Jordan, unique amongst its neighbours; a place to let your hair down, be whomever you want to be. Perfectly timed for a fierce title decider; between the home side and that of the refugees.
Monday, 30 January 2012
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Eleven - Syria
A militant club in a militant country; conscription has its benefits. Visa-free trip to meet the Colonel. Portraits with Vigo-like qualities line the walls of the compound.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
From a Different Point of View – 4th Week of January Edition
Some Things You May Have Missed From the Last Week
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Ten – Lebanon
The opening of the season; the Paris of the Middle East. Beauty gives way to bullet-holes in a nation of political and religious factions; Christians vs. Christians, Muslims vs. Muslims, it’s complicated. Every club is backed by one.
Friday, 27 January 2012
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Nine – West Asian Championships
An international tournament turned political minefield; played in Jordan, an island of diplomacy in a tense sea of conflict. Third time the charm with the Iraqi national team – tales of Tae Kwon Do, Uday, and loss; grim perseverance and enduring hope the mantra.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Eight – Egypt
Red or White? Ahly or Zamalek? Only one answer is acceptable in the Cairo Derby, the biggest game in Africa, most watched too.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Seven - Palestine
In Bethlehem, University politics taken to a new dimension, Women’s football – a seed planted some twenty years prior – beginning to slowly flower; Honey, quite the right foot.
Monday, 23 January 2012
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Six – Yemen
Ancient Skyscrapers in an unchanged land; two and a half millennia of uninterrupted human habitation; Yemen, the oft-overlooked, occasionally forgotten factor in the war on terror. Moderate of faith, relaxed in views, but troubled nonetheless, beers and camping allowed.
Friday, 20 January 2012
From a Different Point of View – 3rd Week of January Edition
Some Things You May Have Missed From the Last Week
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Five – Iraq at the Gulf Cup
Shamefully failed statements of public … relation, timely calls of a last-minute availability; a casual trip to the most dangerous place on Earth.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
From a Different Point of View – 2nd Week of January Edition
Some Things You May Have Missed From the Last Week
First Person View - #BalotellitosaveDarlington
As I was going to bed last night, twitter provided an amusing prospect – Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli to save Darlington FC; most likely just rumour – or some wishful thinking - but an honorable concept nonetheless.
Thursday, 12 January 2012
And Toronto Selects…
It’s draft day, an exciting, if slightly overhyped, initiation to the upcoming season.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Four – Israel
Israel, a land fractured by its divisions and ringed with fences of intimidation. Hatred and hash, political factions turned football clubs. Life is lived on the edge; a party on the verge of disaster. Young faces with massive guns everywhere.
First Person View - Scholes, Pogba, and Morrison – Clarifications
It was brought to my attention that the previous piece was a little obtuse, so let me clarify. For future reference, posts tagged with “Thoughts?” tend to be incomplete ideas on which I’m currently musing.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Three - Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the World Cup
The World Cup in Germany, to outsiders a peaceful, well-orchestrated, celebration of the game. To those on the ground however, especially those following the fortunes of the two Middle Eastern teams – Iran and Saudi Arabia, things did not go as smoothly as the invested would have you believe.
Thoughts? - Scholes, Pogba, and Morrison
It was quite a shock to see Paul Scholes return from retirement and take the field for Manchester United on Sunday. While some would claim that it is indicative of United’s lack of transfer funds - which it is, but would a winter acquisition have time to adjust anyways – and that both Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison, having been overlooked for first team action yet again, should consider moving on when their current contracts come to an end.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
From a Different Point of View – 1st Week of January Edition
Some Things You May Have Missed From the Last Week ( - or so)
Friday, 6 January 2012
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone by James Montague – Chapter Two – Iran
Iran, a much misunderstood lone wolf on the world’s stage, is the subject of the second chapter of this enthralling read.
2012 Voyageur’s Cup
The schedule now released; the combine kicked off; the draft in a few days time; players reporting to training camps in the coming weeks; it’s suddenly starting to feel a lot like 2012.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Book of the Month – When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone by James Montague -- Chapter One – Qatar
Had intended to split this chapter in two, but it was too entertaining of a read to put it down. Sweltering heat; big named stars - Marcel Desailly, Pep Guardiola, Gabriel Batistuta, & Ronald Koeman; a larger than life character; a lot jammed into some twenty-odd pages.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
First Person View – Happy 2012; it’s Resolution Time
The New Year is upon us; MLS preseason begins in earnest with the Superdraft on January 12th, so it’s time to get to work.
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