Thursday, March 31, 2011

Transfer - March

Transfer - February
Transfer - January
Transfer - December
Transfer - November

Jaguars get experience

Tanjong Pagar United have finally backed down and have proceed to get some experience into their team.

The Clementi club have moved to sign midfielder Azlan Alipah, who is 33 year-old.

Coming so soon after skipper Kim Seong Kyu broke down after yet another defeat, the midfielder is expected to get the captaincy.

Let be honest, Kim may one day indeed be captain material but he is not ready yet.

The Korean is as raw as his teammates, even with two years of playing in the S-league under his belt, and cannot lead the team.

So it is a case of better late than never and Kim should be 'pleased' by this transfer.

Home de-register keeper

Home United has move to de-register keeper Siddiq Durimi, according to the local media.

This is due to the fact the player has not gone to training for three weeks now even after club officials had make a call to his home.

According to Home team manager S. Mahalingam, the 22-year-old was unwilling to reveal the reason why he is not attending training and refused to confirm if he will make it to future training sessions.

Therefore, it leave the club no choice but to release him.

The media though reported the player could be in financial troubles as last season, his former club, Geylang United, had received a fax from a credit company asking the club to hand over his monthly salary to them.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Lions drawn to meet Malaysia or Chinese Taipei

FIFA World Cup Brazil – Asian Qualifiers

Round 1
Malaysia v Chinese Taipei
Bangladesh v Pakistan
Cambodia v Laos
Sri Lanka v Philippines
Afghanistan v Palestine
Vietnam v Macau
Nepal v Timor Leste
Mongolia v Myanmar

First leg, June 29
Second leg, July 3


Round 2
Thailand v Afghanistan or Palestine
Lebanon v Bangladesh or Pakistan
China v Cambodia or Laos
Turkmenistan v Indonesia
Kuwait v Sri Lanka or Philippines
Oman v Mongolia or Myanmar
Saudi Arabia v Hong Kong
Iran v Maldives
Syria v Tajikistan 
Qatar v Vietnam or Maca
Iraq v Yemen
Singapore vs Malaysia or Chinese Taipei
Uzbekistan v Kyrgyzstan
UAE v India
Jordan v Nepal or Timor Leste


First leg, July 23
Second leg, July 28

S.League All Stars Announced

The S.League All Stars side to face the TAKE ACTION With Albirex Niigata Selection in the S.League Cares, TAKE ACTION With Albirex Niigata Singapore Charity Match at Jalan Besar Stadium this Saturday, 02 April has been officially announced.

The S.League All Stars are coached by three-time S.League Coach of the Year, Richard Bok of SAFFC.

Bok is assisted by another Singapore football stalwart, S.Subramani of Home United.

Courts Young Lions skipper Hariss Harun will lead the All Stars for the first half with Balestier Khalsa’s Paul Cunningham wearing the captain’s armband for the second half.

All proceeds raised from the Charity Match will directly support the Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.

Football fans who attend the Charity Match can also contribute through donation boxes which will be placed around the stadium.

“We really hope that many, many people are coming down for the match,” said Bok.

“The S.League Cares, TAKE ACTION Foundation and Albirex Niigata Singapore have come together to raise funds for the people of Japan, so I hope to see a full stadium on Saturday.”

Four players from Bok’s SAFFC side make the squad, with goalkeeper Shahril Jantan, defender Shaiful Esah, midfielder Mustaqim Manzur and forward Fazrul Nawaz in the list of 22.

Meanwhile S.League champions Etoile are also represented by four players: defender Sirina Camara, midfielders Hicham Bounchem and Maxime Belouet and forward Jonathan Totoi.

The S.League All Stars team is:

Goalkeepers: Shahril Jantan (SAFFC), Izwan Mahbud (Courts Young Lions)

Defenders: Paul Cunningham (Balestier Khalsa), Afiq Yunos (Courts Young Lions), Sirina Camara (Etoile), Obadin Aikhena (Gombak United), Walid Lounis (Gombak United), Jeremy Chiang (Gombak United), Emmeric Ong (Hougang United), Shaiful Esah (SAFFC)

Midfielders: Armanizam Dolah (Balestier Khalsa), K Vikraman (Balestier Khalsa), Hariss Harun (Courts Young Lions), Hicham Bounchem (Etoile), Maxime Belouet (Etoile) Carlos Alberto Delgado (Hougang United), Fazli Jaffar (Hougang United), Jordan Webb (Hougang United), Mustaqim Manzur (SAFFC)

Forwards: Vitor Borges De Souza (Balestier Khalsa), Jonathan Totoi (Etoile), Fazrul Nawaz (SAFFC)


Tickets priced at $12 (Grandstand) and $6 (Gallery) for the S.League Cares, Take Action With Albirex Niigata Singapore Charity Match will go on sale from Friday, 01 April at the Albirex Niigata Singapore office at Jurong East Stadium and the FAS office at Jalan Besar Stadium.

For more information on the limited number of $200 VIP tickets for the Charity Match, please contact Muhammad Andi Mirza of the FAS at 68803150.

Match Details


S.League All Stars vs TAKE ACTION with Albirex Niigata Singapore Selection
Date: Saturday, 02 April 2011
Time: 5.00pm
Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium

Ticketing Information

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, 01 April 2011.

Where: Albirex Niigata (Singapore) office
21 Jurong East St 31
#04-04 Jurong East Sports Complex S 609517
Tel: +65 6334 0511
Fax: +65 6334 0510

Where: Football Association of Singapore office
100 Tyrwhitt Road
Jalan Besar Stadium S 207542
Tel: +65 6293 1477
Fax: +65 6293 3728

Monday, March 28, 2011

S-league Preview VII


S-league Preview VI - 2 right and 4 wrong

Mon 28-Mar Gombak United - SAFFC (JWS)
Tue 29-Mar Hougang United - Balestier Khalsa (HGG)
Wed 30-Mar Albirex Niigata (S) - Geylang United (JES)
Thu 31-Mar Woodlands Wellington - Etoile FC (WLD)
Thu 31-Mar TPUFC - Courts Young Lions (CMT)
Fri 1-Apr Tampines Rovers - Home United (JBS) 

Gombak United vs SAFFC
The Warriors will face the Bulls without their top scorer and that is a big hurdle for let be honest, the Bulls do not concede many. Will the Bulls take advantage? I am not convinced as called me a septic but until now I cannot see the Bulls taking risks to win matches. All their wins have come with goals from set-piece and if the Warriors backline are focused, they can stop the Bulls attack. As for scoring maybe it is Farzul time to show us he can be the striker to lead both nation and club frontline (OK, I am asking for too much). 0-0 draw 

