Futbol!

Malaysians are really football crazy! Football to them is like basketball to us Pinoys. And now that the world cup fever has invaded Europe, Latin America and some parts of Asia (Japan and Korea), Malaysia is joining the bandwagon.

Everything in Malaysia at the moment is contaminated by the virus that is the world cup – tv commercials, billboards, announcements, conversations, social events, etc. Malaysians breathe, drink and eat football, or futbol, as the locals would call it.

Being a legal alien in this country, I try my best to fit in – I’ve tried Laksa (the spicy noodle soup with a bagoong-like paste), spicy dishes, eaten noodles with chopsticks, even tried durian! And of course, since Malaysia’s favorite sport is football, I have to know why they go gaga over it.

So I surfed in the internet about the game, its history, the rules, the teams, and of course… the gorgeous players (yummy!). My favorite are: Cahill (Australia), Adriano (Brazil) and Del Piero (Italy). They are certainly the sweetest eye candy, I tell you.

Because of this new-found interest for football, I’ve spend several sleepless nights watching the games. The games usually start at 2:00 or 3:00am! And at this unholy hour, there I am in front of the tv, watching gorgeous yet sweaty men run, kick, jump and get physical with each other.

My eyebags, the dark circles around my eyes, the breakout in my skin and my cranky mood in the mornings are evidence of this new obsession. I was in denial at first, but now I can see clearly… I am futbol crazy! Just like everyone else in this country!

It’s near midnight. In exactly 2 hours, the final game for the FIFA world cup will be aired live. I am still awake, waiting for the ultimate game between Italy and France. I am rooting for Italy, since they are really like us Pinoys. My friend calls them the Pinoys of Europe (see: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/flash/). Aside from that, they are really, really cute! Go Del Piero!!!

This is the last world cup night. Tomorrow, the world will go back to normal. I can have my full 8 hours sleep. The white and black ball will finally rest, well, for 4 years… and will be in South Africa for the next world cup.

Still waiting for 2am…

Getting sleepy…

But need to stay awake…

Will just watch Piolo and Juday DVD…

Eating Goldilocks brownies, yummy!...

Now, can’t sleep…

Good luck, Del Piero, my dolce!


Postscript: (4:58am)
Del Piero didn’t score a goal (well, except in the penalty shootout), but hey… WE WON!!!

And what’s with Zidane, ramming his head in his opponent’s chest? He really deserves the red card.

Hurrah for Azzuri! La Dolce Vita!

09 July 2006
Sunday
11:58pm
Penang


Below: Del Piero, Adriano and Cahill, respectively