Challengers march on

Title challengers Home United and Etoile FC show they are in no mood to give up the race as they defeated Woodlands Wellington 2-1 and Geylang United 1-0 respectively.

With their square up 3 days later at Jalan Besar, both sides know they cannot afford any result other than a win if they wish to keep pace with Tampines Rovers.

And it was Home United that got off the block as Shahril Ishak fired the Protectors ahead against the Rams while Etoile FC seek a opener against the Eagles.

But the Protectors allowed the Rams back into the match as Rizawan Abdullah equalised for the home side before half-time.

Both sides know these results were unacceptable as the Stags could pull further ahead 24 hours later.

With that, the second half will surely proved curial to their season and both sides got their winner as Choi Chul Woo and then Karim Boudjema fired their respective teams into the lead and both Home United and Etoile FC will not relish that lead.

Etoile FC are now two points ahead of Tampines Rovers while Home United is a further point behind the Stags.

Home United
Lionel Lewis (GK),
Juma'at Jantan, (Sufian Anuar) Shahril Alias, Valery Hiek, Shi Jiayi, Tengku Mushadad, Choi Chul Woo, Chun Jae Woon, (Firdaus Kasman) Isa Halim, (Firdaus Idros) Jun Woo Keun, Shahril Ishak(C)

Woodlands WellingtonHafez Mawasi (GK), Winston Yap, Kazuki Yoshino, (Syed Karim) Sahairi Ramri, Anaz Hadee, Luis Eduardo Hicks, (Guntur Djafri) Shahri Musa, Noor Ali (C), Asraf Rashid, Sazali Salleh, (Nigel Vanu) Rizawan Abdullah

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Geylang UnitedYazid Yasin (GK), Salim Rahim, Walid Lounis, Rastislav Belicak (C), Vasile Ghindaru, Kim Jae Hong, Adrian Dhanaraj, Syed Fadhil, (Hafiz Rahim) Itimi Dickson, (Yasir Hanap) Shah Hirul,
(Masrezwan Masturi) Peter Tomko

Balestier and Gombak triumphed

Balestier Khalsa and Gombak United have won their respective away matches against Young Lions and Albirex Niigata (S).

The Tigers achieved a 2-0 win with goals from Paul Cunningham and Rivaldo Costa. As for the Bulls, they defeated the White Swans 2-1 with goals from Chang Jo Yoon and Fazrul Nawaz. Akiya Wada scored the White Swans reply.

Young Lions
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Afiq Yunos, (Khalili D'cruz) Eddie Affendy Chang, Irwan Shah (C), Safuwan Baharudin, Luka Savic, Izzdin Shafiq, (Eugene Luo) Gabriel Quak, Seo Su Jong, Khairul Nizam, (Zulfahmi Arifin) Fadhil Noh

Balestier Khalsa
Ahmadulhaq Che Omar (GK), Paul Cunningham, Daniel Hammond (C), K Sathiaraj, Ishak Zainol, Kamal Nasir, (Nurhilmi Jasni) K Vikraman, Poh Yi Feng, (Goh Swee Swee) Andrew Tan, Vitor Borges, (K Sivaseshan) Rivaldo Costa

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Gombak United
Zakariah Nerani (GK), (Hamqaamal Shah) Jaslee Hatta (C), Bah Mamadou, Obadin Aikhena, Jeremy Chiang, Goran Subara, Ridhwan Jamaludin, Park Kang Jin, (Ruhaizad Ismail) Fazrul Nawaz, Chang Jo Yoon, (Shafuan Sutohmoh) Aloysius Yap

Shariff Abdul Samat depart to join Persibo Bojonegoro

Now ex-Home United defender Shariff Abdul Samat have depart the club as he join Persibo Bojonegoro in the Indonesian Super Liga for the upcoming 10/11 campaign.

It should come as no surprise as he has already been told by Home coach Paul Lee he has no future at the club.

It is also no loss to the Bishan club as the 26-year-old form have been quite poor for the last two seasons or so and any call to include him for the Lions have vanished with that as he continue to seek his first international cap.