Hougang United vs Balestier Khalsa
The Cheetahs have an envy record outside the Big 3 and Etoile. They can score goals with only the White Swans scoring more than them and 10 of those goals come in two matches while the Cheetahs score in more matches. The problem is the Hougang side concede more than anybody else bar the Jaguars. I say goals win matches but scoring once and then conceding two mean you still lose. They need to find a balance. 2-1 to the Tigers

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Geylang United 
The real test for both sides. Last week win was great for the Eagles but they need to show they can maintain that and frankly the White Swans are beatable by their standard. As for the Japanese, they have yet to beat anybody other than the 'youth' sides. So both sides will have the chance to showcase they are deserving of the 'champions of the rest' with the top 4 surely out of their reach. 2-1 to the Eagles

Woodlands Wellington vs Etoile FC
I do not want to sound cruel but it will be another crushing defeat for the Rams. Singapore Pools may even open an account on when the Rams can score as they are really no threat to opposition defence. It is dark days for the Northern side but I will say, look at Balestier Khalsa for 5 years ago they were in that shoe and now they are a mid-table side. So build on your youths. 4-0 to the Stars

TPUFC vs Courts Young Lions
The A-team vs B-team. The Cubs cannot afford to lose this one as they are judged as the A-team (fairly or unfairly as the Jaguars have the luxury of 4 foreigners). Until Kharul Nizam is back, the Cubs are toothless in attack so they have to be tight here. For the Jaguars, it is their first home game so they will want to impress the Clementi fans they are a side worthy of supporting. 1-1 draw

Tampines Rovers vs Home United 
Match of the Week and which side will walk away from Jalan Besar with all three points. Both are undefeated as yet and at the end of the night, I believed it will still be the case. Both sides attack are the top two in the land and one cannot separate them. So even if one side take the lead, the other side can stage a comeback. And at this stage of the season, both sides do not have to go out with an all-out-attack as it is not worth the risks of being caught out at the other end. A scoring (and hopefully exciting) draw. 2-2 draw

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Where's Teo


Another report about the bloodthirsty (or is it moneythirsty) SCC - Braced for a double blow

So like Where's Wally, where's Teo now?

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports Mr Teo Ser Luck spoke so 'bravely' in Parliament about the amount of money Singapore football have been given and now with the turth out that SSC (Under MCYS) is aiming for that money.

Why has he not spoken out?

He defended the Government position then and now, one wonder why SSC need that much money and he should be in a position to answer. (let hope it is not because SSC need $557 chairs as well)

Yet there is no sight of him and he is the front man to develop Singapore sport as he is also chairman of Singapore culture committee - which aim to develop a sport culture in Singapore - and he claimed he is 'doing that for Singapore football'. (I am having a laugh)

Surely fans have a right to an answer for you are willing to claim the glory of telling us there is money yet is unwilling to appear when it time to answer why the money is going back into your hand.

Where's Teo?

PR disaster by S-league

Saw this - Please don't make fun of fans..

The SAFFC-Tampines match show the potential for it was noted CCK stadium was a 'difficult' place to get to and it was a weekday yet the biggest crowd of the season came.

Nearly 40% more than Pele and Cantona can attract to the Young Lions-Geylang United which S-league had advertised so much on.

That is why I say before certain matches have their attractions and if FAS was willing to make posters - like those for Courts Young Lions - these teams can develop a bigger fanbase.

But not the top one as it was a PR disaster.

Home and Away have their turn

The Home teams of Etoile FC and Geylang United won their respective matches against their oppentents.

Etoile FC crushed Tanjong Pagar United 3-0 at the Queenstown Stadium with goals from Hicham Bouchemlal, Jonathan Toto and Nordine Talhi.

As for Geylang United, they defeated Hougang United by coming from a goal down to win it 2-1 at Bedok Stadium.

Korean midfielder Kim Jae Hong got both goals while Jordan Webb scored for the Cheetahs.

After that, it was the away teams turn to achieve victory over their foes as away sides Tampines Rovers and Gombak United won their matches.

Tampines Rovers defeated SAFFC 1-0 at Choa Chu Kang Stadium thanks to a goal. The Warriors also lost their topscorer who got a controversial red card as his tackle at best warrant a yellow.

But the Warriors will be pleased to know their encounter attracted the biggest crowd of the season at 3008 despite talks their stadium was a 'difficult' place to get to and it was a weekday.

It also show as I say before certain matches have their attractions and if FAS was willing to make posters - like those for Courts Young Lions - these teams can develop a bigger fanbase.

In the other match, Gombak United was the designed away team as it was played at Jalan Besar as it was a LIVE match.

The Bulls defeated the Tigers 2-1 with goals from Chang Jo Yoon and an own goal. The Tigers goal came from K Vikraman.

TPUFC 
Ng Jia Fa (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Ganesan s/o Devadas (Shamil Sharif), Delwinder Singh, Kim Jong Oh, Hyun Jong Woon, Takaya Kawanabe, Nurizam Azman, Gary Loo, Abdul Rahman (Israel Tan), Patrick Paran

----------
Geylang United
Nazri Sabri (GK), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Adrian Dhanaraj, Jonathan Xu, Joo Ki Hwan, Syed Fadhil, Kim Jae Hong, Shah Hirul, Masrezwan Masturi (Yasir Hanapi), Jung Hee Bong, Hafiz Rahim

Hougang United
Ridzuan Fatah Hasan (GK), Shariff Samat (C), Fumiya Kobayashi (Azhar Sairudin), Ratna Suffian, Emmeric Ong, Syaqir Sulaiman, Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar, Duncan Elias (Basit Hamid), Carlos Delgado, Noor Ali (Mamadou Diallo)
---------- 

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah, Daniel Hammond, Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Ivan Jerkovic, Ruzaini Zainal (Mustaqim Manzur), Luka Savic, Mislav Karoglan, Erwan Gunawan (Rhysh Roshan Rai), Indra Sahdan (Fazrul Nawaz) 

Tampines Rovers
Hassan Sunny (GK), Seiji Kaneko, Benoit Croissant, Ahmad Latiff (Shukor Zailan), Akihiro Nakamura, Shahdan Sulaiman, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Aliff Shafaein (Jamil Ali), Park Yo Seb, Aleksandar Duric (C)
----------

Balestier Khalsa 
Joey Sim (GK), Lim Young Woo, Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Amirrul Kamal (Poh Yi Feng), Ishak Zainol, Armanizam Dolah, K Vikraman (Ridhwan Osman), Nurhilmi Jasni (Andrew Tan), Vitor Borges, Kim Young Kwang

Gombak United
Zakariah Nerani (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C), Hamqaamal Shah (Ruhaizad Ismail), Jeremy Chiang (Ismail Yunos), Obadin Aikhena, Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad, Ridhwan Jamaludin, Kwon Jin Sung (Zulkiffli Hassim), Chang Jo Yoon, Park Kang Jin

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Central Africa Republic (CAR) called up Etoile player for ANC Qualifier

Etoile FC Franklin Anzite has been called up by Central African Republic (CAR) for their African Cup of Nation qualifier against Tanzania on March 27.

