S-league Preview XVI (Edited)

S-league Preview XV - 2 right & 2 wrong

Mon 30-May TPUFC - Tampines Rovers (CMT)
Tue 31-May Albirex Niigata (S) - Courts Young Lions (JES)
Tue 31-May Geylang United - Gombak United (BDK)
Wed 1-Jun SAFFC - Balestier Khalsa (CCK)
Mon 6-Jun TPUFC - Albirex Niigata (S) (CMT)
Sat 18-Jun Tampines Rovers - Woodlands Wellington (TMP)
Sun 19-Jun Courts Young Lions - TPUFC (JBS) 

TPUFC vs Tampines Rovers
It is hard to see how the Stags will not be back at the top at the table after this game. Even with the Stags getting tired and showing it with injuries starting to hit the team. A known fact is injuries are more common when body are tired and the Stags are tired as not only are they playing more games than anybody but their coach is using a core squad that is smaller. It's not difficult to know the Stags rarely make changes to their starting lineup and the subs coming on are always the same. 14 players cannot a win championship in the modern era but they can win this game. 3-0 to the Stags

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Courts Young Lions
The Cubs are hitting form but we cannot say the White Swans are that bad at the moment either. So who do one believe in more. I cannot say one is necessary better than the other as both have shown, on their day, they can be a matched for the other. Will next Tuesday be their day ? If it is so for both than a draw is more than just reward. 2-2 draw 

Geylang United vs Gombak United
Anybody following this site will know I do not trust the Bulls much but at this moment in time, one cannot trust the Eagles even more. They are dropping to the bottom 3 and looked to have no solution on how to get out of it. The Bedok side should not be thinking about collecting a win as they cannot even get a point in the first place. Their defence is conceding too many and until that is stopped, they and their fans can only hoped for the best but prepared for the worst. 2-1 to the Bulls

SAFFC vs Balestier Khalsa
This is last week preview as the game was moved to this week as I believed nothing changed even with the Tigers winning their game in midweek (It is an even worse free-falling Eagles they defeated) - Another game the Warriors should pick up full points and keep up the pressure on the S-league race. The Tigers are on a free-fall so it will good for the Warriors to boast their goal difference as thanks to some disappointing performances and results they have the worst goal difference of the top 4. It may or may not proved a difference come the end but remember 1998 when it did. 3-0 to SAFFC 

Etoile FC vs Geylang United
A lot of eyes will be on this game as the champions make their return since that Hougang incident. The French side will hoped for an easy game and they have it. Quite frankly, even if the French go on the pitch with a handicap of 10 players, I can see them beating the Eagles for a team that cannot stop conceding cannot hoped to gain anything. 2-0 to the Champions.

TPUFC vs Albirex Niigata (S)
The last time they met, it was an overwhelming victory for the White Swans with them hitting the Jaguars with a 5-0 thrashing. Let make this short, I can see them doing that again as the Jaguars have still much to learn. 5-0 to the White Swans

Tampines Rovers vs Woodlands Wellington
Anybody believe the Stags will not beat the Rams? Not many I will guess. The Rams will have to hope Duric cannot play in this match as the Stags have shown they are not comfortable playing without their only true centre forward. Without the 4-time top scorer, the Rams will have a chance but I will like to tell you Duric has only missed one league game in 3 years. It is just like buying 4D. 2-0 to the Stags.

Courts Young Lions vs TPUFC
The Cubs have been playing well and during the last time the two met, I believed the Cubs edged it and this time, it is played at Jalan Besar - which is an added advantage. Also the Cubs have a forward at last with Khariul Nizam back and scoring on his return. With goals, I have always said teams can win and the Cubs can win this one. 2-1 to the Cubs

Geylang giving match programme sheet to 200 fans who purchase tickets next Tuesday

Geylang United have announced they are giving away match programme sheets to the first 200 fans who purchase their tickets next Tuesday.

The Eagles are playing Gombak United at Bedok Stadium. 

More photos of the match programme sheets can be seem on their facebook page.

Home go top

Home United went to the top of the table after defeating Tanjong Pagar United 3-1 at Jalan Besar.

Frederic Mendy was the hero as he net a brace, with Asraf Rashid contributing the third one, after Kim Jong Oh had given the Jaguars the lead.

However, second-placed Tampines Rovers have two games in hand and they can return to the top by defeating the vanquished Jaguars next Monday.

Another side chasing the Stags are the Warriors with them crushing Woodlands Wellington 5-1 at the Woodlands stadium with a hat-trick from Farzul Nawaz.

Warriors top scorer Mislav Karoglan also chip in along with an own goal. The Rams reply came from Goh Swee Swee.

In other matches, Courts Young Lions and Balestier Khalsa won their respective matches.

The Cubs won an away match for the first time this season as they defeated Gombak United 2-1 with an own goal and the winner from Safirul Sulaiman. Hamqaamal Shah had scored for the Bulls.

As for Balestier Khalsa, they defeated fellow struggler Geylang United 3-1 at Toa Poyah. Kim Young Kwang scored a brace with the third one counted as an own goal. Amy Recha scored on his S-league debut for Geylang United.

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

Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Afiq Yunos, Irwan Shah, Safuwan Baharudin, Eugene Luo, Zulfahmi Arifin, Izzdin Shafiq, Hariss Harun (C), Faris Ramli (Safirul Sulaiman), Nazrul Ahmad Nazari (Khalili D'cruz), Syafiq Zainal (Fairoz Hasan)

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Balestier Khalsa

Joey Sim (GK), Anaz Hadee, Lim Young Woo, Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Ishak Zainol, Ridhwan Osman (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Poh Yi Feng (Zaki Suriani), Andrew Tan, Vitor Borges (Megat Hikal), Kim Young Kwang

Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Adrian Dhanaraj (Mubarak Ahamad), Joo Ki Hwan, Syed Fadhil, Vasile Ghindaru, Kim Jae Hong, Syed Thaha, Masrezwan Masturi (Amy Recha), Jung Hee Bong, Hafiz Rahim

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Woodlands Wellington 

Ang Bang Heng (GK), Munier Raychouni, Madhu Mohana, Graham Tatters, Syed Karim, Jalal, Sazali Salleh (C), Han Yiguang, Farhan Hairoddin (Darrel Tan), Goh Swee Swee (Ali Imran Lomri), Nigel Vanu (Shazlee Hamzah)

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C) (Hyrulnizam Juma'at), Shaiful Esah, Hafiz Osman, Daniel Hammond, Daniel Bennett, Syaiful Iskandar (Noh Rahman), Ivan Jerkovic, Rhysh Roshan Rai, Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz (Indra Sahdan), Erwan Gunawan

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Home United 

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai (Firdaus Idros), Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Abdil Qaiyyim, Shi Jiayi (C), Nor Azli Yusoff, Isa Halim, Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li, Sufian Anuar (Asraf Rashid)

TPUFC 

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Khairul Solyhin, Kim Seong Kyu (C), Ganesan s/o Devadas, Arisman Arman (Abdul Rahman), Delwinder Singh, Kim Jong Oh, Hyun Jong Woon, Takaya Kawanabe, Nurizam Azman (Patrick Paran), Gary Loo (Shamil Sharif)

Stags go down in extra-time

Tampines Rovers dream in Asia is over but the Stags can hang their head high.

With the tie being in the Middle-East, Iraqi side Arbil SC was widely expected to beat the Stags by a big margin but the Stags held out against them in regulation time.

Unfortunately, the Stags could not repeat it in extra-time with Arbil Sc finally breaching the Stags backline.
   
Nevertheless, it was a terrific effort and hopefully the Stags can repeat it next year in Asia; if given the chance. 

Tampines Rovers

Hassan Sunny (Alimin Mohamed 90’); Seiji Kaneko, Benoit Croissant, Park Yo Seb; Jufri Taha, Shukor Zailan (Jamil Ali 105’), Akihiro Nakamura, Shahdan Sulaiman, Ismadi Mukhtar (Zahid Ahmad 88’); Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin, Aleksandar Duric.

