1997/98 Asian Club Championship & 1997/98 Asian Cup Winners' Cup

Just like the old days back in late 1980s and early 1990s, Geylang United lead the way in Singapore involvement in Asian club competition, when as the inaugural S-league Champions, they entered the 1997/1998 Asian Club Championship.

SAFFC, finishing as runner-up in both the S-league and Singapore Pools FA Cup behind Geylang United, was also involved with the Warriors entering the 1997/1998 Asia Cup Winners' Cup.

It was a rare occasion to have two Singapore clubs involved in Asian Club competition and at this point it is hoped it will be the way forward for the S-league clubs.

After a five-year absence, Geylang United must be hoping for a lucky pick in their comeback but it was not to be as the first round draw saw them drawing to meet J-League champions Kashima Antlers. The gap between Japan and Singapore would prove too big a gap to bridge.

Making the match harder for them to swallow was that by the date of the first leg meeting, the Eagles had already lost their S-league crown to the Warriors and the 6-1 whacking they received at the hand of the Japanese Champions in Japan left just another sour taste in their mouth. With that kind of result, the second leg was a foregone conclusion and responding to that expected outcome, the Japanese Champions send a mix of youth and regular players to Singapore for the second leg but they showed they are still a class above with a 2-1 victory against the Eagles.

For the Warriors, it was their first ever foray in Asia and they were drawn against Hong Kong club Instant Dict for the first round of the Asian Cup Winners' Cup.

Considering Instant Dict more illustrious history, the Warriors had to be the underdogs but it did not matter in the final context as the Warriors surprised them at the Mongkok stadium to win the first leg 3-2. V.Selvaraj, Velimir Crljen and Imran Mohammed were the Warriors scorers as they had put the Warriors 3-0 up before half-time but the Warriors showed their inexperience in Asia as they saw the Hong Kong side came back strongly in the second period to score two goals to make the scoreline more respectable. Nevertheless it is considered a huge victory for up to that point for local clubs have never won against any other sides other than from the minnows of Brunei and Philippines.

With home ground advantage for the second leg, the Warriors will no doubt be stronger and they duly triumphed 3-1 against the Hong Kong side scoring through Eres, who hit two goals, and another from V.Selvaraj.

With that outcome, the Warriors became the first local team to make it past to the second round in any Asian club competition creating local football history.

In the second round, the Warriors met South Korea Suwon Samsung and they were to prove no match for the South Korea FA Cup holder.

In the first leg, the Warriors played the Suwon Samsung at Jurong Stadium losing 2-0. They just could not keep pace with the fitter, faster and more skilful Koreans who were further strengthen by having three foreigners in their ranks. In the second leg, it was not much better with the Warriors succumbing to a 5-0 defeat.

Thus with that, it ended all inroad by S-League clubs in Asia on their comeback attempt back in Asia.

One must feel that as it was Singapore professional era first attempt back in Asia, it can be deemed a mini-success with a local club finally getting past the first round in any Asian club competition. Also two local clubs participated in the Asian club arena unlike the past when it was always left to a one club to carry the flag. This way football development in the Republic would be a lot quicker with the hope more S-league clubs are exposed to Asian football in future and it is the only way forward for S-league clubs.

Singapore representatives

1997/98 Asian Club Championship

Stage	Home Team			Away Team	Date
First Round, First leg	Kashima Antlers (Japan)	6	1	Geylang United	-
First Round, Second leg	Geylang United	1	2	Kashima Antlers (Japan)	-

1997/98 Asian Cup Winners' Cup

Stage	Home Team			Away Team	Date
First Round, First leg	Instant Dict (Hong Kong)	2	3	SAFFC	-
First Round, Second leg	SAFFC	3	1	Instant Dict (Hong Kong)	-
Second Round, First leg	SAFFC	0	2	Suwon Samsung (South Korea)	-
Second Round, Second leg	Suwon Samsung (South Korea)	5	0	SAFFC	-