Road To South Africa 2010: Stadiums and Venue's Cities

This article are inspired from here... Heck, most of the facts are actually taken from there too!

JOHANNESBURG : 

Ellis Park Stadium

Built in 1928 specifically for rugby, and be demolished and rebuilt in 1982 again for rugby. Named after the Johannesburg city councilor who approved the used of the land for the stadium. Make some minor upgrade exclusively for World Cup 2010, has a gross capacity of 61, 639 seats. 

Where did you saw it before?:  

2009 Confederation final between Brazil and USA, 

Celebration for South Africa 1995 Rugby World Cup winning team, 

Home for Orlando Pirates FC

Where will you see it in SA 2010: Match 3 (ARG vs NIG), Match 14 (BRZ vs N. KOR), Match 22 (SVN vs USA), Match 32 (SPN vs HDR), Match 41 (SVK vs ITA), Match 54 (Round of 16), Match 60 (Q-Final)

Soccer City Stadium

The ground's design is inspired by the iconic African pot known as the calabash, and its aesthetic appeal will be heightened when the stadium is lit at night. The original stadium, built in 1987, was known as the FNB Stadium with a capacity of 80,000. Upgrades involved extending the upper tier to increase the capacity to 94,700; adding 99 more suites to bring the number to 184; constructing an encircling roof; adding new changing room facilities and installing new floodlighting.

Where did you saw it before?:  

First mass rally of Nelson Mandela after his release from prison in 1990,
Mourners lamented Chris Hani's assassination at the stadium in 1993,
1996 CAF African Cup of Nations final, South Africa eventually triumphing 2-0 over Tunisia.

Where will you see it in SA 2010: Opening Match (SA vs MEX), Match 9 (NED vs DEN), Match 20 (ARG vs S. KOR), Match 29 (BRZ vs IVC), Match 39 (GHA vs GER), Match 52 (Round of 16), Match 58 (Q-Final), Match 64 (Final)

CAPE TOWN:

Green Point Stadium

A new multi-purpose stadium that has been partly built on land that was previously used as a golf course. It's also going to be used to stage major events and concerts. It  has a capacity of 70,000 and complete in December 2009. 

Where did you saw it before?:

None. New built Stadium

Where will you see it on SA 2010: Match 2 (URU vs FRA), Match 11 (ITA vs PAR), Match 23 (ENG vs ALG), Match 30 (POR vs N. KOR), Match 44 (CMR vs NED), Match 56 (Round of 16), Match 59 (Q-Final), Match 61 (S-Final) 

NELSON MENDELA BAY/ PORT ELIZABETH:

Nelson Mendela Bay/ Port Elizabeth Stadium

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, set on the shores of the North End Lake is the first football dedicated stadium in the city or surrounding areas. It has an eye-catching, unique roof-structure and a spectacular view, overlooking the North End Lake. Before the stadium was build, all international football matches were played on Eastern Province rugby stadium, the EPRU Stadium.

Where did you saw it before?: 

Coveted Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs (brand new stadium)

Where will you see it on SA 2010: Match 4 (S. KOR vs GRE), Match 13 (IVC vs POR), Match 21 (GER vs SRB), Match 31 (CHI vs SWZ), Match 37 (SVN vs ENG), Match 49 (Round of 16), Match 57 (Q-Final), Match 63 (Third Place Decider)

DURBAN:

Durban Stadium:

its design inspired from the South African flag, with its grand arch representing the unity of this sport-loving nation. The two legs of the arch on the southern side of the stadium come together to form a single footing on the northern side, symbolizing the new unity of a once-divided country. The 70,000-seater has been specifically designed as a multi-purpose venue and an amphitheatre complete with a cable car which ascends to a viewing platform at the top of the expansive 350m arch, a staggering 106m above the pitch. Each seat of the stadium is spacious and comfortable, providing a clear line of sight to the pitch.

Where did you saw it before?: 

Built on the site of the old Kings Park Stadium (brand new)

Where will you see it on SA 2010: Match 7 (GER vs AUS), Match 16 (ESP vs SWZ), Match 25 (NED vs JPN), Match 35 (NGA vs S. KOR), Match 45 (POR vs BRZ), Match 55 (Round of 16), Match 62 (S-Final).

MANGAUNG/BLOEMFONTEIN:

Free State Stadium:

Was upgraded from a capacity of 38,000 to 45,000 during the refurbishments. Built on 1952, it has hosted numerous major football and rugby union matches. Bloemfontein's native are renowned for their passion for sport.

Where did you saw it before?:

Semi final 2009 Confederation Cup, Spain vs USA,
Home for Bloemfontein Celtic.