The 25-year-old is one of 14 oversea players called up by the Central African side alongside 9 Home players.

Meeting of champions

The management of Etoile FC had confirmed that the team would be playing at Jalan Besar Stadium on 26 March 2011 against the reigning AFF Suzuki Cup Champion, Malaysia at 8pm. This match would be played after Courts Young Lions take on Albirex Niigata (S) FC at 5pm.

This game was hastily scheduled in view of the recent tsunami/earthquake that was faced by Japan on 11 March 2011. This charity game was also held in part due to what the Ultras had done when the Stars faced Albirex Niigata (S) earlier on. Led by Pierre of Etoile Ultras, donations were collected amongst the Ultras, including one that came from Mr Patrick Vallee (ex-coach of Etoile FC).

Tickets are available at Jalan Besar Stadium on matchday. Prices are $5 for adults and $1 for children.

Etoile name ambassador

According to Etoile blog, France international Sidney Govou have been named as the ambassador of the team.

He has a good record for France having scored 10 goals in 49 internationals. (Too bad he is not playing for Etoile FC and is only an ambassador of the team)

The 31-year-old is currently playing in the Greece League for Panathinaikos FC

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Japan Earthquake Disaster Fundraising match - Courts Young Lions vs Albirex Niigata (S)

H-TWO-O ULTIMATE GOAL CHALLENGE

Eagles go for two strikers

TNP has revealed Geylang United is going for two forwards to boast their attack which has yet to fly this season.

Since the departure of Peter Tomko in pre-season , the Bedok club have struggled to replace him but they believed they have found it now with K2 'Peter Crouch' Jung Hee-bong joining.

The Korean forward had impressed in his trials in Indonesia but could not joined the league there 'due to administrative problems' 

Other than the Korean, the Bedok club have also captured former old boy, Guntur Djafril, who was their Prime League top scorer in 2008.

Unfortunately, that was the high point of Guntur career thus far as the 25-year-old have failed to spark in his last two clubs - SAFFC and Woodlands Wellington - with him not having score a single goal for both of them.

Singapore is suited to raise children

Mustafic Fahruddin have revealed he is really coming back to Singapore and it is because of his children.

With his wife set to give birth to his second child, the Singapore international has decided his children needed to be raised in suitable environment and unfortunately, at this point, most part of Indonesia is not there yet.

Therefore, for the sake of his children, he has decided to return to Singapore as he believed this is the best place.

His determination is not in doubt as the 30-year-old has even rejected a US$400k (S$460k) deal to join Liga Premier Indonesia (LPI).

He has also given hints old home Tampines Rovers will be his preferred 'new' home as he has not sold his house in Simei.

Singapore Olympic is out

First Round

First leg (UAE)
Yemen U21 2-0 Singapore U21

Second leg (UAE)
Yemen U21 1-0 Singapore U21

Monday, March 21, 2011

S-league Preview VI


S-league Preview V - 5 right and 2 perfect score

Mon 21-Mar Woodlands Wellington - Tampines Rovers (WLD)
Tue 22-Mar Etoile FC - TPUFC (QTN)
Wed 23-Mar Geylang United - Hougang United (BDK)
Thu 24-Mar SAFFC - Tampines Rovers (CCK)
Fri 25-Mar Balestier Khalsa - Gombak United (JBS)
Sat 26-Mar Courts Young Lions - Albirex Niigata (S) (JBS)
Sun 27-Mar Home United vs Woodlands Wellington (BSN) 

Woodlands Wellington vs Tampines Rovers 
Let not beat about the bushes, the Rams are going to win it. OK, joke over. The Stags are to walk away with 3 points and a few goals to boast their goal difference while the Rams continue to search for their first goal of the season and their first in 8 matches since last season. That the best the Rams can hope for. 3-0 to the Stags. 

Etoile FC vs TPUFC
Another no-brainier, the Champions are going to walk away with 3 points and a few goals to boast their goal difference. The Jaguars can only hope to keep the goals conceded down. 4-0 to Etoile FC

Geylang United vs Hougang United
Here is a tougher one. Can the Eagles stop their slide? I am not sure. As mentioned before, goals win games and who is going to score the Eagles goals and frankly that is their problem now as their search for their fourth foreigner looked to be over. The transfer window is closing and nobody come close to their requirement so why did they let Peter Tomko depart. Now they are paying the price. 1-0 to Hougang United. 

SAFFC vs Tampines Rovers
Match of the week and frankly I wished the schedule was better for Tampines Rovers as they last played on Monday; which mean 2 matches in 4 days. They may take it if they have not been playing as many matches as they are doing now. Since the start of the season, the Stags have played 8 matches (including Monday match)  in a month and half and that is a hectic schedule for any team especially one that relies heavily on just their first 11 players. Did Duric felt it (the tiredness) when he miss those gilt-edge chances against Thai Champions in the AFC Cup. The Warriors should take advantage on their 'heavy' pitch (which will tired out their opponents even worse) as they have the forwards to kill off the Stags. 2-1 to the Warriors. 

Balestier Khalsa vs Gombak United
I am not convinced neither sides are that attacking minded despite their defence by their coaches that they do 'attack' (Like when?). It is a LIVE match so they have an obligation to showcase the best of the S-league and if they played their usual game plan, it is not doing justice to the S-league. That is all I will say. 1-1 draw

Courts Young Lions vs Albirex Niigata (S)
Will the Cubs feel the tiredness as they will have to travel back from Yemen just a few day earlier. They are young so they should take it. Even if they were (tired), I am not sure the White Swans can take advantage so a draw is a good outcome for both team. 1-1 draw

Home United vs Woodlands Wellington 
Same situation as Monday. The Rams should still be continuing to search for their first goal of the season (If I am not wrong) and in the meantime they will hope the Protectors do not slaughter them. That the best the Rams can hope for. 5-0 to the Home team

Rescheduled matches

The Rescheduled matches of Courts Young Lions
  • Courts Young Lions vs Albirex Niigata FC (Singapore) at Jalan Besar Stadium is now on March 26.
  • Courts Young Lions vs Gombak United at Jalan Besar Stadiumis now on April 23.