Persibo Bojonegoro finished last season as runner-up in the Divisi Utama (Division 1) to gain promotion into the Indonesian Super Liga

Shariff Abdul Samat have played for Sembawang Rangers, Young Lions, Tampines Rovers and Home United.

S-league Preview

Last Preview - 4 right with 1 perfect score and 3 wrong

Young Lions vs Balestier Khalsa
The Tigers is in a rut before the YOG break - although they handed the former Champions a drubbing - and it must have come at the right time for them. They, especially key member Rivaldo, are now well-rested while on the other hand, key members of the Young Lions side went on a training stint with the National team at Serbia. Will the Young Lions focus be a little off. I think so. 2-1 to Balestier Khalsa

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Gombak United
This should be part of the squeal to Draw the name of the game. Cannot see either winning this one or even scoring a goal. The less I talk about this game, the better as it pain me to see a side like Gombak United; that have the potential to play football but refused to play it by choosing to grind out goalless draw. 0-0 draw.

Woodlands Wellington vs Home United
This is an easy one. The Protectors will walk with all 3 points but the Rams will count themselves lucky, the Bishan team have bigger fish to fry thus is unlikely to go all out and hand the Rams the thrashing they may fear. 3-0 to Home United

Etoile FC vs Geylang United
This is a tough one for the French before their all-important match against Home United in a few days time. The Eagles play the type of game they hate most. They packed their backline with a 'bus' and refused to come out to play football even when they have the ball. They also do anything, like hacking the legs of their rivals, in trying to stop them from playing. It cannot be a worse time for the French to play the Eagles as they will have to spend much effort to break the Bedok team down and yet they have to keep themselves fresh for Home United. However, if Etoile desired to be champions then there no better time for them to show it. 1-0 to Etoile FC

Beijing Gouan (S) vs Tampines Rovers
The Stags can still afford to drop at this stage but surely, they will not drop it against the Chinese side. With the match being a LIVE telecast, it has been move to Jalan Besar and this mean one of the strength of the Chinese side have already been eliminated. The Chinese have shown they have adapted better at the mud pitch at Yishun and as a result, they have won a series of matches including a win against Stags main challenger, Etoile FC. That why the Stags must take full advantage as they have the personals to win this match. 3-0 to Tampines Rovers

SAFFC vs Sengkang Punggol
The former champions are in such bad shape, I do not dare to back even when they are up against a side like Sengkang Punggol. Still, it will be the first time, the Warriors play at their real home, Choa Chu Kang, since May and they must want to celebrate it in style by winning their 'opening' match. After all, it is Sengkang Punggol we are talking about. 2-1 to SAFFC

Home United vs Etoile FC
Frankly, I do not really know who to back as they are equally strong and both teams are capable of winning this encounter. It may be down to a mistake to decide a match like this one. But at least, there is a chance for fans to catch a potentially thrilling encounter. If it is anything like the 3-3 draw at Clementi earlier in the season, then at least I can console myself for such a result will surely mean the end of Home United title hopes. 3-3 draw, it is for me.

Tampines Rovers vs Young Lions
The Stags will know the result of their rivals squareup by this match and the best scenario, for the Stags, is both have knocked each other title hopes by playing out a draw. Regardless of what have happen, the Stags must take advantage as at least one of their main rival have slip up and it is time to kill off that rival fading title hopes. The Cubs are beatable and they have the personals and experience. 3-1 to Tampines Rovers.

