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Pub Talk: Podcast Debut! One night in Beijing

Today we present a very special Pub Talk – our first ever podcast. Originally recorded last Friday night after Shanghai Ultra made an impromptu appearance in Beijing, due to technical reasons and time restraints we only got around to releasing it today. Thankfully nothing much covered in the talk has changed since then thanks to the international break, with the exception of Tianjin drawing 1-1 with Dalian Shide, Shanghai Shenxin 2-2 with Changchun and Henan beating Shandong 2-1 over the weekend. Regardless, the pair quench their thirst at Bcheng’s most hated Beijing spot, Houhai,  as out-of-towner Ultra’s innate ability to poke fun at his drinking partner strikes again. Topics covered – the latest Shenhua saga – even Ultra is getting fed of reading about his club’s dramas in the news.  The latest international friendlies are covered – do they matter? Yes and no is the conclusive answer. Refereeing is again on the agenda, not surprisingly. Guangzhou R&F and Yakabu’s names feature in the pub, and Evergrande are also uttered as the champions from the south fight on four fronts what with their 7-player international call up. All that, and more, in this rambling and incoherent special edition of Pub Talk. As always, your comments please, at the bottom of the post.

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A leading international commentator on Chinese football frequently quoted by the world's top media. Offers piercing and resolutely honest insights into the bustling crossroads where football, society, economics and politics meet in contemporary China. Based in Shanghai since 2005, observer of the Chinese game since 2000.

17 Comments

17 Comments

  1. rovertlamb

    04/09/2012 at 12:32

    What was Alex Ferguson doing on a WEF podcast? 😉

    • shanghai ultra

      04/09/2012 at 14:47

      showed his deep managerial insight by identifying Qiu Shenjiong as Shenhua’s best player in the friendly a few weeks back.

      • Steve

        04/09/2012 at 15:42

        It’s not actually that surprising. The man has a horrendous track record with spotting goalkeepers, Schmeichel aside.
        Interesting take on the Pub Talk concept & an enjoyable way to while away a quiet afternoon at work — plans for future podcasts, guys?

  2. Yiddo Huayi

    05/09/2012 at 14:17

    Nice to hear the voices behind the names – bcheng wasn’t quite as Yankee as I’d imagined, Ultra slightly more Scottish.

    Background noise was a bit of a distraction and I find that podcasts need a few speakers to be lively and more varied.

    I listen every now and then to two podcasts:
    http://www.thefightingcock.co.uk/podcast/ (Spurs)

    http://yellowfever.podomatic.com/ (Wellington Phoenix and NZ Footy)

    Both are very informal (Spurs one has liberal use of rude words which is fun) and quite willing to put the boot into all and sundry.

    • shanghai ultra

      05/09/2012 at 20:52

      great feedback Yiddo thanks. I actually have a pro-standard recorder, but unfortunately I forgot to take it to Beijing with me, so the background noise would have been even more of distraction. The Podcast won’t be a regular thing since we aren’t in the same city, but I’m sure we will do it again, hopefully it will be an improvement. Cheers!

      • Yiddo Huayi

        06/09/2012 at 03:21

        You’re welcome Ultra. I didn’t comment on the content as it is, as always, great to read/hear anything from (lao wai) fans who are passionate about the game and their clubs (and also clearly know a thing or two about the bootiful game in the middle kingdom). Same goes for all the other contributors.

    • BulaimeiShanghai

      06/09/2012 at 13:41

      Yellow Fever is interesting too…

  3. Douglas Goldberg

    05/09/2012 at 23:13

    One of the problems with the foreign refs is that they aren’t using FIFA refs. If they bring in referees from other countries, they need to make sure they aren’t national refs from those countries.

  4. Douglas Goldberg

    05/09/2012 at 23:17

    Great comment about injuries and needing to stay off.

  5. BulaimeiShanghai

    06/09/2012 at 12:32

    Great podcast, guys!

    Bcheng: I would not be surprised if Switzerland gives China a harder time than Brazil. But, we will see. Would be nice to see Wang Dalei.

    Yiddo, I listened to the Spurs one as well, for somebody that lived in London for a while, it is quite nice to hear the good old accent again.

    • Yiddo Huayi

      06/09/2012 at 14:20

      I’m ex-Essex. Not quite Norf Lundun but close enuff!

    • BulaimeiShanghai

      12/09/2012 at 10:56

      Sorry Sweden, and I was wrong. What is the point of these matches if the team is nowhere near any form. 8:0, what a clear result…

  6. Donald

    07/09/2012 at 10:53

    Enjoyed the ‘pubcast.’ A good listen

  7. pheilipu

    09/09/2012 at 22:24

    Stream only? Can I download to mp3 someday?

    • shanghai ultra

      10/09/2012 at 09:42

      sorry, our podcast host doesn’t allow downloading for somereason.

      • pheilipu

        12/09/2012 at 20:46

        Yes, mixcloud is disappointing site.
        Thanks for replying

  8. chelcgrl

    12/09/2012 at 21:53

    Was just able to enjoy my first Pub Talk, learned a tremendous amount and really enjoyed it. I’m sharing this with my fellow fans via twitter and FB, this is a great resource for those of us interested in learning more about the CSL but are confined to English. Please keep these up, and if they ever could be available via iPad they’d be even more accessible to listen to! Thanks for these.

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