Title challengers march on

Three of the four title challengers who were in action in the S-league this week had won their respective matches.

Champions Etoile FC defeated Albirex Niggata (S) thanks to a goal from Maxime Belouet late in the game 
 
As for SAFFC and Home United, the Warriors defeated Balestier Khalsa 2-0 at the Toa Poyah Stadium thanks to Mislav Karoglan and Fazrul Nawaz while the Protectors crushed Tanjong Pagar United 6-0 with goals from Valery Hiek (2), Frederic Mendy (2), Asraf Rashid and Qiu Li.

Home United now lead the table with Tampines Rovers a point behind followed by both SAFFC and Etoile FC a further two points behind. 

Balestier Khalsa 
Joey Sim (GK), Lim Young Woo, Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Ishak Zaino, Armanizam Dolah, K Vikraman, Poh Yi Feng, Andrew Tan (Nurhilmi Jasni), Vitor Borges, Kim Young Kwang 

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Razaleigh Khalik, Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Ivan Jerkovic, Taisuke Akiyoshi (Hafiz Osman), Ruzaini Zainal (Shaiful Esah), Luka Savic, Mislav Karoglan, Erwan Gunawan, Indra Sahdan (Fazrul Nawaz)
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TPUFC
Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Delwinder Singh (Arisman Arman), Sudhershen Hariam (Patrick Paran), Justin Khiang, Kim Jong Oh, Hyun Jong Woon, Takaya Kawanabe, Gary Loo, Israel Tan (Benedict Low), Shamil Sharif 

Home United
Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan (Qiu Li), Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Nor Azli Yusoff, Isa Halim (Asraf Rashid), Firdaus Idros, Firdaus Kasman (Sherif El-Masri), Frederic Mendy

Friday, March 18, 2011

(MCYS) Teo Ser Luck want his million buck back

TODAYonline | Sports | S-League clubs worry over rental hikes

I knew it.

Now Parliament is over, the focus move to General Election (GE) so the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS)  under it Senior Parliamentary Secretary Teo Ser Luck is increasing, yes, the rental due to, yes again, market rate.

Remember in the Parliament debate, he claimed football is given increase in funding so now he want it all in his SSC coffer. (As MCYS he control SSC)

No doubt, he will tell us he will increase Subsidy.

But is the format 'flawed' as in my mind, this is the format

-----
Product: $10 Subsidy: 50% Cost: $5

After 'increase' in Subsidy to 75%

Same Product: $15 Subsidy: 75% Cost: $7.5
-----

He want his million bucks back as let be honest, he never wanted to give it away in the first place

Written a while again because I know SSC will increase it rental rates once it saw increase funding

Not the first time and not the last

MCYS Teo miss the point

The headline numbers do not matter if it is gobbled up by commercial rates

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Calisto: Trust Rady

Former Vietnam coach Henrique Calisto, in an interview with TNP,  has no doubts about the quality of Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic.

The 57-year-old Portuguese, who is now in charge of Thai champions Muangthong United, told The New Paper that the 61-year-old Serb is the best man to lead the Lions.

'In Vietnam, and in Singapore, a lot of people's mentality is that if you don't win, the coach is dead,' said Calisto.

'In a tournament, only one team wins. So does that mean that the other coaches are all stupid?'

Calisto pointed to Singapore's Suzuki Cup record of going 21 games unbeaten (19 under Avramovic) from 2002 to 2008 as a sign of the Serb's quality.


'Raddy is a good coach. Before him, Singapore were nothing,' said Calisto. 'Raddy did a very good job in building a team. He gave them spirit.

'He coached the Singapore team for a very long time in the Suzuki Cup without defeat. This is a very good record.

'You think Raddy lost his quality (after the recent Suzuki Cup)?

'No, my friend. In football, you don't lose your capacity to read the game so quickly. Raddy is not old or senile.'

Reflecting on his own experience after last year's Suzuki Cup, Calisto said he faced similar criticism to Raddy's.

The only difference was that he did not have the backing of the Vietnam Football Federation, unlike Avramovic who continues to be supported by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

'After we lost the semi-final to Malaysia, the media complained, a lot of times unfairly,' said Calisto.

'They said we lost because of my mistakes - my preparations were wrong, my tactics were wrong and my methods were wrong.

'I didn't feel I had the support of the federation. They did nothing.

'I coached for 10 years in Vietnam, but I didn't feel happy any more. So I took this invitation (from Muangthong) and I quit. We coaches need respect.'

Calisto, however, disagreed with FAS president Zainudin Nordin's decision to disband the national team in the wake of the Suzuki Cup debacle.

Zainudin said in January that focus would be placed on blooding young talent for the national team.

When asked his opinion on that, Calisto shook his head, saying: 'No. We cannot do that. You have heritage - you're three-time Suzuki Cup champions!

'You need the older players to pass the heritage on to the younger players.

'If you cut (this link), you cut everything. You lose everything.

'You can change, but do it slowly and step by step.

Stags hold Thai champions to a draw

Tampines Rovers hold Thai champions Muang Thong United to a 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
 
Aleksandar Duric opened the scoring for Tampines in the 23rd minute before Phichitphong Choeichiu equalised just after the half-hour mark.
 
Tampines Rovers
Hassan Sunny (GK), Seiji Kaneko, Benoit Croissant, Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Shahdan Sulaiman, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Shukor Zailan (Aliff Shafaein), Park Yo Seb; Aleksandar Duric

Hougang and Gombak triumph

Both Hougang United and Gombak United won their respective home matches at Hougang Stadium and Jurong West Stadium.

Hougang United defeated Courts Young Lions thanks to a Jordan Webb goal while Gombak United achieved a 2-0 success against Geylang United with goals from Obadin Aikhena and Park Kang Jin.