Gombak United vs SAFFC
The Bulls should be favour as they have a longer period to recapture their strength thus they should take this match by it horns. However, this is the non-scoring and boring Bulls we are talking about. They cannot score to save their skin and I fear this become a bore fest as the Warriors will be too tired to entertain us. 0-0 draw

Lions Serbia Training Tour Results

Friendly 1
Singapore 0-1 Serbian XI

Friendly 2
Singapore 0-1 FK Vojvodina Novi-Sad (Div1)

Friendly 3
Singapore 2-2 FK Jagodina (Div1)

Little Cubs YOG results

Group Stage
Singapore U15 3-1 Zimbabwe U15
Singapore U15 3-2 Montenegro U15

Semi-Final
Singapore U15 0-2 Haiti U15

Bronze medal match
Singapore U15 4-1 Montenegro U15

Ivica Raguz, Jure Ere, Velimir Crljen - The Triumvirate

Ivica Raguz

Nationality: Croatian 

Club: SAFFC (1996-1997) Woodlands Wellington (1999-2000)

Position: Midfielder 

Honours
S-league: 1996 Pioneer Series, 1997
Singapore Cup: 1997
FA Cup: 1997
Player of the Year: 1996

Jure Ere

Nationality: Croatian 

Club: SAFFC (1996-1998) Sembawang Rangers (1999)

Position: Forward 

Honours
S-league: 1996 Pioneer Series, 1997, 1998
Singapore Cup: 1997
FA Cup: 1997
Top Scorer: 1996, 1997 

Velimir Crljen

Nationality: Croatian

Club: SAFFC (1996-1998)

Position: Midfielder 

Honours
S-league: 1996 Pioneer Series, 1997, 1998
Singapore Cup: 1997
FA Cup: 1997

Players History

The Warriors domination of the S-league can be attributed to many factors and one of them is their choice of foreign players.

While the likes of Police FC, Woodlands Wellington and Tampines Rovers had their terrible experience with their Brazilians, British and Romanians experiment, the Warriors got it right with their Croatians triumvirate from the word go.

The best football played in the S-league debut year was in the Pioneer Series and the triumvirate from SAFFC had played a significant part.

With Velimir Crljen and Ivica Raguz in midfield and Jure Eres upfront in attack, the Warriors were unstoppable and a joy to watch for any fans. It was always one touch football along with relentless movement and the rest of the league just had no answer to such scintillating football.

One of the memorable goals that showcase their rule over domestic football scene came in the matchup against Geylang United at the National Stadium with the three, aided by another two Croatians, passing the ball around the Eagles midfield and defence - which was jam-packed with Singaporean and Iranian internationals - as though they were not there before Eres finally shot (or should I say pass) it into the net with the entire opposition team and spectators totally dumb-struck by the number of passes they conducted among themselves.

With such showcase of their enormous talents, it was no wonder then that SAFFC will go onto capture the Pioneer Series title easily as well as not losing a single match in the process.

Jure Eres also notched the Top Scorer Award with 21 goals coming from 28 matches but without the bullets supplied by Crljen and Raguz, he will have never done it.

It was a triumvirate and without one or two of the other, the partnership was never going to be a success.

After all, it cannot be described as a coincidence that all three were nominated for the Player of the Year Award – which Raguz will go on to deservedly win it.

However, they were hit with bad news when before the Grand Final, Jure Eres was injured and while the forward did finally make it to the match, he was not fit enough to play a significant part, especially after he re-injured himself again, on the pitch.

Crljen and Raguz were still there to provide the flair and bullets but there were just nobody there to apply the finishing touch to all their hard work.

They could only watch as Geylang United won the first S-league title.

The triumvirate will have to make up for it in the next season and were they in a rush to do that as they trampled on all oppositions in the 1997 season.

Up until the title race was decided, the Warriors had not lost a single game and they were head and tail above all the opposition in Singapore with the newly-crowned League champions also snatching the League Cup – renamed the Singapore Cup – and FA Cup.

It was then no surprise when Eres won the Top Scorer Award again although this time, neither of the trio won the Player of the Year Award even as they were nominated again.

Still, they will not be considered legend if they did not spread their name and fame beyond our shore as in the, now defunct, Cup Winners’ Cup, the triumvirate will display their class again as they aided the Warriors in crushing Hong Kong Side Instant Dict.

At that point in history, the Hong Kong League had always been held in the belief they were a better league with the better clubs and players than ASEAN ones as they had the history and financial backing but even they were wooed by the wizardry of the triumvirate.

The Hong Kong supporters and media lauded the performance of the triumvirate; especially Raguz whom they claimed was the best player they have seem in a decade thus asking the question why Raguz did not win his second Player of the Year Award.