Where will you see it on SA 2010: Match 10 (JPN vs CMR), Match 19 (GRE vs NGA), Match 27 (SVK vs PAR), Match 34 (FRA vs SA), Match 48 (SWZ vs HON), Match 51 (Round of 16).

RUSTENBURG:

Royal Bafokeng Stadium:

Built on 1999, the stadium is named after the Bafokeng people who live in the area. Upon completion, the stadium will seat 42,000. It is 12 kilometers from the Rustenburg city centre.

Where did you saw it before?:

2001 FIFA World Cup qualifying game(SA vs Bakino Faso),
Hosted many Premier Soccer League games despite Rustenburg not having its own team.

Where will you see it on SA 2010: Match 5 (ENG vs USA), Match 12 (NZL vs SVK), Match 24 (GHA vs AUS), Match 33 (MEX vs URU), Match 43 (DEN vs JPN), Match 50 (Round of 16). 

TSHWANE/PRETORIA:

Loftus Versfeld Stadium:

One of the oldest stadiums in South Africa. The stadium has been used for major sporting events since 1903, and the first concrete structure, which could accommodate only 2,000 spectators, was built by the City Council of Pretoria in 1923. Since 1948 it has undergone perennial upgrades. It has been used for both rugby and football matches. Loftus Versfeld is in the heart of Tshwane/Pretoria and currently has a seating capacity of 50,000.

Where did you saw it before?:

1995 Rugby World Cup,
1996 CAF African Cup of Nations,
Bafana Bafana first victory over Europe team, Sweden, 1-0 in 1999,
Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United (football club) home ground,
Blue Bulls (country's top rugby team) home ground.

Where will you see it on SA 2010: Match 8 (SRB vs GHA), Match 17 (SA vs URU), Match 26 (CMR vs DEN), Match 38 (USA vs ALG), Match 47 (CHI vs ESP), Match 55 (Round of 16).

POLOKWANE:

Peter Mokaba Stadium:

Peter Mokaba was born and bred in Polokwane and was renowned for his fighting spirit and for his inpirational leadership. The design of the  largely concrete structure  is inspired by the locally iconic Baobab tree and is built next to the old Peter Mokaba Stadium in the Limpopo Province. The newly-built Peter Mokaba stadium is situated approximately 5km from the city centre, with a total seating capacity of 45,000.

Where did you saw it before?:

(Brand New) The old stadium however is the place where Didier Drogba made his debut for Ivory Coast vs South Africa in a memorable and decisive CAF African Cup of Nations qualifier where the home side won it 2-1.

Where will you see it on SA 2010: Match 6 (ALG vs SVN), Match 18 (FRA vs MEX), Match 36 (GRE vs ARG), and Match 42 (PAR vs NZL).

NELSPRUIT:

Mbombela Stadium:

Literally means 'many people together in a small space' in siSwati (one of the 11 official languages in South Africa). The stadium, with a capacity of 46,000, is located in the city of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga Province.

Where did you saw it before?:

None (brand new) 

Where will you see it on SA 2010: Match 15 (HON vs CHI), Match 28 (ITA vs NZL), Match 40 (AUS vs SRB), and Match 46 (N. KOR vs IVC).

T/t: Let's the fever... begin!!

Edisi Awal: Road To South Africa 2010

it's coming to you from every side....

In 98 more days from this article were written, a FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 will be kick off! So, what's in for all of us, the football addict?? Here are some preview, facts you need to know, and my very own predictions to this most anticipated events of the year!

Preview:

South Africa will be the first African nation to host the World Cup! Before, there were played 10 times in Europe, four times in South America,  three times in North America and one time in Asia. 64 matches will be played from the group stage up until the final match. The first match gonna be between host nation, South Africa vs two times host, Mexico in Johannesburg in Ellis Park Stadium on 11th of June (22:00 Malaysian time). The final will take place on 12th of July also at Johannesburg (02:30 Malaysian time). So, keep your appointment clear on those dates!

Click here for more detail about the host nation =D

Italy is the current holder for the World Cup tittle (you know this unless you've been living inside a cave in the past four years. They had already won the tournament four times in the game history. The most successful nation would be Brazil who already won this five times.

Other winners were :

1. West Germany (now Germany) 3 times
2. Uruguay 2 times
3. Argentina 2 times
4. England 1
5. France 1

Team to Beat:

Spain: the current holder of Euro 2008 cup is the team to beat. With a flowing football they played, almost all the great football nation had stumble to their feet (literally) in the past couple of years. Their strength would certainly on their midfield with the most deadly partnership of strikers in the world in the form of Fernando Torres and David Villa. David Villa would certainly the most form striker at the international level! Even though their back line might not be yet the best and lack strength in depth, they do possessed one of the best keeper in the world right now...

