The past decade produced many legends, as well as many up-and-coming superstars such as Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. Not to mention football matches in my viewing memories...
10) Singapore 1 Manchester United 8 (Friendly 2001)
Although a pre-Raddy Avramovic half-hearted Singapore team was humiliated totally and Manchester United was not my beloved team, it was worth a mention in the list as it was the first football match I had attended which featured a top European club. By the way, Liverpool also played a friendly here in the same summer yet its price was a little steep for a then Sec 3 student like me. The student price for the Man U match ticket back then was just S$10 (Excluding Sistic charge)... I can't remember who were the scorers for United back then but I knew Beckham and the major signing back then, Ruud Van Nistelrooy did enter the scoresheet. Meanwhile, we were in raptures as Indra Sahdan equalized for the Lions before they gobbled 7 more goals.
9) Juventus 3 Real Madrid 1 (UEFA Champions League 2002/03 Semi-Finals 2nd leg)
I hoped Real Madrid got knocked out and my wish got granted. Back then, the Spanish Giants had started building their very first batch of Galacticos with the likes of Zidane, Figo and the newly signed Ronaldo (Yeah...The fat one, not the current benglish one), as Florentino Perez planned for a massive European domination having won the European title the previous season. Real was leading 2-1 going into the 2nd leg match, but Trezeguet and Del Piero netted for the Turin side in the first half before Pavel Nedved finished them off with a wondering goal in the 2nd half. During the process, Buffon also stopped a spotkick from Figo while Nedved got a yellow card which ruled him out of the final. While Zidane did manage to pull one back against his former club, it was not enough as Juventus would set up a highly anticipating yet boring all-Italian final with AC Milan.
8) Singapore 0 Liverpool 5 (Friendly 2009)
It was the latest match in the list and do view this link for my review.
http://i-kieran-yiheng.blogspot.com/2009/07/youll-never-walk-alone.html
7) AC Milan 3 Manchester United 0 (UEFA Champions League 2006/07 Semi-Finals 2nd leg)
United got a narrow 3-2 in the 1st leg at Old Trafford. However, they were simply outplayed at San Siro in the very repeat of the 2004/05 clash. Goals from Kaka, Seedorf and Gilardino sealed the win and Milan would face Liverpool in the repeat of the 2005 classic. And yes, Milan will be facing United once again next year in the 2nd round clash.
Welcome back, Becks. And please help the Rosseneri to yet another win once again.
6) Germany 1 England 5 (2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, 2001)
Disappointment as England failed to win a major trophy in the past decade, but this classic against their arch rivals was definitely their very best in the decade. The Germans took the lead at Munich, but England bounced back and wiped them off with a then young and fit Michael Owen's hattrick. It was also mentioned that the English scorers were from Liverpool. Stevie G and Heskey were also on the scoresheet. While Gerrard would go on to become the respectable and favourable captain of the Reds, a very injury-prone Owen would move from the Galacticos, to the Geordies, and then to the bitter rivals, Manchester United, and Heskey would move on to smaller clubs and yet played an important role to his teams.
Meanwhile, with this scoreline, England would qualify for the World Cup Finals in Asia automatically without facing yet another playoff round.
5) France 1 Italy 1 (Italy won 5-3 on penalties kick. -- 2006 FIFA World Cup Final)
It was not the best World Cup final... Yet it would always be remembered for Zidane's headbutt on Materazzi in his very last football match as a player.
Not really the hottest favourites for the title, yet the Italians went all the way to victory though they may be in some controversial circumstances, such as their 2nd round match against the Australians. Meanwhile, they did have a wonderful performance as they beat the German hosts by 2 g0als. With the reclaimed 4th world title, they brought smiles back to Italian football in a year where it was plagued by a match-fixing scandal.
4) Liverpool 1 AC Milan 2 (UEFA Champions League 2007 Final)
Once again, 2 of my beloved European teams faced off each other in the final at Athens. Filippo Inzaghi, a then 34 year old veteran striker -- offside king as some fans have named -- opportunist in terms of scoring goals -- a footballer who's a certified accountant, netted both for Milan and there's no comeback this time round for the Reds. Dirk Kuyt scored late in the game.
Meanwhile, I was proud that both teams were in the final once again. It won't be happen again this time though as Liverpool was out from the group stage.
3) Singapore 2 Indonesia 1 (ASEAN Football Championship Final 2nd leg)
Then known as Tiger Cup, I was at the National Stadium in a sea of red to witness the national team's first international title victory at home soil. The lions had captured a 3-1 win in Jakarta and hopes were getting high. Victory was sealed when Indra Sahdan and Agu Casmir netted in the first half, while the atmosphere was indeed marvellous.
Here, we had hardly see such a scene since the Lions pulled out from the neighbouring domestic competitions.
2) Manchester United 1 Liverpool 4 (English Premier League 2008/09 season)
It was indeed the sweetest victory against the bitter rivals. Though last season was the case of "winning the battle, yet lose the war."
Who will expect the Reds to beat United at Old Trafford, not 1 goal, 2 goal, but 4 goals ?
I do remember who were the scorers for Liverpool that night.
Torres...
Gerrard...
Even Aurelio and Dossena...
1) Liverpool 3 AC Milan 3 (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties - UEFA Champions League 2004/05 Final)
It was indeed the most classic match in the history of European football. And of course, 2 of my beloved teams created such classic.
A match that inspired everyone not to give up but to believe that we can overcome any defying odds.
A match which I would view it on youtube now and then.
3-0 down in the 1st half. The Reds were in dejected mood on the pitch, while the fans continued to sing and believe...
In a space of about 8 minutes, Liverpool pulled 3 goals back from Gerrard, Smicer and Alonso... While defending well enough from the threats of Shenvchenko and Kaka. Dudek's imitation of Globelaar's act in 1984 final was well enough to seal a 3-2 victory on spot kicks.
The European trophy's finally back to Anfield after 21 long years.
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