Monday, December 31, 2012

Harry Kewell in sight of DPMM

The Brunei Times have reported DPMM Brunei is set to sign one of the biggest name ever for the upcoming S-league season.

The club is aiming for Harry Kewell who may cost up to U$1.2 million (S$1.44 million)

The club is looking to improve on their 2009 and 2012 season where they were League Cup champions both times but ye failed to win the two most converted one - S-league and Singapore Cup.

They were also S-league runner-up last season.

Woodlands linked with Ahmad Latiff

Since being released by Tampines Rovers at the end of the season, Ahmad Latiff have being searching for a new employer and it is believed Woodlands Wellington have offered him a deal.

The 34-year-old have played for Woodlands Wellington for 3 years in 2004 to 2005 as well as the 2007 season.

Unfortunately, he tainted his last season with the club despite winning the club first silverware - League Cup - at that time as even after being named skipper at the start of the 2007 season to reward him for his senior position, he did not show it as he was banned for a number of games especially towards the middle of the season when he clashed with referee S.Kumar and was send off for shoving him which led to a lengthy ban. 

After that, the club released him despite the season not ending yet

Since then, he appeared to have clam down as shown with Tampines Rovers where he has played a part in the club last two titles win.

It is why Woodlands Wellington may welcome this Ahmad Latiff more than the one in 2007 despite the fact former international may be at his peak then rather than now.

Tampines set to appoint Nenad Bacina

Tampines Rovers are set to appoint Croatian Nenad Bacina as their coach for next year.

The only thing that is missing now is his signature on the contract as they have offered him the deal.

The former Warriors skipper have coached Woodlands Wellington in 2009 and Hougang United last season.

His other coaching experience included being Head Coach Advisor and Technical Consultant at Malaysian club PDRM as well as being youth development coach at two clubs in his native Croatia.

Current and ex-internationals at Tampines

As a paper - OK, it is TODAY - ,despite having the resources available to them, have shown they do not know the number of Singaporean internationals at Tampines, here a list of current and past ones for the upcoming season.

Khairul Amri
Shaiful Esah
Firdaus Kasman
SHAHDAN SULAIMAN
Fahrudin Mustafic
Jamil Ali
Irman Sahib
Sazali Salleh
Aleksandar Duric

Still set on signing marquee player

TODAY have reported champions Tampines Rovers are still set on signing a marquee player who salary is expected to cost a six-figure sum for any club wishing to signing such players.

At this time the club have already signed 3 foreigners - retaining Serbian forward Sead Hadzibulic and Macedonian goalkeeper Sasa Dreven as well as hiring Albirex Niigata defender Kunihiro Yamashita.

They are still searching for two more including a player fit to be the marquee player.

Home retain Indra and Masrezwan

Home United have retain forward Indra Sahdan and Masrezwan Masturi for the upcoming season.

Even with the inclusion of winger cum forward Jordan Webb as well as the capture of Warriors Aliff Shafaein, Home United forward line still look weak and is unlikely to score enough goals to sustain a title challenge.

That why the 4 remaining foreign slots for Home United looked crucial as one of them have to foreign forward who can notch the goals like Mendy did for the Bishan club for the last two seasons.

Or else it is hard to see how Home United can challenge as currently their attack looked too weak to pose any danger to mid-tier teams as alone fellow challengers SAFFC, Tampines or DPMM.

Tug of war between uniform sides for Shafiul Anuar

Shafiul Anuar is the rumored target of a tug of war between Home United and SAFFC.

The forward is wanted by both clubs to strengthen their team for the upcoming season.

The former Home United forward was firstly rumored to be sliding towards his former employer at the beginning but it appear now SAFFC have offer him a good deal as well.

And it may make him change his mind on signing with the Protectors and go with the eight-time champions who are rebuilding under V. Selveraj this season.

TODAY bloopers

Do not say I am just aiming Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) despite evidences of their biases.

Here one from Media Corp TODAY as noted by civotarum
Stags hoping to sign Bacina

no mention of Shahdan too..

I wonder how much we can trust from this report, as again poor knowledge/basic error shown by the writer. Sasa is croatian, not macedonian
It show the high standard fans demand of all their reporting from the mainstream media as we have to remember the media ask for Singapore football to uphold high standard so we are not asking anything more than what the media ask of others.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

DPMM in U$1million deal for player

African soccer weebly website claimed S-league team DPMM Brunei is set to secure Hearts of Oak midfielder Laryea Kingston.

It is reportedly worth U$1million and will put the 31-year-old as the Brunei club star signing.

The midfielder other move aboard include Israel side Hapoel Be'er Sheva in 2011, Scottish side Heart of Midlothian, Dutch team Vitesse Arnhem and a couple of Russian clubs.

Courts Young Lions set to appoint new coach

Courts Young Lions is set to appoint a new coach in the upcoming season with Singapore Selection coach Aide Iskandar appointed.

The former Singapore skipper had coached Hougang United before in 2011.

As for current coach Robin, he will likely be send to coach the Singapore Under-16 side.

Woodlands Wellington sign Yazid Yasin and Atsushi Shimono

Woodlands Wellington have signed custodian Yazid Yasin and midfielder Atsushi Shimono for the upcoming season .

Yazid Yasin have been released by a Geylang management looking to renew their squad and the Rams was quick to secure the services of a player who have total of 124 appearances for the Rams before leaving for the Eagles in 2008.

As for Atsushi Shimono, he has been in the S-league for the past four season with Albirex Niigata (S) and in that time, has helped Albirex to win the League Cup in 2011 and finished third last season with his accomplished vision and distribution of the ball lending a touch of class to the midfield.

That was why he was a popular target when Albirex decided it was time to let him go with Woodlands have to tussled with Tanjong Pagar to get him.

Home United sign trio from Warriors

Home United have move to secure the services of a trio of players from SAFFC.

They are keeper Shahril Jantan, utility man Noh Rahman and winger cum forward Aliff Shafaein.

With Lionel Lewis retired, Shahril Jantan can filled up the keeper role while No Rahman can do a job a defensive anywhere in defence or midfield. As for Aliff Shafaein, he is a player who can do a job coming off the bench if needed as well as when he start a game.

DPMM signed 2 new foreigners

The Brunei Times have reported DPMM Brunei have signed two new foreigners for the upcoming season.

They are Portuguese striker Joao Vitor Rocha De Carvalho Moreira, 26, and Guadeloupean midfielder Stephane Auvray, 31.

Moreira has represented Portugal at the Under-20 and Under-21 level while Auvray, who captains his national team, formerly laced up for Major League Soccer outfit New York Red Bulls. His profile describes him as a "defensive midfielder known for his aggressive tackling."

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Wilkinson sign for Salgaocar

Former International John Wilkinson has join I-league club Salgaocar.

The 33-year-old have been without action since falling out with Home United coach Paul Lee in July and departed once the season ended.

He has been looking for a club since having been linked with DPMM Brunei.

The midfielder is first Singaporean to play in the I-league since it inception in 1996.

Albirex released list

Albirex Niigata (S) have announced they have released these players for the upcoming season.
  1. Yutaka Nishi (F) Played: 1 match
  2. Yuhei Shiratori (M) Played: 16 matches
  3. Keita Kobayashi (M) Played: 17 matches
  4. Shoji Daiki (D) Played:0 match
  5. Hidekazu Yamamoto (D) Played: 20 matches
  6. Yuta Oguriyama (D) Played: 0 match
  7. Masahiko Ando (D) Played: 0 match
  8. Kohta Tamakawa (D) Played: 2 matches

Woodlands retain 6 players from senior squad

Blackwool, Woodlands Wellington website, have announced the current players will be retain for the upcoming season.

Senior Squad
1. Ahmadulhaq Che Omar
2. Farizal Basri
3. Oswind Suriya
4. Goh Swee Swee
5. Armanizam Dolah
6. Moon Soon-Ho

Prime League Squad
1. Fearghus Lyle Bruce
2. Dinie Fitri
3. Zulkarnain Malik
4. Mark Tan Mu Zhou
5. Nurhakim Kamsani
6. Andy Ahmad
7. Danial Tan Farhan


Other than that, Prime League players Abdul Qadir Yusoff, Ali Razali and Sidiq Abdullah have also been conscripted for National Service in the following season.

Home set to capture Shahril Jantan from Warriors

With Lionel Lewis retiring, Home United have move to replace his spot for the upcoming season.

They are targeting Shahril Jantan from SAFFC as the Warriors already have another top keeper Hassan Sunny on their book.

This have seem Shahril Jantan chances at at the Choa Chu Kang club limited this season.

While at Bishan, it is different now as Lionel Lewis is gone and the club need a new number one whp is as good between their post to challenge for the title.

DPMM released 3 of their foreigners

League Cup champions DPMM Brunei have decided to change their cast of foreigners despite finishing second in the League and winning the League Cup.

3 of their 4 foreigners - Basiru Osman, Patrick da Silva and Ivan Jerkovic - are all gone with only Tales dos Santos still contracted to the club.

In return they have been linked with players like Pascal Chimbonda and Luis Boa Morte.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Syria win WAFF championship

Syria has won their first West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship.

They defeat 2007 Asian Cup champions Iraq on penalties in the Final after both sides drew 1-1 at full time and despite another 30 minutes of extra time, the team could not tear each other apart.  