Hougang United
Ridzuan Fatah Hasan (GK), Shariff Samat (C), Fumiya Kobayashi, Ratna Suffian, Emmeric Ong, Syaqir Sulaiman (Fathi Yunus), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar (Azhar Sairudin), Duncan Elias, Carlos Delgado, Noor Ali (Basit Hamid)
Courts Young Lions
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Afiq Yunos, Faritz Abdul Hameed (Eddie Affendy Chang), Shakir Hamzah, Fazli Ayob, Zulfahmi Arifin (Safirul Sulaiman), Izzdin Shafiq, Hariss Harun (C), Nazrul Ahmad Nazari, Khalili D'cruz (Faris Ramli), Shahfiq Ghani
----------
Gombak United
Zakariah Nerani (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C) (Ismail Yunos), Jeremy Chiang, Obadin Aikhena, Walid Lounis, Ruhaizad Ismail (Zulkiffli Hassim), Tengku Mushadad, Ridhwan Jamaludin (Aloysius Yap), Kwon Jin Sung, Chang Jo Yoon, Park Kang Jin

Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Jonathan Xu (Fadli Kamis), Joo Ki Hwan, Vasile Ghindaru, Syed Fadhil, Adrian Dhanaraj, Shah Hirul (Rizawan Abdullah), Yasir Hanapi, Masrezwan Masturi (Syed Thaha), Hafiz Rahim

Singapore Olympic squad

Goalkeepers
Izwan Mahbud (Courts Young Lions)
Syazwan Buhari (Courts Young Lions)

Defenders
Eddie Affendy Chang (Courts Young Lions)
Afiq Yunos (Courts Young Lions)
Shakir Hamzah (Courts Young Lions)
Shahir Hamzah (Home United)

Midfielders
Hariss Harun (Courts Young Lions)
Ignatius Ang Yu Heng (Courts Young Lions)
Faritz Abdul Hameed (Courts Young Lions)
Faris Ramli (Courts Young Lions)
Izzdin Shafiq (Courts Young Lions)
Nazrul Ahmad Nazari (Courts Young Lions)
Shahfiq Ghani (Courts Young Lions)
Syafiq Zainal (Courts Young Lions)
Zulfahmi Arifin (Courts Young Lions)
Safirul Sulaiman (Courts Young Lions)
Yasir Hanapi (Geylang United FC)

Forwards
Fazli Ayob (Courts Young Lions)
Khalili D’ Cruz (Courts Young Lions)
Navin Nigel Vanu (Woodlands Wellington FC)

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Lucky for us the Beep Test stay

Former Lions skipper Indra Shadan Daud had openly declared he wished former Lions coach and Technical Director Jan Polusen had taken the Beep Test away with him when he left.

For me, it is on the contrary for I still remember the days before the Beep Test like yesterday.

Unfortunately, Indra decried of the Beep Test because it keep out 'skilled' players hold little water for me.

The fact is, throughout Singapore football history, too many disregard the need to maintain fitness as a part of their profession.

For let not forget even back in the 1980s and 1990s, Singapore players were regarded as soft by our ASEAN opponents, and even our own media, because they constantly outlast us on the pitch.

Of course, the excuse back then was we were city folks while our ASEAN opponents were from the 'countryside'.

We know it is not so for European and South American are also city folks and their fitness level are above ASEAN.

The main reason was our disregard for fitness for what we eat and how we keep our fitness are all wrong if viewed by today standards.

I can overlook that period as sport science had not reached our shores but the fact is until today many are still treating nasi lemak, chicken rice and roti prata etc as part of the diet.

And added in the fact some are smokers, is it any wonder so many players fitness level cannot match a 40-year-old man.

Duric did not get his fitness just because he train hard but also because he live the right lifestyle and the Stags forward have given many such lessons on the media for our local lads to follow.

But how many are really following that regiment lifestyle?

Even simple things like giving up chill sauce, as it is bad for sportsman for it killed their stamina, is ignored by many.

And talent can only get a player so far for in the 1990 Asian Games, the Singapore national team were outlasted by the Korean U23 side and were thrashed 7-0; with 6 goals coming in the second period as the North Asians show off their superior fitness.

Indeed some of the Lions collapsed at the end of the match not because of the scale of defeat but due to the exhaustion.

That is why fitness is so important especially as modern football now emphasized on the fact a player must be able to run for the full 90 minutes, if needed.

It is no longer good enough if you are talented but is only able to last a period of the game like Rafi Ali etc.

The former Singaporean international could have been the Player of his Generation but for too long his fitness level and commitment were questionable as frankly, he was not able to last in many of the games he played in.

The engine room, where his talents could have been best utilised, was too taxing for the Singaporean even at his prime.

And there were too many such players in the pre-Beep Test era with more and more players on the bench growing 'big' (That is not a compliment) with them only able to play a small part of the game. 

They were not helping Singapore football nor themselves.

And Indra may like to know the Beep Test may have even prolong Ahmad Latiff career as without it, I can see the former bad boy of Singapore fitness level going in one direction as let be honest, will he have worked that hard on his fitness if not to pass the Beep Test.  

At just 29 years of age, he was showing signs of his deteriorating fitness and he could have join the likes of Lee Mon Hon; who disregard for fitness is legendary as one could draw a circle around the former Singapore winger and he may never move out of it in the full 90 minutes as that is how much he hate to run or jog.

In time, more Singaporean will undoubtedly look after their fitness to prolong their career but it will take a while as it was only recently that the message is getting through (due to Beep Test) that a professional have to look after their health.

Until more players are ingrained about the need to look after their fitness (from the start and not when their fitness start to fall) do not blame the message (the Beep Test) as it is needed to remind us of the need to look out for our fitness level, no matter how talented you are, for without it you are nothing.

It never end

Jakarta casual has reported Noh Alam Shah and M.Ridhuan have enough of their club Arema Malang management.

They are fed up they are never pay on time and seldom, if ever, get the full amount so they want to leave (yet again).

I cannot bring myself to sympathy with the duo because they are adults and they knew the situation the club were in when they signed on the dotted line.

And I did questioned why any sane person would remain at a club that was not financially-sound so they are responsible for their own action.

If Noh Alam Shah end up losing another 6-figure sum playing with the Indonesian champions, thus wasting one more year of his career, it is his own fault.

No Further Action Against Pavkovic

The FAS Disciplinary Committee convened on Tuesday 15 March 2011 with regard to the charge against Courts Young Lions Technical Director Slobodan Pavkovic.
 
Pavkovic had been charged for breaches of misconduct which brought the game into disrepute during the Great Eastern – YEO’S S.League match between Courts Young Lions and Geylang United FC at Jalan Besar Stadium on 3 March 2011.