Team to Watch:

England: After failing to qualify for the Euro 2008, the reform England squad under the management of Fabio Capello certainly had revival to their best potential. Often coming to this tournament as one of the favourite, the Three Lions Golden Generation always come short, and more often than not it's because of the penalty kick... But now, with an impressive form during the qualifying stage, they look like a more complete team than they ever were. The winner of the 1966 edition however might lack a little bit of strength in depth in their squad, and that yet to be tested before this year kick off!

Team (s) to not to Write Off (just yet)

Argentina: Under the 'Hand of God' Diego Maradona, the surprisingly a very high potential with a lot of talent's team seems to struggle. Up until now, Maradona had used about 100 players in their qualifying matches and friendlies since he took over as a manager. His lack of experience in football management might be a setback for their Cup Glory's hunt. But, they do have in their squad, the world best player in Lionel Messi, who had won EVERYTHING in football that are there to win, either individually or as a team, including with his under-21 national team, World Cup and Olympic 2008 in Beijing, but yet to win anything with Argentina senior squad!

 

Could he done the job for the Argentine?

Germany: The current crop of players of theirs might not be the best by their own standard, but their achievements in international stages in this decade had been impressive! Finalist for the 2002 World Cup edition, third place for 2005 Confederation Cup and 2006 World Cup (as the host nation), and again finalist for the Euro 2008. they might want to do a step better for this year World Cup edition if they want to strip the 'almost team' title on them...

 

Miroslav Klose: Last Edition Top Scorer

Italy: the current cup holder might not be on their strongest and best form when they coming through this year competition, but there are no doubt about the talent circling in this team. With the back of their World Cup winning manager and the experience of the squad, expect them to be at least on the last 16. The only setback would be too many old leg in their squad...

 

Italian Job: Cannavaro lifted the trophy for the Italy in 2006

Brazil: the samba squad always come strong in this tournament (that's why they are the most successful nation in the cup history), and this year is not very different either. Been as s favorite and as a defending champions during 2006's tournament, they been knock off by surprise by that year finalist and runner-up France, they might want to improve on that record. The current crop of players might not as mighty as the 2002 World Cup winning squad, but with their legendary ex-capitan, Dunga as their manager and talent like Kaka', Pato, Fabiano, Danny Alves and Julio Cesar, there's no surprise if they can go on cruising once again in this year edition!!

Expect the un-Expected

South Africa: as the host nation for this year edition, they might come up with some surprise under their sleeves as many host nations has done on the previous editions. Bafana Bafana!!

South Korea: the semi finalist of 2002 edition as a co-host, they certainly got the players to at least cruising through the group stage. With the like of 'Double Dragons', Lee Chung-Yong and Ki Sung-Yong and United Park 'oxygen tank' Ji-Sung, they might posed some threat to other mighty nations...

 

Ki Sung-Yong of South Korea

United States: the only team to beat Spain in the competitive tournament in the past couple of years. They do possessed some quality players with experience in high level club competitions across Europe, and their team are quite good in term of World Cup achievement...

Ghana: with the like of Michael Essien of Chelsea and Sulley Muntari of Inter Milan, the Black Star can posed some threat to the bigger nations in football...

Netherlands: the birth place of 'Total Football' philosophy, with the like of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Van de Vaart, RVP and Klass Jan Huntelaar, they are a team to be fear. The down side however is their defense, which is vulnerable to say the least...

Paraguay: at times leading the South America qualifying stage and beat the like of Brazil and Argentina. This team do show some promising potential to go all along to claim the prize!

North Korea: little known about their country and so do their national side... but, if history is anything to refer to, they do have a capability to be a giant killer or at least shocker...

Switzerland: last edition tournament, they were knock out without conceding even a goal in 90 minutes action! They were knock out on penalty shoot on the last 16 round. Their youth squad had won the recent Under-17 FIFA World Cup, and there were no shocker to think their senior squad do just the same in this year tournament... 

France: if you can win with a hand goal, nothing gonna be stopping you!! =D
Ok, seriously, they do have the talent, but you might write them off cause their manager are just sh*tty...

 

If you can get away with this, you might as well get away with the prize "D

Extra:

-No European nations ever win the World Cup outside the European soil...
-Egypt has win three consecutive African Cup of Nation, but didn't qualify for South Africa World Cup
-From 1930-1970, the trophy was named as Jules Rimet Trophy after the FIFA President who set up the first tournament in Uruguay. The trophy was awarded to the Brazil after they won it for the third time, but had been stolen from their possession...
-There were no other winner yet from outside European and South American nations...

