barisan pemain yang perlu diutamakan oleh AVB dengan formasi 4-3-3, insyaAllah trofi BPL dan UCL akan dijulang!

GK: Petr Cech, RB: Jose Bosingwa, CB: David Luiz, CB: John Terry,  LB: Asyley Cole, DM: Raul Meireles (sepatutnya Micheal Essien tapi dia cedera pula), M: Josh McEachran, AM: Ramires, LF: Juan Mata, RF: Daniel Sturridge, S: Fernando Torres.

Baiklah sampai di sini sahaja, berjumpa lagi di masa lain insyaAllah untuk perkembangan pasukan Kami ini (kalau ingin tahulah), apa pun, Keep The Blue Flag Flying High! Jazakallah.

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Chelsea Bermasalah Di Gelanggang Sendiri

Menjenguk seketika ke persada sukan bola sepak Eropah...

Sebagai kipas susah mati pasukan Chelsea tetapi tidaklah pula sampai fanatik, kita cuba menenung prestasi pasukan The Blues mutakhir ini. Kali akhir selepas kekalahan kepada pasukan Roma di peringkat kumpulan Liga Juara-juara Eropah, berikut kita sertakan keputusan yang telah dicapai oleh Chelsea yang mana perlawanan terakhir Chelsea merakamkan kekalahan ketiga di tempat sendiri (kali ini kepada Arsenal). Huhu... :(

Barclays Premier League : Chelsea 1 - 2 Arsenal

UEFA Champions League : Bordeaux 1 - 1 Chelsea

Barclays Premier League : Chelsea 0 - 0 Newcastle

Barclays Premier League : West Brom 0 - 3 Chelsea

Carling Cup : Chelsea 1 - 1 Burnley

Barclays Premier League : Blackburn 0 - 2 Chelsea

Yang berwarna merah itu adalah bagi menunjukkan kekalahan yang dialami oleh Chelsea. Bagi perlawanan menentang Burnley, walaupun keputusannya seri namun pasukan kita ni telah kalah dalam penentuan penalti. Huhu, sedih-sedih... :c

Serasa kita kini Scolari “The Big Phil” pasti sudah makin merasai bahang dan tekanan persaingan tertinggi di peringkat kelab lebih-lebih lagi dalam keadaan membimbing sebuah pasukan yang hebat seperti Chelsea. Namun, selaku penyokong pasukan kita sentiasa optimis tentang peluang Chelsea untuk memenangi piala-piala kejohanan walaupun hanya pada musim pertama Scolari di Chelsea di samping bebanan untuk membawa perubahan kepada corak permainan pasukan yang menghiburkan.

Bagi kita, sebenarnya Scolari tidak perlu memenangi kejohanan untuk musim pertamanya di Stamford Bridge. Pada hemat kita jika benar Chelsea serius ingin melakukan revolusi dalam corak permainan bola sepak (terutamanya bagi pasukan ini sendiri), pihak pengurusan dan Encik Roman Abramovich sendiri perlu akur bahawa ia memerlukan suatu tempoh masa yang munasabah.

Kita berpandangan untuk tempoh masa yang singkat ini The Big Phil serta pemain sudah berjaya melakukan tugas mereka dengan baik sekali. Lihat saja statistik yang terhasil setelah setiap perlawanan yang dilalui oleh Chelsea. Semuanya menunjukkan peratus penguasaan bola (ball posession) yang tinggi di pihak Chelsea. Malah corak permainan hantaran yang dipamerkan oleh para pemain juga menarik (ini diakui sendiri oleh ramai pemerhati dan penganalisis bola sepak antarabangsa), walaupun ianya kadang-kadang (mungkin juga kerap) tidak menjadi dan terlepas bola. Hee... :D

Namun jika pihak pengurusan dan pentadbiran Chelsea mampu bersabar, kita yakin suatu masa nanti pasukan Chelsea akan mampu menghasilkan corak permainan semenarik Barcelona selain merangkul semua kejuaraan yang disertai.

Apa pun, Go Chelsea Go!!! :y

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Chelsea FC's Round-Up

Setelah lama tidak mengemas kini rasanya seperti banyak yang telah tertinggal, termasuklah perkembangan pasukan kegemaran saya iaitu Chelsea FC. Hee... :D Jadi untuk entri kali ini (setelah lama menyepi, :( huhu...) kita akan sama menyaksikan rumusan aksi persembahan permainan dan keputusan yang dicapai oleh Chelsea dalam tempoh beberapa purnama kebelakangan ini sama ada di peringkat domestik mahu pun di peringkat Eropah (Go Chelsea!).

Selepas sahaja tamat perlawanan bertemu Man Utd, "Big Phil" dan anak-anak buah bimbingannya (yang hebat-hebat belaka, :$ hehe...) telah melalui minggu-minggu yang penuh bercampur-aduk suasana dan perasaannya serta aksi permainan mereka sendiri.

