Muslim Football Figures Muslim Footballers

THIS SECTION HAS BEEN ENHANCED DUE TO MISUNDERSTANDINGS

As I heard many Muslims are actually involved in football, I browsed around to look for more Muslims in football. The findings were quite shocking. Note that the list excluded known Muslim footballers like Ali Daie (Iran) and Ahmed Hossam Mido (known by name and nationality)

Source: Various

Gai Yigaal Assulin - Young exciting midfielder. Formerly of Barcelona FC and Manchester City. He is indeed an Israeli national but his father is Libyan.
Nicloas "Bilal" Anelka - French striker. Once called Le Sulk, now a very settled player. Formerly of Fenerbahce, Turkey and Chelsea. Pics of him visiting a Manchester mosque is easily available.
Zinedine Yazid Zidane - A non-practiced Muslim. Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year.
Bruno Metsu - Former Senegalese National Team Coach. Converted when he was at Senegal. Now coach of Al-Ittihad.
Franck Ribery - Converted in 2002. Read the Du'a before taking a free kick against Korea recently. Married to long time Moroccan girlfriend.
Phillipe Troussier - former famous French player. Famously coached Japanese National Team. Lives in Morocco. Changes his name to Omar. Wife Dominique now Amina. Adopted 2 local Moroccan children.
George Weah - Liberian football great. Unsuccesful candidate for 2005 Liberian presidency. Born a Muslim. Went to Muslim children school. Converted to Christianity in the name of his grandmother who raised him. Later reconverted to follow the faith of his Grandmother.
Robin van Persie - Holland super striker. Married a Morroccan but never talk about his religious position in public. Denied he is a Muslim as he was brought up liberal.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Has tatoos on both arms but Papa Sefik is a Bosnian-Muslim immigrant and his Mom is of Catholic Croat. Swedish star striker but dubbed 'overrated' by Martin O'neill. However, some reports has said that he is following his mother's religious belief.
Kolo, Yaya and Ibrahim Toure - Ivorian footballers. Devout muslims.
Rami Shaaban - Former Arsenal Swedish keeper who is of Egyptian descent. Mom is English.
Frederick Kanoute - Malian striker. No wonder he celebrates by reciting the du'a after scoring goals. Bought a mosque in Seville. Devoted Muslim.

Mehmet Scholl - German veteran Bayern Munich star midfielder who was denied call-up to the 2006 Fifa World Cup Germany National Team although being recommended by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge after coming back superbly from a long-standing injury. Born Muslim however as his parents' divorce when he was young, he turned aethist and now Buddhist.
Khalid Boulahrouz - Dutch national defender. Born in Nederlands but of Moroccan descent. Nicknamed Khalid der Kannibale (The Cannibal because of his ability to 'eat up' oppositions). Trying to emulate Mohammed Allach (Muslim-Dutch football great).
Armand Traore - Arsenal young left full back was seen many times praying before the start of the game.
Nacer Barazite - another Arsenal rising Dutch star of Moroccan descent. Pays tribute to Allah each time he scores a goal.

Pascal Cygan - clarifications needed!

Lassana and Mahamadou Diarra - Real Madrid midfield gems.

Christian Negouai - It is so ironic that his first name is Christian but he is a practising Muslim, was forced to break his fast during ramadhan for drug test by the FA.

Karim Benzema - Real Madrid striker. Struggling to find his form.

Samir Nasri - Manchester City cheeky elusive winger. Spotted reciting the du'a every time before the game.

Mamadou Sakho - PSG youngest ever captain. Highly rated center back.

Nuri Sahin - Dortmund's creative midfielder. Turkish.

Nordin Amrabat - PSV right midfielder.

Ismail Aissati - Ajax young midfielder.

Hatem Ben Arfa - Newcastle exciting winger.

Zesh Rehman - Pakistani British

Bacary Sagna -  Arsenal

Ibrahima Sonko - cousins with Bakari

Sulleyman Ali Muntari

Didier Domi - friends of Kanoute and Anelka

Phillipe Christanval - according to Thierry Henry in an interview with Aljazeera

Peter Luccin - as above

Eric Abidal - as above

Mesut Ozil - Turkish creative midfielder.

Solomon Kalou - Chelsea forward.

Nathan Ellington - former WBA and Watford striker.

Lee Hughes - converted to Islam during his prison sentence after he was found guilty dor knocking down a boy to his death in a car accident.

