Man United Drops BOMBshell On Indonesian Soccer Fans !
18 July 2009
All the Man United players , Team Officials & especially for the 67 Years Old Manager Sir Alex Ferguson could count themselves really very lucky that their Friendly Fixture against the Indonesian National Team had not been scheduled for today , and so the team had not checked into the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jakarta where the bomb blast took place which killed 8 people and injuring 50 others early Friday morning yesterday . The Ritz Carlton Hotel where the bomb blasts took place were supposed to have been the very same hotel that the whole Man United Team were going to stay in during their stay in Indonesia for their Pre – Season Friendly Match with the Indonesian National Team !
But now following the deadly bomb blasts in Jakarta yesterday , the Red Devils’ Friendly Match with the Indonesian National Team are now off , as the team had decided to cancel their scheduled trip to the Indonesian capital , with players and the team’s safety in mind .
First , it was the Malaysian die – hard Man United Fans that were made to suffer the agony and disappointment of having a scheduled Man United trip to their country being forced to cancel two Years ago , as Malaysia were part of the four team co – host Event in Asia’s biggest soccer Event in the Asian Cup 2007 Tournament , which were jointly co – hosted by Thailand , Indonesia and Singapore as well . Now , history were to repeat itself again this year , but this time it was the turn of the Indonesian die – hard Man United Fans in Indonesia that were made to go through the same agony and disappointment that the Malaysian soccer Fans went through two years ago , after a bomb explosion changed the faces of Events and left the many hundreds and thousands of Indonesian Man United fans who had already brought the tickets to the highly anticipated Clash with their very own National Team , very early in the year and were looking forward so very eagerly and excited indeed , awaiting for their favourite players’ arrival utterly very disappointed !
And who can really blame them ( these die hard Man United Fans in Indonesia ) ? After all , it would have been the very first time that the English Champions had visited the country in 24 Years since 1975 had the bomb explosion not taken place ! And now following the cancellation of the trip to Jakarta , as confirmed by Man United Officials on Friday night , it looks like these fans long enduring wait for Man United to stop by at their country will continue !
Man United fans in Malaysia though just need to wait for two years to walk out from their own suffering , agony and disappointment as they will finally get to see the full first team players in Action later today at 5.30pm ( Bukit Jalil Stadium ) . But for all these poor Indonesian soccer fans , who knows when they will finally get to see the stars in the flesh again ? They have waited for a gruelling and enduring 24 long Years for this and now it is suddenly gone !
Just how long will they have to be made to wait before the Man United Team plans to travel to Indonesia again for their Pre Season Asia Tour … ? Another 24 Years ? Maybe , maybe not … Well , all I can say is – as they say : ” So near yet , so far … “.
Starhub Cable NOT Showing Saturday’s Man United vs Malaysia XI Friendly Match LIVE !
16 July 2009
Following the heartbreak and disappointment of not being able to watch the whole Confederation Cup Tournament LIVE last month , when soccer fans in Indonesia can get to watch the whole Tournament for FREE on two Free To Air TV Channels – RCTI & Global TV , subscribers of Starhub Cable , in particular Manchester United Fans in Singapore will once again be ‘ left out in the cold ‘ and ‘ forced ‘ not to be in the thick of the Action , as Starhub has confirmed that they will NOT be showing this Saturday’s Manchester United Friendly Match with Malaysia XI LIVE on any of their Sports Channels !
Looks like the many hundreds and thousands of Man United Fans here in Singapore will have to be forced to once again ‘ miss out ‘ on all the Action , Drama and Excitement of another highly anticipated Big Match , though this time it is just a Pre Season Friendly Match ! This is surely another boo – boo to Starhub image and reputation as the leading broadcaster for Sports , in particular soccer where soccer fans here in Singapore have learnt to live life watching LIVE Soccer on Starhub Football Channel ( Channel 27 ) and as well as on it’s other four Sports Channels .
A check on Saturday’s TV Schedules shows that Starhub Football Channel ( Channel 27 ) where it is also popularly known as the ‘ EPL Channel ‘ here in Singapore will not be showing the game LIVE at that time . Instead , it will be showing a J – League ( Japanese League Match LIVE ) from 6pm to 8pm .