Up next: the stadiums and city of the venues!!

Martial Arts and Me

Yesterday morning I was watching 'Motivasi Pagi' on TV3, and there was Dr Azizi (if I'm not mistaken... short term memory not that good, huhu) giving talk. What had attract me to listen is that the man had learn many martial arts worth mention, so his opinions should be worth to listen too. As someone who obsessed with MA, I sat and listen about what he will talk about martial arts and self-motivation.

He has some very great points which I can't agree more with. Although he sound a lil' nervous (maybe coz of camera fright, maybe...), but he did have some great points about martial arts and how it's training and practice help in building a character. One of the most notable was when he's been asked by the programme host about what or where did lies the 'art' of martial arts. His answer do sum it all!

I've wrote before in this humble blog of mine about what is art in martial arts on my own POV, but I do leave some room of explanation that can only be describe by those who really involve in MA. That is what Dr Azizi had came across when discussing about the 'art' on the show. He said that  art is something not viewable (is that a word?) on naked eyes. (Seni in BM would mean something very small, halus...) So do art in martial arts is really something you can't just show or explain. It's the sensation of practicing it, and executing the techniques and discipline and make it as 'a way of life', then will you ever understand the value of it's art!

It's not entirely about breaking limbs, fancy techniques, giving a fear factor to one opponents and many other myths that you might get from a concept of Martial Arts. It's the philosophy behind it, the very need of learning to master an oneself, and respect other is the true meaning of the 'Arts'

If one couldn't yet master this and understand this, one can't firmly claim to be a martial artist!

*************************************

100

There are 100 days more to go before this year World Cup Bafana Bafana!

Insya-Allah, given some free times, I will come up with some preview, prediction and insight about teams and this year competition. Mind you that it isn't something I taken from pro pundits, ex-players or coach, it just something suka-suka-hati-aku-sajer, huhuhu...

Speaking about 100, Old Trafford, the very home ground for mighty 'Red Devils' Manchester United had reach a century of age last week... Since I have a sensational of 'jiwa kacau' some time last week, I couldn't brought myself to wrote about it, but be free to look up about it on Manchester United official websites!

Again, speaking about Manchester United, we won again! Yeah, the Carling Cup... It's nothing much, just to fill up the trophy cabinets of ours (rumour has it that United had to buy some Arsenal and Liverpool unused Trophy's cabinet to put this cup in =D), but at least we can say that we won a first trophy this year... hehe

T/t: It's not just another football tournament... It's a fever!!

Celebrities Look Alike

 

Chester Bennington of Linkin Park

VS

John Terry of Chelsea

Kembar lain mak nieh...

Martial Art Classroom: How to Execute a Reverse Swing Kick

Head Note (so it'll go into your head, not been kick away by your feet...): This is an article on how to execute Reverse Swing Kick (or any other names that you might has known it before). The tips are purely from my previous training and experiences with a help from a clip I found on You Tube. This might not be the best tips you might find around, but it's work for me, and should work for you too. My advice is, you should get some proper training in basic martial arts first before attempting any tips shown/discuss here! Note that this isn't a basic skill that you might learn in one or two session of martial arts classes. This skill even can't be done by someone with high rank martial art's students unless they have came through a rigorous training!!

*Since this is a very advance technique, it is not proper for me to start an article about it by skipping all the basic, especially all the Taekwondo basic kicks. It's been my vision to make this blog as a partial martial arts blog with  tips about self defense and martial arts techniques. I should start with something more basic, but I couldn't help myself when one friend has recently state how frustrating she was when she couldn't yet get grip of how to execute a proper back swing kick.

Now, for a skill checklist before any attempts to train this kicks are:
1. Basic front kick
2. Basic  high turning kick
3. Back thrust kick

Those three kicks are VITAL to master before you can have any easy and successful attempts in execute a proper back swing (of course the word 'easy' might be subjective...)

Below, a clip from You Tube that might be useful to help you to get grip of the skill/technique:




Now, a key to note is that every single Taekwondo kicks (I'm sorry for only use Taekwondo as an example, coz it's the only arts I've learn officially and know much of it. I believe that any other martial arts might have the same concept nonetheless, but to escape myself from any unnecessary mistakes, I'll just take Taekwondo as a main example/concept in sharing techniques tips =D) is the turning of the anchor leg! The anchor leg is the balance leg or the standing leg when we execute a kick. For example, when you kick with your right foot, your left foot is automatically be an anchor leg, so do vice versa (unless you're doing jumping or flying kick)

As in turning kick and back thrust kick, the turning of the anchor leg is the first motion we need to get it right! As for Back Swing, the turning of the anchor leg is similar with the turning of the anchor leg when we execute the back thrust kick! (Now, if up to now, this article doesn't made sense for you, I advice you to stop reading... Come again when I linked this post in other post in the future, God willing!) Watch the clip carefully at the point of when he start the kick. The front leg, being an anchor leg itself, FIRST start to turn, and the motion of his body turn backward is similar with the turn when we execute back thrust (that's why you need to master the back thrust before start to learn this...)