It was after all quite an achievement as the Hong Kong League, at that point, had the pick of the players from more famous region of Europe and Asia.

Now at their peak, history will show the way is down and this was the case as Raguz was lured to the Hong Kong League by a package that can be described as enormous while Eres was surprisingly released by the Warriors.

Only Crljen was left and he was always considered the most junior member of the triumvirate but now, he started to showcase his own talent as he spearheaded the Warriors challenge in 1998.

One of the most memorable moments of that season was a goal scored by Crijen that curled in straight from the corner he took.

That was just a small showcase of the ability he possessed but he needed help and the Warriors will give it to him as they restore part of the triumvirate at the club with Jure Eres hired again after the club unable to find a reliable goal source to successfully replace their two-time Top Scorer.

The duo act was never as deadly as the triumvirate but it was enough to clinch the Warriors their second league title in succession.

However, signs were there that the era of the triumvirate was over when the Warriors was crushed in the FA Cup semi-final and then the Singapore Cup Final by Tanjong Pagar United.

Crljen was gone the next season while Jure struggled for one more season (OK, a few more games) with Sembawang Rangers. Even the great Ivan Raguz, who returns in late 1999 with Woodlands Wellington, was unable to rebuild the past.

Their rule were brief but anybody fortunate enough to see the abilities of the triumvirate will be astonish to see what they can do with the ball at their feet and that why, there may never be another triumvirate like them for the Warriors or any other clubs.

Millennial Thang Long-Hanoi Cup dates

The Millennial Thang Long-Hanoi Cup, which was to have been known as Ho Chi Minh Cup, dates are set.

The competition is to run from September 28 to October 2 and to be held at the Thong Nhat stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.

The teams are now the Olympic teams of Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

Singapore U23 vs Maldives U23 Results

Singapore U23 Friendly 1
Maldives U23 1-0 Singapore U23

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Singapore U23 Friendly 2
Maldives U23 0-2 Singapore U23

Scorer - OG, Fazli Ayob

Persija Jakarta release both Baihakki and Fahrudin

Jakarta Globe has reported ISL side Persija Jakarta have undergone a major revamp and the result is both Mustafic Fahrudin and Baihakki Khaizan will lose their place with the team.

The Indonesian club have already sign 4 foreigners, including Precious Emuerejaye, and both of the Asian slots are filled as the club have also secured the services of Hong Kong international Julius Akosah.

Both Fahrudin and Baihakki join the Jakarta club in the 2009/2010 campaign but could not help the club finish better than fifth place.

Thai defeat Lions

A first half strike by Thailand striker, Sarayoot Chaikamdee was enough to see off a determined Singapore team 1-0 in an international friendly match played at the Yamaha Stadium in Bangkok.

On 29 minutes, a neat passing move by the Thai midfield eventually sent the ball to the way of Sarayoot, who still had plenty to do.

The Thai Port striker managed to shake off the attentions of defender Safuwan Baharudin to unleash a fierce strike from the edge of the penalty area, leaving goal keeper Hassan Sunny with no chance.

The Lions started of the stronger of the two teams with Khairul Amri in particular outstanding with his penetrative runs.

As early as the 5th minute, Amri burst into the penalty area and was brought down illegally but the referee failed to point to the spot.

He had another chance to draw first blood for the Lions but instead of pulling the trigger, he decided to pass and the opportunity was lost.

The Lions dominated the rest of the half but were unable to draw level. The second half was a more even affair as the Thais defended in numbers and relied on their dangerous counter attacks but neither team were able to add to the scoresheet .

“This was a game of two different halves. In the first half we played very well, creating numerous chances, dominating the game and passing the ball well," coach Radojko Avramovic said after the game.

“In the second half, Thailand sat back and defended, trying to score through their counter attacks. Instead of passing the ball, we kept running with the ball and never were able create chances.

“But generally we played well and I am looking forward to bringing the players to Serbia. This will be a good opportunity to see all the players together as they try to build an understanding and shape together,” said Avramovic.

