illya mclellan's Sportswriter Profile

illya mclellan joined January 2008

Syndicated Writer

44,576article reads
Rank: 508
107articles written
Rank: 388
1,864comments written
Rank: 94

About illya »

But then, Paston saved it.
Again, it was euphoria, more hugging strangers, dancing, and hoarse-throated chanting of unintelligible lyrics.
Injury time seemed to drag into an eternity before those magical peeps were heard from the officials whistle, like a Bacchian symphony signalling the dawn of an ancient mythical festival, the signal for the crowd to roar the triumph to the ends of the country.
We trooped out of the ground and into the night, elation in our eyes, smiles on our faces, and a warmth in our hearts that not even the coldest and strongest Wellington wind could blow away.

New Zealand are going to the World Cup for the second time ever and no matter what happens at the tournament, we have already won our final.

The Shortlist »

Favorite Athletes

Tony Yeboah,Ronaldinho,Lionel Messi,Patrick Viera,Wynton Rufer, Ryan Giggs, Joe Rokocoko, Eric Cantona,Thierry Henry, Lillian Thuram,Bebeto,Zinedine Zidane, Roy Keane, Nathan Astle, Lothar Matthaus
Favorite Sports Teams

Wellington Phoenix, Nottingham Forest,Island Bay AFC, Manchester United, Maycenvale Utd AFC
Favorite Coaches

Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Ricki Herbert, Peter Brown
All Time Sports Moment

All Whites qualify for World Cup November 14th 2009, Westpac Stadium Wellington, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer champions league final, Nathan Astle, fastest ever test 200 (153 balls) Christchurch Vs. England. 2001/02
Most Memorable Game Attended

All Whites Vs. Bahrain November 14th 2009
Most Unbreakable Sports Record

Oldest player to play in FA cup final Sir Stanley Matthews
Ruth or Mays?

Hadlee
Unitas or Montana?

Lomu
Jordan or Russell?

Maradona
Gretzky or Orr?

Nathan Astle
Pele or Maradona?

Pele is King
Federer or Sampras?

Borg
Tiger or Nicklaus?

Bob Charles
Petty or Earnhardt?

Bruce McLaren
Schumacher or Senna?

Denny Hulme
Pac 10, Big 12, Big 10, SEC, ACC, or Big East?

Pacman, Big Bopper.

Latest Articles »

Rafa Benitez's Bargain Hunting Costing Liverpool Dearly

11/20/2009

218 reads 11 comments 1 likes

NZ Football's Dream Now Reality After Magic Night in the Windy City

11/16/2009

83 reads 4 comments 1 likes

United and Liverpool's Player Losses Are Chelsea and Arsenal's Gains

11/10/2009

639 reads 3 comments 0 likes

Chelsea's Early Losses Could Propel Them To the EPL Trophy

11/08/2009

360 reads 2 comments 0 likes

View illya's full archive »

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Muffakham Shaheriyar said...

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Hey mate
Try reading this if you can and also gimme your comments please
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/294918-reasons-abound-to-believe-it-would-be-chelsea-vs-real-at-the-bernabeu

2 hours ago

Barney said...

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Hey,

Henry's handball has got the whole football world talking. What better time for another Great Debate? Should Henry have owned up? Is he a cheat? Should FIFA have allowed a replay? Have your say in the great debate!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/294359-the-great-debate-should-fifa-allow-ireland-vs-france-to-be-replayed

Cheers,
Barney

1 day ago

Salaar Shamsi said...

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Hey,

After what is being called 'the greatest injustice in sport', the question is, what on earth is FIFA doing?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/294209-the-bottom-corner-fifa-just-a-bunch-of-muppets

Have a look
Thanks
SS.

1 day ago

Andrew Jordan said...

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Illya, after the Henry handball yesterday, I have decided that replay must be implemented in the beautiful game somehow. Please tell me your reaction.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/293561-why-football-needs-replay-now-and-how-it-could-be-used

2 days ago

Carolina Tiger said...

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Hi Illya I was really please that The All Whites got to the world cup finals. Finally out of the shadow of Australia and the South American teams.

I've written a couple of articles maybe you would be interested in.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/292256-phil-brown-and-the-tigers-new-regime

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/290801-hull-city-go-to-the-world-cup

3 days ago

Anthony said...

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I see the All whites have made it. Congratulations! Should make it a bit more interesting for you next summer Illya!

7 days ago

Andrew Jordan said...

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Hey Illya, here is a list of the ten greatest comebacks ever for Manchester United

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/288770-ten-greatest-comeback-wins-ever-for-manchester-united

9 days ago

Salaar Shamsi said...

Delete

Hey,

The Bottom Corner Returns!

We're looking at a common problem both Manchester United and England are facing.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/288155-the-bottom-corner-is-rio-ferdinands-time-up

Have a look,
Thanks,
SS

10 days ago

Andrew Jordan said...

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Hey Illya, here is a World Football roundtable on the upcoming UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff.

Hope you enjoy!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/287569-uefa-world-cup-qualifying-playoff-roundtable

11 days ago

Comment

Anthony commented on Rafa Benitez's Bargain Hunting Costing Liverpool Dearly

Benitez is not a particularly good manager compared to his counter-parts. His transfer history is shockingly indecisive. How many more points will it take for them...

Carolina Tiger said...

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I've finally got around to writing something about the Tiger's current plight. Take a look for me and see what you think.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/284692-hull-city-and-an-uncertain-future

Love the picture of Sir Stanley in his Blackpool pomp by the way.

16 days ago

S B said...

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Coming soon to a league near you:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/277846-fifa-u-17-world-cup-neymar-is-his-name

Don't forget to check out the goal.

26 days ago

Willie Gannon said...

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Bad day at the office!

By the looks of things, Spurs took the game for granted. Palacios was very laxidasical, and they allowed Stoke to set the tempo in midfield.

Funny thing about Crouch, he's very good on the deck, but sometimes I wonder if his height allows the lesser players to go long instead of taking responsibility and picking out a harder pass.

It's something that happened at Liverpool too, and Rafa couldn't fix it so he got rid of Crouch...

As for Spurs challenging...

I don't see it to be honest, unless 'Arry can bring in a recognised left sided player and allows Modric to come inside.

Spurs are just too predictable, knock it out wide to Lennon who tears up the line or out to Modric who cuts inside.

27 days ago

tumang bokaba said...

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seeff efreken in the flesh! big year for us, thats for sure. too bad the coach resigned/fired/ammicably departed.

i m planning to write an article about it. the two countries SA and NZ have a bit of history between them not least charles dempsey!

we have played NZ more times than we have played the aussies. not that we are complaning :-)

i hope you guys make it through, you played well enough in the confed cup.

32 days ago

tumang bokaba said...

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new zealand? huh? quite a few south africans living that side.

i guess that name issue goes deeper than that, you have to understand the politics and social landscape of my country to get why i got so worked up.

but no harm done, one more friend gained. funny an altercation preceeded a formal introduction!

32 days ago