Mesut Oezil - talented young German playmaker.

Samir Khedira - powerful German defensive midfielder.

Serdar Tasci - German centerback.

Demba Ba - Newcastle striker. On form currently.

Aron Mohamed Winter - has Indian mom, Surinamese dad, Chinese grandpa

Ayew brothers (Andre, Abdul Rahim, Imani and Jordan) and father Abedi Pele. Also Kwame and Sola - Ghanaian footballers.
Moussa Dembele - Fulham creative forward
Ali Al-Habsi - Wigan keeper
Asmir Begovic - Young EPL keeper
Younes Kaboul - Spurs defender
Leon Osman - Everton midfielder
Maroune Chamakh - Morrocan striker
Marrouane Fellaini - Midfielder
Adel Tarrabt - of QPR
Lorik Cana - of Lazio
Youssof Mulumbu - WBA
Cheik Tiote - Newcastle
Samba Diakite - QPR
Abou Diaby - Lanky Arsenal midfielder
Demba Ba - Newcastle
Papiss Demba Cisse - Powerful striker from Newcastle
Nikica Jelavic - Bosnian born Croatian powerful striker

Phillipe Senderos - former Arsenal man converted to Islam after learning theology for his degree.

Jeg van Hooij

Czech Crashes Out

Tomas Rosicky (pic) saw his national team which ranked 2nd in the FIFA ranking crashed out of the 2006 World Cup. The Arsenal midfielder, who had a sparkling performance in their first game, posed a lacklustre figure with 34-year-old Pavel Nedved the sole Czech who had a fine game. Milan Baros, returned from niggling knee injury was singled out as the worst performer.

The Black Stars took the benefit out of the Czech as they booked the last 16 in their first ever stint in the World Cup. Dramani notched in the first goal before the Americans levelled a minute before the half time. Tha Ghanaians scored the winner and held until the final whistle.

Sugah Sugahh Babeyy

Last night my mom had a torrid time looking for sugar. I suggested to her we change the menu instead. No, of course it's stupid to avoid sugar as proposed by one MB but I said to my mom, "Mak, kita minum teh susu lah sekarang. Menu baru, takyah carik gula, beli susu pekat."

But for how long? The price of susu pekat will also increase in the future.

So what is the real fuss behind the insuffiencient stock of sugar. Take a guess.

A. Fire damages on sugarcane farms around Malaysia.
B. New virus found in sugar!!
C. Sugar King pushes the government to increase national sugar price.

The answer is... C, obviously. But who the hell is this Sugar King? Sounds familiar. Why is he called the King? Does he has absolute power on sugar? Is he the one who's got the minerales in his urine so that sugarcanes in Malaysia will grow very-very healthy? Is he a monopolist?

All aboved questions maybe true. He is Robert K (Not Dato' K). The richest man in Malaysia. You are damn right he is powerful. Malaysian citizens suffer nowadays because of one man. But you cannot blame him for becoming a monopolist. He didn't turn himself into a monopolist. Somebody did.

Why not get a competitor? Is this because of personal interests?

Some people find politics is interesting. It is a way to make easy money, according to them. But it works you know. You have the political power. Then, consortiums bid for a project. The best money put on the table got the project. Or should I say, UNDER the table?

Lets face it guys. They don't become politicians for nothing. Not to save your sorry asses in time of need, but it is for satisfying their greed.

That is the answer why some leaders are lousy people that love shouting and talking crap in the Parliament. Because they put personal interests first. Call yourself a Wakil Rakyat (People's Representative)? I wouldn't like a greedy old man to represent me.

Obviously, I am not saying all of them are like that. Maybe some, maybe mostly.

This is exactly why I'm avoiding politics. I'm writing not for the Oppositions (sorry guys, don't like your ways too), but for myself. I would rather leave the country rather than paying 'lobbyist costs'. For me that is extra cost I gotta pay! That would not make my company solvent and sound. And it won't be nice to sit in hell for some time.

So, will there be anymore good men left in the country? To distribute the nation's wealth according to merit, intention, good cause and social benefit? Not to take easy money?

I dare you guys, my friends, to take this challenge. I know you guys are fine guys. Just don't let the money money money corrupts your minds. Earn the money. You guys are too good, too intelligent to take easy money.

You wanna be rich? Be a businessman instead. Don't be a corrupted leader.

Corruption sucks!!!