However , the Channel will be showing United’s city rival – Manchester City’s Pre Season Friendly Match LIVE later in the night at 9pm against Orlando Pirates , where fans can look forward to watching stars such as Carlos Tevez , Gareth Barry , Robinho , Elano and Roque Santa Cruz in Action .
And a further check on the TV Schedules of other Starhub Cable Sports Channels for this Saturday’s TV Programme on the Starhub Official Website reflected that Channel 23 ( ESPN Channel ) will be showing a LIVE Golf Tournament from 5pm onwards , while the rest of the other Sports Channels do not really have any Programme at all or any Programme that are of ‘ real urgent or importance ‘ during that period of time when the Man United – Malaysia XI Friendy Match was being played .
As such , it brings to some soccer fans to ask what’s exactly the real reason for Starhub Cable decision not to show this Saturday’s Manchester United Friendly Match with Malaysia XI LIVE ? Already , Starhub ESPN – StarSports ( Channel 23 & 24 ) will no longer be showing the UEFA Champions League as of this New Season onwards which starts in August , as well as their decision not to show the Confederations Cup Tournament last month has severely angered and disappointed lots of Soccer Fans here .
Now this Latest no show by Starhub Cable will surely and undoubtedly have incensed greatly the many die hard Man United Fans here even further as far as their support for their favourite club and players are concerned .
While Man United Fans in Singapore here may felt hard done by Starhub latest decision not to show the Match LIVE , Chelsea fans here will be quick to point out too that when their Club travelled to Malaysia last year , then led by Brazillian Coach Luis Felipe Scolari , similarily none of the Starhub Sports Channels ( Football Channel included ) showed the Match LIVE and so they were also being ‘ kept out of the Action ‘ as their team played in Malaysia , with a total LIVE Media Coverage shutout here .
* LATEST : Man United vs Malaysia XI this coming Saturday , 18 July 2009 LIVE & EXCLUSIVE from Bukit Jalil Stadium in KL at 5.30pm ( Singapore Time ) on Indonesia’s Trans 7 Channel . *
Premiership Champions Man United To Face Chelsea On 9 August National Day !
16 July 2009
There are even more reasons to celebrate on Sunday , 9 August 2009 National Day this year , at least for all the EPL Soccer Fans here in Singapore , that is . As Singaporeans busk in the celebration of their country’s 44th Years of Independence , soccer fans here will also be treated to a spectacle of a real exciting BIG Match in store , between Manchester United – last Season’s League Champions and Chelsea – FA Cup Winners of Last Season going head to head in this year’s Community Shield Clash – the tradtional curtain raiser to the EPL New Season . The two sides were ‘ supposed ‘ to face each other in the UEFA Champions League Final last Season , but now the two sides finally have got their wishes ‘ granted ‘ , in particular especially for Chelsea who felt that they were ‘ denied ‘ a place in Rome after a stormy Second Leg Semi Final Clash with eventual Cup Winners Barcelona .
The two sides will face off in the traditional curtain raiser , exactly one week before the New Season of the English Premier League 2009 / 2010 Season begins on Saturday , 15 August 2009 and Soccer fans can look forward to watching this exciting and highly anticipated Community Shield Clash LIVE later in the night , right after enjoying the NDP Parade .
The last time these two sides met in the Community Shield was two Years ago in 2007 where the Match ended 1-1 in 90 mins with the Red Devils eventually winning the Match 3 – 0 on penalities . Man United also successfully defended the Community Shield last year after defeating Portsmouth on penalties after a goalless 90 mins Match in normal time .
Can Alex Ferguson’s men make it three in a row by successfully defending the Title once again this year against Carlo Ancelotti’s first Official Match in charge of the Blues , just one week before the Official Kickoff to the New EPL Season ? Or can the new manager – former coach of AC Milan , Carlos Ancelotti successfully lead his Chelsea side to their first silverware of the New Season ?