SAFFC-Balestier meeting moved to 1 June

Please note that Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League 2011 Match No.94, to be contested between SAFFC and Balestier Khalsa, will not be held on 29 May 2011 as originally scheduled.

A new date has been rearranged for the match, which will now be played on 1 June 2011.

The match venue remains at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, with the kickoff time set at 1930hrs.

This is due to the suspension of Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League 2011 Match No.115, which was to be contested between SAFFC and Hougang United on 1 June 2011.

A new date for Match No.115, which is to be played at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, will be rearranged in due course.

Etoile Ultras letter

Etoile FC fan club Etoile Ultras has written a letter on it site explaining that no fans from it side and Hougang fan club U4U was involved in the incident.

This is due to CNA report on the incident which they disagreed with as the writer chosen to include the fact that "..Hougang United fans too were also part of the fracas.".

Disciplinary Hearing set for 3 June and games involving Hougang and Etoile suspended

We would like to inform you that all Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League matches involving Hougang United FC and Etoile FC will be suspended till the conclusion of a disciplinary hearing, with regards to the match abandonment on Monday, 23 May 2011.

FAS President Mr Zainudin Nordin said: “We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to violent conduct both on and off the pitch. FAS has started investigations and will pursue the matter thoroughly. Any players and officials found guilty of misconduct will be severely dealt with.”

We have written to both clubs involved in the incident to submit their reports and a disciplinary hearing has been scheduled for Friday, 3 June 2011.

Hougang United games suspended

• Courts Young Lions vs Hougang United
• SAFFC vs Hougang United

Etoile FC games suspended

• Etoile FC vs Albirex Niigata (S)

Friendly against Maldives and Indonesia announced

FAS has announced there will be three friendly games to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers against Malaysia vs Chinese Taipei winner.

The first one is against Maldives on June 7.

The other one is a double header against Indonesia - First game on June 29 is an away game at Indonesia. Second game on July 3 is a home fixture.

But take note, the encounters against Indonesia may be cancelled if FIFA ban PSSI next week when they have their meeting.

Singapore Provisional squad for World Cup Qualifier

GK

Hassan Sunny (Tampines Rovers)

Lionel Lewis (Home United)

Izwan Mahbud (Courts Young Lions)

DF

Afiq Yunos (Courts Young Lions)

Irwan Shah (Courts Young Lions)

Safuwan Baharudin (Courts Young Lions)

Shakir Hamzah (Courts Young Lions)

Raihan Abdul Rahman (Courts Young Lions)

Ismail Yunos (Gombak United)

Hamqaamal Shah (Gombak United)

Jumaat Jantan (Home United)

Shaiful Esah (SAFFC)

Daniel Bennett (SAFFC)

Delwinder Singh (TPUFC)

MF

Andrew Tan (Balestier Khalsa)

Hariss Harun (Courts Young Lions)

Nazrul Ahmad Nazari (Courts Young Lions)

Zulfahmi Arifin (Courts Young Lions)

Faris Ramli (Courts Young Lions)

Fazli Ayob (Courts Young Lions)

Shi Jiayi (Home United)

Isa Halim (Home United)

Ruzaini Zainal (SAFFC)

Shukor Zailan (Tampines Rovers)

Shahdan Sulaiman (Tampines Rovers)

Mustafic Fahrudin (Indonesia)

FW

Khariul Nizam (Courts Young Lions)

Qiu Li (Home United)

Sufian Anuar (Home United)

Fazrul Nawaz (SAFFC)

Aleksandar Duric (Tampines Rovers)

Khariul Amri (Indonesia)

Shahril Ishak (Indonesia)

Will ASEAN Under-23 championship be suspended? (edited)

With PSSI (Indonesia FA) set to be banned by FIFA within the coming days, it will not be able to host any FIFA-sanctioned events other than it own domestic league.

While every media report indicate Indonesia World Cup qualifiers against Turkmenistan in July to be the first one to see Indonesia missed out on, there is the ASEAN Under-23 championship before that which is even more tricky.

Indonesia is the ASEAN Under-23 championship host yet they will be banned from hosting any football event so how can the competition go ahead?

Have the Courts Young Lions pulled out of the RHB Singapore Cup for nothing.

It looked likely and one word, suay, (Bad luck for those who do not know) as now they have missed out on both ends due to no fault of their.

Match between Hougang and Etoile abandoned

In an unprecedented move, match officials were forced to abandon the tie between hosts Hougang United and defending champions Etoile FC even before kick-off, after players from both teams started fighting during the warm-up session.

While details were sketchy, witnesses MediaCorp spoke to said the action resembled a gang fight, with players chasing each other and some rushing onto the terraces.

They said Etoile players rushed to the Hougang side of the pitch after words were exchanged between a player each from the two teams over a ball that accidentally kicked into the Hougang warm-up area.

A scuffle then broke out between the players, which one eyewitness said lasted as long as eight minutes.

New Hougang Member of Parliament Yaw Shin Leong was in the stands.

A Hougang player had to be restrained from swinging a chair at one of his opponents, said another witness.

With training cones and balls still left on the pitch, the players were instructed to go to their respective dressing rooms.

After consulting the teams and the referee, match commissioner A. Raamasamy called off the game.

FAS deputy director (marketing and competitions) Ridzal Saat, said: "We do not condone any sort of violence, more so anything that is pre-match. We will conduct a full investigation to find out what actually happened.

"This is something we do not want in our game, and following investigations, any guilty parties, if there are, will be severely dealt with. This is the first instance since the S-League was inaugurated in 1996 that a match has been abandoned prior to kick-off due to disciplinary issues.

It comes eight-and-a-half months since the fight between players from the Young Lions and Beijing Guoan last season, which resulted in a total of 16 players (six from the Young Lions, 10 from Beijing Guoan) being banned between four to 12 months, or fined.

Observers said Monday night's fracas could well have been a spillover from a previous altercation at Queenstown Stadium on March 7, when the teams met in the S-League for the first time this season.

According to a report on a Hougang fansite, a "mini-brawl" had broken out after the match, which Etoile won 4-2.

The S-League did not take action then as the clubs dealt with the matter internally.

When contacted, Bill Ng, chairman of Hougang United FC, said: "I will conduct a full investigation on our side and cooperate with the Football Association of Singapore fully. I do not tolerate violence and if any of our players are at fault, we will take strong disciplinary action and will not even hesitate to drop them from our squad.

"The incident today is a pity because we had a good crowd, about 2,000, who wanted to watch a good game."

S-league Preview XV

S-league Preview XIV - 2 right with 5 wrong

Mon 23-May Hougang United - Etoile FC (HGG)
Tue 24-May Gombak United - Courts Young Lions (JWS)
Wed 25-May Balestier Khalsa - Geylang United (TPY)
Thu 26-May Woodlands Wellington - SAFFC (WDL)
Thu 26-May Etoile FC - Albirex Niigata (S) (QTN)
Fri 27-May Home United - TPUFC (JBS) 
Sat 28-May Courts Young Lions - Hougang United (JBS)
Sun 29-May SAFFC - Balestier Khalsa (CCK)

Hougang United vs Etoile FC
The Cheetahs have won a famous win over two-times champions Tampines Rovers last week but I can tell you the biggest cheers could have come from their opponents this week. Thanks to that result, the champions can now close the gap at the top to within one point as they have two games in hand. It will have to start with Hougang though and last week win could have boasted their morale so the champions can expect a tough battle. The champions are starting to gel thus can still walk away from Hougang with full points but it will not be easy. 3-1 to Etoile FC
 
Gombak United vs Courts Young Lions
A match of two contrasting style with the home side emphasizing physical football while the away team is seeking to learn a more technical side of the game. I have hoped the Bulls will start to play more like the away side one day but obvious it will not start against the Cubs. Their style will be a challenge to any team as they have some big guns out there in their attack and defence who could out muscle men older than the Cubs, yet alone the Cubs. It will be a physical battle and one the Cubs will learn from. 2-1 to Gombak