Having investigated the incident and having considered all the relevant facts and circumstances, the Disciplinary Committee came to the following decision:

(i) Pavkovic, who admitted to the charge, was found guilty of the charge. After much deliberation, the Disciplinary Committee decided that the punishment meted out by FAS – a touchline ban for the rest of the Great Eastern – YEO’S S.League season and a fine of $10,000 – is sufficient.

Disciplinary Committee Chairman K. Bala Chandran said: “The FAS Disciplinary Committee does not condone any physical abuse or verbal abuse of referees. Pavkovic pleaded guilty and admitted to the charge unreservedly. We have taken into account Pavkovic’s mitigation and we believe that the punishment meted out by his employer FAS is sufficient in this instance. We do not think it is necessary to add any further punishment.”
 
Pavkovic said: “I would like to apologise again for my misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute. Moving forward, I undertake to conduct myself professionally at all times.”

Monday, March 14, 2011

S-league Preview V

S-league Preview IV - 3 right and 2 wrong

Mon 14-Mar Hougang United - Courts Young Lions (HGG)
Tue 15-Mar Gombak United - Geylang United (JWS)
Thu 17-Mar Albirex Niigata (S) - Etoile FC (JES)
Thu 17-Mar Balestier Khalsa - SAFFC (TPY)
Fri 18-Mar TPUFC - Home United (JBS) 

Hougang United vs Courts Young Lions
Let hope Aide focus on the real problem of this team (not the ball) and that is his squad is not as good as he really believed. If he believed, with a different ball, he can matched up to the Big 3 and Etoile FC then it is asking for the sky. But this team is good enough to take on the Cubs and win as goals are needed for wins and his team can score. It is the second best scoring team, outside the Big 3 and Etoile FC, behind Albirex Niigata (S) and 6 of the White Swans goals came from 2 games. 3-1 to Hougang

Gombak United vs Geylang United
The Eagles need to find their fourth forward soon. Masrezwan Masturi, Hafiz Rahim and Rizawan Abdullah are not the solution as I only see them getting double figures if we combined all their goals. Masrezwan Masturi is the best of the second range of strikers in the National Team due to his technical ability, as I wrote before, but his weakness is his finishing. He has only hit double figures twice in his career and Geylang United need a forward who can get goals on a regular basis. 2-0 to Gombak United 

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Etoile FC 
The White Swans need a win after their recent defeats and their problems at home but they will not have it here. The French need the points as their poor start mean they need to get as many points to stay in the championship race until their team finally adapt to Singapore. If not, by then, they will be far behind and it will mean little to have gel as they will need a miracle to get back into the championship race. 3-1 to Etoile FC

Balestier Khalsa vs SAFFC
The Tigers are a tough side to beat and whether the Warriors can walk away with all 3 point depend on Mislav Karoglan. The Bosnian is looking increasing like the forward the Warriors were looking for last season and if he played to his potential, the Warriors can breach the Tigers backline. Then I can see the Warriors holding out as let be honest, a swan does not make a summer so the chance the Tigers can score on a regular basis is still a doubt. The Tigers can defend but score..... I seriously doubt it. 2-0 to the Warriors.    

TPUFC vs Home United
This match is forgone conclusion even if you are the most optimistic Jaguars ever. It is only keeping the scoreline down and whether the Jaguars can get another goal. That is all that will matter to Jaguars as they continue to hope for a good season on their return. 5-1 to Home

Home go top

Home United go top of the S-league table, on goal difference, after they defeated Albirex Niigata (S) 2-1 at the Bishan Stadium.

Frederic Mendy finally broke his duck for the Protectors as he notched his goal of the season with skipper Shi Jiayi also getting one.

Shotaro Ihata pulled one back for the White Swans late in the game.

Home United
Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Shi Jiayi (C), Nor Azli Yusoff, Isa Halim (Asraf Rashid), Firdaus Kasman (Rosman Sulaiman), Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li, Sherif El-Masri (Firdaus Idros)

Stags victorious

Tampines Rovers defeated Tanjong Pagar United 4-1 at the Tampines Stadium.

Shukor Zailan, Aleksandar Duric, Ismadi Mukhtar and Park Yo Seb got the goals for the Stags. Takaya Kawanabe got the consolation goal for the Jaguars.

In another match at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Balestier Khalsa crush Geylang United 3-0 despite being one men down with Anaz Hadee send off.

The Eagles were not able to take advantage as the Tigers played better and better as the game drag on especially Brazilian Vitor Borges who bagged a brace.

Korean Kim Young Kwang had opened the scoring.

Tampines Rovers
Hassan Sunny (GK) (Hafez Mawasi), Seiji Kaneko, Benoit Croissant, Ahmad Latiff (Taufiq Rahmat), Akihiro Nakamura, Shahdan Sulaiman (Aliff Shafaein), Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Park Yo Seb, Shukor Zailan,  Aleksandar Duric 

TPUFC
Ridhuan Barudin (GK) (Ng Jia Fa), Arisman Arman, Delwinder Singh (Patrick Paran), Sudhershen Hariam, Kim Jong Oh, Hyun Jong Woon, Kim Seong Kyu (C), Takaya Kawanabe, Gary Loo, Shamil Sharif, Israel Tan (Ganesan s/o Devadas)

-----------
Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Jonathan Xu, Joo Ki Hwan, Vasile Ghindaru, Syed Fadhil, Adrian Dhanaraj, Yasir Hanapi, Syed Thaha (Rizawan Abdullah (Shah Hirul) ), Masrezwan Masturi (Wahyudi Abd Wahid), Hafiz Rahim
Balestier Khalsa 
Joey Sim (GK), Anaz Hadee, Lim Young Woo, Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Ishak Zainol (K Vikraman), Armanizam Dolah, Poh Yi Feng, Andrew Tan (Ridhwan Osman), Vitor Borges, Kim Young Kwang (Nurhilmi Jasni)

Friday, March 11, 2011

MCYS Teo miss the point

For me, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Teo Ser Luck miss the point when he talk about increase in funding for Singapore football in Parliament as I noted before in POV it is not funding but the fact that SSC (under his watch) has scooped as much money out of Singapore football.

By combining all the figures, he wanted to show Singapore football have been given a lot of money but as he admitted, most of it is from private sources.

Indeed, SSC under him has adopted a one hand in one hand out system and I can say 60% of the money given out by SSC this year will be given back. (Based on the estimate given out by clubs when they called their press conference)

That is the major sticking point why, financially speaking, Singapore football have struggled to keep it head above water.