The WAFF championship had started out as a competition meant for teams not included in the Gulf Cup although in recent years Gulf Cup teams are also playing in the competition with only Qatar and UAE missing out this year.

11 teams from West Asia including powerhouse like Saudi Arabia and Iran played in this year edition.

At the same time, Oman, who are in the same Asian Cup group as Singapore, has reach the WAFF Championship semi-final stage showing they are no pushover either for they are in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers final group stage for the Asian Zone and they have the same points as second-place and automatic World Cup qualifying spot Australia.

Jordan had been knocked out in the WAFF championship group stage but the Jordanian reach the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers final group stage for the Asian Zone and despite being last they are only 1 point away from Oman and second-placed Australia.

NexLions Cup Results

Semi-final
Singapore Selection 0-1 Liverpool U19
Sporting Lisbon U19 4-1 Manchester United U19 

Third/Fourth
Singapore Selection 1-2 Manchester United U19

Final 
Sporting Lisbon U19 2-0 Liverpool U19

Lions City Cup Results

Group A
Singapore U16 2-1 Ajax U16
Singapore U16 0-0 Porto U16
Ajax U16 3-1 Porto U16

Group B
Singapore U15 1-2 Vasco Da Gama U16
Manchester City U16 2-0 Vasco Da Gama U16
Singapore U15 0-6 Manchester City U16

Semi-final
Ajax U16 4-2 Manchester City U16
Singapore U16 4-0 Vasco Da Gama U16

Fifth/Sixth Placing
Porto U16 6-0 Singapore U15

Third/Fourth Placing
Manchester City 3-1 Vasco Da Gama U16

Final
Ajax U16 4-1 Singapore U16

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Singapore win fourth ASEAN title

Suzuki Cup 
Final, Second leg
Thailand 1-0 Singapore

Singapore has won their 4th ASEAN title as they defeated Thailand 3-2 overall.

The first leg win by Singapore at Jalan Besar proved too much for the Thais to overcome even with home advantage.
Especially as Singapore decided to sit back and let the Thais asked the questions for it is them who need not only the win but also by a two-goal margin.

For despite the Thais creating a number of chances they never make Singapore number custodian Izwan Mahbud make a save considered tough until the final 5minutes.

That was why despite getting the opening goal at the stroke of half-time, the Thais were unable to get another goal to give them the trophy.

With that, Singapore won their fourth title in the last 8 attempts and it is Raddy 3rd titles making him the most successful coach in ASEAN championship.

Singapore: 
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim, Shahril Ishak (C), Aleksandar Duric, Shahdan Sulaiman (Farzul Nawaz), Khairul Amri (Qiu Li)

U22 Asian Cup Qualifiers results

Group E (Indonesia)
Singapore U22 2-1 Timor Leste U22
Scorer: Fareez Farhan, Madhu Mohana

Singapore U22 1-3 Japan U22
Scorer: Shamil Sharif

Singapore U22 0-0 Australia U22

Singapore U22 3-0 Macau U22
Scorer:  Faris Ramli, Al-Qaasimy, Aqhari Abdullah

Indonesia U22 2-0 Singapore U22

Group E final table
1) Japan U22 *
2) Australia U22 *
3) Indonesia U22
4) Singapore U22
5) Timor Leste U22
6) Macau U22

* Qualified for U22 Asian Cup Finals

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Singapore beat Thai 3-1 to take healthy lead to Bangkok



 Suzuki Cup
Final, first leg
Singapore 3-1 Thailand

Scorer: Mustafic Fahrudin, Khairul Amri, Baihakki Khaizan

Singapore has taken a huge lead to Bangkok as they defeated heavy favourite Thailand 3-1 at Jalan Besar.

Mustafic Fahrudin, named Man of the Match by a number of media sources, gave Singapore the lead as he scored from a spot kick after Duric was fouled in the box.

With Mustafic Fahrudin showing why he was named Man of the Match by a number of media sources for keeping Thai playmaker Teerasil Dangda quiet, the Lions should have scored a second before the break but it did not come about.

After half-time, the Thai nearly make Singapore pay as they equalised but Khairul Amri off a Duirc cross scored almost immediately for the home side to take the lead for the second time.

Singapore continue to play impressively and earn their third goals as Thai keeper flagged the last corner of the game in injury time and Baihakki pound on the mistake to give Singapore a healty two-goal lead for the reutrn leg in Bangkok in 3 days time. 

Singapore: 
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim, Shahril Ishak (C), Aleksandar Duric, Shahdan Sulaiman, Khairul Amri  (Firdaus Kasman 85)

Thai reach Final

Thailand have reached the Suzuki Cup Final as they beat defending champion Malaysia 3-1 overall.

The Thai drew the first leg 1-1 in Malaysia and then proceed to beat the Malaysia 2-0 in the rerurn leg in Thailand.

With the result, Thailand will meet Singapore in the Final with the first leg in Singapore and the second in Thailand.

Singapore reach Suzuki Cup Final

Suzuki Cup
Semi-Final, second leg
Singapore 1-0 Philippines
Scorer: Khairul Amri

Singapore reach the final of the Suzuki Cup as they defeated Philippines 1-0 in the second leg of the Suzuki Cup semi-final at Jalan Besar.

Khairul Amri hit the winner early in the first half and had chances to kill off the game but never did.

After that, although Philippines seek a comeback yet it never materialise as they failed to breach the Singapore backline

With that, Singapore was going to their fourth Final in the past 8 editions.  

Singapore: 
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Mustafic Fahrudin (Fazrul Nawaz 46), Isa Halim, Shahril Ishak (C) (Firdaus Kasman 90), Aleksandar Duric, Shahdan Sulaiman, Khairul Amri (Irwan Shah 68)

Singapore draw with Philippines

Suzuki Cup 
Semi-Final, first leg
Philippines 0-0 Singapore

Singapore and host Philippines play to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Suzuki Cup semi-final.

Singapore had the better of the chances especially in the first period but failed to make a breakthrough.

Philippines recovered after the break but they did not make any impact either.

Thus both sides have all to play for in the second leg. 

Singapore
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim, Shahdan Sulaiman, Shahril Ishak (C), Aleksandar Duric, Khairul Amri (Fazrul Nawaz 79)

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Saigon Xuan Thanh 'may not play in V-league'

VietNamNEt has reported Saigon Xuan Thanh 'may not played in the V-league' next season.

It seem despite cutting their budget by 45%, the club still have financial difficulties and owed their players up to 4 months of their wages.

That is why the club have gone to the Ho Chi Minh City authorities for help but have received no reply.

Even if the Vietnamese club, in the end, participate in the upcoming V-league season, one cannot see how they compete in the AFC Cup as the competition will require participating clubs to spend money on competing and until the Final, one may not end up financial better. 

V-league clubs have been suffering financial difficulties for the past year as a result of Vietnam economy problems which have seem their source of income (Their owners deep pocket and transfer fees) disappear.

AFC Cup fixtures for Stags and Warriors

SAFFC
5/3/2013 - vs. Semen Padang (A)
12/3/2013 - vs. Kitchee (H)
2/4/2013 - vs. Churchill Brothers (A)
10/4/2013 - vs. Churchill Brothers (H)
24/4/2013 - vs. Semen Padang (H)
1/5/2013 - vs. Kitchee (A)

Tampines Rovers
6/3/2013 - vs. Saigon Xuan Thanh (H)
13/3/2013 - vs. Selangor (A)
3/4/2013 - vs. Kingfisher East Bengal (H)
9/4/2013 - vs. Kingfisher East Bengal (A)
23/4/2013 - vs. Saigon Xuan Thanh (A)
30/4/2013 - vs. Selangor (H)

All home match will be played at JBS

Thursday, December 6, 2012

AFC Cup 2013 draw

GROUP E
Kitchee FC (Hong Kong League champions)
Semen Padang (Indonesian Champions)
Churchill Brothers (I-league second runner-up)
SAFFC (RHB Singapore Cup champions)

GROUP H
Selangor (Malaysia Super League second runner-up)
East Bengal (Federation Cup Champions)
Saigon Xuan Thanh (Vietnamese Cup Champions)
Tampines Rovers (Great Eastern-Yeo's S-league Champions)

John Wilkinson linked with DPMM

Former international John Wilkinson is reportedly on trial with DPMM and the Bruneian club could sign him.

If that is the case then the question become will Wilkinson take up a foreign slot or not.

I hope not as this can open another avenue for local players as A-league New Zealand side Wellington Phoenix are allowed to sign Aussies as local players.

After all in the end, if DPMM Brunei play a few local it can benefit Singapore football as well.

Geylang get Shotaro Ihata and Takuma Ito

Geylang have captured former Home forward Shotaro Ihata

The 25-year-old have been released by Home recently.

The club have also moved to replace Yazin Yasin with them signing Albirex Niigata (S) custodian Takuma Ito.

As for players at the club, foreigners Jozef Kaplan and Stefan Milojevic have been retain by the Eagles while locals Shah Hirul, Ridhuan Barudin, Amy Recha and Jalal.

Balestier get Qiu Li

After being released by Home, Singapore international Qiu Li has join Balestier Khalsa for the upcoming season.

Having achieved their best results, since the merger in 2003, with a sixth placed finish as well as winning the Plate Cup, Balestier are looking for even better results in 2013.

That why they are looking to plug their weakness last season as even with those good results and that was a lacked of firepower.