Balestier Khalsa vs Geylang United     
The Tigers are fading away and their coach Salim Moin have acknowledged he has to put a stop to that. It is not an easy task as the first team he has put out in the last few weeks were the best the Tigers can offer so who can he turn to. That is why he has to know why a team which has collected 13 points in their first 10 matches (A good result considering their squad) have now gone haywire and is on the end of a thrashing match after match. 2-1 to Geylang

Woodlands Wellington vs SAFFC
The Warriors must be hoping it is not the repeat of the Tanjong Pagar nightmare and it should not reach that point. If they have not been woken up by that result then the warning from their management after that should be good enough as their jobs is on the line if they fucked up again. 4-0 to SAFFC

Etoile FC vs Albirex Niigata (S)
The champions have their second difficult task on their hands this week. It is Albirex Niigata (S), a side who have shown they can take on the big boys on their day. Will it be their day on Thursday? It could well be as they have boasted by their win over SAFFC and Home United. And the champions just have a tough encounter earlier this week so they will be extended by that. 2-2 draw

Home United vs TPUFC     
The Protectors need an easy game after their disappointment last week when they have the chance to go top but failed. The Jaguars looked that part but the last time I wrote that SAFFC need an easy prey and the jaguars looked that part, the Jaguars shocked the whole football world by nearly defeating the Warriors and the eight-time champions only escaped with a point. Surely it will not happened again and it should not. The Protectors want to be champions then it time to pick up points again. 4-0 to Home

Courts Young Lions vs Hougang United 
The Cubs and Cheetahs will expect a good result against each other. Both are within their rights to believe they can defeat each other as both have shown they can get good results on their day. Considering the Cubs victories over the Eagles and Tigers have come at Jalan Besar, the edge must be with them. 2-1 to Courts Young Lions  

SAFFC vs Balestier Khalsa 
Another game the Warriors should pick up full points and keep up the pressure on the S-league race. The Tigers are on a free-fall so it will good for the Warriors to boast their goal difference as thanks to some disappointing performances and results they have the worst goal difference of the top 4. It may or may not proved a difference come the end but remember 1998 when it did. 3-0 to SAFFC

Balestier and ITE sign collaboration deal

Look beyond the Fandi Ahmads and the Indra Sahdans, and explore a multitude of possibilities in other football-related jobs.

That is the message Balestier Khalsa vice-chairman S. Thavaneson had for students from the Institute of Technical Education, as the club signed a Letter of Collaboration with ITE College Central at its Bishan campus on Thursday morning.

The Letter of Collaboration formalises the partnership between Balestier and ITE College Central for the next two years, which will see them embark on a new programme called Football 4 Fitness (F4F).

The programme will be aimed at providing a safe and enjoyable environment for participants to develop football skills and fitness, and students with leadership qualities will be trained as role models who can run their football Co-Curricular Activities club at the various campuses.

While many people may eventually look at pursuing a playing career, as Fandi and Indra – both of whom are ITE alumni – had done with much success, Thavaneson highlighted the availability of a wide range of jobs available with the expansion of professional football.

Speaking to an auditorium filled with about 400 ITE College Central students, he urged them to take these other possibilities into serious consideration.

“Football should be seen as more than just 22 players on the field kicking a ball,” he said in his address to the students.

“For us, this is an investment for the future, and we should look at football beyond the game. Many of you can develop to become professional players, but you can also take the road to coaching or refereeing, or become administrators, or become events or marketing people.

“Depending on your course of study, there is always some opportunity out there for you. I would urge all of you to engage the clubs, get involved with them, approach them to do vacation training you’ll be paid for, so that you can understand what the industry can offer you.

“I can assure you that the clubs will extend a helping hand for you to achieve your goals in life. The opportunities are there; all you’ve got to do is work hard, grab those opportunities, and make a life for yourselves.”

Thavaneson reiterated the point when speaking to the press afterwards as he furnished more details of the F4F programme, which will be spearheaded by Balestier Prime League coach Nasaruddin Jalil.

Noting the long line of Singapore internationals who have come through the ITE’s ranks, dating back from its previous incarnation as the Vocational and Industrial Training Board, he stressed the necessity of drawing upon this resource to build the future of Singapore football.

“We wanted to find out how we could, as a club, benefit from the huge talent pool that ITE has,” he said, explaining the origins of the partnership.

“If you look at players at club and national level, many have actually been ITE students. Plus, we now see that football needs more non-footballers, and we want to take the game down to the grassroots and extend its reach to people.

“Funding for this project will come from the club, and ITE will provide the infrastructure, the facilities. It may cost us about $100,000 a year, but we have made provisions for this – the coaches and everything else will be undertaken and paid for by the club.

“But I don’t look at it in terms of the club, I look at it in terms of Singapore football. If we can do something that will develop talents and help bring football into a higher profile, it can only be good for everybody involved in football.

“I do not want this to be exclusive to us, and I will be the first to say we cannot handle all the ITE students in Singapore,” he added.

“But between four to five clubs, we can harness the talent from all the ITEs. I can tell you, if that happens, it’s going to be one fantastic opportunity.”

Thavaneson also spoke on the benefits the collaboration will bring to ITE College Central and its student population, which currently stands at approximately 8,500.

This, he said, includes those who may have tried and failed to realise their dream of becoming professional football players.

“Maybe a guy cannot make it as a footballer, but football can help increase his level of fitness,” he remarked.

“A fit guy makes a better student and a better worker who won’t slouch and skive at work, so that develops good attitudes. In addition, when kids get together into any sport, there are so many intangible benefits like unity, cohesion, mixing between races.

“Sports are the greatest binding factor, I can tell you, when you want to bring youths together. This programme can open opportunities to youths, and I want to get them in early and show them the possibilities.

“Maybe the boy or girl will say at the end of the day that football is not for him, but that’s fine, because he or she would still have got some training that will help him or her in future. That way, we will have done our social duty too, to help them build their careers.”

ITE College Central principal Tan Seng Hua was pleased to formalise the institute’s relationship with Balestier, in a move that could pave a way for the other ITE Colleges to follow.

“This marks a new milestone in the development of football in ITE,” he told sleague.com.

“All this while, we have been supporting each other in terms of training venues, coaching and so on. The relationship is not sudden, it has been cultivated over time, and both parties feel we can bring more to a common platform through this Letter of Collaboration.

“Initial indications are that this will be a success, because in the past, though many were interested in football, they were not coming forward. Now, we’ve created a common platform for over 800 members, and I hope to improve the students’ fitness and instill professional conduct.

“Once this programme proves to be successful, we can open the door to having students from the other two ITE Colleges, namely ITE College East and ITE College West. In the long run, this is part of our efforts to ensure there is an ecosystem to develop our talents.”

FAS President Zainudin Nordin, who is also Mayor for Central Singapore District and Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, was present at the event to witness the signing of the Letter of Collaboration.

He expressed his delight at the initiative shown by the Balestier management, led by chairman Balbeer Singh Mangat and vice-chairmen Jagjit Singh and Thavaneson, in turning this project into reality.

This was, according to him, a reflection of the desire S.League clubs have to build connections with educational institutions and other community bodies – which he encouraged them to pursue.

“I wouldn’t want to take credit for what Mr. Thavaneson, Balbeer and Jagjit have spoken to me about for quite some time,” he said in response to a question on whether FAS had pushed for the project.

“The signing of the LOC marks, in my view, a very important effort from the club. With the objectives in mind, I am very glad that clubs are beginning to open up their minds and understand that they need to engage the community in different and innovative ways.

“I think none of them have stopped doing this. All of them have been doing it in their own ways, with primary and secondary schools, maybe, but with this LOC, I am positive people will see this idea of collaboration as a good thing to explore.

“It’s not impossible to engage others like private institutions – there are many out there that are actively trying to develop their students. There are many communities and clusters to engage, and by this example, I would encourage others to do the same.

“Many of our football talents come through the ITE path, but it doesn’t stop us from seeing other possibilities,” he noted.

“So polytechnics, universities and other institutions, in my view, have talents too, and we should not ignore their ability to be involved. Building of connections will, I think, happen over time, and by this pioneering effort by ITE and Balestier, people will start to realise things can happen.”