We have to remember what SSC give out come from the government yet what it received from Singapore football come from private sources.

With local clubs - especially middle-tier to lower-tier clubs - finding it difficult to find money from private sources, it is like the Kaiji character (in the movie not the amine) who constantly finding himself having to pay interest that wiped out most of his winnings.

What money they received from sponsorship are mostly given to SSC.

It wiped out any gains and with recent changes to the jackpots takings which favour casinos, the odds are stacked against local sport even more.

Also the more money SSC or SingaporePools give out, the more money that will go into SSC coffers as let not forget more youth teams are now created from SSC money meaning the need for pitches thus more rental while SingaporePools money will see clubs having to maintain COEs teams which again mean more rentals.  

That is why without a review of SSC subsidy system, I can see SSC being the winner in all cases as their commercial rates rental will sooner or later gobble up a significant part of the money they 'give away'.

Like Kaiji, Singapore football will not be allowed to keep the money to develop their industry.

That is the point, Mr Teo.

Two March games moved for Courts Young Lions

Please note that FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have jointly decided that the matches between Yemen and Singapore in the Asian Men’s Preliminary Competition for the Olympic Football Tournaments London 2012 will be played at the Khalifa Stadium, Al Ain Club (Al Ain City) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 19 & 21 March 2011.

FIFA and the AFC had earlier decided that both legs of the first round must be played on neutral territory to ensure that matches proceed “in a totally safe and secure environment”. Yemen will technically host the first-leg match on 19 March 2011 whereas Singapore will be “at home” for the second-leg match on 21 March 2011.

Due to the Olympic qualifiers, the following Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League matches involving the Courts Young Lions have been postponed to a later date:

Match No.24: Courts Young Lions vs Gombak United at Jalan Besar Stadium (originally scheduled for 19 March 2011)
Match No.31: Courts Young Lions vs Albirex Niigata FC (Singapore) at Jalan Besar Stadium (originally scheduled for 22 March 2011)

The Football Association of Singapore will announce details about the rescheduled matches at a later date.

Olympic qualifiers to be played in UAE

The Khalifa Stadium in Al Ain, UAE, will be the neutral venue for both legs of the Yemen-Singapore qualifying match for the Olympic Football Tournament London 2012.

The opening leg will be played on 19 March and the return leg is scheduled for 21 March.

FIFA and AFC had jointly decided on 19 February to postpone the match after taking into consideration the situation in Yemen.

It was also decided that if the situation in Yemen did not clearly improve in the next days, the match would take place on neutral ground.

FAS gives Pavkovic S.League touchline ban and $10,000 fine

We refer to the incident in which FAS Technical Director Slobodan Pavkovic was sent off during the match between Courts Young Lions and Geylang United on 3 March 2011 at Jalan Besar Stadium for manhandling the referee, Mr. Sukhbir Singh, in the 77th minute.

FAS has taken administrative disciplinary action against Pavkovic and imposed a touchline ban for the rest of the Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League season with immediate effect. In addition, Pavkovic has also been fined $10,000.

“I deeply regret my actions and I fully accept the punishment meted out by FAS. I approached the referee immediately after the match to apologise in person and the next day met FAS management, coaches and players to personally apologise to them as well. I understand the importance of maintaining my discipline, composure and professional conduct at all times and I will now await the decision of the Disciplinary Committee,” said Pavkovic.

FAS General Secretary, Winston Lee said: “FAS takes a serious view of such incidents and we would like to reiterate that FAS will not condone referee abuse, both physical and verbal. If any club official or player is unhappy with the performance or decision of the referees, there are proper channels for him or her to seek redress or clarification after the match.”

As part of the S.League standard operating procedure for such cases, the Disciplinary Committee will convene on 15 March

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Indra Sahdan Daud 200 goals tally

Here are a compile breakdown of Indra 201 goals

Year - Club - Goals / Games
1997-2000 - Geylang United - 44 / ?
2001-2008 - Home United - 136 / 219
2009 - Sengkang Punggol - 9 / 27
2010 - SAFFC - 12 / 27 

Geylang United
Year
League App
Goal
Cup App
Goal
1997 - 1999
-
25
-
-
2000
22
16
6
3
Total
22
41
6
3

Home United
Year
League App
Goal
Cup App
Goal
2001
29
14
5
8
2002
29
18
3
1
2003
27 (2)
20
4
6
2004
24 (1)
19
4
4
2005
26
20
5
4
2006
4 (2)
1
0
0
2007
25 (3)
7
6 (3)
0
2008
25
10
3
4
Total
189 (8)
109
30 (3)
27
HOME UNITED vs JURONG FC – 29/3/01

SAFFC
Year
League App
Goal
Cup App
Goal
2010
21
10
2
0
2011
4 (2)
2
0
0
Total
25 (2)
12
2
0
SAFFC vs GEYLANG UNITED – 3/3/10

Sengkang Punggol
Year
League App
Goal
Cup App
Goal
2009
24 (2)
7
3
2
Total
24 (2)
7
3
2
ALBIREX NIIGATA (S) vs SENGKANG PUNGGOL – 23/2/09

Indra notched his 200th and 201th S-league goals


It has taken a while and he may have done it two games earlier - against TPUFC - but it is forgotten now as one of Singapore top marksman of the past decade notch his 200th S-league goals.

And it mark a good birthday present for the SAFFC forward with his birthday falling 3 days earlier on March 5th.

The 32-year-old also got his 201th goal so he has an 'easier' job of getting another 99 more goals to get to his next century.

For now, it will be all about his 200th S-league goals and even the 5-0 thrashing handed against Woodlands Wellington - Mislav Karoglan got a brace and Ivan Jerkovic scored as well - paled into insignificance.

Since 2003, when Indra got his 100th S-league goals against Balestier Khalsa, it was a matter of when he will reach his next century and now we can put the former Lions skipper name alongside the likes of Egmar Goncalves, Mirko Grabovac and of course Aleksandar Duric in having reach the figure 200.

Well done to Indra as his commitment and desire enable to achieve that goal especially when one considered the setbacks he suffered since 2006.

So Congratulations and happy birthday, Indra Sahdan Daud!

