Match Twenty Four: The Last Man Standing

Have you ever watched a movie, a survival/apocalypse-type one,

Where there's this protagonist so possible to make it to the end,

Because he's the strongest, and most dependable of the group,

Yet has to die of sacrificing himself?

Yes that's what I exactly saw,

When I watched this match

Brazil vs Keylor Navas

Group E

Seen inside the picture, one of the best player in the world, and oh
that's Neymar the crybaby on the right. Pic's from here.

I'm not exaggerating. It's literally the whole squad of one-of-world's-best football team, against Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas. If you ask me how many saves and punches and tackles and other forms of goalkeeping that he did, I can't answer because it was literally that many. Brazil was on their ultimate attack mode and they really did countless of shots and sieges. But those attempts turned up to be mere shit because Keylor Navas, one of the best goalkeeper I saw with my very own eyes rising in Brazil 2014, flushed those Brazilian poos away.

It's not until minute 90+1 -yes, it was entering stoppage time already- when Navas finally started losing his grip, and Brazil broke the crazy goalkeeper's walls through Philippe Coutinho. Then Neymar -ewh- showed his capability by adding to Brazil's victory on minute 90+7 -really unfair to me, honestly, because it was past the stoppage time. But then again, it's only nature for Brazil to score both goals because Neymar is a human. He has his limit.

Anyway, it's a fortunate comeback from Neymar to save his own ass from embarrassment, given the fact that he hadn't made any goal while Coutinho had scored twice. Plus, as ever, Neymar had been a complete asshole throughout the game with all his stupid acts, exaggerating non-sense injury, imbecile complains, and on top of all, an ultimate super-obvious diving that almost rewarded Brazil an unfair penalty. The stupid referee had actually decided it was a penalty, but thanks to VAR -in which Costa Rican players need to convince him so hard to check on the screen, it was cancelled and ALL THE SHAME WAS ON YOU, YOU FUCKING DRAMA QUEEN BRAZILIAN TRASH BIN!

But okay, I'm not here to talk about that brat Neymar.

Let that bitch be, he got all the embarrassment he deserved.

This post is dedicated to Keylor Navas.

Obviously the man of the match, to everybody who really watched the game. FIFA decided it was Coutinho who got the title but screw that shit. It's close to rare that goalkeepers got the title although they defend their goal much better than the whole squad try to score goals.

If only, IF ONLY, Costa Rica did more offense, try to rely on attacking, buying time for their goalkeeper to take his time and breathe, and actually score goals rather than defending and counting on Navas, or, IF ONLY, Navas' stamina is unlimited, well, I don't see why Costa Rica can win or at least make it a draw. I didn't think Brazil is on their best shape because, hello, it took them almost the whole match to finally score goals, remember?

Ahh well, Navas...

You may be the last man to be considered hero,

But you were definitely the first one in my mind

For the title "Best Player"

Adeus, Lenda

You probably know my F1 story this year.

From knowing nothing to a somewhat paddock protege.

Well, not purely "knowing nothing" though, as some names of the sport's legends had always been exposed to my ears since forever.

Michael Schumacher.

Juan Pablo Montoya.

Giancarlo Fisichella.

Then when I began following the tournament, apparently, there were names I was familiar with, that were still competing.

Sebastian Vettel.

Kimi Räikkönen.

Fernando Alonso.

Lewis Hamilton.

And of course,

Felipe Massa.

Pic's from here.

Long before, when F1 was just still something I gave no credits to, name Felipe Massa on the other hand, always came to my recognition. I wasn't really sure how he had been doing in the sport and even which team he drove for but, what I knew was, that he was among the notable drivers.

Then I started binge-watching the sport. I was so excited by the time I caught his name on the grid in the 2016 Australia GP, because it made me realized that wow, I didn't notice that F1 is blessed with so many famous names! So I began to expect much on him. To give fights, and make the podium less Mercedes-ish.

However as the year went by, he didn't impress much. I was disappointed, and if it were any other kind of sport, and fans like me were of that typical kind of a bandwagon who's just looking for the best performer to be cheered upon, he might had long been dumped already.

But that's just not how F1 works.

It's not just numbers of races you won, or championships you bore.

It's about progress, and consistency. And all the races and tournaments you entered, before you finally tasted the luxury of an F1 seat.

And I knew that Massa had been through it all.

Otherwise how would I keep knowing his name during my F1 clueless era?

It's just, I missed it. I missed it when Massa was on his glorious days, and I caught him in his last acts which turned to be his not-so-nice time of career. It's normal though, really, in the world of sport, to lose your grip after dedicating your life for so long. That's why, there's always the option to retire.