Warriors return to title race

SAFFC was the main beneficent this week as the front pacesetters tumbled while they defeated Geylang United 3-1 at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

Mislav Karoglan, who has signed a new contract with the Warriors, contributed a brace with the other from Fazrul Nawaz. Joo Ki Hwan had reply for the Eagles.

The Stags and the Protectors though fell to Hougang United and Albirex Niigata (S) respectively.

Hougang United defeated Tampines Rovers 2-0, at Hougang, thanks to Syaqir Sulaiman and Carlos Delgado.

Meanwhile, Albirex Niigata (S) achieved a 2-1 win over Home United at Jurong East  thanks to Atsushi Shimono and Shotaro Ihata. Qiu  Li had reply for the Protectros.

In between these matches, Courts Young Lions defeated Balestier Khalsa 2-0 with goals from Safuwan Baharudin and Hariss Harun.

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Syaqir Sulaiman, Shariff Samat (C), Ratna Suffian, Azhar Sairudin, Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar (Noor Ali), Basit Hamid (Mamadou Diallo), Sobrie Mazelan (Fathi Yunus), Carlos Delgado 

Tampines Rovers

Hassan Sunny (Send off) , Seiji Kaneko, Benoit Croissant, Ahmad Latiff (Hafez Mawasi), Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib, Shahdan Sulaiman, Ismadi Mukhtar (Zahid Ahmad), Park Yo Seb, Shukor Zailan (Jufri Taha), Aleksandar Duric

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SAFFC

Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah, Hafiz Osman, Daniel Hammond, Bah Mamadou, Syaiful Iskandar (Razaleigh Khalik), Ivan Jerkovic, Rhysh Roshan Rai, Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz (Indra Sahdan), Erwan Gunawan (Ruzaini Zainal)

Geylang United

Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Joo Ki Hwan, Syed Fadhil, Vasile Ghindaru (Hassan Aziz), Kim Jae Hong, Shah Hirul, Syed Thaha (Jonathan Xu), Masrezwan Masturi (Rizawan Abdullah), Jung Hee Bong, Hafiz Rahim

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Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Afiq Yunos, Irwan Shah, Safuwan Baharudin, Fazli Ayob, Eugene Luo, Zulfahmi Arifin (Syafiq Zainal), Izzdin Shafiq, Hariss Harun (C), Faris Ramli (Safirul Sulaiman), Nazrul Ahmad Nazari 

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

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Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Shi Jiayi (C), Nor Azli Yusoff (Abdil Qaiyyim), Firdaus Kasman (Firdaus Idros (Asraf Rashid)), Kim Dae Eui, Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li, Sufian Anuar

Mislav Karoglan extend stay with Warriors

Mislav Karoglan will be staying at SAFFC until the end of the season.

The Croatian forward, who was introduced to the club by Warriors legend Mirko Grabovac, was initially only staying until June as he was on loan from his club in Croatia.

As his contract with the Croatian club was until June, the end of the loan, he was a free agent now and the Warriors have move to sign him.

The 27-year-old was pleased with the terms and has signed on until December.

His team-mates are pleased with the outcome as Mislav Karoglan was the top scorer in the team and have contributed as many in assists as well.

They believed with him in the squad, the Warriors can still mount an assault on the league title.

Big guns march on

The S-league big guns marches on as Tampines Rovers, Home United and Etoile FC all recorded victories.

Tampines Rovers defeated Albirex Niigata (S) 3-1, at Tampines Stadium, with goals from Shahdan Sulaiman and Aleksandar Duric. The Stags opener was an own goal while the White Swans reply came from Yosuke Saito.

For Home United, they defeated Hougang United 4-2, at Bishan Stadium, with goals from Qiu Li, Frederic Mendy and a brace from Firdaus Idros. Hougang reply was from Diallo Mamadou and an own goal.

The champions kept pace with the two front runners by defeating Gombak United 2-0, at Queenstown Stadium, thanks to Jonathan Toto and Hicham Bouchemlal.

In between these matches, Tanjong Pagar United defeated Woodlands Wellington 1-0 at Woodlands Stadium with a goal from Takaya Kawanabe. 

Tampines Rovers

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

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Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai (Firdaus Kasman), Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Shi Jiayi (C), Nor Azli Yusoff (Asraf Rashid), Isa Halim, Kim Dae Eui, Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li, Sufian Anuar (Firdaus Idros)

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Ratna Suffian, Azhar Sairudin (Basit Hamid), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar (Sobrie Mazelan), Noor Ali, Carlos Delgado, Emmeric Ong, Mamadou Diallo

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Woodlands Wellington 

Amos Boon (GK), Munier Raychouni, Madhu Mohana, Graham Tatters, Syed Karim (Darrel Tan), Jalal, Ali Imran Lomri, Sazali Salleh (C) (Nawfal Shahib), Han Yiguang, Goh Swee Swee, Leonardo Alexio (Nigel Vanu) 

TPUFC 

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Khairul Solyhin, Kim Seong Kyu (C), Ganesan s/o Devadas (Patrick Paran), Delwinder Singh, Kim Jong Oh, Hyun Jong Woon, Takaya Kawanabe, Azlan Alipah (Arisman Arman), Nurizam Azman, Gary Loo 

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Gombak United 

Zakariah Nerani (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang, Obadin Aikhena,  Tengku Mushadad, Ruhaizad Ismail (Zulkiffli Hassim), Shafuan Sutohmoh (Aloysius Yap), Ridhwan Jamaludin, Kwon Jin Sung, Chang Jo Yoon (Ridwan Jamil)

Selecting national team - Working relationship and team before self

Writing this point of view here as I believe it is not right to start a debate in other people blog.

To be honest, I wanted to write this POV article long ago but have, previously, decided to wait until the National team was announced.

The reason was I expected unhappiness regardless of whom Raddy choose as frankly everybody have a different set of players they want.

But why wait as frankly it will be drowned out by with everybody telling us what is wrong with that selected squad.

I do not want to talk about the squad I want but rather simple things called working relationship and team before self.

If people click the link above, they will noted I do not agreed with the talks that it was Raddy ego that lead to players ban as I remember on Kallangroar, there was once a debate on players expellation and I can tell you it is far more complex.

The turth is barring, Goh Tat Chuan, Raddy has recalled all players who had gotten into trouble at least once and if it was ego stopping him, then more names than the one commonly mentioned will have been used as an example.

Here are a brief summary of players banned (and if there are more, you can tell me and I can check records I keep and take note, I am not talking who is wrong in those situation as both sides have their own stories)

• Tan Kim Leng - Banned after Malaysia-Singapore friendly after he refused to leave the field due to red card and causing incident on the field. Recalled before the Tiger Cup 04/05.
• Agu Casmir - Banned for the Persija Jakarta incident. Out for a year.
• Masrezwan Masturi - Banned due to breaking of curfew before curial ACQ. Had been recalled to the National Team  
• Goh Tat Chuan - Banned due to breaking of curfew before curial ACQ. Had never been recalled to the National Team  
• Noh Alam Shah - Banned after the Singapore Cup Final attack on National teammate Bennet. Banned until Raddy talk to Bennet.
• Ahmad Latiff - Banned for refusing to train. Recalled before the Tiger Cup 04/05 but chose to snub call-up and claimed that was a trial in Europe. Found to be false and ban continue. Recalled to National Team for ACQ but make trouble on his first game back as he refused orders and caused damages to hotel room. Banned ever since.

Ahmad Latiff will be long gone even under any coach as he was not banned just once but three times and I am not counting the rest of the time under previous coaches.

Of course some will say he is reformed and frankly that come to the part of working relationship I was going to talk about.

I had wrote (in the comment section in that link) that Ahmad Latiff had attacked Raddy in the public domain and if people remembered those press reports, just a few months ago, they will understand what I say.

And he cannot be misquoted as he was on it for almost a week.

I  believed some who are reading this are working people, let imaged that in the working environment in your company, a person openly whacked the superior by claiming he hoped he will be sacked over a sustained period, what kind of working relationship can be form between the subordinate and the superior.