Qiu Li can get them those extra goals they desired if he can keep fit as the 31-year -old have fought fitness problems at his last clubs - Tampines and Home - who both released him for the same reasons.

At the same time, Gombak keeper Zaiful Nizam will joined the Tigers.

Lionel Lewis announced his retirement

Home United custodian Lionel Lewis have announced his retirement according to BoLASEPaKO.

The 30-year-old is retiring at a relatively young age for a keeper because he wish to build on his career outside football.

He will be taking up a post at Nanyang Polytechnic's (NYP) Student Affairs Department next year.
 

Jordan Webb join Home

Home United have reportedly captured Hougang winger cum forward Jordan Webb.

The Canadian have been the Cheetahs most impressive players for the past 3 seasons scoring 37 goals in all competition in the process.

This is a good capture by Home as they look to rebuild under Paul Lee again.

Jaguars sign Lounis

Gombak United defender Walid Lounis has join Tanjong Pagar United for the upcoming season according to Goal website.

The defender has been with the Bulls for the past two seasons but with the club taking a year break, he has to find a new club.

He has decided to join the Queentown club despite having other offers.

Bulls teammate K.Vikaraman will join him at the club.

The Jaguars have also move to retain defender Hafiz Osman who scored 4 goals, his best ever record.

Eagles released hero of 09

Considered by many to be the hero of 09 as Geylang won their first trophy, RHB Singapore Cup, in 9 years, Yazid Yasin has been released by the club.

The custodian had performed brilliantly throughout the 09 season especially en-route to the Singapore Cup as the Eagles, then under Mike Wong, was noted for it ability to grind out results rather than any flair they might display.

And in the Final, it was no different as the team sat back to absorb whatever Bangkok Glass can dish out before sending the sucker punch.

However, if it was not for brilliant after brilliant saves by Yazin before that, the tie will have been lost.

Still with the club seeking a new direction, the custodian time at the club has come to an end.

At the same time, foreigners Michael King and Mun Seung-Man have also been released by Geylang.

Warriors aim for former Japanese international

According to Singapore Press Holdings Straits Times, SAFFC are looking at former Japanese international Kazuyuki Toda.

The defensive midfielder have European experience as he played for English side Tottenhman Hotsupr and Dutch team ADO Den Haag.

Other than that, he was also in the Japanese squad for the 2002 World Cup Finals.

If the 34-year-old joined, he will not be lonely as SAFFC already have two other Japanese imports, Shimpei Sakurada and Tatsuro Inui, as well as Croatian import Mislav Karoglan on their books.

Tampines release Latiff and Alam Shah

Despite having play a part to win Tampines in their last 2 championship - last and this season, Ahmad Latiff has been released by the Eastern giant.

It seem his fitness woes have played a part in it as the 34-year-old has constantly failed to showcase his fitness despite his flair.

And with the club seeking to bring in new and younger players for the upcoming season, Latiff was sacrificed.

At the same time, Noh Alam Shah have also left the club as the 32-year-old failed to hit the height expected of him on his return to the S-league.

He has not scored a single goal for the club in his second stint with Tampines.

Duric get his wish

Duric has got his wish as he will be given a contract by the club to be both player and trainer.

Back in September, in a goal website podcast, the 42-year-old had revealed he was having talks with the club to be a fitness trainer as well as a part-time player.

He has now got it with the club giving him a a 1 year contract for both jobs with a right to extend at the end of the season.

Bulls skipper in demand

Gombak United skipper Obadin Aikhena may be without a club at this moment but it will not last long.

He is demand according to many reports with 3 clubs - SAFFC, Tampines and Balestier - all seeking his signature.

It is no wonder as the 26-year-old has been rock solid at the back or in midfield for the Bulls for the past 2 season.

That why despite he will take a foreign slot he will be worth it. 

Home strike force is gone

After assembling what was surely the strike force of last season as all the 3 forwards - Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li and Shotaro Ihata - were among their team top two scorers in 2011, it is all gone now.

Mendy was the only forward Home wish to retain but the 22-year-old heart was set on Europe.

As for Qiu Li and Shotaro Ihata, the club have decided there was better options.

Qiu Li once again had to fight with fitness problem throughout the season while Shotaro Ihata lost form as the season progress despite a good start.

Midfielder Shi Jia Yi also did not have his contract renewed.

Jaguars employ Vallee as coach

Tanjong Pagar United have employ ex-Etoile FC coach Partick Vallee.

The 50-year-old is delighted to be back at coaching as he has taken a six months break since departing 4th div side AFC Compiegne.

Despite a bottom Two finish in the last two seasons, the Frenchman is seeking a mid-table finishing and promising to do so by playing the brand of attractive football like Etoile according to S-league website.

Tampines will not extend Tay contract

Champions Tampines Rovers have not extend their coach Tay Peng Kee coach for the upcoming season.

Despite leading the club to the championship after taking over in August, there have always been doubts raised about Tay abilities especially after the Singapore Cup final defeat against SAFFC.

After that result, the club brought back Steven Tan to 'help out' for the final league game which the club had to win.

The club is now looking at a number of options.

At the same time, Tanjong Pagar United have not extended the contract of their coach Terry.

The former Under-23 coach has been the coach of the Queentown club for the past two seasons since their returned to the S-league in 2011.

He is now expected to return to FAS where he will take a coaching post.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Suzuki Cup semi-final

Singapore vs Philippines
Thailand vs Malaysia

Dates
Dec 8 - Philippines vs Singapore
Dec 9 - Malaysia vs Thailand

Dec 12 - Singapore vs Philippines
Dec 13 - Thailand vs Malaysia

Singapore beat Laos to reach semi-final


Suzuki Cup Group Stage  
Singapore 4-3 Laos

Scorers: Shahril Ishak (2), Khairul Amri, Fazrul Nawaz

Singapore beat Laos 4-3 to reach the semi-final of the Suzuki Cup but it was as close as the scorelijne suggest.

The Lions went down 0-2 before skipper Shahril Ishak pull one back just before half-time.

Next the skipper will put us back on level term just after half-time and after which Khariul Amri will scored a stunning free-kick to put Singapore ahead.

Fazrul Nawaz will score once again for Singapore almost immediately after the restart.

With the score and leader Indonesia losing to host and defending champion, Singapore top the group. 

Singapore
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Shi Jiayi, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Daniel Bennett (Shaiful Esah), Mustafic Fahrudin, Shahdan Sulaiman, Fazrul Nawaz (Isa Halim), Shahril Ishak (C), Qiu Li (Khairul Amri), Aleksandar Duric

Friday, November 30, 2012

S-league out as ACL places decided

The final AFC Champions League (ACL) slots have been decided and S-league champions Tampines Rovers will play in the AFC Cup.

No doubt the local media will tell us it is because we have foreign teams in our league so that is why no ACL but is that the case.

Let be honest, A-league have a New Zealand team and it has direct entry to the ACL so what the beef.

It called politics and Australia Football Federation (AFF) know that. 

That why they send a team to Malaysia once they knew West Asia were ganging up together (in a brutal fight noted in the article that ultimately cost S-league as well others it spots)

The question is does FAS president know anything.

Under his reign, I would say relationship with Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has gone sour thanks to his misjudgement.

Looked at history, AFC ended it unofficial ban on Singapore hosting AFC competition (They refused to let Singapore host 1993 WCQ Final group as well as 1997 WCQ between Iran and Japan) under the reign of Mah Bow Tan and then under Assoc Pro Ho Peng Kee, we received not just ACL spot but also got two allocation of FIFA GOAL money with AFC help.

What the difference then.

First, they did not humliate AFC like our current President who decided to announce to the world, before informing them, we are pulling out of the ACL race in 2010.

Second, both previous President understand the need to not just talk with AFC but also keep continue contact with the power-in-charge for that was why DPMM Brunei was allowed in the S-league at start of 2009 before our current FAS President who took charge at March of that year forgot.

Indeed, he was cut short immediately when DPMM Brunei was banned later in the year and like now in the ACL slot battle he could only react.

That a reason why Thai Premier League has come out unscathed as their Football Assoication of Thailand (FAT) President Worawi Makudi is a pro at such work.

He is not a member of FIFA and AFC exco for nothing as he even got England to travel all the way around the globe play a friendly with Thailand with him earning all the money.

That why I am celebrating the end of a FAS president who does not work for anything for like SMRT CEO, he is always missing when trouble brew.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Indonesia beat Singapore 1-0


Suzuki Cup Group Stage  
Singapore 0-1 Indonesia 

Indonesia beat Singapore 1-0 to open up the Group stage.

With Singapore down to 10 men after Irwan Shah sending off, Singapore had fall back and to rely on the odd chance.

But the Lions still nearly snatch all 3 points as Duric hit the bar before Indonesia winner.

Singapore
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Irwan Shah (sending off), Mustafic Fahrudin, Hariss Harun (Aleksandar Duric), Shi Jiayi, Shahril Ishak (C), Shahdan Sulaiman, Khairul Amri (Qiu Li)

'Fight in AFC' may see S-league out of ACL

As 'fighting' continue in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for slot in the AFC Champions League (ACL), S-league may be a victim.

With only the decision set to be ratified at the end of the week, it is clear members are still trying to get as much benefits as possible until then.

SBS TV analyst Scott McIntyre has has now come out with another version.

He believed these are the confirmed ACL spots for next season and bad news for Australia and Singapore.

