Home to Arsenal

It was a privilege. A sort of birthday present. Asking for a clean sheet would be a tad ungrateful, but the eight goals were taken very well. And it was clear that the turning point was the penalty save by de Gea. Not only it lifted the team, that save would have given his confidence a world of good. A low hard penalty to his left from van Persie. Got down well to palm it away for a corner. That shot was poised for an equaliser.

We were cruising after a lucky goal from Wellbeck. How did he managed to get his head to the ball while being surrounded by three defenders and the goalkeeper would make Arsene cringe. Then came the first of two Ashley Young wonder strikes. We were playing champagne football by the time Rooney chipped the keeper from a free kick. We shut down before half time and conceded a goal in the dying minutes of the half.

Arsenal started the second half with impetus and got a few half chances. Then came another chipped free kick, again from Rooney. 4-1. Nani missed a glaring chance in front of goal a few minutes later, but atoned with a goal later, put on one-on-one by Rooney. No mistake there, but that was his last kick of the match before being replaced by Giggs. The sixth came from Park, before van Persie volleyed from point blank range to make it 6-2. United then wrapped things up when Arsenal was down to ten men. The seventh came as Rooney's hat trick from the penalty spot after Walcott clipped Evra inside the area. No mistake or penalty safe this time. The final goal came with the second wonder strike from Young in injury time. And that was how it stood when the fat lady sang. 8-2.

United could easily scored more, well into the double digit. Jones was solid at the back, de Gea was growing in confidence, but the man of the match was certainly Ashley Young. Arsenal did not help their cause, when they decided to play a high defensive line against a quick team like United. Even Alex Ferguson was sympathetic during his post-match interview. Arsenal could have made Rooney think twice about chipping the free kick if they had had a man to guard the post. They just did not learn their lesson, and did not change their tactics during halftime. Something very atypical of Arsenal. The only reason for that must be lack of personal. Arsenal definitely need to buy.

The Preparation

United would be playing Arsenal later tonight. And as usual, made my preparation by ordering some tandoori and mee ladna from NZ. The boys were still abuzz at home, so I had to get some roti telur for them.

While sitting there waiting, the Spurs-ManCiteh game was on, and Spurs we being given an absolute hammering. Citeh just scored the fourth just now. An unbelievable goal from Kun Aguero.

Kick-off would be around midnight and it looked like Anita might not be able to catch the game since with the maids were away, she had to prepare the sahur for the family. So, would be watching it alone I think.

Late night

My commitment to watch the United game took me to this entry. After taking an early nap at around 9pm, I woke up just after 1 to catch the game. Anita was up as well. Feeling peckish, I downed some pot noodles before settling into the game. United played Southampton then. United played badly and nearly paid the price. Luckily the second half substitution delivered the goods.

We were well beaten in the first half and Southampton deservedly taken the lead a minute before halftime. The second half early assault did not really materrialise until Giggsy and Nani entered the frame. United came up trumps with a two-one win, and I was about to go to bed content. Will have an early morning tomorrow. Will be driving Mum and Dad for a day trip to Penang to attend a cousin’s engagement. Luckily it would not be on the island, because traffic will be murder. Anticipating a lot of traffic … and speed traps!

Drive up to Ipoh

It was raining all the way up to Ipoh. It started the moment I enter DUKE. Got worst by Sungai Buloh, but then really pouring by the time I reached Kuala Kubu. There were three accidents by the time I reached Tapah, all I was sure due to people driving too fast in the rain.

At my usual haircut joint in Taman MelatiI left Gombak at around 4.30 after a quick haircut, finally reaching Ipoh at around 7.30. Luckily despite the heavy rain, there were hardly any traffic. The rain eased off by the time I arrived at Simpang Pulai, but poured down I again by the time I planned to go out in search of dinner. Decided to stay at the hotel and have the buffet instead. And I wasn't disappointed.

It's grill night tonight, the carvery was pretty decent. Even the dessert was pretty nice and I went bak up to the room after some coffee in time for the big kick-off. It's just past halftime now and the score was still even at one apiece. The game wasceryainly hotting up with United trying to up the tempo. Watching while biting my nails!

Should we keep UMMC Astro-free?

It's Sunday, but since one of my colleague is away in Taiwan, I covered him for the weekend duties. I came in for my morning ward round and late morning, I met one of the Medical Officers in the Common Room. While waiting for her, I came across a piece of note on the wall. I snapped a picture of it on my mobile, but for some reason I can't transfer it to my laptop. It was a simple feedback form from the committee asking what they would like to have in the room for the future. One of the reply was to have Astro, the satellite TV company here in Malaysia. Some body wanted a subscription to include the sport channels. The request was promptly rejected and the reason being it may jeopardise patient's well being. Hmm... seems far fetched? Let me tell you my experience.

Wednesday, 7th June 2002. World Cup, Japan. England playing Argentina. I was working in Manchester then. Everyone was watching the match in the doctor's common room. It was just before 11 am due to the time difference. Score was nil-nil. 42 minutes gone in the first half. Every one was still glued in their seat. I can count there were about 50 of us in the small space.

It has been a tense game, mainly played in midfield, but in term of technique, the Argentinean were clearly superior. After 19 minutes, Owen Hargreaves was injured, and was replaced by Trevor Sinclair. England lost what ever left of their midfield superiority. A stray pass, and Owen got through towards goal, but took a heavy touch. From nowhere the keeper came in and upended him. Pierluigi Collina, the referree, has no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Beckham had the penalty duty, not only to score a goal, but to bury the memory of France 98 when he was sent off in the quarter finals for kicking Diego Simeone, an Argentinean midfielder. Everyone remember that infamous incident right?

The room was quiet. Becks put the ball on the spot. Took five steps back. It seemed an eternity. Suddenly all our bleeps went off in synchrony, "CARDIAC ARREST, CORONARY CARE UNIT; CARDIAC ARREST, CORONARY CARE UNIT". Argh! Luckily I was not on call. The anesthetist shouted, "whoever that is, he deserves to die!". Beckham scored seconds later.

Hmm! I wonder if you are watching such a tense match, with the bleep going off, what would you do? I suggest no Astro in the MO common room. The UMMC website should also say, "please come to UMMC, where the doctor will be on hand 24 hours a day and their common room is Astro-free!" Long live UMMC! Would you sent your relatives into a hospital with Astro installed?

Update on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:10PM by Haris Abdul Rahman

Managed to upload the said image