Which Felipe Massa eventually took.

Which I really wasn't pretty amused about.

Because I honestly wished to see more of him.

But all and all yea, that's okay.

At least I got to see it: A Legend's Last Races.

And how the world bid him a farewell he really deserved.

He deserves all the claps from all over the world.

That last home race was heartbreaking, yes.

The tears shed in Brazil were touching, really.

But then it shows just how dear this Felipe Massa is.

So, Senhor Massa.

You've received your sweet goodbyes from your old, loyal fans.

It's time for you to hear it from somebody so new, but really adores you.

"Obrigado, Felipe.

E adeus, Lenda"

Obrigado, Brazil

I promise, this is my last post about World Cup 2014.

Somehow I gotta stop and move on with my life.

But I'm sure it's gonna be hard.

Maybe I told you, World Cup has always been a special occasion to me. I was crazy upset after Italy finished celebrating in Germany 2006, or after Spain called it a day in South Africa 2010. And without a doubt, I am still so down at the time I'm typing this.

Moreover, this World Cup has been pretty distinct to me.

In terms of enjoying the real game of football.

I remember the last World Cup in South Africa, I owned this blog already and I did just the same: kept posting this and that about what happened along the cup. But then as I re-read it this year, I could just smile and pity my old self. It was exciting, and rich. But on some level, boring. Because I was watching the cup emotionally.

I stuck myself to one team I supported from day one. Riding the same roller coaster with the same 23 men from match to match, stage to stage, I barely watched other games. I did followed up the other matches, but only with big teams in it. Until finally my team went home as the champion, I felt satisfied because they won. Not because I enjoyed the whole cup.

But this year,

This year's World Cup was not even as rousing as the one in South Africa. I didn't even feel the euphoria until the opening ceremony really started. And people seemed to be more moved hearing "Waka Waka" than "We Are One" -as Pitbull's fan, this sucks. But despite the world's poor excitement towards this cup, I, on the other hand, eventually thought that this was the best World Cup I ever watched in my life. Because I was watching the cup logically.

Observing each game's true essence, players and techniques, gave me a whole new perception in enjoying football. And the fact that the most entertaining fights didn't only come from big teams, damn, it was just the right timing for me. I swear I never screamed that loud, by only watching teams like USA and Belgium. Get it? USA? Belgium? In 2010, I'd leave them to bed and just wait for the result the next morning.

Anyhow.

No matter how logical I'm trying to be, once the cup finished, I'll be ended up heart broken, and be upset anyway. Well I still get to see cool football matches tho, hello, Liverpool will be on Champions League this season! But then, it'll only be my personal consumption.

No more tweeting with each nations hashtags so it'll appear in the worldwide timeline and random people from random countries will retweet or even favorite my thoughts, or, posting stuff in this blog, publish it on Google Plus and suddenly dozens of people +1'd my writing, making it accessible to the whole globe and international flags will appear in my blog traffic instead of just Indonesian flag, or, texting my Israeli friend who lives in the US, telling him "I can't believe you didn't even trust your own squad while I'm like, here, adoring your keeper!?" or constantly texting my German friend with the same damn messages like "oh wow, congrats, your team made it to the next round..." literally ALL CUP LONG, wow! It's just, after this... No more worldwide shared consumption.

Oh well.

This World Cup itself, has been a worldwide experience for me personally. Worldwide celebration of my own. I don't really have to be there in Brazil to feel this, or be with someone with the nationality of one of this cup's contestants. I don't even need my national football team to enter the cup so I can join the euphoria!

Everybody can put whoever's flag in the sky,
Wave them side to side, show where they're from,
Or at least, show where they send their supports to.

This just shows how diverse we are, but despite that,

At the end of the day we sit the same way, watch the same thing.

Don't know the source, but it's not mine

That's just the beauty of World Cup.

And how I always liked the impact.

Thank you, FIFA.

I'll see you again when I'm 26

Highlight of the Cup

Entering the last two posts of World Cup 2014,

Lol I just can't stop doing this, it's just so on and on.

Well, no wonder because I guess this has been the most entertaining World Cup I ever watched so far. Losing the team I supported from the very beginning of the cup and forced me to having no preference, made me be oh-so neutral and totally objective to all the games. That's what mentally happened.

Technically, most teams served a hell of a performance! Great sets of mixture, big and small ones, all played damn great. Even to me personally, the best shows came from moderate to relatively infamous players! So fvckin mindblowing!

Now in this pre-closing post of World Cup 2014, I'd like to highlight some of the best dramas that became my personal favorites. You might think this is a shallow selection but, well, I'm just trying to be fair.