Thus Tampines may have to play in the AFC Cup group stage 

In the East:
JPN 4
CHN 4
KOR 4
UZB 1
AUS 1+1
THA 1+1

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

AFC Champions League 'final decision' could see S-league up against A-league

According to GreenLion (Chinese football fan), this is the 'final decision' as reported by the Chinese media
  1. Official draw of ACL 2013 group stage will be held on December 6
  2. Passing Mark to ACL 2013 will be 600 points
  3. Leagues who do not meet the criteria will not have direct entry to ACL
  4. Uzbekistan League will be placed in both East and West with one club in each zone
  5. Each round of the group stage will have three matchday: Tuesday,Wednesday and Thursday
  6. Round of 16, Quarter-Final, Semi-Final and Final matches will now be Home-Away
Thus V-league who were earlier reported to have a ACL qualifiers slot will now lose it along with Indonesia Super Liga who have likely already lost it.

At the same time, A-league along with Thai Premier League will lose their direct entry 
East Asia
Country        Points  Group Stage   Qualification
Japan           946.8      4              0
South Korea     886.6      4              0
China           796.8      4              0
Uzbekistan      680.8      1              0
------------------------------------------- meet criteria
Australia       567.0      0              3
Thailand        177.2      0              2
Singapore      -135.1      0              1

In that case, S-league will now meet an A-league side for 1 of the 3 Group Stage slot in this situation.

So get ready to go to Australia, Tampines. 

Monday, November 26, 2012

Chinese media report S-league will get ACL slot

Chinese media have reported Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have decided on the AFC Champions League  (ACL) slots for the 2013 and 2014 season.

Other than Indonesia Super Liga (Or whatever they call it now) who will miss out, everything is about the same as the earlier reports from the Chinese media with S-league above V-league in the ranking though.

So from what I gather, the ACL qualifiers will see S-league, V-league, Thai Premier League and AFC Cup champions/runner-up in the first round with Chinese Super League and A-league waiting in the next and final round for the winners.

There may also be a big revamp to the upcoming ACL according to more reports with an AFC Conference this week set to discuss these issues.
  1. Increase on Asian Player spots - Clubs in the ACL may register 3 Non-Asian Foreigners and 3 Asian Foreigners (3+3)
  2. Not allowing ACLQ losers to play in the AFC Cup
  3. A new age-group competition - U18 AFC Champions League
While delighted Tampines Rovers can play in the ACL if the Chinese media are right, I am not sure about the fact AFC may cancel the rights of the ACLQ losers to play in the AFC Cup especially as Asian club competition still does not command the full attention of the media in this region and still building itself so restricting it to fewer teams will not help

They need more teams and competition, not less.

A word on Shaiful Esah

Amid all the talk on Singapore win against Malaysia, I just want a word on Shaiful Esah as he appeared to have suffered a terrible injury in the game.

Even in the best case, it looked like he will be out of the Suzuki Cup and that is what I hope for and I am not cursing him but if it was any longer, he may be in  a spot of trouble.

From reports, it seem he has not sign a contract with anybody yet and is only negotiating with clubs so with such a terrible injury from the looks of thing as he reach to call for medical help immediately after the tackle, it is bad and whether he can come back within weeks is a problem.

This is for a sad case of what I think should have been avoided and next time FAS need to remember we are talking about livelihood here.

FAS need to tell players early if they want to retain them or not as frankly the time frame is too short and too late as contract talks start as early as September in cases.

After all, FAS head man is not just from PAP but also an ex-labour movement leader and the government and the labour movement constantly tell the employers that it should give employees ample notice so that they can find new job (or in this case new club) sooner.

But by delaying until November, we are seeing what we are seeing now and players may be without a contract come the new season as clubs have filled their roasters and some players even from the LIONSXII are anxious as not everybody is in demand and not every clubs have the resources to get all the players they want and they have to choose early as they need to build a team for their coach.

So if Shaiful Esah is out for a while then it is FAS fault and they have to pick up the tab and not push it to clubs like so many cases one see before.

Singapore win opening Suzuki Cup match


Singapore won their opening game in the Suzuki Cup against host Malaysia 3-0.

Shahril Ishak score twice with Duric coming off the bench to notch the third one.

Suzuki Cup Group Stage  
Singapore 0-1 Indonesia 

Scorer: Shahril Ishak (2), Aleksandar Duric

Singapore
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah (Irwan Shah), Mustafic Fahrudin, Hariss Harun, Shi Jiayi, Shahril Ishak (C) (Aleksandar Duric), Shahdan Sulaiman, Khairul Amri (Fazrul Nawaz)

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A lacked of commitment from FAS

The year is 2012 but it may as well be decades ago as frankly information age or not, FAS is not there yet.

Until now, nearly a week after the Philippines matchup in Cebu, information on that match is 'impressively' still unavailable.

Indeed fans are still searching for information on that match as seem by the quote below from civotarum.
I have spent more than an hour searching the web looking for match stats for the phillipines singapore game.

All I can find is the starting lineup, and goalscorer. This is incomplete and I badly need the substitutions made to calculate the caps. Can anybody help???
If this was the only issue, one can say it is a one-time mistake and people should be more forgiving but let looked at S-league TV channel.

Do anybody noticed something!!!

If one is sharp, they can see the Tampines championship winning game against Harimau Muda that was put up by the S-league TV channel over a week ago is from May and there is no match of the November game.

The November game is surely the most important one of the season as it was the game that saw Tampines lift the trophy and yet on the official TV channel, one cannot find it.

How can it be as one has to go elsewhere to see the match.

The season end in November; which of course mean the number of eyeball dropped but does it mean FAS can then do a half fuck job.

It is a half fuck job as far as far as I am concern because they did not complete it and it tell me about the lacked of commitment of FAS as immediately after the season ended, such errors crept in where information are left out or ignored.

Singapore thash Pakistan


Singapore beat Pakistan 4-0 in their final friendly before the Suzuki Cup.

Shi Jia Yi, Khairul Amri, Shahril Ishak and Shahdan Sulaiman got the goals.

Singapore
 Izwan Mahbud (GK) (Joey Sim), Shaiful Esah, Baihakki Khaizan, Shi Jiayi (Qiu Li), Shahdan Sulaiman, Hariss Harun (Isa Halim), Mustafic Fahrudin, Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak (C) (Fazrul Nawaz), Khairul Amri (Aleksandar Duric), Safuwan Baharudin (Irwan Shah)

Philippines complete double


Philippines defeat Singapore yet again as the Lions faced off against Azkals in Cebu, Philippines.

The Filipinos won 1-0.

Singapore
Hyrulnizam Jumat (GK), Daniel Bennet, Baihakki Khaizan, Saufuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Shi Jiayi, Hariss Harun, Shahdan Sulaiman, Shahril Ishak, Kahirul Amri, Qiu Li (Aleksandar Duric)

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Bottom 2 will still be hit

S-league Chief Executive Officer Lim Chin have revealed to S-league website that S-league bottom two will still be hit next year even if the S$30,000 and S$50,000 penalty does not happen.

Although at this point, it seem it is still being discussed by Strategic Business Unit (SBU).

He is quoted: “We cannot have the relegation trapdoor, but we will still introduce something to the bottom teams, where the last two will see a loss in terms of subsidies and incentives provided by the SBU to them the following season.”

While he is unwilling to give more details on this matter, he was more forthcoming on the rewards for the new fitness test.

Instead of simply having players try to meet the minimum standard, however, the authorities have created monetary rewards for those who post good running times.

Any player who can complete the run within exactly nine minutes will receive a reward of S$100, while for those who manage to go under eight minutes and 30 seconds, the money is doubled to S$200.

Gombak to sit out 1 year

Gombak United will be sitting out of the S-league next year as their chairman John Yap wish to look at a new model of funding for the club.

Since RWS and MBS open, it has hit Gombak jackpot machine earnings and it has affected the club finance health and while John Yap stress the club is not in debt, it is not sustainable.

The club will still operate the Prime League and COEs teams as FAS will still be providing funding for the club.

Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League Awards Night 2012 Roll of Honour

Great Eastern Player of the Year: Aleksandar Duric (Tampines Rovers)

YEO’S Young Player of the Year: Wan Zack Haikal (Harimau Muda)

MIKASA Coach of the Year: Vjeran Simunic (DPMM FC)

RHB Top Scorer: Frederic Mendy (Home United)

Tiger Beer Goal of the Year: Shukor Zailan (36’, SAFFC vs Woodlands Wellington on 13 September)

YEO’S People Choice Award: Wan Zack Haikal (Harimau Muda)

Great Eastern Referee of the Year: Abdul Malik Bashir

Waga Assistant Referee of the Year: Eugene Chan

Singapore Pools Fair Play Award: Albirex Niigata (Singapore)

POLAR Fan Club of the Year: Hougang United

RHB Story of the Year: “A battle between boots and books” by Nicholas Neo (FootballOPOD.com)

Singapore Pools Picture of the Year: “Two Captains – Present and Future” by Zeng Liwei (Goal.com Singapore)

FAS Special Award: Maniam Murugiah

Singapore beat India

Singapore beat India 2-0 at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

The goals came from Khairul Amri and Fazrul Nawaz.

