Glory Glory Man Utd!!!

What a match! I have to admit that the match between Manchester United and Chelsea in the Champions League Final - 2007/08 is the most exciting and entertaining match I have ever watched in my entire life. Towards the end of the match, it was filled with emotions and drama as United beat Chelsea on penalties.

The match was live on Astro at 2.45am but 1 hour before the match started, Restoran Kayu(more looked like ‘Stadium Kayu’ on that night) was already packed with football fans waiting anxiously for the match kick-off. From the colour of shirts and jerseys wore by the people there, I could say that 80% of them are supporting United.

The starting lineup was almost the same as I had predicted. It was only Park Ji-Sung who was not in the lineup and also surprisingly not in the substitute list as well considering that he was in great form and had been performing well lately. Hargreaves took over his role by playing at the right flank.

The atmosphere was great as sound of cheers could be heard whenever both team had their chances to score. United had the lead when Wes Brown provided a fine cross and found Ronaldo at the far post who headed the ball past Cech. But just before half time, Chelsea managed to pull level through Lampard, with a little bit of luck, received a deflected ball from a United defender inside the penalty box and finished it off coolly.

In the second half, Chelsea had more control in terms of ball possession but United stubborn defence was not opening up any chances for them. Their best effort came from Drogba whose shot hit the woodwork. Towards the end of second half, Ryan Giggs made his 759th appearance, breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s record when he was substituted in for Scholes who was playing with a broken nose since the first half.

The match went into extra time with both teams refusing to give up. As players from both sides getting more tired, they were still showing the desperation to win. Both teams were seen trying very hard to break each other defence. Chelsea was denied again when the shot from Lampard hit the crossbar. As for United, their best chance came from Giggs whose shot was blocked and cleared by Terry. Drogba was then sent off for slapping Vidic as tempers flared on both sides.

In the end of extra time, they were still tied at 1-1 and the match had to be decided by penalty shootout. Every penalty that United scored, my friends and I would cheer and hoping that Chelsea would miss the next one. The situation had become more tensed when Ronaldo’s penalty was saved by Cech. The last penalty for Chelsea presented them the chance to lift the trophy for the first time in their club history and Terry, the club captain, stepped up to take it. Fortunately for United fans, he slipped and sent the shot wide. It went into sudden death and the moment after the heroic Van der Sar saved the penalty kick from Anelka, the feeling was indescribable. My friends(ChunHui, Alvin, William, Eugene) and I immediately screamed and shouted with joy.

Soon after the trophy presentation, we went back to our home. It was almost 6.00am and I was feeling a bit tired as the result of not getting sufficient sleep. I managed to take a short nap and then went to work. Throughout the day and right until now, I still have this joyful feeling when the thought of United's victory run across my mind. And I have never felt so good before. Glory glory Man Utd!!!