Especially as that person is already known to have a difficult with other superiors before him.

For if Raddy want to hit back, for those critics who claimed those 'banned' players have stories about his 'mistreatment' of them, we can be sure our national coach will have stories, as juicy as their, about them as well.

But what will it served to Singapore and that is where I come to the other part about team before self.

As mentioned, only Goh Tat Chuan has never been recalled after being expelled and who is right or wrong in that incident is not important as how do one judged but what is important - for me - is the reaction afterwards.

By willing to comment to the media on the eve of an important ACQ, he was putting self before team as Raddy was trying to focus his team on the task ahead and to have somebody fanning another situation in the public eye was a hit below the belt.

It will not have killed Goh to have waited for we have seem how important it is in football to put team before self, not just because it is a team sport, but rather the sum of a collective team is better than individuals at team with Manchester United a prime example this season.

Alex Ferguson claimed this was his best team and he was right in a way as it was a team, that has less talent in the eyes of it critics but more team spirit than one can claimed about other teams, that claimed victory.

It did not come easily as over five years, the Scotman have thrown out players like Jaap Stam, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane etc to preserve the team and for those remaining he make sure they understood it was team before self.

For his actions, I can tell you the comments I have seem about Raddy matches that was spoken about Alex Ferguson then with many telling him he lost it and it was time to go. (This was the the nicest words then)

Indeed, we can see why Ferguson was so successful as he always chose players who put team before self and rid those who do not posses it with example from Scholes, Giggs, Schmeichel and Andy Cole; with them having clashed with the Scotman.

But those stories are leaked out by the players only years after it happened and when they have no consequences on the team.

This helped to maintain the team spirit and more importantly allowed the players to maintain working relationship with their manager behind closed door.

So when compared to Goh situation one can see why Raddy never selected him again.

A working relationship is not easy to maintain for if a player like Scholes, who is known to be mild-tempered and easy going, can have a clash with his manager we do not need it to come out into the open.

That is why players also have a responsibility to know when they can speak as they are public figures and are no longer children anymore for Ahmad Latiff is only 1 year younger than me.

Once spoken, it is difficult to salvage any situation thus they should bear those consequences as one has to ask those players - Do have spoken out then, what did they hoped to achieve?

That is why action to show your coach you are indeed 'reformed' are important and going to the press to denounce your coach is not one of them .

Masrezwan Masturi can give a talk on that as he was as responsible as the Manchester United players for the press have try to contact him after the incident for quotes but he was in their words uncontactable and remain up to this day tight-lipped.

In summary, Raddy do not need my help to name this squad as he should know who he can work with and who are those who put team before self.

And if he believed he can or cannot work with the player people want to return then one should accept it as he is the coach and will bear any consequences.

That is good enough for me for building a team with at least over 20 individuals is complex and he has to choose players who are willing to work with him and the team.

It is not just talent in the end but also about a team.

Not the time for all S-league games to be on weekend

Recently there are section of the fans who are pushing for all S-league matches to be on weekend however I do not believe it is the time yet.

They are not wrong to push for it but I have always believed the corporate side also have to be taken into account.

Especially, as the corporate side has been willing to fork out the needed money the S-league clubs had wanted and which, in all honestly, the clubs are unlikely to find elsewhere.

In addition, pushing all the games to weekend will not be the miracle cure some believed; just like when sections of the fans wanted games to be on weekend afternoon as they told us it could work by giving us local games and then foreign ones.

Now, almost three months into the test, some are expressing doubts with what looked good on paper (although I never liked it) not translated into reality with the weather just one of the main bugger for talks that the BPL fans will turn up is not happening.

The reality is Singapore is not a sport nation thus fans (especially those foreign clubs ones) are not willing to bear with 'hardship' other than the local hardcore.

It will not changed in the near future so any changes to the S-league have to be practical for that moment in time in my view.

ISL is a good example, there were a number of changes three years, back in 2009, when the league was reformed but now it is cracking up with clubs unable to feed itself - even the rich ones like Persija Jakarta.

We have to note that ASEAN football is still in the stone age when we are talking sport business and even  the Asian top dog in sport business, J-league, have not attracted the corporate fans or as Roy Keane called them - prawn sandwich brigade.

They are the cash cow in sport business for when somebody spend - what many have to earn over many years - for a VIP box which seat just a few people, we can see how much they add to the revenue.

The Suzuki Cup Final second leg last year in Indonesia was a showcase as the Indonesian VIPs scoop up the tickets despite it being priced much higher than regular and they (those VIP fans) did not feel the pinch.  

Is S-league at that stage?

No, and one cannot find them in ASEAN for honestly take away the corporate help in even the booming TPL, as the Thai Port case showed, and it will take years to rebuild - if it is even possible to rebuild in the first place as whether we like it or not, the modern age of football need money, and tons of it, to have a beginning now.

And there have been a compromise (Let remember just a few years ago not a single S-league match was scheduled for weekend no matter what) by the corporate side for more weekend games have been scheduled than previous seasons.

I am willing to accept that as looking at the fixtures, I only hoped that in coming seasons, baring a few weekend, all weekend should at least have one game as this season, there were still certain weekend when I feel S-league should have scheduled games.

But it is a step in the right direction and the changes is at a pace where it would not cause a collapse for it have been as fair as possible to all parties.

We should not rush things for A-league try to caught up with J-league in five years and is now backtracking as they admitted they overextended themselves.

That is why I constant looked at changes in term of decades and not years.

Albirex present adidas Family Day

Albirex Niigata FC (Singapore) will join forces with club apparel sponsors adidas in celebrating the family this coming weekend.

The club’s Saturday evening clash with title rivals Home United at Jurong East Stadium will be presented as adidas Family Day, a day for football fans to bring their family out and enjoy a weekend together watching some exciting football.

To celebrate the occasion, Albirex will be giving free entry to families or groups of three and above if all members wear adidas tops (including shirts and jerseys) to the match.

That is only the beginning, as individuals and families can take part in the Most Ardent adidas Fan contests for both categories and win adidas vouchers worth up to S$250.

Participation in the contest is simple. Individuals or families simply have to present their match tickets or season passes before half-time to the Albirex staff at the contest booth, which will be on the second floor at Jurong East Stadium, and fill up an entry form by entering their names and contact numbers.

The Albirex staff will then count the number of adidas items worn by the individual or group of contestants, including shirts, pants, socks, headbands, watches and other products. Each type of product worn scores one point, eg. a fan who wears two adidas wristbands is considered to have scored one point for the wristbands.

Fans wearing the 2011 Albirex adidas jersey will score three points for the jersey instead of one.

After tabulating the scores of all contestants, the respective winners of the individual and family categories will be announced at the end of the match. If the winner is not present in the stands, the prize would go to a runner-up. In the event of a tie, the prize money of S$100 for individuals and S$250 for families will be divided equally.

So wait no further! Put on all your adidas garb and bring your family to the White Swans’ home match against the Protectors this Saturday!

Youtube video

Free Kicks Programme 2011/2012 open for registration

Balestier Khalsa Football Club and Central Singapore Community Development Council are pleased to jointly announce that the Central Singapore Youth Football Developmental Programme, known as Free Kicks, is now open for registration for boys and girls aged between seven and 15 (as of 1 January 2011).

The Free Kicks Programme is Balestier Khalsa’s community football programme for children, and is regularly held on Sundays to give them a chance to learn some basics of the game and develop a healthy and sporting lifestyle.

Details of the programme for 2011/2012 are as follows:

Programme: BKFC/CSCDC “Free Kicks Programme” 2011/2012 (for Singapore and foreign kids 7-15 years, born between 1996 and 2005)
Venue: Toa Payoh Stadium
Time: 8.30am to 10am (Sundays, subject to availability of Toa Payoh Stadium, field and weather conditions)

Commencement Date: 10 April 2011
End of Programme: 25 March 2012
Important Event for this Programme: Mayor’s Shield on 4 March 2012 and 11 March 2012

Provided: Successful participant will be provided with one full set of Umbro Jersey with printing. On every training session or tournament matches, the participant must put on the Jersey, together with his or her own shinpads and boots.