Singapore
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Juma’at Jantan (Irwan Shah), Baihakki Khaizan (C), Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Mustafic Fahrudin (Isa Halim), Hariss Harun, Shi Jiayi (Khairul Amri), Shahdan Sulaiman (Hafiz Abu Sujad), Fazrul Nawaz (Fazli Ayob), Aleksandar Duric (Firdaus Kasman)

Away woes continue for Singapore

After failing to win against Myanmar despite taking the lead, it is now Singapore 9th away games in a row that Singapore have been unable to secure a win.

Taking into account the Suzuki Cup 2010 results, it mean Singapore has only won once from 12 games and it is an indication of how bad Singapore has become away from our shore.

The last team Singapore beat was Myanmar but this time, Singapore failed despite Agu Casmir getting on the scoreline like last time as Myanmar got the equaliser and hold out for a draw.

Singapore
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Irwan Shah, Baihakki Khaizan (C), Daniel Bennett, Shaiful Esah, Mustafic Fahrudin, Shahdan Sulaiman, Nazrul Nazari (Jufri Taha), Fazrul Nawaz (Shahril Ishak), Safirul Sulaiman, Agu Casmir (Delwinder Singh)

Philippines beat Singapore for first time in 40 years

Philippines have done something they have not done in 2 generation and that is beat Singapore.

With players from Europe now in their team, Philippines is stronger than they have ever been and they proved that as they defeated Singapore 2-0 at Jurong West Stadium.

Singapore
Hyrulnizam Juma’at (GK), Jufri Taha, Hariss Harun (Safuwan Baharudin), Baihakki Khaizan, Daniel Bennett (Shaiful Esah), Shi Jiayi (Nazrul Nazari), Mustafic Fahrudin, Shahril Ishak (C) (Shahfiq Ghani), Shahdan Sulaiman, Qiu Li (Safirul Sulaiman), Fazrul Nawaz (Agu Casmir)

Singapore gain revenge on Hong Kong

Singapore gain revenge for their 0-1 defeat against Hong Kong nearly 2 months back on home soil.

It was evergreen striker Aleksandar Duric who got both goals.

Singapore:
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Jufri Taha (Juma’at Jantan), Baihakki Khaizan, Hariss Harun (C), Daniel Bennett, Shahdan Sulaiman (Irwan Shah), Shi Jiayi, Mustafic Fahrudin (Isa Halim), Qiu Li (Nazrul Nazari), Aleksandar Duric (Shahfiq Ghani), Khairul Nizam (Khairul Amri)

Malaysia beat Singapore 2-0

In a friendly played at Shah Alam Stadium, Selangor, Malaysia beat Singapore 2-0.

This is Singapore 6th defeat from 8 away matches with the other 2 away matches ending in draw.

Singapore
Hyrulnizam Juma'at (GK), Raihan Rahman (Safirul Sulaiman), Baihakki Khaizan, Daniel Bennett, Irwan Shah, Isa Halim, Mustafic Fahrudin, Firdaus Kasman (Agu Casmir), Shahdan Sulaiman, Qiu Li (Ahmed Fahmie), Aleksandar Duric

Singapore draw with Suzuki Cup champions

Singapore drew 2-2 with Suzuki Cup Champions Malaysia in a friendly played at Jalan Besar.

The Malaysia had took a 2-0 lead before Lions fought back to draw level with goals from Shahdan Sulaiman and Qiu Li.

Singapore
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Irwan Shah (Daniel Bennett), Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shakir Hamzah (Safirul Sulaiman), Isa Halim (Mustafic Fahrudin), Hariss Harun, Yasir Hanapi (Shi Jiayi), Shahdan Sulaiman, Shaiful Esah (Qiu Li), Agu Casmir (Khairul Nizam)

Hong Kong beat Singapore 1-0

Hong Kong defeated Singapore 1-0 in a friendly played at Hong Kong Stadium.

It is a repeat of the result the last time Singapore played in Hong Kong which ended also in a 1-0 defeat for the Lions.

Singapore
Hyrulnizam Juma'at (Izwan Mahbud) (GK), Delwinder Singh (Poh Yi Feng), Baihakki Khaizan (C), Daniel Bennett, Shaiful Esah (Irwan Shah), Isa Halim (Raihan Abdul Rahman), Mustafic Fahrudin, Ahmed Fahmie (Qiu Li), Shahdan Sulaiman, Safirul Sulaiman (Firdaus Kasman), Agu Casmir

Mesopotamia Lions Iraq thrashed Singapore Lions


2007 Asian Cup Champions Iraq thrashed Singapore 7-1 in the World Cup qualifiers.

Isa Halim got Singapore only goal in the match.

World Cup Qualifier (Asia Zone) Group Stage
Iraq 7-1 Singapore

Singapore
Hassan Sunny (GK), Ruzaini Zainal (Delwinder Singh 54), Baihakki Khaizan, Daniel Bennett, Irwan Shah, Isa Halim (Fazrul Nawaz 45), Mustafic Fahrudin, Shi Jiayi, Shahril Ishak (C), Shahdan Sulaiman, Qiu Li (Agu Casmir 70)

Spore draw 2-2 with Azerbaijan

To prepare for the World Cup qualifier against Iraq, Singapore play an international friendly with Azerbaijan in Dubai.

The match ended 2-2 with goals from Shahril Ishak and Shahdan Sulaiman.

Singapore
Hassan Sunny (GK), Ruzaini Zainal (Delwinder Singh), Baihakki Khaizan, Daniel Bennett, Shaiful Esah (Irwan Shah), Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim (Firdaus Idros), Fazrul Nawaz (Shi Jiayi), Shahril Ishak (C) (Patrick Paran), Shahdan Sulaiman, Agu Casmir (Qiu Li)

Sunday, November 11, 2012

It is Tampines title



Tampines Rovers have successfully defended their S-league crown as they beat Harimau Muda 1-0 at Jalan Besar to claim all 3 points on the night.

It may have not matter anyway as DPMM Brunei failed to match Tampines result as they fall 0-2 to Balestier Khalsa.

This is the Stags 4th League title and after a drought of 4 years without a trophy, the Eastern giant have now won the most converted trophy for the last two seasons.

The Stags winner came from Fahrudin Mustafic.

Zulkiffli Hassim and Park Kang Jin got Balestier goals.

Tampines Rovers
Sasa Dreven (GK), Jufri Taha, Anaz Hadee, Benoit Croissant, Ismadi Mukhtar, Fahrudin Mustafic, Ahmad Latiff, Imran Sahib, Noh Alam Shah (Jamil Ali), Aleksandar Duric (C) (Fazil Zailani), Sead Hadzibulic (Ahmed Fahmie)
---------------
Gombak United
Zakariah Nerani (GK), Yusiskandar Yusop, Hamqaamal Shah (Andrew Tan), Paul Cunningham (C), Tengku Mushadad, Jaslee Hatta, Ruhaizad Ismail (Zulkiffli Hassim), Goran Subara, Park Kang Jin, Syed Thaha, Zdravko Dragicevic (Patrick Paranjody)

Albirex get third



Albirex Niigata (S) have finished third as they drew 0-0 with Gombak United.

With Harimau Muda losing to champions, Tampines Rovers, Albirex get the point to let them overtake to get third spot.

In other matches, Geylang beat SAFFC 3-0, Cubs draw with 0-0 Home United and Woodlands beat Tanjong Pagar 3-2.

For the Eagles win, Jozef Kaplan prove his worth again as he grabbed a brace with Ang Zhiwei grabbing the third one.

Meanwhile Woodlands win was valuable as it meant the Northern club did not match and hold another record for longest win-less streak.

Thus Gombak United 22-match winless streak set in from 2002-2006 still stand. (Take note, Gombak had pulled out after 2002 season and return for 2006 season explaining the 5 years gap)

The Rams have Moon Soon Ho and Goh Swee Swee to thanks with the Korean forward grabbing a double.

Jaguars goals came from Asraf Rashid and Takaya Kawanabe

Geylang United
Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Khayrulhayat Jumat, Shahril Alias, Khairulnizam Jumahat (Faizal Samad), Jalal, Michael King, Shah Hirul, Ang Zhiwei, Jozef Kaplan (C), Taufiq Ghani (Rizawan Abdullah), Nurhazwan Norasikin

SAFFC
Hassan Sunny (GK), Razaleigh Khalik (C), Bah Mamadou, Eddie Chang, Shimpei Sakurada, Ruzaini Zainal, Shukor Zailan, Aliff Shafaein (Fazrul Nawaz), Erwan Gunawan, Hafsyar Farkhan, Marin Jonjic
---------------

CYL
Neezam Abd Aziz (GK), Faritz Abdul Hameed, Sirina Camara, Fazli Ayob, Hafiz Abu Sujad (C), Zulfahmi Arifin, Benjamin Lee (Syafiq Zainal), Nazrul Nazari (Fareez Farhan), Anumanthan Kumar, Sherif El-Masri (Shahfiq Ghani), Jonathan Toto

Home United
Nazri Sabri (GK), Jeremy Chiang, Kenji Arai, Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Franklin Anzite, Firdaus Idros (Justin Khiang), Masrezwan Masturi, Nor Azli Yusoff, Frederic Mendy, Indra Sahdan (C) (Shaheer Afiq), Song Ui Young
---------------

TPUFC
Shamsudin Hashim (GK), Anthony Aymard, Delwinder Singh (C), Jonathan Xu, Azhar Ahmad, Hanafi Salleh, Asraf Rashid, Carlos Delgado, Takaya Kawanabe, Hafiz Nor, Abdul Rahim (Syed Karim)