The different between back swing with back thrust is the direction of the end of the foot. Back thrust, like its name, is to use some thrust in direct motion of the kick!! So, you'll hit your target mainly with your heel. While for back swing, the foot area to hit your target will be mainly on foot print, or accurately around toe mounds and outer arch.

 

picture taken from here

Unlike back thrust, after you kick with back swing kick, the kicking leg must come back to its starting position. It's vital to come back to its starting point for:

1. to make sure it have enough power on its contact with the target.
2. to make sure the executor can come back to ready position after an attack.

Training:

Now we come to an important part. It's not easy to straight away execute a kick just like the video. Having stated three kicks above, the importance of mastering it all is to make it easier and give your body a sense of recognition of all the movements needed in executing back swing kick. The way I did it (12 years ago) is to train by my friend's way. First we need to do is to get the sense of recognition much needed in execute it. We must train ourselves to feel the sense of turning the body and lift our feet to the air backward. While doing this, we will not escape from the feeling of off balance. For starter, just low your body to the ground, and use one arm as an anchor to balance your body, then raise your leg as high as you can. Keep doing this to get the feeling of raising kick and turning the body. Use some sort of high target to measure how high you can go from each kick (no need to get its accurate, just to give some idea of how high you can reach).

Once you get the concept and the feeling right, you can train your balancing, by remove the anchor arm, and raise your body a bit higher with every kick executed. You might get a little bit off balance, but with a repetitive training, you'll overcome it!

In getting the kick right, two important elements are very much needed:

1. Patience
2. Hardwork!

Saying that, you must know that Rome wasn't build in one day... Keep doing the same training over and over again, overcome the dizziness and bored you might feel during the training of it. Here are the elements or equipments to help you to reach your target faster!

1. Target: Any kind of thing can be your target as long as it got height. My favorite is a pillar or pole (flag pole would do...).
2. Partner. To hold a target, or/and to give you a comment about your training/improvement.
3. Good coach/instructor - of course, much needed
4. Fear factor - Erase all the fears yu might have such as fear of falling, fear of injuries and fear of dizziness..
5. A basket to throw up, in case you failed to overcome the dizziness, huhu (ok, I'm just kidding =D)

Execution

Assume you're kicking with right leg.
1. In ready position, your right leg will be your rear leg.
2. Turn your tips front of your front's leg, that is your left leg, to the right. Simultaneously turn your body in semi circle to your right.
3. Once you complete the body turn, raised your right leg, and with a momentum of the turning of your body to the right before, give your kick some momentum to complete a circle and therefore enough force into the kick.

Extra:

1. the target for this kick would be face area, it is as if you slapping your opponent face (just this time with your foot...)
2. It is call 'Reverse' Turning Kick by some, coz when you execute it, you'll notice its pose would be a reverse of the turning kick.
3. In self defense, you can also use the back heel as a contact spot to the target, as its give some more damages to the target. But in Taekwondo sport, just keep it with the area we already discussed...
4. This is one very devastating kick! Keep training until you get the target right, coz as saying goes, the murderous the weapon is, the more danger it is when its backfire... The same as "the higher you go, the harder you fall"... but, hey, that's the risk...
5. You can also train back swing first, then go to train back thrust as both are a link-up skill/techniques that can relate to each other... But the normal way to do is by train your back thrust first.

T/t: Keep practicing to improve ourselves. I'll value any opinions or other/better tips. Just keep it coming on comment/trashback section... =D  

Edisi Awal: Cinta Memerlukan Pengorbanan!

Orang cakap, "Cinta memerlukan pengorbanan!"

Namun, sejauh manakah pengorbanan yang diperlukan untuk membuktikan sekuat mana cinta kita?

Sempena Maulidur Rasul ni, sukalah aku membincangkan tentang pengorbanan rasulullah dalam merealisasikan cinta baginda terhadap Allah SWT, agama Islam, dan ultimately, kita semua sebagai umatnya...