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Razaleigh Khalik, Hafiz Osman, Bah Mamadou, Ivan Jerkovic, Mustaqim Manzur (Erwan Gunawan), Ruzaini Zainal (Matthew Abraham), Luka Savic, Mislav Karoglan, Indra Sahdan (Fazrul Nawaz), Taisuke Akiyoshi

Woodlands Wellington 
Amos Boon (GK) (C), Adrian Butters, Sahairi Ramri, Munier Raychouni, Madhu Mohana (Nigel Vanu), Ali Imran Lomri, Graham Tatters, Jalal, Shahri Musa, Goh Swee Swee, Leonardo Alexio (Sahhid Jamallil)

Champions defeat Cheetah 4-2

Champions Etoile FC got back on the winning run as they defeat Hougang United 4-2 at the Queentown Stadium.

Maxime Belouet and Jonathan Justin each got a brace while the Cheetah goals came from Jordan Webb and Carlos Delgado.

Hougang United
Ridzuan Fatah Hasan (GK), Shariff Samat (C), Fumiya Kobayashi, (Basit Hamid) Fathi Yunus, Emmeric Ong, Syaqir Sulaiman (Faizal Amir), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar, Duncan Elias, Carlos Delgado, Noor Ali

Qiu Li is best forward in the league


"He can hold up the ball, he can beat players, he can score. Frankly speaking, [Li] is the best attacking player in the league," Lee said.

With that, Home United coach Lee Lim Saeng has declared Qiu Li as the best attacker in the S-League.

And no wonder as the Singapore forward has made an impressive start for Home United; in his second stint with the club.

Against Gombak United, he came off the bench to have a big say in two of his team's three goals at Bishan Stadium with Qiu Li winning a penalty in the 70th minute for 37-year-old forward Kim Dae Eui to convert before Qiu also got his name on scoresheet from the penalty spot six minutes from time.

Then a week later, against Hougang United at Hougang Stadium, he scored yet again as well as having an 'assist' as his cross was knocked into the net by the Cheetah own player.

And all that despite not being at full strength as the striker took a while to pass his Beep Test as he was injured thus out of shape.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Mustafic Fahruddin is S-league-bound?

Jakarta Casual blog has reveal Singapore international Mustafic Fahruddin is returning to Singapore.

He has reportedly been quoted that when his contract with Persela expires at the end of the season, that will be it.

After two years in the ISL, last year with Persija, he will now return to Singapore and the S-league .

His former club, Tampines Rovers, will hold the advantage as the defensive midfielder spent seven years with the club and he still has fond memories for the place and the owner.

Eagles continue their search for their fourth foreigner

It seem the arrival of Argentina forward Ivan Fergonzi to Geylang United was premature as blogger Po Hui has revealed the Eagles are looking at a Korean forward.
 
The Korean striker name is Jung Hee-bong and is called K2 Peter Crouch, for his height no doubt, as he is 1.9m.

The 24-year-old was in Indonesia just this week for trial with ISL side Persisam Putra Samarinda but it seem he has not got the contract thus he is now trying out for the Eagles, who have not found their Peter Tomko replacement as yet.

Is he the solution?

He looked impressive from the report from Persisam site but who know as sometimes things do not work out.

The thing I know is that the Eagles have up to the end of March to find their fourth foreigner or they will have to wait until June.   

Stags burst White Swans perfect start

Tampines Rovers have burst Albirex Niigata (S) perfect start to the season.

The two-time S-league champions destroy Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 at the Jurong East Stadium and show talks that the White Swans are title contenders are premature as the Japanese outfits failed their first hurdle.

Up until now, the Japanese side have not been tested as their first two oppositions - TPUFC and Woodlands Wellington - are too weak and cannot be considered useful gauge of their strength.

Tampines Rovers was the true test and next up is no easier as it is Home United, another title contender.

Tonight though they have failed miserably as veteran Duric and Ahmad Latiff both notched goals to finish them off. 

Tampines Rovers
Hassan Sunny (GK), Seiji Kaneko, Benoit Croissant, Ahmad Latiff (Zahid Ahmad), Akihiro Nakamura, Shahdan Sulaiman (Aliff Shafaein), Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Park Yo Seb, Shukor Zailan (Jufri Taha 81’),  Aleksandar Duric

Saturday, March 5, 2011

S-league Preview IV


S-league Preview III (Edited to add in Albirex Niigata (S) vs Tampines Rovers) - 2 right and 3 wrong with 1 still undecided

Mon 7-Mar Etoile FC - Hougang United (QTS)
Tue 8-Mar SAFFC - Woodlands Wellington (CCK)
Thu 10-Mar Tampines Rovers - TPUFC (TMP)
Fri 11-Mar Geylang United - Balestier Khalsa (JBS) 
Sun 13-Mar Home United - Albirex Niigata (S) (BSN) 

Etoile FC vs Hougang United
The Champions are in need of a boast and Hougang, having conceded 10 goals in their two matches, looked to be that team. This is because the Cheetah are not a defensive side like most local sides, who are not part of the Big 3. That is why I hoped Aide stayed on that path as what is the use if local sides do not get thrashed but are not even playing football. Yes, the side is getting the wrong end of results but they are really learning the trade of the game and in time, they will improve. 2-2 draw 

SAFFC vs Woodlands Wellington
The Warriors do not need their injured players back for this one as that is how bad I think the Rams are. They have not scored for that long as noted by the S-league website that I believed they are fast building a record that may not be surpassed for a while, if ever. If they do not score, they are no threat to the Warriors and there is no better team for Indra to strike that 200th goal (or he has to wait for Jaguars again). 4-0 to Warriors

Tampines Rovers vs TPUFC
The Stags can have another goal feast at Tampines as the Jaguars defence should concede at least a few goal, if not a goal, a match as they give their opposition chances. If the Stags take full advantage, it should be over at half-time and they can then give their own youngsters a chance at testing the youngsters at the Jaguars side with little fear. 4-0 to the Stags. 

Geylang United vs Balestier Khalsa
If this was played at the start of the season, I will not relished it as both sides are so defensive it will be difficult to see a match of any type - other than entire team defending - developing. Now, it may be different, the Eagles are finally flying out of their nest to play as I saw them take on the Warriors and they show they can do it so what is Mike Wong so fearful about before. The Eagles have now score two goals or more for two constitutive matches and they have never gone beyond this under Mike Wong. Go for it Eagles as you have shown you can play. 3-2 to the Eagles.

Home United vs Albirex Niigata (S)
The Protectors should win this one if they want the championship. The White Swans can be a tough side but are beatable from the Protectors point of strength. Dropping points against the likes of White Swans can come back to haunt the Protectors like last season where they can see points dropped against the likes of Albirex Niigata (S) and Balestier Khalsa etc at even non-crucial stage saw them missed the championship by that few points. 3-1 to Home United