Woodlands Wellington
Ahmadulhaq Che Omar (GK), Danny Chew, Duncan Elias (C), Fabien Larry Lewis, Dinie Fitri, Zulkarnain Malik, Guntur Djafril (Andy Ahmad), Han Yiguang (Farizal Basri), Oswind Suriya, Goh Swee Swee (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Moon Soon Ho
---------------

Gombak United
Rudy Khairullah (GK), Nurullah Hussein, Ismail Yunos, Walid Lounis, K Vikraman, Fairoz Hasan (Jung Hee Bong), Obadin Aikhena (C), Amin Rossady, Julien Durand, Samuel Benjamin (Christopher Anderson), Ahmad Suhaim (Iqbal Hamid Hussai)

Asian Cup 2015 draw

Group A
Singapore
Jordan
Syria
Oman

Thursday, November 8, 2012

SAFFC win RHB Singapore Cup

RHB Singapore Cup 2012
Final
SAFFC 2-1 Tampines Rovers

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK), Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Noh Rahman, Daniel Bennett (C), Marin Vidosevic, Tatsuro Inui, Shimpei Sakurada, Shukor Zailan (Ruzaini Zainal), Aliff Shafaein (Erwan Gunawan), Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz

Tampines Rovers
Sasa Dreven (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Ismadi Mukhtar, Sazali Salleh, Fahrudin Mustafic, Ahmad Latiff, Imran Sahib (Ahmed Fahmie), Jamil Ali, Aleksandar Duric (C), Sead Hadzibulic

SAFFC won their first trophy since 2009 and their fifth Singapore Cup; matching their Uniform rival Home United record.

It nearly never happen as they were make to pay for an own goal by the usually reliable Shahril Jantan as a misjudgment of a cross meant he punch it into his own net.

After that the Warriors found it hard to punch a hole in the Stags defence but as the match drag on, the Stags pull back their punches more and more as they decided to close shop so they could focus on the league title battle in 5 days time as well.

They were make to pay as Shimpei Sakurada scored from a scramble in the box from a corner.

After that, the Stags found it hard to get back on track and were waiting for the whistle to regroup but they were not given that chance as a master stroke by the soon-to-depart Richard Bok won the Warriors the cup.

He brought on forward Erwan Gunawan and the sub did not disappoint as he will notch the winner in injury-time and the Cup was going to Choa Chu Kang.

In the Third/Fourth placing, Gombak thrash Philippines side Loyola Meralco Sparks 4-0 with goals from Iqbal Hamid Hussain, Mustaqim Manzur, Fairoz Hasan and Julien Durand.

Gombak United
Zaiful Nizam (GK), Nurullah Hussein, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena (C), Walid Lounis, Iqbal Hamid Hussain, Fairoz Hasan (Jung Hee Bong), Mustaqim Manzur (Hafiz Rahim), K.Vikrman (Fuad Jufri), Julien Durand, Amin Rossady

Albirex and Muda draw

If the fight for the title was close and going to the final day then the fight for third is no less intriguing.

Both Albirex and Muda are tied on the same points and only goal difference separate them and it is so going to the last day as both draw their matches.

It could have been worse for Albirex as they were down 0-2 against Courts Young Lions after goals from Jonathan Toto and Benjamin Lee.

But they rally back as their skipper Norihiro Kawakami got them back into the game with goal before another from Masatake Sato saw them share the point.

 The Muda game was not as exciting (Although the Hougang Hools will tell it was the most exciting match of all and they are not wrong) as they drew 0-0 with Hougang.

 In another match, Balestier drew 1-1 with TPUFC with David Cunningham scoring for Balestier and Carlos Delgado scoring for Tanjong Pagar.

CYL Neezam Abd Aziz (GK), Faritz Abdul Hameed, Yuki Ichikawa, Sirina Camara, Shannon Stephen, Hafiz Abu Sujad (C), Shamil Sharif, Zulfahmi Arifin (Fareez Farhan), Benjamin Lee, Nazrul Nazari, Sherif El-Masri (Anumanthan Kumar), Jonathan Toto

--------------- 
Hougang United
Fadhil Salim (GK), Hasree Zais, Syaqir Sulaiman, Lau Meng Meng (C), Azhar Sairudin (Farhan Rahmat), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar (Nurhilmi Jasni), Faizal Amir, Sobrie Mazelan, Fazly Hasan, Mamadou Diallo (Ignatius Ang)
---------------  

Balestier Khalsa
Zakariah Nerani (GK), Hamqaamal Shah (Jaslee Hatta), Paul Cunningham DF (C), Tengku Mushadad (Patrick Paranjody), Ruhaizad Ismail, Shafuan Sutohmoh (Andrew Tan), Goran Subara, Park Kang Jin, Poh Yi Feng, Syed Thaha, Zdravko Dragicevic
TPUFC
Shamsudin Hashim (GK), Anthony Aymard, Delwinder Singh (C), Jonathan Xu (S Vikneshwaran), Azhar Ahmad, Hanafi Salleh, Zahid Ahmad, Asraf Rashid, Carlos Delgado, Takaya Kawanabe, Hafiz Nor  

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Woodlands get second unwanted record in 4 days

Woodlands Wellington have got their second unwanted record  in 4 days.

According to henryo, despite Woodlands Wellington good start to the season where they won 2 out of two, they are now the owner of the longest win-less streak in a single season in S-league history.

The last club to hold that record was Gombak United with a record of 20 win-less games.

Woodlands Wellington have 21 now with the draw against Home United.

Not sure they wanted it but they got it along with their Wooden Spoon record.

DPMM survive scare to take title challenge to final day

If falling behind in their last match was not enough, DPMM Brunei did it again in their matchup against Hougang United but like against Woodlands they showcased their title accreditation.

With their title hopes on the line after Jordan Webb have given the Cheetahs the lead, DPMM Brunei fought back to draw level before half-time with a goal from Azwan Saleh.

Like the last match, the half-time did them much good as they came out to kill their opposition and this time they gave themselves breathing space in the match.

Two goals from Patrick Da Silva andAmpuan Nurul Azami gave them a 3-1 lead and another 3 points to leave them 1 point behind leaders and champions Tampines Rovers.

It mean the title race is going to the final day.

In other matches, Harimau Muda beat Geylang United 3-1 and Home United drew 0-0 with Woodlands.

Irfan Fazail, Gary Robbat and Mahalli Jasuli got the goals for the Malaysians with Jozef Kaplan replying for the Eagles.

Hougang United
Fadhil Salim (GK), Hasree Zais, Syaqir Sulaiman, Lau Meng Meng, Azhar Sairudin (Ignatius Ang), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar, Faizal Amir, Sobrie Mazelan (Nurhilmi Jasni), Fazly Hasan, Mamadou Diallo
---------------
Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Khayrulhayat Jumat, Shahril Alias (Amy Recha), Syed Fadhil, Jalal, Stefan Milojevic, Michael King (Nurhazwan Norasikin), Shah Hirul, Ang Zhiwei, Jozef Kaplan, Fabian Kwok (Rizawan Abdullah)
---------------

Woodlands Wellington
Ahmadulhaq Che Omar (GK), Danny Chew (Fabien Larry Lewis), Duncan Elias, Daniel Hammond (C), K Sathiaraj, Armanizam Dolah, Guntur Djafril (Andy Ahmad), Farizal Basri (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Oswind Suriya, Goh Swee Swee, Moon Soon Ho

Home United
Nazri Sabri (GK), Jeremy Chiang, Kenji Arai (C), Firdaus Idros, Rhysh Roshan Rai, Masrezwan Masturi, Nor Azli Yusoff, Shotaro Ihata, Frederic Mendy, Indra Sahdan (Justin Khiang), Song Ui Young

Woodlands get third Wooden Spoon in a row

Woodlands Wellington have got their 3rd Wooden Spoon in a row and it is a record even if they do not want it.

Before Woodlands run of Wooden Spoon  'wins', Balestier was the last club to get it.

The Toa Poyah club along with Marine Castle had shared with Woodlands Wellington the 'honour' of two straight Wooden Spoon win before this year.

This 'win' also mean Woodlands Wellington have the most Wooden Spoon as they have four now having got it in 2001 as well.

DPMM pass first test for title challenge


With the champions victory over SAFFC, DPMM are left with only 1 option and that is win both their upcoming matches.

It sound easy as they were up against bottom side Woodlands Wellington but maybe the pressure the pressure was getting as they nearly messed it up.

Given a spotkick in the first period, they will miss it and then go behind and but luckily before half-time, they got back level through Shahrazen Said.

However their title hopes looked shaky at best.

The break though was what the Brunei side needed and they came out in the second period in better shape and finally took the lead through Rosmin Kamis.

They will hold it and pass their first of two test but it was a near thing.

Guntur Djafril got the Rams goal.

In other matches, Albirex Niigata (S) drew 1-1 with Geylang while SAFFC thrashed Gombak 6-1

Sho Kamimura scored for the White Swans while Micheal King reply for the Eagles.

Shimpei Sakurada, Mislav Karoglan (2), Marin Jonjic, Erwan Gunawan and Fazrul Nawaz got the Warriors goals with Bulls sole goal coming from Ex-Warriors Mustaqim Manzur.

