Morocco has a very good defensive team, allowing only one goal in 3 games in the Cup championship. Unfortunately, usually a good offense helps. In Morocco’s case, they have NO offense, literally. They did not score a single goal in the 3 games they played; thus, they are out of the Cup. They finished with a record of 0 wins, 1 loss (1-0 on a penalty kick) and 2 ties (both 0-0). It’s a moot point, though, as host Egypt slaughtered (as far as football goes) Cote d’Ivoire 3-1. Dare I say that perhaps the Ivory Coast team played dead? Nah. Maybe “extended professional courtesy to the host team” might be a more tactful description of the match. The World Cup begins in June in Germany, but, unfortunately, Morocco did not qualify. So, who might I root for . . . hmmmm, the USA? No. There are a few African teams I could cheer on, including Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo. But, no. Instead, I’m going to support the team of my erstwhile abode in the Land of the Morning Calm, the South Korean team. If Thailand or Laos were playing, I’d be numbered among their staunchest fans, but, alas, neither qualified.
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Tonight might be the final match for the Moroccan team in the Africa Cup. They could only manage a 0-0 tie against host Egypt last Tuesday, but they needed to win. Only a miracle puts them in the quarterfinals. Cote d’Ivoire (already guaranteed a spot) must beat Egypt soundly and Morocco must trounce Libya. However, since Egypt is the host country, the chances of them not advancing are pretty slim, my students tell me. Politics, it seems. Both games are tonight, being played at the same time (5 p.m. local) in different stadiums. I assume the Morocco-Libya game will be shown here. (I wonder of Khadafy will be attending.) Lots of rain and wind the last 3 days, chilly but not cold. Not a tropical monsoon type of rain, just a steady drizzle most of the time. The forecast calls for more of the same the next couple of days. I suppose that’s better than a foot of snow and 30 below. As Karen, my friend in Boston, reminds me, the start of baseball spring training is getting closer. It seems not that long ago that both her and I were down in our cups when both of our favorites were knocked out of the playoffs. Ahhh, but this year . . . Mohammed wants me to teach a 10-week course at one of the local universities on the subject of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). It would be just one two-hour class per week, and I think it would be fun and interesting to do. I’ve already planned to do a CALL module at the CPR, so it’s not really an extra burden. I have to get John’s approval first. There are certain guidelines about where I can and can’t teach. I talked to my friend Nai in Laos earlier today and found out that his brother Pui (pooey) got into a motorbike accident and had to go to the hospital. Geez, these guys and their motorbikes. Nai’s had a couple of accidents on his and he tells me about accidents that members of his extended family have had. A few of his relatives and friends have died riding these things. Fortunately, Pui will be ok. Right now they are celebrating the Chinese New Year (Year of the Dog), so there are probably a lot of folks riding around with more than a few Beer Laos under their belt. Even though Nai is not a big drinker, I told him to be careful, especially of other riders, who will swerve to avoid the numerous potholes found on most of the Laos roads. More later. |
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