Terms and Conditions for the programme are available upon request.

For registration, please fill up the application & parental consent forms available upon request at Balestier Khalsa’s club office, and enclose cash payment of S$50.00 to Balestier Khalsa personally.

Each participant must attain at least 75% attendance of the weekly trainings each month. Participants with no valid reasons for being absent and those who display poor conduct and discipline will be penalised accordingly. No refund of registration fee or appeal will be entertained should the participant be withdrawn from the programme.

While the programme has already commenced, registration remains open at this point in time.

Due to limited vacancies, registration for the programme is on a first-come-first-serve basis. The organisers will have the final decision on the eligibility of all applicants for the programme.

Should all vacancies be filled, the unsuccessful applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

For enquiries, please call 6356 0049 or email bkfc_tigers@hotmail.com.

Noh and Ridhuan to stay with Arema Malang for now

Noh Alam Shah and M.Ridhuan will stay with Indonesian champions Arema Malang until the end of the season.

After that, it will be over as the duo admitted to TNP that the financial situation is becoming unbearable and if not for the fans they will be gone already.

It is not known hoe much the club owned to it players but the report indicate the total amount is at least S$500k min.

S-league Preview XIV

S-league Preview XIII - 4 right with 3 wrong

Mon 16-May Home United - Hougang United (BSN)
Tue 17-May Woodlands Wellington - TPUFC (WDL)
Wed 18-May Etoile FC - Gombak United (QTN)
Thu 19-May Hougang United - Tampines Rovers (HGG)
Thu 19-May SAFFC - Geylang United (CCK)
Fri 20-May Courts Young Lions - Balestier Khalsa (JBS) 
Sat 21-May Albirex Niigata (S) - Home United (JES)

Home United vs Hougang United
Some are looking at Hougang United recent good run and hoping they can take on the Protectors. I am not convinced as I give a big discount on their good run for two of those matches included Woodlands Wellington and TPUFC (Enough said). The Protectors are a top team for a reason and they can take on the likes of Cheetah on an off day and still come out of it with full points and at this point in time, the Protectors are on their own good run - 4 wins in a row. 4-0 to Home 

Woodlands Wellington vs TPUFC
Here is a chance for the Rams to put some distance between them and the Jaguars. They are likely to take it as one thing they have over the Jaguars are that their ranks are filled with more experienced campaigners. This should till the balance to the Rams as frankly both are equally bad but as least the Rams have shown they can get a win while the Jaguars are still searching for it. 2-1 to the Rams

Etoile FC vs Gombak United
The champions have lost half their encounters against the Bulls. So what is the format why the Bulls are so successful? I would say the results of those games tell us a lot. To this point, only 3 goals have been scored between them. The Bulls ultra-defensive stand have meant the champions have a hard time breaking through especially as the Bulls enjoyed a physical style of play which the champions are known to dislike. I cannot see why the Bulls will abandon that stand in this game especially as they worked against the champions. 0-0 draw 

Hougang United vs Tampines Rovers
After the Protectors game, the Cheetah next encounter is no less easier as the Stags will be looking for full points and they will be in no mood to show any mercy. Especially as the Stags need to stack up the points now for the Protectors and Etoile appear to have gel and both are hitting form so they will be chasing the champions even more ferociously. The Stags have a buffer but it can easily disappear as the Stags still have to meet the other contenders two more times. So the game against the middle-tiers are important as they cannot afford to drop unnecessary points. 3-0 to the Stags

SAFFC vs Geylang United
The Warriors title challenge is hanging by a thread. Anymore disappointing performances like the ones against Albirex and especially TPUFC and their league season is over. We cannot say they can still challenge for second place or third as they are judged on the S-league crown. That is why the SAFFC management was willing to tell the players to pack up if they do not bucked as why pay them an extra six months salary to fight for two or third. The Warriors are eight-time champions and only the crown is worth the fight. The players have been warned. 3-0 to the Warriors 

Courts Young Lions vs Balestier Khalsa
Both teams are in need of pick-me-up game and both may view the other as that type of team. The Cubs have little firepower until Khariul Nizam return while the Tigers have lost their will (According to the Tigers coach). A game that I cannot see any difference between both sides. 1-1 draw

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Home United
The Protectors have no time to rest now as the Stags still have a buffer of 5 points so the Bishan side must win every games to keep pace with the leaders. Albirex Niigata (S) is a decent side but one which the Protectors have no excuse not to walk away with all three points. To be champions, the Protectors must show their desires and hunger and kill off the likes of Albirex. 3-1 to Home

Warriors and Tigers warned their players

After two consecutive poor performances - a 6-3 thumping at the hands of Albirex Niigata and shocking 2-2 draw with unfancied Tanjong Pagar United - have enraged officials of eight-time S-League champions SAFFC.

And the club may ring in the changes when the mid-season transfer window opens in a month's time.

According to MediaCorp, after the draw with Tanjong Pagar, SAFFC general manager Kok Wai Leong told the players they were welcome to leave the club in the transfer window starting June 13.

Kok statement appeared to have rallied the Warriors as SAFFC players confirmed that Kok had harsh words for the team, and they felt that the manager was entitled to his statements.

One player admitted the team can lose but not in the fashion they have been doing in their last two matches as they had players who went down without a fight.  

Acting in the same fashion was the Tigers management as head coach Salim Moin was quoted in the media that he will not accept anymore meekly performances from his team and if they do not show courage and fight, then they will not be in his team

The Tigers have lost their last three games but more importantly is the fact they have conceded 14 goals and the last crushing defeat - 0-4 against Etoile FC - appear to have been the last the coach will accept with the team underperforming.

One of the last time management step in to warn players to buck up was back in the 2004 season  with Tampines Rovers going as far as to print out warning letters to the players after a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Young Lions.

It worked though as the Stags then went on a 12-match winning streak to win the league championship.

SAFFC could be hoping for that while the Tigers will be wishing for less but is surely seeking an improved performance.

Will the two management be granted their wishes?

Time will tell

RHB Singapore Cup draw

First Round
Etoile FC vs TPUFC
Gombak United vs Balestier Khalsa
Home United vs Woodlands Wellington
Hougang United vs Harimau Huda (MSL)
South Melbourne (VPL) vs Albirex Niigata (S)
SAFFC vs Phnom Penh Crown (CL)
Pattaya FC (TPL) vs Okkthar (ML)
Geylang United vs Tampines Rovers

Stags are going to Middle-East

The Stags are going to the Middle-West after they failed to secure top spot.

They had fallen 4-0 to Thai champions Muang Thong United in their final group game with both having secured their knockout places already.

The Stags knockout stage opponent is Group E winners Arbil of Iraq. 

Tampines Rovers
Hassan Sunny; Seiji Kaneko, Benoit Croissant, Park Yo Seb, Imran Sahib, Akihiro Nakamura (Shukor Zailan 79’), Shahdan Sulaiman, Ismadi Mukhtar, Aliff Shafaein (Jufri Taha 64’), Aleksandar Duric (Ahmed Fahmie 71’), Ahmad Latiff

Home cut lead to two

Home United have cut Tampines Rovers lead at the top to two points after crushing Gombak United 4-1.

The Protectors goals came from Shi Jia Yi, who scored a brace, Qiu Li and Firdaus Idros.

The Bulls sole reply was from Chang Jo Yoon.

In other matches, champions Etoile FC also showcased their championship creditability  by crushing Balestier Khalsa 4-0 in a match they barely broke a sweat while dwellers Woodlands Wellington finally won a match as they defeated Courts Young Lions 2-1 .
   
The French side goals were from Maxime Belouet, Theo Raymond and a brace from Jonathan Toto.

The Cubs goal was from Fazli Ayob while the Rams goals came from Goh Swee Swee and Leonardo Alexio. 

