Post #2: Big Match Build-Up Manchester United vs Chelsea

Yes, it is it. The "El Clasico" of British Football, featuring the 2 strongest clubs in England. Manchester United and Chelsea, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti respectively. And of course, I hope this match promises to be more than a dull affair.

The past match ups between both teams have been slightly tilted in Manchester United's way, based on statistics but not because I'm currently wearing my Manchester United jersey as I rack my brain on what to type. Most recently, United triumphed over Chelsea 3-1 in the F.A. Community Shield with the most peculiar of goals from Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez as we can all remember. Further behind, we remember 3 consecutive wins for Chelsea in the League and the preceding season's F.A. Community Shield. As we roll back the years, we have the magnificent 3-0 win of Manchester United over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and a 1-1 result in the Old Trafford leg. And for the pride of Manchester United fans, it should be the Champions League triumph in Moscow in the rain during the Double Year of 2007/08.

All the above are decided with players now gone. C.Ronaldo, C.Tevez for Manchester United, and M.Ballack, J.Cole for Chelsea. So how will the teams match up? By prediction the Manchester United line-up would be: Van Der Sar, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Park, Giggs, Berbatov and Rooney. Chelsea's would be: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, A.Cole, Alex, Malouda, Kalou, Lampard, Essien, Drogba and Anelka. Of course, this is only a prediction and we can't be sure if I'm right or not. Vidic will look to stifle the attacking threats of Drogba and Anelka with his defending and awareness of situations while United look to break the Chelsea backline with the presence of Rooney and the touch of Berbatov. But I think this is a game which would be decided in the midfield. Essien will hope to protect his back four from the flanks which will be bombarded by Nani and Park. While watching Manchester United play for quite a number of years, I hope I'm not wrong to predict that Giggs will be the midfield lynchpin while Nani and Park execute attacks on the flanks and Fletcher to mark out Lampard from the game. Essien will then try to get hold of Giggs by playing as the CDM in the diamond formation and Lampard will try to scatter the Manchester backline. A.Cole and Ivanovic or P.Ferreira will attack from the flanks leaving acres of space for Nani and Park to exploit if they get pass Essien. But well, how will the match really play out? No one knows.

Game on.

Inaugral post; Post #1, player highlight: Park Ji-Sung.

Hi everyone, this is the opening and inaugral post of this blog, created to review on selected games and players in the spotlight as noted above. Today I'm pleased to write about Park Ji-Sung, number 13 of Manchester United.

Three Lung Park, his alias off and on the field since he was in high school, is a perfect depiction of his character and working attitude. Tireless and hardworking, Park is a player who clocks in his defensive shift when his team are on the backfoot and is also the first one on the blocks when his team are on the counter attack as shown in his performance against the free-flowing football of Arsenal football Club in the recent match at Old Trafford. Bought for only £4 million in the summer of 2005 from PSV Eindhoven led by Guus Hiddink then, Park proved to be an important player for Manchester United by scoring many season defining goals in critical matches. His work rate has also proved to be an asset in the middle of the park for Manchester United. His knack for goals in big matches also leaves him as a wonder kid from South Korea. Just take a look at how he directed his physics defying header against Arsenal in which he scored. And mind you, its not only once he's scored in a big match. Against the big four of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, he has scored against.

But is that all we can say about Park? Loads of accolades that he has achieved puts him on the list for even more honours. Being left out of the Champions League Finals in the 2007/08 season proves to be a great disappointment for Park, losing the 2008/09 finals to Barcelona is a greater one. Already evolving to be a match winner for Manchester United in several occasions this season, is this the breakthrough for Asia's best player? We can only wait and see.

“I have no reason to move. I play at the best club in the world.” - Park Ji-Sung, 2nd May 2009