Euro 2008, Here We Come!

We at Integricity here are fanatical about many things, among others – FOOTBALL. We have a good number of football-mad colleagues here and you often hear jabs of insults during Monday mornings after the weekend’s game. Enjoy the short interview with three of our family members on football and the upcoming Euro 2008!

Let’s start with the simplest question, who is your favourite football player, and why?

Nick: I use to like Michael Owen before he got injured. Right now, it’s Fernando Torres for obvious reasons.

Jek: I was tempted to agree with Nick and go with Fernando Torres but I think skipper Stephen Gerrard is still my favourite. Why? No matter the outcome, everyone knows, believes and trusts that Stephen Gerrard put in his 110% into the game.

Lynn: Eric Cantona, he was the best for his stature, temperament, flair & creativity plus the way he brings himself on and off the field and always believing in playing attractive football. A gifted individual most known for his skill on the pitch and he can be described as the one of the first to play beautiful football.

Eric Cantona

Now, which do you prefer? Futsal or football?

Nick: If it’s playing, I prefer Futsal, but if watching, I prefer football

Jek: Hahah neither. Its foosball for me!

Lynn: Definitely Football!

Jek religiously plays foosball at 6pm!

What do you think of England? Are you disappointed that they did not qualify for this year’s competition?

Nick: No…not really. Not really a big fan of England to begin with.

Jek: Not really. Liverpool not winning the English Premier League was a much bigger deal to me and the family. It was like taking a dagger to the chest. Seeing Manchester United win it was like someone twisting the dagger over and over again. England not in… *yawn* no big deal. I’ll live.

Lynn: Hmmm… not really, but its always surprising that they don’t perform well because with the players they have, they can do better.

Describe your ideal match day. (eg, watching at mamak with friends, home alone, with your girlfriend, at a bar…etc)

Nick: Watching at home with friends while having pizza or take out food. Ideally friends who support different teams which makes things more dramatic.

Jek: Ideal match would be watching the game with Dad and my elder brother, lots of beer and errrm… possibly more beer… and just before I get thrown out from the bar for misdemeanour, I hear the whistle, turn my head and glance at the telly only to see the full time score in favour of the team we were supporting. Ahhhh…. *burp* *hic* what a night!

Lynn: At home or at a bar with a couple of football mates cheering over drinks.

Lynn is a Red Devil!

In your opinion, what is the greatest technology advancement towards this beautiful game?

Nick: I think there hasn’t been any since they invented instant replays because if they did, referees won’t be making so many wrong decisions. But I heard that they are going to embed a microchip into the ball and use laser technology to track it or something.

Jek: Bikinis on Brazilian women.

Lynn: The boots and ball? The technology has improved so there are currently different boots to match the conditions of different pitch types and grounds. Football boots are a lot lighter and more flexible. The studs have also been replaced by blades in order to give greater contact between the boot and ground, allowing a greater grip as well as increased power and control. Football boots today have come a long way since the first pair worn by don’t-know-who in terms of design and no doubt will continue to develop in years to come.

Which club/country has the most unique jersey?

Nick: I remember one Japanese team a couple of years back who wore bright neon orange. I can’t remember the team name though.

Jek: Well I don’t know about unique, hideous is unique too right? Deportivo La Coruna, 2003-2004 season. Yuck! Looked like something Lance Armstrong could have worn for cycling.

Lynn: It depends on the brand actually. My all time favorite is Man Utd and I think Germany jersey designs are quite unique and cool due to their tight fitting style.

Deportivo La Coruna’s jersey 2003-04

Next , what irritates you the most during a football match?

Nick: People who talk in the middle of the match which has nothing to do with football.

Jek: When there is no more beer left on the table because the last person who poured out from the jug was not considerate enough to order more! Arrrghhh!!!

Lynn: Cannot smoke? Hehe just joking, I don’t smoke. When I see teams who dominates the majority of the game with their attractive attacking football and in the end not getting the results they truly deserve.

Say “Liverpool Sucks!” and Nick will bite your head off!

Ok, now…give your most constructive view regarding our nation’s football team. They were once a feared team in South East Asia, but not today. What actions should be taken?

Nick: I think we need to start from the grassroots level by training our youth. We have quite a capable youth team if you ask me, but unfortunately, not the senior players. I think it’s got something to do with the hunger to succeed, dedication and attitude of the players. We can also improve by improving our Malaysian Premier League.

Jek: Like any country, our players have potential. We are not lacking in passion for the sport and neither are we disadvantaged by physical inadequacies.

Without naming names, I believe that a lot of people need to be removed from the FA of Malaysia (FAM). Start with that. Then along with those influential individuals, weed out all the others who are causing damage to the sport in Malaysia.

Lynn: The government should start investing more money in building football academies for the younger generation to grow better players, new coaches or have better incentives for players who perform well.

Last one, guys. Who will lift the coveted trophy?

Nick: I would like to say Portugal, but then again, it’s always a toss up between Germany and Italy.

Jek: *shrugs* Italy?

Lynn: Portugal… or Italy.