Best Goal: Tim Cahill | AUS v NED
Runner Up: James Rodriguez | COL v URU

While most people would say that James' goal against Uruguay was the best in the entire cup, I'd think that Tim Cahill's to Netherlands on the group stage was the true finest goal. The long haul pass -not even an assist- from I don't know who, arrived smoothly around his left foot and then BOOM! There went the ball to the left corner of Jasper Cillessen's goal. That was so delicate and freakin beautiful...

Now James' goal, well, I think y'all knew. Oh ya I'm talking about the first goal tho, since he scored both goals on the match. The one outside the penalty box, with the ball landed on his chest, then got executed with his left foot, ya, you eat that Suarez! Oh sorry, he wasn't even be played on the game. Sent home already so still, eat that!

Best Save: Guillermo Ochoa | Tim Howard
Runner Up: Tim Krul | NED v CRC

Okay as much as I want it to be objective, I can't really tell who wins the category. I can't even decide which save was the best because everything with either Ochoa and Howard in it, was sick! But let me try. The one I really couldn't forget from Ochoa was against Brazil. When Thiago Silva received a ball and headed it to the goal in just a very close distance, Ochoa could unbelievably blocked it. From point blank, for God's sake, he's a god!

While Tim, oh Tim... His 16 saves from Belgian assaults were all crazy incredible. He used all parts of his body to defend his goal. But the ones that blew my mind were when he used his legs. I mean, legs! He was falling down already, any player could easily score an easy goal but then who would've thought that Howard would stretch his legs and block the ball?! He's seriously my idol.

Tim Krul's saves that I mentioned, was the ones with the penalty shootout against Costa Rica. Well he didn't save all balls but, did you notice what he did before each Costa Rican players shot the balls? He walked to the right and left side of his goals like distractions, then talked to the shooters like a form of intimidation. It was a trick, he played with Costa Rican minds! This was what made me interested in his performance.

Best Game: BRA v CHI
Runner Up: GER v GHA

Actually, all matches consisting of fantastic goalkeepers with their fantastic goalkeeping performances were the best games to my preference -especially Belgium versus USA oh Lord that's one breathtaking performance I like! But then remembering the first match of the second round, Brazil against Chile, I think it was the complete set of game, with everything in it! Scores on the original 90 mins, yes. Attacks and counterattacks from both teams, yes. Entering extra time, yes. Penalty shootout, yes! Everything!!

Not to mention the drama. It was like a match of both rationality and emotion: Chilean actual better performance versus Brazilian loud crowd. Yes, I'm saying that this match showed to us that Brazilian current squad was nothing without their supporters, and Neymar's popularity-esteem. Those were the only explanations they could eventually win the penalty shootout. The match also showed us that underdog teams, represented by Chile, took a major role in this World Cup they could even tied the host team. Salute!

Now the runner up of the best game. Well, I must say that this was the most intense game in the group stage. Both physically, and mentally. The European emperor and African warrior kept tumbling each other down all game long, scoring both two goals, featuring sibling fight between Jerome and Kevin Prince Boateng, ended up with Thomas Muller's bloodbath. Remember Captain Tsubasa? This match was adapting the anime.

Best Twist: USA v POR
Runner Up: NED v MEX

I'm sorry but USA really stole my heart. And this game, was crazy. USA's boosted performances gave pains in the asses of this European big team. But Nani's early goal really trembled USA down, they couldn't even score until the half time. But then something shoved Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey they played fvckin well and each scored one goal on the second half. Entering the stoppage time, no one in this whole globe would think that USA would leave this match losing. Well, they didn't. But they didn't win either.

Substitute Silvestre Varela suddenly scored a goal in THE VERY LAST MINUTE of the match, making it ended up draw. It was really mind blowing. I can't imagine how was it like to be Americans. All cameras were shooting the benched Clint Dempsey on the last moments, the man himself couldn't even conceal his excitement of ending the game and going back to the hotel, winning. But Varela's goal, wow, it ruined everything.

Another twist was made by the Dutch, when they were facing Mexico in the round of 16. It was a tie game of 1 - 1, and they were really on the verge of entering the extra time when Rafael Marquez fouled Arjen Robben and Netherlands got a penalty gift, on the stoppage time of the second round. Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who was substituting Robin van Persie, scored the penalty and there they went. Really unfortunate for Mexico, damn, I mean, the penalty kick was so unnecessary and the fact that it was given on the very last minute of the match... It sucked big time.

Wow.

I could talk about this long enough I'd even forget the time.