Geylang United
Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Khayrulhayat Jumat (Khairulnizam Jumahat), Shahril Alias, Syed Fadhil (C), Jalal, Stefan Milojevic, Micheal King, Shah Hirul (Taufiq Ghani), Ang Zhi Wei (Amy Recha), Jozef Kaplan, Fabian Kwok
---------------

Woodlands Wellington
Ahmadulhaq Che Omar (GK), Duncan Elias (Goh Swee Swee), Fabien Larry Lewis, K Sathiaraj, Daniel Hammond (C), Zulkarnain Malik, Armanizam Dolah, Guntur Djafril, Farizal Basri (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Oswind Suriya, Moon Soon Ho
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SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (Rezal Hassan), Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Razaleigh Khalik (C), Bah Mamadou, Eddie Chang, Tatsuro Inui (Hafsyar Farkhan), Shimpei Sakurada, Shukor Zailan,  Mislav Karoglan (Fazrul Nawaz), Erwan Gunawan, Marin Jonjic

Gombak United
Rudy Khairullah (GK), Nurullah Hussein, Ismail Yunos (Iqbal Hamid Hussain), Obadin Aikhena (C), Hafiz Rahim (Ahmad Suhaimi), Mustaqim Manzur, K Vikraman, Christopher Anderson, Zulfadhli Emran, Julien Durand, Jung Hee Bong (Amin Rossady)

Stags are champions material

Champions, Tampines Rovers, show how much they want yo win the S-league title once again as they staged an amazing comeback against SAFFC.

The Eastern giant were behind at the early of the second period with Warriors snatching the lead through Shimpei Sakurada. The Champions were level within 15 minutes through Ahmad Latiff.

But with the need to win, they had to go forward and take forward and with 6 minutes left, the Warriors took advantage and retake the lead once again through Fazrul Nawaz.

It was a disaster and the best the most optimistic fan must be just to avoid defeat. They got that thanks to a Benoit Croissant stunner and that is where also ran and champions material are differentiate as the defending champions refused to give up chasing for the full 3 points.

They got it in injury-time as Jamil Ali once again got off the bench to contribute a valuable goal that may well give the Champions the title once more.

In other matches, Harimua Muda beat Balestier Khalsa 2-0, Geylang defeat Gombak 3-2 and Home win against TPUFC 2-1.

Ahmad Hazwan and D Saarvindran scored for the Malaysians.

For the Eagles victory, Jozef Kaplan was the hero as he grabbed a hat-trick with Hafiz Rahim and Iqbal Hamid Hussain scoring for the Bulls.

Shotaro Ihata and Jeremy Chiang got the goals with Anthony Aymard replying for the Jaguars.

Balestier Khalsa
Zakariah Nerani (GK), Hamqaamal Shah, Paul Cunningham (C), Yusiskandar Yusop, Tengku Mushadad, Ruhaizad Ismail (Zulkiffli Hassim ), Goran Subara, Park Kang Jin, Poh Yi Feng, Syed Thaha (Suria Prakash), Zdravko Dragicevic (Patrick Paranjody)
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Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Khayrulhayat Jumat, Shahril Alias, Syed Fadhil, Jalal, Stefan Milojevic (Ishak Zainol), Micheal King, Shah Hirul, Jozef Kaplan, Fabian Kwok (Danial Razali), Amy Recha (Ang Zhi Wei)

Gombak United
Rudy Khairullah (GK), Ismail Yunos, Shazwan Sidek, Obadin Aikhena (C), Hafiz Rahim (Ahmad Suhaimi), Mustaqim Manzur, K Vikraman, Christopher Anderson, Zulfadhli Emran (Amin Rossady), Jung Hee Bong, Julien Durand (Iqbal Hamid Hussain)
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Home United
Nazri Sabri (GK), Jeremy Chiang, Kenji Arai (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Firdaus Idros, Rhysh Roshan Rai (Indra Sahdan), Masrezwan Masturi, Nor Azli Yusoff, Shotaro Ihata, Frederic Mendy, Song Ui Young

TPUFC
Shamsudin Hashim (GK) (Fajar Sarib), Anthony Aymard, Hafiz Osman, Jonathan Xu, Azhar Ahmad (Syed Karim), Zahid Ahmad, Asraf Rashid (Seah Si Hao), Carlos Delgado, Takaya Kawanabe, Hafiz Nor, Gilbert Bayonne
---------------

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK), Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Noh Rahman, Daniel Bennett (C), Marin Vidosevic, Tatsuro Inui, Shimpei Sakurada, Shukor Zailan, Ruzaini Zainal (Fazrul Nawaz), Aliff Shafaein (Bah Mamadou), Mislav Karoglan

Tampines Rovers
Sasa Dreven (GK), Jufri Taha, Anaz Hadee (Noh Alam Shah), Benoit Croissant, Ismadi Mukhtar, Sazali Salleh (Jamil Ali), Ahmad Latiff, Imran Sahib (Ahmed Fahmie), Aleksandar Duric, Sead Hadzibulic, Gligor Gligorov

Monday, November 5, 2012

SPH Media Bloopers

Here some bloopers as SPH reporters attempt to show off their knowledge or not

civotarum noted TNP 'good work'

cant help but feel, some reporters/columnists are just shooting off their mouth without doing any research, nor have much knowledge of the league... I guess it just shows the level of interest/passion they have for the league

just an example, leonard thomas wrote in TNP yesterday that for the second successive year, the champions of Singapore's domestic professional club competition will be decided in the final week of the campaign.

Firstly, it is still not known whether the title will be decided in the final week. As long as DPMM fails to get at least 4 points against Woodlands on Sunday and against Hougang on Wednesday, the league title is Tampines'.

Secondly, it is definitely not the second successive year, I still remember 2010, when the title was decided on the final day, Etoile was initially trailing against I think Albirex, and with Tampines leading in their game, the title was for a moment going to Tampines. But Etoile came back in the second half to win.

I cant remember 2009 (whether it could have been more than 'three' successive years), but if I am going to write a column in a newspaper, I will definitely do some research first. 
 And here from me pointing out they might as copy from others as they are not that good 

SPH Straits Times report on fine idea. But the report had errors.  

First is not going to increase total prize money by $100k. It is the champion prize money as reported by TODAY long ago

Second: Total prize money is nt $150k. It is again only the champion.

prize money (1) - $150K (2) - $75k (3) $40K (4) $35K (5) $30k (6) $25k (7) $20K (8) $15k (9) $10k (10) $5K (11) $3k

Third: give prize to top 11 not top 10.

Being the national papers as they constantly tout themselves, expect Straits Times to do better  

Especially as they quoted total Prize money out and make it visible

SPH can take reports from elsewhere if they cnnt do good jobs themsleves

Afterall it is well known without reports from AFP or Reuters etc SPH will hve little reports on theuir own

Balestier Khalsa Prime League win FA Cup

Balestier Khalsa Prime League has done a double as they won the 2012 Singapore Pools FA Cup by beating Siglap CSC 2-0 in the Final.

Balestier duo of Casteels Tzu-Ming and Kim Minho, who finished as the club top scorer in the Prime League with 12 goals each, got the goals in the final.

Siglap CSC is the first ever side from National Football League (NFL) Division 3 to reach the Final.

Balestier Khalsa win Prime League

Balestier Khalsa Prime league side has won the 2012 Prime League crown for the first time ever.

They finished ahead of the Spore Under-18 side; who finished in second.

Third is Geylang United Prime League side.

The Top scorer is Spore Under-18 Ahmad Khidhir with 15 goals.

A goal behind is Geylang United Danial Razali.

Tied on 12 goals for third place are 5 players.

They are Casteels Tzu-Ming and Kim Minho from Balestier Khalsa and Saiful Jamaludin and Song Ui Young from Home United. Hakim Jumahat is from SAFFC.

Tampines thrash Sparks to reach RHB Spore Cup Final


After the first leg in which Tampines won 2-0, it was difficult to see how Philippines side Loyola Meralco Sparks was going to stage a comeback in the RHB Singapore Cup.

Afterall Tampines was no average side, they were S-league defending champions and currently are fighting for the double in the domestic scene.

Expectedly they finished the job in the second leg winning 3-0 with goals from Aleksandar Duric (2) and Imran Sahib.

Aleksandar Duric and Ahmad Latiff got the goals in the first leg.

Overall Tampines thrashed Sparks 5-0 to reach the Final.

Tampines Rovers
Sasa Dreven (GK), Jufri Taha, Anaz Hadee, Benoit Croissant, Ismadi Mukhtar (Jamil Ali), Fahrudin Mustafic, Ahmad Latiff, Imran Sahib, Aleksandar Duric (C), Sead Hadzibulic, Gligor Gligorov (Sazali Salleh)
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Tampines Rovers
Sasa Dreven (GK), Jufri Taha, Anaz Hadee, Ismadi Mukhtar, Fahrudin Mustafic, Ahmad Latiff, Imran Sahib, Noh Alam Shah (Jamil Ali), Aleksandar Duric (C) (Sazali Salleh), Sead Hadzibulic (Ahmed Fahmie), Gligor Gligorov

SAFFC beat Gombak to reach RHB Spore Cup Final


SAFFC have reach the RHB Singapore Cup Final for the first time in 4 years.

They beat Gombak United 2-0 overall winning both legs 1-0.

Inui Tatsuro got the goal in the first leg while Mislav Karoglan got his in the second.

This is the first time Gombak United have reach this stage of the Singapore Cup previously only making the quarter-final in 1999, 2000 and 2007.