* Catch Manchester United vs Chelsea in Community Shield on 9 August 2009 , National Day LIVE & EXCLUSIVE from Wembley Stadium at 10pm ( Singapore Time ) . Don’t miss it ! *
Asia EPL Fans Gets Into Red Frenzy !
A wave of Red Tide is sweeping across Asia beginning this Weekend for a space of two Weeks , as EPL fans all over Asia begin to get into a frenzy as they are beginning to get all excited with the golden chance to catch a glimpse of their favourite and popular Soccer players touching down on their shores and playing a game of Friendly Match against their various National Team . The top two clubs in Red – Man United & Liverpool , who finished as Champions & Runners Up in the English Premier League respectively last Season , will be embarking on a trip to Asia that will include our neighbouring Asian countries too .
EPL fans in Malaysia and Indonesia will be able to catch their favourite players in action beginning this coming Saturday onwards , with the Red Devils due to play a Pre – Season Friendly Match against the Malaysian XI Selection Team . After which , two days later , the team will then head to Jakarta to play another Pre – Season Friendly against the Indonesian National Team at the 88,000 capacity Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta .
While fans in Malaysia and Indonesia get to see the Red Devils in action , Liverpool fans will not be left out either . The Premiership Runners Up will first travel to Bangkok on next Wednesday , 22 July 2009 to play a Friendly Match against a Thai National Side before heading to Singapore the very next day , where they will stay in Singapore for a duration of four days , which also includes the Big Match Friendly Clash against the Singapore Lions National Team at the National Stadium on Sunday , 26 July 2009 ( 7pm ) .
Man United trip to Kuala Lumpur this Saturday , also more than made up for the loss and disappointment the die – hard Man United fans had to suffer and overcome after the supposed trip to the country two years ago in 2007 was forced to be called off due to the country being involved as Hosts for the Asian Cup Tournament , where Malaysia , along with three other Asian countries – Indonesia , Thailand and Singapore were co – hosts of Asia’s biggest football Event two years ago .
On the other hand , Liverpool’s trip to Singapore this time round will see some great changes from the side that played against our National side at the National Stadium eight years ago in 2001 .
Several new additions and new faces had been added to the squad since then , including star striker Fernando Torres and ( a new manager too in Spainard Rafa Benitez ) who will surely be one of the many star studded players to look out for when they take to the field at the National Stadium two Sundays later . Michael Owen who were part of the Liverpool side that played against us eight years ago , has now moved in the ‘ opposite ‘ direction to the Red of Manchester instead , making the switch on a free transfer from relegated Newcastle United , where he spent more time sidelined on the bench than playing on the pitch due to his injuries .
Soccer fans who want to catch the two Premiership Teams tour of Asia but are unable to get their hands on the tickets , will surely be concerned whether any of the TV Stations here will be showing the Match LIVE . What we do know now at the present moment is that Man United visit of Indonesia next week will be shown LIVE , but not on any of our TV Channels ( at least not confirmed at the moment ) , but will be shown LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on Indonesia’s TV One Channel at 8pm ( Singapore Time ) .
As for Man United upcoming clash with Malaysia this coming Saturday in Kuala Lumpur , Starhub has already confirmed that they will not be showing the Match LIVE , but we are not sure if any of Malaysia’s free to air TV Channels such as RTM 1 or RTM 2 will be showing it LIVE as yet at the moment .