Saat paling sukar yang dihadapi oleh ahli pasukan dan seluruh peminat Chelsea (sebenarnya tak lah sesukar mana pun, :p hee...) ialah kekalahan 1-0 kepada seteru utama, Liverpool di tempat sendiri yang sekaligus menyaksikan rekod tanpa kalah "The Blues" di tempat sendiri (Stadium Stamford Bridge) selama 4 tahun setengah dalam 86 perlawanan (hebat bukan rekod ini :O hahaha!) lebur begitu sahaja. Namun, kami semua tetap relax dan cool seperti mana Scolari selalu katakan bahawa rekod itu tidak boleh dibawa ke mana kalau tidak memenangi kejuaraan. Betul tu Scolari!

Namun, (eh, berapa banyak namun ni...) :D apa yang boleh dibanggakan (walaupun takde lah sampai tahap riak dan takabbur :)) ialah corak permainan Chelsea yang semakin hari semakin mantap lagi hebat malah menghiburkan terus menyeronokkan dan menggembirakan hati yang peminat setianya yang menonton aksi mereka di padang (fuh! penatnya puji team ni...). Nampaknya pemilihan Scolari "The Big Phil" sebagai jurulatih pasukan Chelsea kelihatan merupakan pilihan yang tepat dan cocok sekali. Malah kalau dibandingkan juga jumlah perbelanjaan Scolari atas pemain adalah sangat sedikit bagi sebuah kelab yang besar seperti Chelsea. Kemenangan dengan jumlah jaringan yang besar ke atas lawan dan gol-gol yang dihasilkan pula kelihatan seperti mudah sahaja menyebabkan kami di Chelsea FC (termasuk saya lah juga tu :D hee..) amat optimis akan kejayaan pasukan kesayangan kami ini pada musim ini dan musim-musim yang datang dengan gemilang dan terbilangnya! Go Chelsea!!!

Antara lain keputusan Chelsea :-

Premier League : vs. Stoke City (Away) 2-0, vs. Aston Villa (Home) 2-0, vs. Middlesbrough (Away) 5-0, vs. Liverpool (Home) 0-1, vs. Hull City (Away) 3-0, vs. Sunderland (Home) 5-0

Champions League : vs. CFR Cluj (Away) 0-0, vs. Roma (Home) 1-0, vs. Roma (Away) 1-3

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MU 7 Yellow Men : Chelsea 1 - 1 Man Utd

It was honours even at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea hit back to earn a draw. The Blues' run of more than four-and-a-half years without a home loss was in danger after Ji-Sung Park`s opener, but Salomon Kalou hit back to earn a point and preserved Chelsea's 85-game unbeaten home record at the end of a breathless 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

For long periods, Chelsea appeared to be on course for a first Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge since February 2004 until Kalou popped up 10 minutes from time.

A lively opening spell from United saw the reigning champions take the lead on 18 minutes when Petr Cech spilled Dimitar Berbatov's shot and Park Ji-sung slotted home the rebound to put the visitors in front during an impressive spell for United before half-time. But Chelsea, whom dominated after the interval and after Nicolas Anelka had wasted a glorious chance, and after Wayne Rooney had conceded a needless free-kick, John Obi Mikel picked out the unmarked Kalou to head beyond substitute goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari praised the spirit of his side after they came back against Manchester United. Scolari also felt Chelsea missed the promptings of Deco in the 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United. Deco was pencilled in to start at Stamford Bridge, but picked up an injury in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Michael Ballack.

Scolari admits the late change in personnel allowed United to control the opening stages, but he was happy with his team's response.

"They (United) controlled more of the game. Deco is the man that comes to the other line to receive the ball and to work the ball. They controlled the game for five, 10, 15 minutes and they played better than us and made a goal. After that, we improved some things, but we lost chances in front of goal and this is our mistake."

Scolari added: "I think it was the right result. After the game, if we see the first half and the second half, there were chances for us and for Manchester. It's a normal result. We have more chances, but we miss some chances. The game is the best game we have played because we have many problems, and I think for Manchester it's the same."

Didier Drogba was introduced at half-time and Scolari believes the striker was a key factor in Chelsea's improvement after the break. He continued: "We changed only one position in midfield for Ballack or Lampard to be further up front and nearer the striker. I put in Drogba because Didier is now, for 45 minutes, okay. He stops the ball and helps players arriving more in front."

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The Blues Style : Chelsea 4 - 0 Bordeaux

Chelsea began their quest for UEFA Champions League glory with a 4-0 win over hapless Bordeaux. Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka were all on the scoresheet as Stamford Bridge witnessed a European treat.