This just shows how excited I always am, when it comes to World Cup.

Can't wait to start watching Liverpool soon, to fill my longing towards the cup.

Or worse yet,

Can't wait for World Cup 2018

Something Better Than Just Revenge

So Germany won the 20th World Cup.

Pretty obvious since they have the best team.

Team.

Unlike Portugal who depended on Cristiano Ronaldo, nor Brazil who worshiped too much on Neymar, nor even Argentina who put everything in the shoulder of Lionel Messi. No matter how best-player-in-the-whole-globe he could be, playing single-handed against 11 players, he's just a flea everybody refers him as.

But after all, hats off to Argentina tho. They gave a heck of a game last night for Germany. It wasn't easy at all so Mario Goetze could score such beautiful goal. Damn right it was that beautiful to me. Stopped by chest, flew down to the kicking area then the shoot rocketed straight to the leftternmost side of the net. Crazy sweet.

But you know what is sweeter?

Revenge.

Years ago, back to 1986, when Germany was still called "West Germany", they met Argentina on the final match in Mexico. Diego Maradona was captaining the team when he brought his nation out as the winner. What does it have to do with this World Cup's winner, it's so fvckin long time ago!? Hold on, gangster!? That's not the frikkin reason of the revenge, West Germany won the cup against Argentina anyway, 4 years later, so that revenge had been paid in the lapse of just one cup.

It's Diego Maradona I'm talking about, that should feel the pain of revenge. Four years ago, when he coached Argentina, he arrogantly misplaced Thomas Mueller with a ball boy. Come to think of it, this is so ridiculous. Aside the fact that Argentina this time lost to Germany with Mueller in it, the 24 years old German himself now has scored more World Cup goals than Maradona. And giving at his age, he can even surpass his senior Miroslav Klose and be the all-time FIFA World Cup Top Scorers on the upcoming cup.

Shame on you, Mr Legend.

I can't find any other pic of them, but this one's strong enough eh?

Oh, where are you going? I'm not finished.

That's not the only revenge Germany completed last night.

Do you remember about the final match of World Cup 2002? It was the last time Germany could go to the final round. It was also the first World Cup Miroslav Klose played for Germany. And they were tragically beaten by Brazil. It sucked for both Germany and of course, Klose.

But he made it this year.
Revenge is sweet.

It's not a big deal and a significant revenge actually, but could beat Brazil in this World Cup semifinal in front of their public, and on the same time broke the top scorer record which was held by Brazilian player Ronaldo, then on top of all, be the champion of the cup hosted in Brazil... Those were tremendously more than enough. 

Moreover, this could be his last World Cup because he's now 36, and lol do you think he'll want to be the oldest player in Russia? Could fulfill his personal revenge, be the all-time top scorer and had his nation be the world champion for his last cup, the closure is just too sugary for Klose.

I'm so glad I witnessed everything he did.

He's a living legend and will always be talked about.

The pic's from here

What an ending.

It's beyond just a revenge.

It's double revenge

Match 64

In less than an hour, we'll get to watch the end of World Cup 2014.

Might be the match people had been waiting for.

People. Not me.

Because World Cup has always been so special to me. And entering the final match, means that I have to wait for 4 more years to be able to feel the exact complete smart-ass euphoria towards football. Lol but what can I do. I have to watch it anyway.

Argentina vs Germany

Estádio Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro

Duel people are dying to see. Pic's from here.

I'm on German side. They've been one of my considerations since the very beginning. But you know I ended up choosing England. At first I adored the squad because of an imbecile reason: Mesut Ozil is a moslem. But as time goes by, as I saw Germany very strong as a team, not as individuals-forced-to-work-as-a-team, my adoration towards Germany grew logically.

While Argentina, ya, it's Leo I don't like him. But among any other people I hate, he's actually the one who has the actual skill of a football star. I admit it. I don't hate him professionally as a football player no, duh, he's like a god. I even forgot why I been hating him but believe me, it's personal... And hey, I must be consistent. Once I hate him, I will always do.

For this last match, people might've been waiting to see who's the best between Lionel Messi, and Thomas Mueller. People. Not me. I'm using their pics as a cover to attract readers tho, not because I'm looking forward to see how they play for the final.

As for my own preference, I'm actually waiting for the show served by

Manuel Neuer and Sergio Romero

Pics are from here and here

This World Cup has been all about goalkeepers after Group A exposed Guillermo Ochoa. Since after, talented goalkeepers were like swelling from team to team, blocking attacks and giving thrill to each and every single game, even if it's a no-goals game! Shit man I really love this set of World Cup it's full of dramas made by goalkeepers that people might not find very entertaining.