Avramovic was pleased with contributions from his team, especially central defender Safuwan Baharudin.

“He played well today. It was not easy playing against a team like Thailand but I am happy with his performance, especially as it rained before the game and pitch was slippery.”

International Friendly

Thailand 1-0 Singapore

Singapore: Hassan Sunny (GK), Shi Jiayi, Safuwan Baharudin, Baihakki Khaizan (Afiq Yunos), Irwan Shah (Daniel Bennett), Khairul Amri (Masrezwan Masturi), Hariss Harun, Fahrudin Mustafic (Shadan Sulaiman), Fazrul Nawaz (John Wilkinson), Aleksandar Duric (Agu Casmir), Shahril Ishak (C)

Meet the YOG boys

Meet the YOG boys

YOG squad

Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games

Name	Position	School
FASHAH ISKANDAR	Goalkeeper	S'pore Sports School
AMIRUL ISKANDAR	Midfielder	S'pore Sports School
SYAZWAN RADHI	Defender	S'pore Sports School
JEFFREY LIGHTFOOT	Defender	Victoria School
AMMIRUL EMMRAN	Midfielder	Hong Kah Sec
BRANDON KOH	Midfielder	S'pore Sports School
HANAFI AKBAR	Midfielder	S'pore Sports School
SYAZWAN ZIN	Forward	Greenview Sec
SUNNY NG	Midfielder	St Gabriel's Sec
JONATHAN TAN	Midfielder	Tanjong Katong Sec
ILLYAS LEE	Defender	S'pore Sports School
HAMZAH FAZIL	Goalkeeper	Hong Kah Sec
DHUKHILAN JEEVAMANI	Defender	Punggol Sec
MUHAIMIN SUHAIMI	Forward	S'pore Sports School
IRFAN ASYRAF	Defender	S'pore Sports School
BRYAN NEUBRONNER	Midfielder	SJI International
FIRDAUS SHAM	Defender	Hong Kah Sec
HAZIM FAIZ	Forward	S'pore Sports School

Noh linked with a stay with Arema Malang (Edited)

Indonesian and ASEAN football blog Jakarta Casual has reported Singapore forward Noh Alam Shah is staying with the Indonesian Champions Arema Malang.

However, take note that my header is linked and not signed as confirmed.

It is not because I do not trust the blog - Jakarta Casual - but because like my previous post - Noh Alam Shah linked with Indonesian Cup champions - about Noh movement, when every Indonesian media network put the Sriwijaya move as 100% confirmed, I know the transfer scene in Indonesia is rarely confirmed until the ink is on the dotted line (and even then, it may not be confirmed and we have to wait for the season to start)

After all, remember Duric 'confirmed' transfer or even the many transfer stories (which I was 'lazy' to document) during that crazy September period that tell us Khariul Amri or Shaiful Esah etc is confirmed going

But, if Noh do make this move and signs an extension to his contract, one can only hoped he has worked out the financial side of this new deal; unlike the previous one.

What could have tempted Noh so much?

Who know for maybe Arema Malang promised much like giving him all his unpaid salary and bonus.

Certainly not everybody trust the dealing and wheeling of Indonesian football as even before the current batch, there were the likes of Dickson and Ahmad Latiff and they were not welly rewarded for their moves.

Dickson is even willing to stay with an Eagles team that is financial-stable - but certainly not cash-rich like the Big 3 - instead of seeking the so-called richly move back to Indonesian football.

This is no surprise as he was seeking a way back as early as one year after moving there because the clubs that promised much did not end up giving him what they promised.

However, former Arema Malang coach Roberts Alberts did noticed Noh still think with his heart.

Eagles make move to secure fourth spot (Edited)

With their rivals, like SAFFC who lost 0-2 to Balestier Khalsa, dropping points, Geylang United have started a move to secure fourth spot.

They thrashed Beijing Gouan (S) 3-0 at the Bedok Stadium.

This allowed the Eagles, who have won 8 of the last 12 points, to move 4 points clear of nearest rival Gombak United.