Kita sering berbicara dan menyambut Maulidur Rasul. Ia sudah menjadi satu perayaan yang terpenting kepada kita sehingga ada yang termengadah apabila salah satu kerajaan negeri di Malaysia ini berura-ura untuk menyekat perarakan Maulidur Rasul di negeri pimpinan mereka. Namun, sejauh mana kita menghayati pengorbanan Rasulullah dan para sahabat dalam menegakkan Islam? Tak perlu lah kita mempersoalkan apresiasi kita melalui amal ibadat kita, aku tahu kita semua ada cacat celanya! Cukuplah sekadar pemahaman dan penghayatan kita mengenai sirah nabawi sahaja yang aku persoalkan...

Cuba bayangkan, dilahirkan sebagai seorang yang yatim dan menjadi piatu menjelang umur 7 tahun. Seorang manusia biasa pun dapat merasai betapa sukarnya hidup sedemikian. Dibesarkan tanpa kasih sayang ibu bapa kandung, namun ini menyediakan Muhammad (SAW) satu pentas pembinaan karekter bagi membantu baginda dalam misinya pada masa mendatang dalam riwayat baginda!

Baginda dibesarkan dengan mengembala kambing dan membantu bapa saudara baginda berniaga sehingga ke negeri Syam dan sebagainya. Tiada apa-apa yang signifikan dapat kita pelajari dari sejarah awal baginda melainkan baginda terkenal sebagai seorang yang sangat amanah dalam setiap aspek kehidupan, sehingga digelar sebagai 'Al-Amin'. Kejujurannya dalam berniaga menarik minat Siti Khadijah yang mempersuamikan baginda kemudian harinya.

Menjelang umur 40 tahun, sudah menjadi rutin baginda untuk pergi ke luar Mekah, ke Gua Hira' untuk melakukan ibadat ataupun diberitahu kepada kita melakukan khalwat (yakni bersendirian untuk menghayati ketuhanan). Untuk mengetahui bagaimana baginda boleh beribadat walaupun seruan Islam belum sampai kepada baginda ketika itu, hendaklah difahami bahawa agama Hanif (iaitu yang dibawa oleh Nabi Ibrahim a.s) masih subur, cuma ia disadur dengan kepaganan apabila unsur-unsur berhala dimasukkan! Namun Muhammad (SAW) menolak penyembahan berhala, dan khalwat baginda di Gua Hira' boleh kita simpulkan sebagai satu meditasi dalam usaha mendekati dan mengenali sang Pencipta.

Namun, suatu hari ketika baginda berusia 40 tahun, baginda didatangi malaikat dan dilantik sebgai Nabi dan Rasul terakhir. Tak perlu la aku ceritakan lebih lanjut memandangkan aku yakin, we already know pretty much what happens next! Sekarang, untuk lebih memahami situasi baginda, aku akan cuba meletakkan situasi kita, sebagai orang biasa sebagai perbandingan. Bagaimana jika kita bertemu dengan malaikat atau mana-mana unsur ghaib ketika kita berseorangan di dalam gua? It will freak a hell out of us, for sure!

Apabila kita diberitahu, ketika kita berumur 40 tahun, bahawa kita terpilih untuk melakukan satu misi yang boleh dianggap mustahil, iaitu mengubah segala amalan dan adat istiadat yang sedia diamalkan dalam masyarakat setempat kita pada ketika itu, sanggupkah kita menerimanya? Di sini, bagi kes Rasulullah, baginda bertuah kerana mempunyai Siti Khadijah sebagai isteri. Siti Khadijah tidak mempersoalkan peristiwa yang menimpa baginda (lagipun dia tahu akan kejujuran Muhammad SAW), bahkan meyakininya dan menjadi pengikut baginda yang pertama! Jika anda sudah berkahwin, yakinkah anda pasangan anda akan melakukan perkara yang sama untuk something much less?

Apabila pertama kali baginda berdakwah kepada kaumnya, iaitu kaum Arab Quraish, mereka dihimpunkan pada satu bukit, dan berkatalah baginda,"Jika aku mengatakan kepada kamu bahawa ada segerombolan musuh di belakang bukit ini dan bersedia menyerang kamu, sanggupkah kamu mempercayai aku?" Tujuan baginda adalah untuk menguji sejauh mana kaumnya mempercayai baginda. Lagipun, kaum baginda sendiri yang menggelarkannya sebagai 'Al-Amin', iaitu seorang yang sangat boleh dipercayai... Lalu berkata, surprise, surprise, Abu Jahal (kalau aku tak silap, huhu),"Ya Muhammad, kami mempercayai segala yang kau perkatakan kerana kamu tidak pernah berbohong!" Lalu Muhammad (saw) membalas, "Jadi tahulah bagi kamu sesungguhnya aku dilantik menjadi Rasul dari kalangan kamu dan aku membawa risalah tauhid dari Tuhanku dan juga Tuhanmu" dan sekali lagi Abu Jahal berkata,"Sesungguhnya Muhammad itu berbohong dan sudah gila" (jika tak silap aku, baginda dicampakkan batu oleh Abu Jahal, maaf sebab aku tak boleh nak menyatakan dari riwayat mana datangnya kisah ini, tapi aku rasa it's pretty common for muslim to know this story... siapa yang tahu riwayatnya, boleh la bagitahu aku kt ruang komen, ok...)