Having come within the width of a post of taking the crown last season the Blues began in a manner which suggested they had unfinished business. With Didier Drogba to return from suspension, Scolari will head into the Group A matches against Cluj and Roma encouraged by their start to the campaign - they were comfortable winners but did not have to be at their vintage best to beat Bordeaux.

Although the scoreline was predictable, it was a minor suprise Scolari selected an named an unchanged starting line-up, the first time Chelsea had done so in 18 months.

However, their Brazilian boss was in no mood to celebrate on the final whistle as he immediately turned his attention to the challenges which still await his side.

"We know that we made many mistakes in the second half," he said.

"We tried to attack without the ball and with no good connections. But most important for us is the result. It is important to start with a win because in this competition you never know what will happen. You see that Cluj beat Roma. That is a warning for us for the next game."

"It is important to win and if you play well that is better, but today we did not play very well. They make many mistakes when they have the ball. When you play in the Champions League and are winning 2-0 at half-time you need to work the ball and control the game. You don't need to win 5-0, it is still the same three points."

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Clash of The Cash : Man City 1 - 3 Chelsea

The £32.5m man Robinho paid off the first instalment of his British record price-tag by marked his Manchester City debut with a goal but Chelsea came from behind to win 3-1 in an eventful game at Eastlands last Saturday which also saw John Terry sent off.

Brazilian forward Robinho, wanted by Chelsea for much of the summer, endeared himself to City fans after just 13 minutes as he curled a free-kick past Petr Cech with the aid of a slight deflection. However, Chelsea the better side on the day responded just three minutes later as Ricardo Carvalho seized on some defensive uncertainty to finish with aplomb.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side continued to carve out the better chances in an open encounter and took a 2-1 lead in the 53rd minute through Frank Lampard. Nicolas Anelka rounded off a neat move after 69 minutes to extend Chelsea's advantage, and City could not fight back even after Terry was shown a straight red card for a foul on Jo.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, Chelsea captain John Terry has won an appeal against the red card he picked up at Manchester City.

Terry was dismissed at Eastlands on Saturday after bringing down City striker Jo as the Brazilian threatened in the 77th minute. Referee Mark Halsey deemed it a professional foul and showed Terry the red card, but Chelsea protested, and submitted a claim for wrongful dismissal.

Jo still had a long way to go to goal when the foul came in from Terry, whose fellow defender Ricardo Carvalho was in close attendance.

An independent regulatory commission heard the appeal on Tuesday and the Football Association revealed they upheld Chelsea's claim, meaning England captain Terry must no longer serve a three-match ban. He is now free to face Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

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First Drop But Still In Command : CHELSEA 1 - 1 SPURS

Tottenham Hotspur earned a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Spurs striker Darren Bent poached a point and ended Chelsea's perfect start to the season. Bent capitalised on a fortunate deflection before driving into the far corner just before half-time.  

Chelsea led through Juliano Belletti, but with Roman Pavlyuchenko signed from Spartak Moscow on Saturday, Bent's first goal of the campaign provided a reminder to Juande Ramos of what he can deliver.

Chelsea, who had looked dangerous in the first period, struggled to create any clear-cut openings after the break and only had two shots on target throughout the 90 minutes. A poor day for Scolari's men. The strength and skill in their midfield engine room did not overpower Tottenham and Nicolas Anelka did not get the sort of service he needs up front. Maybe they will not run away with the title as easily as some have tipped them to do.

Luiz Felipe Scolari meanwhile, is keen for his players to create more chances following Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. "Tottenham played very well and they are a team that plays football," Scolari told.

"We had more chances, but we made mistakes on the final shot and today we have not won, but I am satisfied with my team. I learned that sometimes we need more chances. In England, if you have only two or three shots on goal, you never win. We need to train more and have more penetration."

Though Chelsea dropped points in the Premier League for the first time this term, Scolari was not downhearted after the result. He added: "It's not disappointing. Both teams are strong and they marked in the middle and put five players in the middle. It's a difficult game, a tactical game, but the players tried the best and the draw I think they are happy and our team is happy."

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Fantastic Deco But Though Wigan : WIGAN 0 - 1 CHELSEA

Chelsea secured all three points against Wigan Athletic thanks to yet another fantastic strike from Deco. Deco continued his fine start to life in the Barclays Premier League, scoring his second goal in as many matches to see Chelsea win at the JJB Stadium. The Portugal midfielder lashed home a free-kick in the fourth minute to hand the Blues three points against a resilient Latics side.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side could not repeat the display that saw them comprehensively beat Portsmouth 4-0 last week, but with two wins from two the Brazilian coach has already stolen a march on title rivals Arsenal and Manchester United. In that opening fixture, the Blues produced the dazzling football that has long been expected of them by owner Roman Abramovich but their 1-0 defeat of Wigan at the JJB Stadium was sorely lacking inspiration.