People. Not me.

I'm so gonna talk about this goalkeeper thing later.

This post is all about the final match. The sudden death.

But I'm gonna stop now because the match's about to start.

So...

I don't know.

I'm too emotional

Host Going Home

I know it's late. Past two days already.

But yesterday was all about Indonesian politic so...

Let's talk about Brazil today.

You knew that David Luiz in this pic is not praying for gratefulness right?

You know. I know. We all know, lol who wouldn't have known?

Their tragic lost in Mineirão for their semi final match against Germany.

Technicallity, the defense was so damn poor. Not having Thiago Silva as both defenders and captain really wrecked Brazil to the bones -even for me, was the main reason of Brazil's loss, not because of no Neymar. But with him around, I still am doubting Brazil could win. Because they been playing really dull since the very beginning. I was so sure after I watched them against Mexico. And it was Germany, for God's sake. They won't ever continue to the final with Germany's current squad.

But that's just not it. They were also mentally ruined. Depended too much on Neymar, physically, and emotionally. They made Neymar's injury too big a deal. Dramatized. To be honest, I didn't see any crucial role Neymar had made so far. Only some goals, so what? Alexis Sanchez and Bryan Ruiz could be considered giving much important roles for their own team, although scored less goals than Neymar.

They broke their own mental, being disturbed by issues which isn't even that big. Neymar is too much praised so people can't just see that him being not around, is actually okay.

See I'm hating him again.

Oh sometimes I'm wondering. Did I hate Brazil and Neymar too much that karma gave me such over-handful loss for both? I repeat, for both! Not only Brazil, nor only Neymar, but both! I did want Brazil to be out of the cup because they have Neymar. It was enough already with Neymar's absence -although I didn't actually ask for his injury- but the squad stripped naked in front of their public?

2 - 1 or 3 - 1 would be enough already.

No one would ever expect it to be 7 - 1.

Ya maybe they just lost their magical touch.

I remember I cried like a broken hearted beau when Brazil was defeated by France back in Germany 2006. This is 7 times harder for their supporters. And on top of all, they are actually Brazilian supporters. So many pictures of Brazilian crowd shedding tears aired online, even from the first round. The whole stadium was filled with sobs. Too dreadful, and heartbreaking.

Anyway.

Who am I to judge. Scolari must've had his own consideration for everything. It just, turned out to be one of the wrongest decisions in Brazilian football history.

I'm sorry guys, you had to face that crap.

I did want you to get the fvck out of the cup.

Too much heartbreaking tears and emotions, this struck me right in the heart.

But seriously, this was

Not the way I wanted

The Round of 16 (Unexpected Teams)

This World Cup now, seriously, argh I can't even describe!

The underdogs remained wild! Five out of six big-team-versus-moderate-team matches went really tough. I repeat, FIVE!!! The other one was even flipped: the unfavorited team won over the high up in the sky one -talking about Colombia against Uruguay. The other two matches are moderate versus moderate, which Costa Rica by luck won against Greece, while Belgium and USA is entering their second round.

So yeah, I'm still mind-blown by the fact that those mediocre teams could give a hell of a game for them big nations. Chile, Mexico, Nigeria, Algeria and Switzerland. All five of them really caused pains in the asses of Brazil, Netherlands, France, Germany and Argentina. All five matches were so offensive/defensive at the same time, lack of goals, full of revenge-scorings. Three matches proceeded to the extra time, and one ended up with penalty shootout.

Boo ya, guys, you didn't win my heart at all

Those winning teams, to be honest, I prayed for their loses -especially Brazil and Argentina, of course. I mean, c'mon, they're big and full of talented players already, it's getting boring I want to see new teams crowding the semifinal rounds. And seeing them taking pains in trying to beat their opponents which world -and God- knows were technically weaker, pft, they lost my respect.

Therefore my voice ran to those who were not the favorites. Which means that all teams I supported on those five matches, yes they went home. But then at the end of each match, I always felt satisfied and proud, gave the best rounds of my applause and took my hats off for those five teams.

They're extraordinarily entertaining.

And it's crushing my heart to see them sad.

For me personally, you guys were all the winners

See, my heart is vacant now, after England left. It's easier for me since I can now support whoever I want, in each game. But then I think I have no interest in cheering for big teams so, it's now either Colombia as the one who'll be against Brazil, Costa Rica as Group D alumni, or USA if they win over Belgium after this.

This is getting much more exciting.

Nobody, even real analysts, and pros,

Can predict what will happen in each game.

This World Cup is sick!!!