Ros oh ros...

People from KYS might recognise the two Roses. No no. Not bunga2 chenta but you know... Cikgu Roslan Aww (Rosmary) and Abang Roslan coach bola yang sedikit boroi (a.k.a Rosroy). There is also a Malaysian commentator named Roslan Tambah.

But come on..... RUSLAN ROTAN????? (Laughs)

Ruslan Rotan was a Ukrainian midfielder who saw his team being humbled 4-0 against the fancy Spaniards. Goals from Xabi Alonso, David Villa and Nando Torres proved quality in the Spanish teams and gave them the best start of the campaign since forever (I think). But the Brazillian born Marcos Senna was impressive himself with his two long range efforts. One was tipped over by the Ukrainian keeper and another was struck after the whistle was blown for a foul. Otherwise, who would make the headlines.

I've got the tendency to appreciate the people who are not that famous but perform well.

Didn't watch the game Tunisia and Saudi and 2-2... must be a cracking match. Radhi Jaidi scored the late equaliser. The German match... didnt watch also. Late winner by substitute Neuville.

Still quite tired at the moment. My sleeping time is all over the place.

Catch you guys later.

Encik Kadir scored!!

Togo lively forward Mohammed Kader scored the opener before succumbed to a 2-1 defeat by the Koreans in yesterday's match. The French are still hunting for their first goal since World Cup 2002 after a goalless draw with Switzerland. Holders Brazil snatched a narrow win against Croatia goal scored by the elegant Kaka.

More info please visit www.soccernet.com

As for me, I am sufferring from a shoulder injury inflicted during the course of... sleeping. I hope it has nothing to do with any torn ligaments injury but it hurts kinda bad. Still waiting in limbo land. Waiting for the result for my Masters application. And also waiting for my instalment into PNB. But it's a good thing. If I were to start working now I guess I would make a bad first impression drooling because of watching World Cup in the wee hours in the morning.

Come July if I was not called yet, I am looking at other possibilities. DBKL project looks very interesting for me.

Chow

Rosicky sick of the Americans

Tomas Rosicky (pic) scored twice to give Czech Republic an impressive 3-0 win over the Americans in a match which was marred by the injury to towering striker Jan Koller. The 6ft 8inc giant popped up the first goal with a header but it was the new big money signing Arsenal player Rosicky who stole the show with the first one being potentially touted as the goal of the tournament just yet.

Hopefully, Rosicky could transform his World Cup form at the club level when Arsenal start their new challenge at the new Emirates stadium, Ashburton Grove.

Meanwhile, crest-fallen Japanese sufferred late strikes by the Socceroos no thanks to Tim Cahill's double and John Aloisi's cool finish. The Asian representative saw themselves picking up the pieces after they look tired in the dying minutes of the game.

Italy ease passed through a Ghanaian side with goals from Andre Pirlo and VIcenzo Iaquinta but I missed that game. It was the first time I missed a World Cup match since it started. Talk about makan bola, tidur bola, minum air kelapa addiction.

It's still early in the morning so I'll just continue with my sleep lah. Zzzzzz.

Oranjeg!!

2 days ago I had futsal with Diyah, Kebau, Siput, Din and Pah versus Eznal's friends. Was mengantuk that day. We played in Segambut and I didnt play well that day although I scored a looping piledriver after a slip by the opposition's defender.

Robben starred in the Nederlands 1-0 win over gutsy Serbia and Montenegro. Formerly known as Yugoslavia, the likes of Savo Milosevic, Mateja Kezman, Nikola Zigic (6 ft 7in) and Koroman didn't manage to find the equaliser. The Dutch started with the three prongs English based players Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Chelsea) and Ruud van Nistelrooij (Man Utd) up front. An intelligent flick by van Persie set up Robben who boasts excellent skills on the ball and blisterring pace that strike fear among the Serbian defenders.

Portugal squeezed into redeeming the points as galant Angola forced them to a narrow 1-0 win. It was not the best of performance by the Portuguese with veteran winger Figo's below par performance. The late introduction of Mantorras who replaced showing-off Akwa failed to give the point that the Angolans actually deserved. Angola was formerly administered under the Portuguese nation.

The Iranians however showed complacency in the second half after they surrendered their 1-1 stalement point to the Mexicans who saw their striker Jared Borgetti unimpressive. The Iranians have Vahid Hashemian, Ali Karimi (Asian player of the year), Ali Daie and Mehdi Mahdavikia in their talented squad but ran out of gas in the final 20 minutes of the game.