Gombak United

Zakariah Nerani (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang, Obadin Aikhena, Walid Lounis (Zulkiffli Hassim), Tengku Mushadad, Aloysius Yap, Kwon Jin Sung (Shafuan Sutohmoh), Chang Jo Yoon (Fareez Farhan), Park Kang Jin

Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Shi Jiayi (C), Nor Azli Yusoff, Isa Halim (Sufian Anuar), Firdaus Kasman (Firdaus Idros), Kim Dae Eui, Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li

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Balestier Khalsa

Ahmadulhaq Che Omar  (GK), Anaz Hadee, Lim Young Woo, Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Ishak Zainol, Ridhwan Osman, Shamsurin Abd Rahman (Vitor Borges), Nurhilmi Jasni, Andrew Tan, Kim Young Kwang (Armanizam Dolah)

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Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Afiq Yunos, Irwan Shah, Shakir Hamzah, Fazli Ayob, Eugene Luo, Izzdin Shafiq, Hariss Harun (C), Faris Ramli (Safirul Sulaiman), Nazrul Ahmad Nazari (Eddie Chang), Syafiq Zainal (Zulfahmi Arifin) 

Woodlands Wellington 

Amos Boon (GK),Munier Raychouni, Graham Tatters, Farhan Zakaria (Sahairi Ramri), Syed Karim (Darrel Tan), Jalal, Ali Imran Lomri, Sazali Salleh (C), Han Yiguang, Goh Swee Swee, Nigel Vanu (Leonardo Alexio)

Warriors trip up again

SAFFC trip up in the championship race once again as they nearly fall to Tanjong Pagar United at Jalan Besar.

The Warriors were 2-1 down at one stage one of the game thanks to Korean Hyun Jong Woon and an own goal by the Warriors.

However, former Lions Indra Shadan drew them level with 20 minutes of the game to go. Warriors top scorer Mislav Karoglan had scored the opener.

But it is still considered a terrible result as the Jaguars have only collected 2 points from their previous 11 matches and both were from their fellow strugglers.

The Warriors have now won 1 points from their last 2 matches and faced the possibility they could dropped out of the title race if they do not buckled up.

In earlier games, Courts Young Lions and Geylang United drew 3-3 while Albirex Niigata (S) crushed Woodlands Wellington 5-0.

The Cubs goals came from Fazli Ayob, Nazrul Ahmad Nazari and Hariss Harun while the Eagles ones are scored by Hafiz Rahim, Vasile Ghindaru and Kim Jae Hong.

The White Swans goals came from Shimpei Sakurada, Tatsuro Inui, Bruno Castanheira and a brace from Yosuke Saito.

Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Afiq Yunos, Irwan Shah, Safuwan Baharudin, Shakir Hamzah, Fazli Ayob, Izzdin Shafiq, Hariss Harun (C), Nazrul Ahmad Nazari, Faris Ramli (Eugene Luo), Syafiq Zainal (Safirul Sulaiman)

Geylang United

Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Adrian Dhanaraj, Joo Ki Hwan, Syed Fadhil, Vasile Ghindaru, Kim Jae Hong, Syed Thaha, Masrezwan Masturi (Yasir Hanapi (Shah Hirul)), Jung Hee Bong (Rizawan Abdullah), Hafiz Rahim

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Woodlands Wellington 

Amos Boon (GK), Sahairi Ramri (Farhan Hairoddin), Graham Tatters, Farhan Zakaria (Nigel Vanu), Syed Karim, Jala, Ali Imran Lomri, Sazali Salleh (C), Shahri Musa (Nawfal Shahib), Goh Swee Swee, Leonardo Alexio

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TPUFC 

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Khairul Solyhin, Kim Seong Kyu (C), Ganesan s/o Devadas, Arisman Arman (Azlan Alipah), Delwinder Singh (Shamil Sharif), Kim Jong Oh, Hyun Jong Woon, Takaya Kawanabe, Nurizam Azman (Abdul Rahman), Gary Loo 

SAFFC

Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah, Razaleigh Khalik, Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Noh Rahman,  Ivan Jerkovic, Mustaqim Manzur (Erwan Gunawan), Ruzaini Zainal, Mislav Karoglan, Indra Sahdan (Fazrul Nawaz )

ASEAN Under-23 championship

The AFF U23 meet will be held in Palembang from 16-26 July 2011.

The tournament which is being used in preparation for the SEA Games this year see five teams taking part and they are Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar and Timor Leste.

1. Myanmar
2. Timor Leste
3. Indonesia
4. Philippines
5. Singapore

16-Jul-2011
Indonesia vs Timor Leste
Singapore vs Pihlippines

18-Jul-2011
Philippines vs Myanmar
Singapore vs Indonesia

20-Jul-2011
Myanmar vs Singapore
Timor Leste vs Philippines

22-Jul-2011
Singapore vs Timor Leste
Indonesia vs Myanmar

24-Jul-2011
Philippines vs Indonesia
Timor Leste vs Myanmar

26-Jul-2011
3rd Place vs 4th Place
Winner vs Runner-up

Cubs not playing in RHB Singapore Cup this year

The Courts Young Lions have been allowed to pull out of the Singapore Cup this year due to a packed schedule.

This is due to the fact the Singapore U23 side have committed to the AFF U23 championship in Indonesia in July which will take up to 2 weeks.

As the majority of the Singapore U23 side are make up from the Courts Young Lions, it has been decided the clash of schedule will make it impossible for the boys to have enough rest in between games.

It will of course lead to fears of increased chances of injuries occurring and this will have an impact on the U23 side.

This is especially important as the boys have a major assignment at the end of the year - SEA Games.

Foreign teams for RHB Singapore Cup

The Foreign teams are believed to be

• Harimau Muda (MSL)
• Chonburi (TPL)
• Pelita Jaya (ISL)
• Pattaya United (TPL)
• Myanmar team coached P.N.Sivaji (Do not asked me team as I am sure nobody followed Myanmar league here)

Gombak United holding COE Under-18 and Under-16 trials

Gombak United Football Club are holding trials for players interested in joining the Centre of Excellence Under-18 and Under-16 teams.

Details of the trials are as follows.

COE Under-18
Eligibility: Open to males born in 1993 and 1994 only.
Date: 17 May 2011
Venue: Jurong West Stadium
Trial Timing: 9am to 11am
Report Timing: 8am

COE Under-16
Eligibility: Open to males born in 1995 and 1996 only.
Date: 22 May 2011
Venue: Jurong West Stadium
Trial Timing: 3pm to 5pm
Report Timing: 2pm

Players attending either trial should bring their own attire.

Those interested in the trials can contact the club at 6561 2290.

Hougang United COE Under-18 and Under-16 trials

Hougang United Football Club will be having selection trials for the Centre of Excellence Under-18 & Under-16 teams.

The trials will be held on 17 May 2011 at Hougang Stadium at the following times:

Under-16 (born Jan 1995 – Dec 1996) from 9am to 11am
Under-18 (born Jan 1993 – Dec 1994) from 3pm to 5pm

Players coming for the trials are to bring with them:
1) A pair of football boots
2) Socks, Shorts and Jersey
3) Shin pads

For more information, please contact Hougang United Football Club at 6385 5667.