Betapa mudahnya Abu Jahal, seorang bapa saudara Nabi SAW, yang pada awalnya sangat mempercayai baginda, menuduh baginda berbohong kerana baginda mengakui kerasulan baginda. Sebab apa Abu Jahal bertindak demikian, aku rasa pretty obvious, jadi aku tak terangkan lah di sini...

Jadi sekali lagi aku bertanya, mampukah kita bertahan di khalayak ramai apabila kita dituduh berbohong walhal kita memberitahu satu perkara sebenar, bahkan dicampakkan pula batu oleh khalayak kita?

Banyak dan panjang lagi kisah-kisah kesusahan yang dilalui baginda dalam memperjuangkan Islam. Antaranya seperti kisah baginda di Tha'if. Belum dikira dengan peristiwa pada 'Tahun Kesedihan', diletakkan batu besar ketika baginda sujud di depan Ka'abah, kecederaan daripada perang, kisah mengenai seorang nenek yahudi yang sering mencampakkan air muntah ke atas baginda apabila baginda melalui depan rumahnya ntuk ke masjid SETIAP HARI (!) dan bayak lagi...

Jikalah kita meletakkan diri kita sendiri di tempat baginda, mungkin masuk hari kedua sahaja kita diberikan tugas menyebarkan Islam, kita sudah berputus asa! Tapi tidak bagi baginda. Selama 23 tahun beliau berjuang, dan mungkin selamat untuk mengatakan, hanya pada tahu terakhir hidupnya sahaja penentangan terhadapnya mungkin boleh kita simpulkan sebgai berkurangan, kerana baginda sudah berjaya menawan kota Mekah!

Cuba kita bayangkan, jika baginda mengambil keputusan untuk tidak lagi menyebarkan Islam, kecuali pada kalangan yang telah pun menerimanya at his first effort, this is understandable jika diambil kira penentangan dan seksaan, serta ugutan dan cubaan bunuh terhadapnya, maka jika itu berlaku, berapa ramaikah dari kita sekarang yang masih dapat menikmati nikmat Islam itu sendiri? Jika kitalah yang diberi tanggungjawab itu, adakah kita mampu bertahan selama mana baginda, yang mampu mendoakan kesejahteraan penduduk Tha'if dan memohon hidayah untuk mereka, sedangkan dakwah baginda ditolak mentah-entah, menerima penghinaan dan lemparan batu-batu dari kanak-kanak di situ (it's a great insult for any adult to have little kid throw stones at you...)!

Siapakah kita untuk mengatakan bahawa, sebelum dilantik sebagai Rasul, baginda tidak mempunyai impiannya sendiri. Sekurang-kurangnya, baginda pasti mempunyai impian untuk membina keluarga yang bahagia dan hidup aman damai sehingga ke anak cucu.... Namun, segala impian itu harus dikorbankan untuk syiar Islam! Now, that's something to tell your love!

Pengorbanan baginda sebenarnya banyak lagi. Rujuklah sirah baginda dan hayatilah apa yang tersurat dan yang tersirat untuk penghayatan yang lebih mengenai pengorbanan baginda dalam menyebarkan syair Islamiah ke seluruh ALAM! Cubalah meletakkan diri kita sendiri pada tapak kaki baginda dan fikirkan apakah tindakan kita apabila melalui kesusahan dan cabaran yang dihadapi Rasulullah. Of course kita tidak sesempurna baginda dan baginda menerima pertolongan dari Allah swt sendiri, tapi sekurang-kurangnya we can get an idea what it's feel like to fight for what you believe and the truth in an era when everyone are opposed to you...

Dengan memahami jerit perih dan susah payah baginda, mungkin kita sedikit sebanyak akan lebih menghargai nikmat dan anugerah Islam yang diberikan kepada kita, terutamanya yang bergelar sebagai Islam baka seperti majoriti dari kita ini... Then, hope it will give us more strength to do what we been toughs by Islam...

Jadi, selamat menyambut Maulidur Rasul... perbanyakkan selawat ke atasnya pada hari ini dan juga pada hari-hari yang mendatang...

the Damned United...