Masrezwan Masturi, Peter Tomko and Rastislav Belicak scored for the Bedok side.

As for former champions, SAFFC, they went down to their fourth straight defeat with Balestier Khalsa taking all 3 points thanks to an own goal and a header from Brazilian Vitor Borges.

The Warriors compounded matter when Uruguayan flop Federico Martinez missed a penalty ending what little hopes they have of getting a point back.

In the last game of the league before it break for YOG, Sengkang Punggol defeated Woodlands Wellington 1-0 at the Woodlands Stadium.

Jordan Webb must have score the goal that condemn the Rams to bottom place this season as the Dolphins are now 8 points clear of the bottom-dweller and one cannot see how they can collect even a single point, let alone 9 points.

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C),
Ivan Lovric, (Razaleigh Khalik) Hafiz Osman, Daniel Bennett, Ivan Jerkovic, Ahmad Latiff, John Wilkinson, Noh Rahman, (Mustaqim Manzur) Ruzaini Zainal, (Erwan Gunawan) Taisuke Akiyoshi, Federico Martinez

Balestier Khalsa

Ahmadulhaq Che Omar (GK), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Paul Cunningham, Daniel Hammond (C), (K Sathiaraj) Mushthafa Kamal, Ishak Zainol, Kamal Nasir, (K Vikraman) Poh Yi Feng, Andrew Tan, Vitor Borges, (Syaqir Sulaiman) Rivaldo Costa

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Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK), Salim Rahim, Walid Lounis, Rastislav Belicak (C), Vasile Ghindaru, Kim Jae Hong, Adrian Dhanaraj, Syed Fadhil, (Hafiz Rahim) Itimi Dickson, (Yasir Hanap)
Masrezwan Masturi, (Fazly Hasan) Peter Tomko

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Woodlands Wellington
Hafez Mawasi (GK), Winston Yap, Kazuki Yoshino, (Syed Karim) Sahairi Ramri, Anaz Hadee, Azlan Alipah, (Guntur Djafri) Shahri Musa, Noor Ali (C), Sazali Salleh, Abdelhadi Laakkad, (Nigel Vanu) Rizawan Abdullah

Sengkang Punggol
Fadhil Salim (GK), Ratna Suffian, Lau Meng Meng, Kenji Arai, Nor Azli Yusoff (C), Faizal Amir, Jordan Webb,
Duncan Elias, (Azfar Zainal Abidin) Sobrie Mazelan, (Jala) Mojtaba Tehranizadeh, Mamadou Diallo

Singapore U23 depart on National Day to play Maldives U23

FAS has announced the Singapore Under-23 team will be leaving on Monday 9 August for Male to play two friendly games against their Maldives counterparts on 11 and 13 August.

With national team coach Radojko Avramovic leading the senior team in their upcoming training tours in Thailand and Serbia, Young Lions coach V. Sundram Moorthy will be guiding the Singapore Under-23 team when they face Maldives Under-23 as they prepare for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China this November.

The team will be travelling without seven Under-23 players who were called up to the senior squad earlier this week, paving the way for the likes of Siddiq Durimi, Syazwan Buhari, Fazly Hasan for their first call up to the Under-23 team.

Match Details

Maldives v Singapore

Date: 11 August 2010 (Wednesday)

Time: 10.00pm (local time)

Venue: Male National Stadium

Maldives v Singapore

Date: 13 August 2010 (Friday)

Time: 10.00pm (local time)

Venue: Male National Stadium

Maldives is 3 hours behind Singapore.