More to follow.

Poor Ivorians

Shaka Hislop made SIX world-class saves to deny Sweden the points as Trinidad and Tobago clinched their first ever point in the World Cup. The West Ham keeper was lucky to be picked after TnT's first choice goalkeeper was injured 10 minutes before kick-off. Leo Bennhakker's faith on the veteran paid dividends when Hislop made back to back reflex saves to put misery on prolific Swedish strikers Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

England, by the way, won their opening boring match with an own goal by Carlos Gamarra. Captain Beckham curled in the free kick before finding Gamarra's weak clearance turned him into an infidel of his national team Paraguay.

The Ivorians boasted great attributes in their team with their blisterring pace and robust physique. In addition, their first touch was superb, except for Aruna Dindane. The actors of football Argentina saw their former great Maradona dancing and cheering when they were 2-0 up thanks to a poor decision by the linesman to let the goal stand. Not interrupting play my ass. Crespo was clearly offside and Saviola got the ball to prod in their second.

When Crespo strayed offside, the galant Ivorian defence deployed their offside trap. They did it simply because they know Crespo was offside. So how can you say Crespo was not interrupting play when the ball was passed?

Interrupting or not, getting the ball or not, an offside position is defined as any player who strayed ahead of the opponents' defence line when the ball was played forward.

Poor Ivorians. Maybe the ref is a racist. Maybe.

"Come on Tommy, before Ze Germans get here!"

Phillip Lahm inspired host Germany to a convincing 4-2 win over Costa Rica. The wingback, who can operate both on the left and right flanks was also involved in the 3rd goal of the most pulsating World Cup 2006 opening game ever. It was a late scare for the Germans when Paolo Wanchope's double cut the deficit but Torsten Frings' delightful thunderbolt from an indirect freekick wrapped up the game.

Poland received a setback when they were beaten by unfancied Ecuador who saw former Soton striker Agustine Delgado clinching the winner in the 80th minute.

Meanwhile, Pak Lah was cool when he was badly criticised by former PM Tun Dr M. From the way I see it, Tun Dr M's comment was inappropirate and he must have personal interests on the projects which were called off by the government that made him infuriated.

More to follow...

Unexpected Result

I tried to check my result via online for zillions of times. Ughh that was a big fat exaggeration. Ok la, coupla times. When suddenly my result slip was on the interface, then I saw it. I was chatting with classmates when I was looking at it. Dup dap dub dap.

And.. all i can say is it was the most unexpected result ever...

I got an A- for General Insurance II! Can you beileve that? I almost fainted leaving the room after that paper. But then again, it is something to smile about. Why? Coz the rest are just so unexpected. Well, except for my Project Paper we all know it was B-. Everybody knows that after my previous boo-hoo waaa entry. Thanks Mr Hanafi. Now I have decided I'm not gonna miss you. Or ever appreciate u. Pfhh.

Dat sounds a bit emo. But to be fair, I never see him as a lecturer to me. He loves yapping nonsense and spent only a few minutes for the students. And then blame the students for being underachieved. Call yourself a lecturer? You could replace the VC lah sir. Not!

I remember when he barked at me on my first class with him, still fresh in my mind. "I expect you all to learn by yourselves because you all are bright students. So don't expect me to write anything on the board!". It was Quantitative Business Analysis for God sake! Not a reading subject!

He will never change his attitude or his way of teaching in the class. Trust me on this one!

Risk Theory, quite unexpected. Although I cheated in class in tests, so a B is rather OK lah. Although I was hoping for an A. I thought I did great in the final exam. Guess what? I thought wrong! I think I have the tendency to underachieve when I study like hell. Kalo lepak2 score kot... sheesh!

Pension Scheme. Hmm.. ntah ah. Pn. Azizah has never gave me an A in her life. Not even A-. Even Mr. Samiappan gave me A- twice, including this term. But then again, she was responsible for making me realise with her 'Be a Master of One' advice. Classic!

A for French? I think that's not good enough. I performed better this term but I got an A. Last term, I performed shittyly pon dapat A+. Missing you Linda...

Weird?

Lets hope the trip to Gold Coast will help me sink it in.

p/s: I'm just glad I'm done, although not in that of a handsome manner. VC must be annoyed if he knew this.

Jeg the Unemployed Toy.