Mungkin perkara yang paling aku benci dalam meminati bola sepak dan Manchester United ni, apabila seseorang itu menghina United dalam keadaan yang tidak sepatutnya...

Biasanya haters akan mengatakan atau membincangkan sesuatu seperti, "Eleh United, menang pun nasib jer", "Ferguson takde benda lain ke nak buat selain marah ref bila team kalah?", "Apsal United mesti dapat banyak injury time bila diorang kena tinggal (ketinggalan)?", "Apsal ref bias kat United? Player tak kena kad bila foul dan senang dapat free kick?" dan macam-macam lagi...

Yang peliknya, tak pula benda-benda ni diungkitkan apabila team yang mereka support juga melakukan perkara yang sama (kritik ref, menang nasib/last minute goal, dapat injury time banyak dsb)

Lebih pelik bila ada pula yang mengaku neutral tapi mengatakan yang United lucky or what so fucking ever bila diorang menang, tapi menafikan yang team lain menang sebab diorang pon lucky jugak dengan pelbagai alasan!

Well, guess what? Luck is part of Strength! Live with it!!

C'mon lar! For every case that you raised to question how good or bad United is/was, I can give a similarity of comparison for your own freaking team!

United menang nasib? Barca pon menang nasib jugak masa semi final UCL tahun lepas, kalau bukan kerana injury time goal, dan beberapa penalty claims ruled out, jangan kata menang UCL, masuk final pun belum tentu!! Chelsea? Terry header masa menang kt Bridge ari tu pasal foulkan Brown, ref tak nampak, dan season lepas bila korang dapat free kick last minute dan Kalou score equaliser?! Macam mana pula Liverpool? Berapa kali diorang menang dalam injury time dalam Liga season lepas selepas diorang ketinggalan? Owh, bila United dapat gol last minute, kitorang 'lucky'? Bila korang dapat gol last minute, even daripada penalty 'dive' pon, korang (super maha) hebat? Pii rah mabuk!!

United dapat injury time melampau masa diorang ketinggalan? Habis, team korang dapat injury time melampau masa tengah menang tu, camne pulak? Bila dalam satu-satu match tu diberi extra time, so, masa diberikan kepada kedua-dua team, apsal pulak kena komen pasal masa tambahan tu? Kalau United boleh score dalam injury time, kenapa team lawan tak boleh? Sebab diorang tak bernasib baik atau sebab United lagi hebat?? Lu pikirlah sendiri!!

Ok, United main tak cantik? Define 'main cantik'! Passing game? Check! Long Ball? Check! Good defense? Check! Good Offense? Check! Win trophies? Check!

So, nak kriteria camner lagi baru puas hati??

United one-man team? Abis, siapa dia one-man tersebut? Rooney? Habis, time United menang UCL dulu, bergantung pada Rooney saje ke? Siapa score semi final goal lawan Barca dulu? Scholes kan? Apsal tak jadi one-man Paul Scholes team? Sebab Rooney penjaring terbanyak United, so dialah one-man United? Abis, team-team lain yang ada top scorer tu automatik jadik one-man 'the top scorer' team lah?? Kalau camtu, SEMUA team pun one-man team! LOL!!

Adakah Rooney boleh score tanpa great play from midfield dan assists dari players like Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Nani, Giggs dan Valencia serta Berbatov? Adakah gol-gol Rooney sufficient untuk memastikan United menang games kalau defense taik dan keeper lemau? Tepuk dada, tengok la replay matches! hu hu hu...

So, player United got away dengan foul? Habis? Salah United atau bad decision dari ref? Jangan lupa, setiap team akan kena badi bad decision dari ref! United pon penah kena, team lain pun pernah kena, heck, even mana-mana sukan dan atlet pun akan kena lar beb!! Go play some fucking sports before you comment about referee indecision on certain match or team, please!

Manager United selalu kritik ref bila kalah?! Bagi aku seorang manager yang kritik ref bila dia menang! Mungkin ada satu jer sampai sekarang yang aku tahu, iaitu manager Bayern Munich, tu pon pasal perlunya teknologi video untuk bola sepak lepas Klose score gol offsaid hari tu... Lagipun, manager lain pun ada jugak yang kritik ref... mungkin tak sebanyak Fergie, tapi tu sebab aku rasa diorang don't have any ball untuk tanggung akibat perbuatan diorang... Takut kena denda ngan FA! So, United berbangga mempunyai seorang manager yang berani kerana benar, and got balls, uols!!

Ceh, so, apa lagi yang korang rase korang nak komplen pasal United? Tinggalkan komen kalo ade 'balls'!!

T/t: This blog called !Trash Talk! ain't for nothing!!