Southeast Eagles Soccer School 2011

S-league Preview XIII (Edited)

S-league Preview XII - 2 right with 1 perfect score and 1 wrong

Mon 9-May Courts Young Lions - Geylang United (JBS)
Tue 10-May Albirex Niigata (S) - Woodlands Wellington (JBS)
Wed 11-May TPUFC - SAFFC (JBS)
Thu 12-May Gombak United - Home United (JBS)
Fri 13-May Balestier Khalsa - Etoile FC (JBS) 
Sat 14-May Courts Young Lions - Woodlands Wellington (JBS)
Sun 15-May Tampines Rovers vs Albirex Niigata (S) (TMP)

Courts Young Lions vs Geylang United
The Eagles had a terrible first round no matter how one looked at it. They were the only side, outside of bottom 3, to lose to the bottom 3 -  Courts Young Lions - and the only side to draw - Woodlands Wellington - with them as well. Now is the time to redeem. It is really win or bust as nobody will accept anything but an Eagles victory. 2-1 to Geylang United

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Woodlands Wellington
How can the White Swans not win this one. It is Woodlands Wellington. Virtually everybody is collecting points, and goals, against them. And the Rams can do nothing about it as they are that poor. 3-0 to Albirex Niigata (S) 

TPUFC vs SAFFC
The last of the easy one to predict. It take a brave man to believe the Jaguars will take a point (Let not be crazy and say they can even win) from this one. The Warriors need an easy match to get back on track after their disappointing thrashing at the hand of Albirex Niigata (S) and there is no easier match. Time to rack up the goals to improve their goal difference again. 4-0 to Warriors

Gombak United vs Home United
The Bulls are not an easy side to play against but the Protectors need the win. They pull a couple point back last time out and if they failed to beat the Bulls, it is back to square one again. But it should not affect the way the Protectors approach the game as knowing the Bulls, they are not going to come out of their shell anyway. The Protectors have to come out to attack and frankly take their chances to build up a lead as the Bulls are always dangerous on their (limited) set-pieces. 3-0 to Home United 

Balestier Khalsa vs Etoile FC
What has happen to the Tigers. 10 goals conceded in 2 games after just 8 in their first 10 games. They have a chance to set it up well against the champions. The French have not played in nearly 2 weeks and it could be a negative as they will need to rebuild their momentum but be warily as it could be a positive as well as they are well-rested and will have studied why the Stags and Protectors have racked up the goals against the Tigers. 2-0 to the Champions

Courts Young Lions vs Woodlands Wellington 
It is a match the Rams will look to as this will represent one the chances to rack up a point, minimum, but should in reality be their best shot at 3 points for a while. The Cubs main forward Khariul Nizam is not yet back from his suspension so they have no threat to their attack as the other forwards are all in their first season or second one (if one count the first or two games they played as one season). The problem is whether they will take it as the fact they have nobody with more than 1 goal tell us much about the Rams attack. But there is no better chance even if it start at the 'inhumane' time Rams coach tell us. 1-0 to Woodlands Wellington

Tampines Rovers vs Albirex Niigata (S)
Are the Stags getting tired? I would say yes. They are humans after all. But there is no restbite as the AFC Cup campaign continue and the Singapore Cup is coming up so this will have an effect on their league campaign sooner or later. One main reason is that the Stags are only using a mainstay of around 14 players for their campaign so far. This will impact their regulars and the most worrying is the sloe forward line (Duric). While the Stags may have seem all their outfield players score a goal, one, if they looked in more details, will note their Jurong East opponents have spread their goals among themselves more evenly so there are players coming in if one is suspended or injured. I am not sure the Stags have anybody who can come in for Duric. 2-2 draw

Home cut Stags lead

Home United have cut Tampines Rovers lead at the top as they defeated Balestier Khalsa 5-2 while the Stags are held to a 1-1 draw with Gombak United.

The strikeforce of Qiu Li and Frederic Mendy terrorize the backline of the Tigers, which had already conceded 5 goals in the previous game as well, as they each got a brace.

Midfielder Shi JiaYi also mark his return from China, for his grandfather funeral, with a goal.

The Tigers goals came from defender Paul Cunningham.

For Tampines Rovers, they felt the effect of playing their fourth game in 10 days and their tenth game since the start of April which had also involved much traveling overseas as well.

They were unable to finish off the Bulls despite them dominating the game after Duric had given the lead.

The Bulls were only able to get into the game towards the last quarter of the game as the Stags start to fade away.

And the Bulls make the Stags make for that as they scored the equaliser from their favourite source of attack - a setpiece.

Korean Kwon Jin Sung scored the equaliser as he blasted the freekick past the wall and past Hassan Sunny into the net.

In another match, Hougang United thrashed Woodlands Wellington 4-1 with goals from Diego Oliviera and Jordan Webb who both scored a brace.

The Rams goal came from Ali Imran Lomri.

Home United

Fajar Sarib (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim (Sufian Anuar), Firdaus Idros (Firdaus Kasman) , Kim Dae Eui, Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li (C)

Balestier Khalsa

Joey Sim (GK) (Ahmadulhaq Che Omar), Anaz Hadee, Lim Young Woo, Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Ishak Zainol, Ridhwan Osman (Armanizam Dolah), Shamsurin Abd Rahman, Nurhilmi Jasni (Andrew Tan), Vitor Borges, Kim Young Kwang

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Tampines Rovers

Hassan Sunny;Zahid Ahmad, Seiji Kaneko, Benoit Croissant, Ahmad Latiff (Aliff Shafaein), Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib,  Shahdan Sulaiman, Park Yo Seb, Shukor Zailan (Jamil Ali), Aleksandar Duric

Gombak United

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

Ang Bang Heng (GK), Adrian Butters (Ali Imran Lomri), Sahairi Ramri, Munier Raychouni, Madhu Mohana, Graham Tatters, Jalal (Sahhid Jamallil), Sazali Salleh (C), Han Yiguang, Leonardo Alexio (Shahri Musa), Nigel Vanu

Hougang United

Ridzuan Hasan (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Ratna Suffian, Duncan Elias (Ali 'Irfani), Azhar Sairudin (Sobrie Mazelan), Jordan Webb, Diego Oliviera (Fazli Jaffar), Noor Ali, Carlos Delgado, Mamadou Diallo

One fixture changed with more games moved to Jalan Besar

While GE is over, the pitch have taken a knock so S-league fixtures are set for a change for next week as well.

Fixture changed

• Courts Young Lions vs Geylang United (Reverse Fixture - 10 Aug 2011 played at Bedok Stadium)

Venues changed to Jalan Besar

• Albirex Niigata (S) vs Woodlands Wellington
• TPUFC vs SAFFC
• Gombak United vs Home United

Tampines reach last 16

Tampines Rovers have reached the knockout stage after defeating Maldivian side Victory SC 4-0 at Jalan Besar.

Goal machine Aleksandar Duric scored a brace with both Ahmad Latiff and Shahdan Sulaiman contributing as well.

While the battle for the knockout stage is over, top place, which give the winner home advantage in the round of 16 which is one leg, is still up for grab and Tampines should be temped to do well in Thailand.

Tampines Rovers will have to win in Thailand to top the group as Thai champions Muang Thong United have a better goal difference.

Tampines Rovers

Hassan Sunny; Seiji Kaneko, Benoit Croissant, Park Yo Seb; Imran Sahib, Shukor Zailan (Taufiq Rahmat 83’), Shahdan Sulaiman, Akihiro Nakamura, Ismadi Mukhtar; Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin (Aliff Shafaein 64’), Aleksandar Duric

S-league Preview XII (edited)

 

S-league Preview XI - 3 right and 2 wrong

Wed 4-May Home United - Balestier Khalsa (JBS)
Thu 5-May Woodlands Wellington - Hougang United (JBS)
Fri 6-May Tampines Rovers - Gombak United (JBS) 

Home United vs Balestier Khalsa
The Protectors cannot afford to drop any point as the second round begin and they should not - in this game at least. Yes the Tigers are difficult to beat but they are one of the games which are winnable but is certainly a banana skin. If they dropped the points here and in the end it cost them the championship, the Protectors have nobody to blame but themselves. Finishing second in this era mean little and that is the harsh truth. 2-0 to Home 

Woodlands Wellington vs Hougang United
Rams coach Balasubramaniam noted he will try to ring in the changes so that his team can gain points in the second round onwards. To be honest, I am not sure what he can changed. Defensively, the Rams are good enough but once it come to attack, they suck to the core. And he can do nothing as the midfield do not have anybody good enough to hold onto the ball and play it around and their strikers do not put fear into the heart of any opposition defence. The Rams are destined to be in the bottom three. 0-0 draw. 

Tampines Rovers vs Gombak United 
Would Tampines had hoped it was one of the team whose game was postponed? Hard to say as they have the momentum now but facing the Bulls is no easy feat and it come after the Stags had once again had a midweek game, it will be tiring. They need a man like Duric to break down a side like the Bulls. It tough and they are humans so the Bulls could once again take something from the game against the Stags. 1-1 draw