MANU 3 - MSIA 2

I came back from my regular Saturday afternoon class to find father and son enjoying a football match on TV. On closer inspection, I realised that it was the live telecast of the match between MAN U and a MALAYSIA Selection. Malaysia was represented by mainly youngsters aged 24 years and below, with only two players who were about 28. Off course nobody thought they had any chance against the sleek United. Malaysia had already been whacked 0-2 when I returned.

I sat down to watch too since there's a stack of laundry on the sofa to be folded. After all we were already trailing by a huge margin, and so the boys wouldn't blame me when Malaysia officially loses. You see, it had always been that whenever I watched Malaysia competing in any sport on TV, she'd end up losing. Suddenly son bolted up from the floor and waved his fist shouting GO!GO!GO! Wonder of wonders! Amri Yahyah had scored a goal from almost mid-field! I cheered with delight - my fortunes have changed - I must have brought some berkat from my class, haha.

After half-time and a phone conversation later, I was still with the laundry. It was a mountainous stack anyway, it being the weekend. Hubby got up to wash his cars which he finds more interesting to do.

Malaysia was playing confidently but MAN U looked listless, probably from jet-lag and the humidity. And again, up shot my son from the floor, there was some kind of scuffle going on at the goal, and YES! Another goal from Amri! It's now 2-2 and the WHOLE STADIUM WAS CHEERING (red jerseys included), and the hero was jogging down the field with hands waving beside his ears asking to hear more! I was beside myself from the zen of it all - it's confirmed, I am indeed no harbinger of ill-luck for Malaysian sports.

Both United and Malaysia are now busy doing substitutions, Owen came on and a bit later some others. With 10 minutes more of play, I was finished with the laundry and headed upstairs. And then, a loud GROAN from downstairs... United had scored - it's now 3-2. Awwwww... I should have stayed on till the finish. I turned my back for just a couple of minutes, and it happened. The goalie slipped and a Red tucked the ball in.

So, as we say it in these parts, it's DOUBLE-CONFIRMED!

MALAYSIAN SPORTS NEED ME AT THE TELEVISION SET!

Manchester United's Anderson fights for the ball with
Malaysia's Mohd Amri Yahyah in Kuala Lumpur

Image Source: www.reuters.com