* LATEST : Indonesia’s Trans 7 Channel will be showing the Match LIVE & EXCLUSIVE from Bukit Jalil Stadium at 5.30pm ( Singapore Time ) . *
* Man United play Malaysia XI this Saturday at 5.3opm in KL – Bukit Jalil Stadium . Liverpool will play Thailand in Bangkok on 22 July 2009 at 7.30pm ( Singapore Time ) in Bangkok , while our Lions National soocer team will play host to the UEFA Champions League Winners in 2005 at the National Stadium on 26 July 2009 at 7pm . *
* Man United & Liverpool Trip To Asia At A Glance :
MANCHESTER UNITED :
vs Malaysia ( Saturday , 18 July in KL @ 5.30pm , LIVE On Indonesia’s Trans 7 Channel )
vs Indonesia ( Monday , 20 July in Jakarta @ 8.30pm – LIVE On Indonesia’s TV One Channel )
LIVERPOOL :
vs Thailand ( Wednesday , 22 July 2009 in Bangkok @ 7.30pm )
* vs Singapore ( Sunday , 26 July 2009 – National Stadium @ 7pm ) *
* Singapore Fans of Liverpool FC can start to catch the team in action in their first Pre – Season Friendly Match against St Gallen Tonight at 2am ( Singapore Time ) LIVE & EXCLUSIVE On Starhub Football Channel ( Channel 27 ) . *
* Liverpool will reach Singapore on Thursday , 23 July 2009 – ( just one day after their Friendly Match with Thailand in Bangkok ) where they will stay in Singapore for a duration of four days . *
LATEST ! FIRST & EXCLUSIVE ! Second Indonesian TV Channel – Global TV Joins Hands With RCTI To Show FIFA Confederations Cup Matches LIVE & EXCLUSIVE !
This News will certainly come as a shock to many Singaporean Soccer Fans here ! Indonesians Soccer Fans are certainly a very fortunate lot ! Seriously ! Now every Indonesian Soccer Fans back in Indonesia will be the envy of most Singapore Soccer Fans here ! For they could have the real luxury to do what most Singapore Soccer Fans will not even hope to get the chance to do so here ! That is , to be able to watch almost the WHOLE FIFA Confederations Cup Tournament LIVE & EXCLUSIVE !
That’s right ! Initally , it was only made known to us that only Indonesian Free To Air Channel – RCTI Channel which is also accessible to some Singaporean households here in Singapore , will be showing the FIFA Confederations Cup Tournament LIVE & EXCLUSIVE – with mostly their LIVE Matches being the Second Match of the Day being played ( at 2.30am – Singapore Time ) .
Now , with the start of the Second Round of the Group Stages since last night , ( after the Tournament Resumes yet again following a day’s Break ) , Latest News has it that another Indonesian TV Channel has since also gotten into the act – to join hands together with RCTI Channel to broadcast the remaining Confederations Cup Matches LIVE & EXCLUSIVE as well !
Global TV – which is unfortunately NOT accessible to Singaporeans here , will be taking up the responsibilty of showing the First Match of the Day being played , that is ( the 10pm Kickoff Matches – Singapore Time LIVE ) ! As it is , the Channel started showing LIVE Confederations Cup Matches since yesterday night , when the Second Round of the Group Stages competition got underway last night …
The Channel showed Spain vs Iraq Match LIVE & EXCLUSIVE ( Group A – 10pm Singapore Time last night ) , while RCTI Channel showed the other Group A Match between South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE & EXCLUSIVE at 2.30am – Singapore Time ) . Similarily , for Group B , Global TV will be showing USA vs Brazil LIVE & EXCLUSIVE at 10pm Tonight ( Singapore Time ) , while Global TV will be showing the other Group B Match – Italy vs Eqypt LIVE & EXCLUSIVE at 2.30am ( Tomorrow Morning – Singapore Time ) !
This Latest News will certainly not only come as a real shock to most Singapore Soccer Fans here who are as it is , fuming mad with Starhub Cable decisions & arrangements NOT to show any Confederations Cup Matches LIVE or DELAYED !
This will also come as a huge blow to Starhub’s name & image as a popular broadcasting Cable TV Station in Singapore , especially now with not one , but TWO TV Channels – RCTI & Global TV ( who are not even Indonesian Cable TV Stations , by the way ) managing to do what Starhub Cable TV Sports Channels here could not do – that is letting their very own die-hard Soccer Fans enjoy a Month of real quality exciting Football Matches – in FIFA Confederatiions Cup 2009 Soccer Tournament !
* Talking Point :
* So , what do Singapore Soccer Fans here have to say to this Latest News – now with Indonesia having not one , but TWO Channels showing FIFA Confederations Cup Matches LIVE & none at all in Singapore here ? * Feel free to share your Views & voice your opinions here ! *