Singapore U23 Squad

NAME	CLUB	POSITION
Siddiq Durimi	Geylang United	Goalkeeper
Syazwan Buhari	NFA Under -18	Goalkeeper
Shahir Hamzah	Sengkang Punggol	Defender
Shakir Hamzah	NFA Under -18	Defender
Madhu Mohana	Young Lions	Defender
Eddie Affendy Chang	Young Lions	Defender
Nazrul Ahmad Nazari	Young Lions	Midfielder
Quak Jun Yi	Young Lions	Midfielder
Hafiz Abu Sujad	Young Lions	Midfielder
Faritz Abdul Hameed	Young Lions	Midfielder
Fazly Hasan	Geylang United	Midfielder
Yasir Hanapi	Geylang United	Midfielder
Syafiq Zainal	Balestier Khalsa	Midfielder
Rizawan Abdullah	Woodlands Wellington	Forward
Khalili D'cruz	Young Lions	Forward
Khairul Nizam	Young Lions	Forward
Fazli Ayob	Young Lions	Forward
Fadhil Noh	Young Lions	Forward
Eugene Luo	Young Lions	Forward

Noh reject Sriwijaya

Despite many reports from Indonesia claiming Noh Alam Shah is already a Sriwijaya player next season, it has emerged the Singapore international have rejected the offer from the Palembang club.

Is this a smart move with the Indonesian Super Liga set to start in two month time?

I think so if the reason are for the right ones and not those that claimed Noh is refusing to move without certain players or dislike living in Palembang etc.

I would say Sriwijaya is more an Indonesia equivalent of a Gombak than SAFFC and that mean the long-term security the 29-year-old is looking for when he depart Arema Malang is still lacking.

Former Uzbekistan forward Pavel Solomin had score the winning goal while Precious play a significant part in the Indonesian Cup Final but at this moment in time, reports indicate they have yet to sign an extension.

It is clear Sriwijaya cannot offer term on a long term basis as their budget is not stable from year to year as they did run into trouble early in the year when salaries were not paid before the regional government gave them a 'loan'.

That when Solomin came into the picture as he was recruited then thus as Sriwijaya work on their next budget they are without knowledge on what the next, next budget should be.

Noh is going to be 30 soon thus he need to make a move to a club that will really set him up for the next few years and not keep have worry over the next contract even when he play well.

Valle : The way Rams is playing is not helping S-league

Despite a 2-0 victory over bottom-dewller Woodlands Wellington, Etoile FC Patrick Vallee expressed his disappointment with the way the Rams is approaching the game is not helping the S-league brand.

In what is a robust contest, the Rams, being the inferior team, had retort to rough challenges to stop the current championship challenger and the French coach was unhappy about that.

He believed it lead to a negative attitude about the S-league with Woodlands Wellington refusing to let them play any sort of football.

In a way, I cannot disagree with Vallee as this season I have seem too many contest where teams are refusing to play football and it is tough to watch such matches; especially for those who are neutral and rarely go to matches.

That why even although the fight for fourth place is close, it has not been a great contest to watch those teams play.

I once say only the S-league Big 3 along Gombak United can play football among the local clubs but this season the Bulls have fall off that list and negative football have taken hold in the S-league as results take increasing importance.

That is a problem worse than inferior foreigner recruit by the clubs as it mean I worry about the Lions outside of the Big 3 who are being hindered by the negative style especially if they are the forward line.

Karim Boudjema and Anthony Moulin had score for the French side

Woodlands Wellington
Fajar Sarib (GK), Winston Yap, Kazuki Yoshino, Sahairi Ramri, Anaz Hadee, Luis Eduardo Hicks, (Guntur Djafri) Shahri Musa, (Asraf Rashid) Noor Ali (C), Sazali Salleh, Abdelhadi Laakkad, (Nigel Vanu) Rizawan Abdullah

Draw the name of the game - Part 2

When Gombak United and Geylang United play, there is similar feel about them and it is not because they both have United as part of their name.

Once again, their games ended in draw with Geylang United drawing 2-2 with the Young Lions while Gombak United play out a 0-0 with Sengkang Punggol.

Will be waiting for the day when these two clubs pick up the courage to take risk and go out to win games.

Hope it will be before all my hair turn white as watching them now is making my hair grow white.

Kim Jae Hong and Yasir Hanapi score the Eagles before an own goal and Cubs forward Khairul Nizam drew the Jalan Besar side level.