Luiz Felipe Scolari conceded his Chelsea side had failed to hit the heights of last week's 4-0 thrashing of Portsmouth, but insisted confidence was high after a second consecutive win.

Scolari, though, remained unconcerned.

'I understand that we didn't play like last week but I also understand the reasons why,' he said. Wigan played better than Portsmouth, they pressured us and they were playing at home - the people can help more than they can when we are at Stamford Bridge.'

'Also, I have had many problems this week. Michael Ballack played with a little injury, Michael Essien has not been training for 10 days, then trains for two and I needed him to play 90 minutes and John Mikel Obi is out. But they fought and it was possible to win the game. It is fantastic for Chelsea and fantastic for our group because we have confidence and we have six points.'

Robinho On The Move

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have revealed they are prepared to allow Robinho to move on after the Brazilian asked to leave. Real have responded to Robinho's comments and admit they do not want to keep an unhappy player in Bernd Schuster's squad.

"Real Madrid have become aware of the declarations by the player and deeply regret their content," read a statement on the club's official website. "Real Madrid would never want to retain a player against his wishes and as a result they have no alternative, but to accept his unilateral decision to rescind his contract if that is what the player wants."

It is unclear whether Real are now prepared to enter into negotiations with Chelsea to reach agreement on a fee for Robinho.

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"BLUE BRAZIL" IN THE WAY

LONDON: Luiz Felipe Scolari percaya Chelsea perlu meningkatkan lagi persembahan mereka selepas membelasah Portsmouth 4-0 kelmarin, jika mereka bercita-cita mahu merampas mahkota Liga Perdana daripada Manchester United. Sentuhan ajaib Scolari di Stamford Bridge dalam kemunculan pertama Liga Perdana membenam terus Portsmouth.

Ia adalah permainan mengagumkan yang pemiliknya, Roman Abramovich mahu melihat sekian lama tetapi Scolari turut menyaksikan beberapa kelemahan yang menyedarkannya bahawa masih banyak perlu digilap sebelum dia mampu merealisasikan gelaran ‘Blue Brazil’ dalam pasukan itu.

Namun bekas pengurus skuad kebangsaan Portugal dan Brazil itu menegaskan, pemain dan bukannya taktik yang memberikan perbezaan itu.

“Lampard bukan seorang pemain Brazil. Dia pemain Inggeris. Tetapi dia menyentuh bola dengan cukup baik. Itu gayanya. Sama juga dengan Ballack. Kami mempunyai gaya. Mustahil meminta Deco melakukan kekasaran. Itu bukan gayanya,” kata Scolari. “Saya hanya memberi kebebasan untuk bermain dan membenarkan mereka mempamerkan gaya mereka. Ini adalah persembahan Chelsea, bukan Scolari.” - AFP

ilmi: Walau apa pun situasinya, aku tetap percaya musim kali ini adalah milik Chelsea. Masih tertunggu-tunggu keputusan sama ada Robinho akan join the club ke tidak. Kalaulah si Robinho ni settle, aku memang teruja nak tengok camne la Big Phil akan arrange players dia yang power-power ni supaya team Chelsea bertambah power dengan permainan yang power dan kemenangan yang super power. Fuh! Sukar dibayangkan...

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NEW CHELSEA STARTS IN STYLE : CHELSEA 4 - 0 PORTSMOUTH

Luiz Felipe Scolari got his Chelsea reign up and running with a comprehensive victory over Portsmouth - and a message of attacking intent to the rest of the Barclays Premier League. Scolari's first match in charge suggested he wants style as well as substance, and they continued to push forward after Cole opened the scoring in the 12th minute.

Nicolas Anelka, Scolari's only senior forward available, headed in his first goal at home for Chelsea - before Frank Lampard put the result beyond doubt approaching half-time, scoring a penalty just five days after sealing his new five-year contract at the club. Deco, making his debut, added a late fourth from long range.

Go CHELSEA!!! Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, and the rest of europe... you'll better watch out. My advice is try your best when you guys facing this great Chelsea team and if you still losing, it's just fine, because you deserve it. Hehe... (I wonder, when can I see Malaysians player to play at the top flight teams, games, and leagues. Hm...)

ilmi: Sebagai penyokong Chelsea yang 'istiqamah' (hehe...), aku memang sentiasa menyokong Chelsea daripada jauh dengan keyakinan bahawa "Chelsea Is The Best Football Team In The World". Tapi nampaknya musim baru dengan kehadiran Big Phil sebagai pengurus serta beberapa pemain "so called fantastic" ni, ada harapan impian pemilik Encik Abramovich untuk melahirkan sebuah pasukan bola sepak yang hebat, mengagumkan, mempesonakan dan memenangi kejuaraan akan tercapai. Tidak sabar rasanya untuk tiba di penghujung musim. GO CHELSEA GO!!!

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