Manchester United are crowned European Champions, finishing this season in perfect style.
After 7 years of watching soccer, this has got to be the most emotional one out of all the emotional ones . . .
Mancester United 1
Ronaldo 26
Chelsea 1
Lampard 45
(Manchester United won on penalties 6-5)
First half
United dominated the game in the first half in which led to a goal scored by none other than that familiar goal scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, which put United on a 1-0 lead. It was a piece of clever link up play between Brown and Paul Scholes which leads to the former whipping in a great cross with his weaker left foot, and Ronaldo leaps up unchallenged, followed by an exquisite header to score a wonderful goal.
Unfortunately, Tevez and Carrick squandered golden opportunities which could put United on a dominent lead.
And at the stroke of half time, Frank Lampard picks up a deflected ball shot by Essien and puts it pass van der Sar to equal the scoreline, 1-1.
Second half and Extra time.
Chelsea undoubtly dominated this time round and gave United a hell lot of pressure. There were heart stopping moments when Drogba's curler in the 78th minute clips the outside of the post and Lampard's sweet shot with his left foot only to kiss the underside of the woodwork which denied Chelsea to take the lead.
Ryan Giggs who came on as a substitude almost scored the winner when Evra made a great run down the left flank and cuts it back to Giggs whose shot was saved by John Terry's head . . .
Controvesial yet again, as Drogba slapped Vidic in the face and got himself an infamous straight red card on such a majestic occasion.
The nerve shredding penalty shoot-out
This is where the emotional rollercoaster starts. . .
Bang bang, both Tevez and Carrick sent Cech the wrong way, on the other hand van der Sar conceded the first two shoot-outs too.
This is where Ronaldo steps up for United's 3rd penalty taker. Of all players, it's Ronaldo, who lets fly a unconvincing penalty, very easily predicted by Cech and he saved it. This is where tears started breaking out, I was in utter fear United will fail after coming this far, I clenched on to my Manchester United jersey even harder and hoped for a miracle.
Lampard, Hargreaves, Ashley Cole and Nani scored the following penalty shoot-outs.
Then it was the Chelsea captain, John Terry's turn to step up and take the assumed to be last kick of the game and win the Champions League once and for all.
I didn't dare to watch, I closed my eyes as more tears trickled down my cheek. Then a split second after I heard the ball being kicked, I opened my eyes in absolute disbelief, I saw van der Sar went the wrong way and Terry slips and struck the ball against the post yet again to deny Chelsea being victors.
The mood changed like the speed of of light, turning the tears of fear to tears of joy, followed by a cry of victory as van der Sar went the right way and stopped Anelka's shot and winning the god damn Champions League for Manchester United !
Ronaldo crying out all his relieved and joy after the shoot-out, he would have been the villian should John Terry scored the shoot-out.
This is one of the most memorable, or even the most memorable moment in football I've ever witnessed. The anxiety level just kept escalating right until the final whistle of all final whistles was blown. When you just thought Chelsea are gonna bring home the silverware, the devil's wrath struck, and the tables turned, turning your emotions the latter way. This why they say the beautiful game can make grown men cry . . .
Sweet revenge for last season's FA Cup final when Chelsea defeated United.
Call the referee baise, say how lucky United were, it cannot change the fact that Manchester United, the club that I love with all my heart, are Champions of Europe.
For the players,for the fans, for the 50th Munich Tragedy Anniversary,
love them, hate them . . .
Truly, this is Manchester United.
Man of the Match
This has got to be Ronaldo's best season in his life . . .Premiership Champions, PFA Player of the Year, PFA Golden Boot Award, 42 goals, Champions League Winner. European Golden Ball and Golden Boot Award should be his this season. Simply magnificent . . .
Okay, I said no videos, but I am gonna post this one, cause it's just too good.
The penalty shoot-out !
Anyway, I don't know why, but the Champions League surely made an impact on the school.
Out of 39 people, only 13 from my class were present. The canteen during recess was so dead . . . Really, you can see the drastic change compared to the usual school days
No CC, no Alex, no TYY, no Weiyuan, no Shunhui, that group of girls were absent, that group of guys were absent, etc, NOTHING!
Still, with the likes of the infamous rejects acting as if they owned the day, it just spoils my appetite, my mood, my day zzz.
But still, I'd kept a smile throughout =D
Manchester United,
Thank you for this extraordinary season.
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