Young Lions
Izwan Mahbud (GK),
Afiq Yunos, Irwan Shah, (Luka Savic) Safuwan Baharudin, (Khairul Nizam) Fazli Ayob, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Faritz Abdul Hameed, (Gabriel Quak) Zulfahmi Arifin, Hariss Harun (C), Seo Su Jong, Khalili D'cruz

Geylang United
Siddiq Durimi (GK), Salim Rahim, Walid Lounis, Jonathan Xu, Vasile Ghindaru, Kim Jae Hong, Adrian Dhanaraj, (Fabian Kwok) Yasir Hanap, (Hassan Aziz) Syed Fadhil (C), Shah Hirul, Hafiz Rahim,
(Masrezwan Masturi) Peter Tomko

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Sengkang Punggol
Fadhil Salim (GK), Shahir Hamzah, Ratna Suffian, Lau Meng Meng, Kenji Arai (C), (Sobrie Mazelan) Farizal Basri, Jordan Webb, Faizal Amir, Duncan Elias, (R Sivaneswaran)
Mojtaba Tehranizadeh, (Zul Nor Farahin) Mamadou Diallo

Gombak United
Zakariah Nerani (GK), (Hamqaamal Shah) Jaslee Hatta (C), Bah Mamadou, Obadin Aikhena, Jeremy Chiang, Goran Subara, Ridhwan Jamaludin, Agu Casmir, (Zulkiffli Hassim) Park Kang Jin, Fazrul Nawaz, (Ruhaizad Ismail) Chang Jo Yoon

It is the AFF Suzuki Cup again

ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) have stated on their website announcing Japanese car giant Suzuki Motor Corporation have renewed its title sponsorship of the AFF Suzuki Cup for 2010.

The AFF Suzuki Cup is Southeast Asia’s biggest football event and ratings leader. This year’s competition, featuring the region’s top eight teams, will be co-hosted by Indonesia and Vietnam from December 1st to 29th.

Suzuki has been a title-sponsor of the AFF Cup since 2008.

Singapore set to play Hong Kong

News have broken out from Hong Kong that Singapore is set to play Hong Kong next year over two legs - home and away.

One of the dates has been set for February 9th with the other date still in discussion.

Singapore last played Hong Kong back in 2004 in the Tiger International Festival hosted in Singapore. The match ended 0-0.

Singapore Squad announced for Thailand friendly and Serbia Training Tour

National Coach Radojko Avramovic has named his 22-strong squad for next Wednesday’s friendly international against Thailand in Bangkok and the upcoming training tour of Serbia.

International Friendly

Thailand v Singapore
Wednesday 11 August, 6.00pm (local time)
Yamaha Stadium
Bangkok, Thailand

Serbia Training Tour
14 to 27 August

Serbia XI v Singapore
Wednesday 18 August, 5.30pm (all times local)

FK Vojvodina Novi Sad v Singapore
Monday 23 August 5.30pm

FK Jagodina vs Singapore
Wednesday 25 August 5.00pm

Singapore Squad

NAME	CLUB	CAPS	GOALS
Hassan Sunny	Tampines Rovers	27	0
Shahril Jantan	SAFFC	8	0
Izwan Mahbud	Young Lions	0	0
Daniel Bennett	SAFFC	92	6
Baihakki Khaizan	Persija (Indonesia)	72	2
Afiq Yunos	Young Lions	1	0
Irwan Shah	Young Lions	2	0
Safuwan Baharudin	Young Lions	2	0
John Wilkinson	SAFFC	29	4
Fahrudin Mustafic	Persija (Indonesia)	50	6
Hariss Harun	Young Lions	15	0
Zulfahmi Arifin	Young Lions	0	0
Isa Halim	Home United	28	0
Shahril Ishak	Home United	78	5
Shahdan Sulaiman	Home United	0	0
Shi Jiayi	Home United	45	1
Tengku Mushadad	Home United	9	0
Masrezwan Masturi	Geylang United	19	2
Fazrul Nawaz	Gombak United	39	3
Agu Casmir	Gombak United	32	12
Khairul Amri	Tampines Rovers	61	9
Aleksandar Duric	Tampines Rovers	26	11