Two of those time - 1999 and 2007 - they were knocked out by SAFFC and this time it was no different.

The Bulls will contend for third/Fourth placing.

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK), Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Noh Rahman, Daniel Bennett (C), Marin Vidosevic, Tatsuro Inui, Shimpei Sakurada, Shukor Zailan (Ruzaini Zainal), Aliff Shafaein, Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz (Erwan Gunawan)

Gombak United
Zaiful Nizam (GK), Nurullah Hussein, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena (C), Walid Lounis, Hafiz Rahim (Jung Hee Bong), Mustaqim Manzur, Christopher Anderson, Zulfadhli Emran, Julien Durand, Ahmad Suhaimi (Samuel Benjamin)
----------

Gombak United
Zaiful Nizam (GK), Nurullah Hussein, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena (C), Walid Lounis, Hafiz Rahim (Jung Hee Bong), Mustaqim Manzur (Iqbal Hamid Hussain), K Vikraman, Christopher Anderson, Zulfadhli Emran, Julien Durand (Ahmad Suhaimi)

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK), Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Noh Rahman, Daniel Bennett (C), Marin Vidosevic (Bah Mamadou), Tatsuro Inui, Ruzaini Zainal (Razaleigh Khalik), Shukor Zailan, Mislav Karoglan (Aliff Shafaein), Fazrul Nawaz, Marin Jonjic

Saturday, October 27, 2012

DPMM win right to stay in title race with Home and Muda challenge ending

3 teams went into the weekend games with a shot at the title thanks to Albirex 4-3 win over Tampines Rovers 3 days.

In the end, only one, DPMM Brunei, came out of it still with a shot  There was always going to be a team who will drop out as DPMM were squaring off against Home at Hassanal Bolkiah National.

It was a match neither can lose for this meant the end of their season as a whole. The door was open to them but who can take advantage as they have to win this encounter and a draw will do neither good.

So both came to attack and it was the visitors, Home United, who showed the deadly touch as they went 2-0 up within half-time thanks to Shi JiaYi and Frederic Mendy.

After the break, it was another story as Shahrazen Said, Patrick Da Silva and Adi Said gave DPMM the lead and if a coach was judged by the brave decision he make then Croatian coach Vjeran Simunic showcased it.

He took off his top scorer and scorer of the first DPMM goal, Shahrazen Said, to make way for Adi Said and the substitute repay the faith of the coach as he was the one who got the winning goal.

With that, Home United title challenge was over and soon to follow was Harimau Muda.

The Malaysian side saw their challenge ended by Gombak United, the bogey side of title challengers.

The Bulls had stalled DPMM Brunei challenge earlier in the month and then did it against Tampines Rovers in their last match and now it was the turn of Muda.

This time, it was costly as the Malaysian side title challenge was gone as they went down 1-2.

Zulfadhli Emran and Jung Hee Bong got the goals for the Bulls while Wan Zack Haikal reply for the Malaysians.

In another match, Hougang drew 2-2 with SAFFC.

Jordan Webb and Azhar Sairudin got the goals for Hougang while Mislav Karoglan and Shimpei Sakurada reply for the Warriors.

Home United
Lionel Lewis (GK), Jeremy Chiang, Kenji Arai, Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Shi Jia Yi (C), Rhysh Roshan Rai (Indra Sahdan), Masrezwan Masturi, Nor Azli Yusoff, Shotaro Ihata, Frederic Mendy, Song Ui Young --------------

Hougang United
Fadhil Salim (GK), Hasree Zais, Syaqir Sulaiman, Lau Meng Meng (C), Ante Barac (Basit Hamid), Azhar Sairudin, Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar (Faizal Amir), Sobrie Mazelan (Ignatius Ang), Fazly Hasan, Mamadou Diallo

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK), Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Razaleigh Khalik, Noh Rahman, Daniel Bennett (C), Marin Vidosevic, Tatsuro Inui, Shimpei Sakurada, Aliff Shafaein (Ruzaini Zaina), Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz (Erwan Gunawan)
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Gombak United
Zaiful Nizam (GK), Nurullah Hussein, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena (C), Walid Lounis, Mustaqim Manzur (Jung Hee Bong), K Vikraman, Christopher Anderson, Zulfadhli Emran, Julien Durand (Hafiz Rahim), Ahmad Suhaimi (Amin Rossady)

Albirex beat Champions in thriller to open up title race

 
If Tampines want to retain the 2012 S-league crown then they have to fight for it as Albirex are not going to give it up.

Three times the defending Champions took the lead and yet Albirex Niigata (S) came back all the time and if that was not enough they took all 3 points towards the end with Sho Kamimura winner.

Right from the start, both teams show their attacking instinct as they went at one another. And there was no rest bite as the Stags took the lead at the start through Sead Hadzibulic.

The White Swans came back thanks to an error of judgement by the Stags custodian Sasa Dreven who lost the flight of the shot by Yasuhiro Yamakosh.

Almost immediately the Stags struck again, this time through Ahmad Latiff but 10 minutes before half-time, the Japanese outfit was back on level term as Yasuhiro Yamakosh got his second.

Level at the break but not soon after as Aleksandar Duricgot into action as he put the Stags ahead once more. However tonight, Yasuhiro Yamakosh was on fire and he got his hat-trick.

Then disaster for the defending champions as Fahrudin Mustafic got send off and the 10 men had to defend for another 15 minutes.

It was not to be as Albirex got the fourth to claim all 3 points and open up the title race.

In another match, Tanjong Pagar drew 1-1 with Courts Young Lions. Hafiz Osman had scored for both sides with the first the error before making up for it.

Tampines Rovers
Sasa Dreven (GK), Jufri Taha, Anaz Hadee, Benoit Croissant, Ismadi Mukhtar, Fahrudin Mustafic, Ahmad Latiff, Imran Sahib, Aleksandar Duric, Sead Hadzibulic (Noh Alam Shah), Gligor Gligorov (Jamil Ali)
--------------

CYL
Syazwan Buhari (GK), Faritz Abdul Hameed (C), Sirina Camara, Shannon Stephen, Fazli Ayob, Faris Ramli, Fareez Farhan (Jonathan Toto), Zulfahmi Arifin, Benjamin Lee, Nazrul Nazari (Syafiq Zainal), Sherif El-Masri

TPUFC
Fajar Sarib (GK), Anthony Aymard, Hafiz Osman, Delwinder Singh (C),Jonathan Xu, Azhar Ahmad (Zahid Ahmad),Asraf Rashid (Syed Karim), Carlos Delgado, Takaya Kawanabe, Hafiz Nor, Gilbert Bayonne (Abdul Rahim)

Champions fail to close title race as DPMM go up to second

Champions Tampines Rovers failed to close up the title race as they were held to a draw by Gombak.

This mean Tampines have to beat Albirex in 4 days time to end all talks about any challenge on the title.

It should not have been the case as Sead Hadzibulic gave the Stags the lead in the first half but the Eastern giant was unable to close the game. They pay for it as Bulls pull back on level towards the end through ex Eagles Hafiz Rahim.

It gave DPMM an opening as the Brunei side climb up to second.

DPMM have a game in hand and are 7 points behind the defending champions. Win their game in hand and it is only 4 while the top 2 clashed in their next meeting and any result other than a win for Tampines will benefit DPMM.

The Brunei side thrash Tanjong Pagar 3-0 with goals from Shahrazen Said and Ivan Jerkovic (2)

In other matches, Harimau Muda beat Woodlands Wellington 2-0 while Geylang also beat Courts Young Lions 2-0.

Thamil Arasu scored both goals for the Malaysian side.

Shah Hirul and Jozef Kaplan scored the goals for the Eagles.

Gombak United
Zaiful Nizam (GK), Nurullah Hussein, Obadin Aikhena (C), Walid Lounis, Iqbal Hamid Hussain, Hafiz Rahim (Amin Rossady), Mustaqim Manzur, Christopher Anderson, Zulfadhli Emran, Julian Aguirre (Amin Rossady), Samuel Benjamin (Jung Hee Bong)

Tampines Rovers
Sasa Dreven (GK), Jufri Taha, Anaz Hadee, Benoit Croissant, Ismadi Mukhtar, Ahmad Latiff, Imran Sahib (Noh Alam Shah), Ahmed Fahmie (Sazali Salleh), Aleksandar Duric, Sead Hadzibulic, Gligor Gligorov (Jamil Ali)
--------------

Woodlands Wellington
Ahmadulhaq Che Omar (GK), Danny Chew, Fabien Larry Lewis (K Sathiaraj), Daniel Hammond (C), Armanizam Dolah, Han Yiguang, Shamsurin Abd Rahman (Guntur Djafril), Farizal Basri (Oswind Suriya), Goh Swee Swee, Moon Soon Ho, Hussein Akil
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Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Shahril Alias, Syed Fadhil, Jalal, Stefan Milojevic (Ishak Zainol), Shah Hirul, Ang Zhi Wei, Jozef Kaplan, Nurhazwan Norasiki (Khayrulhayat Jumat), Fabian Kwok, Amy Recha (Rizawan Abdullah)

CYL
Syazwan Buhari (GK), Faritz Abdul Hameed, Sirina Camara, Shannon Stephen, Fazli Ayob (Sherif El-Masri), Hafiz Abu Sujad (C), Faris Ramli, Shamil Sharif (Jonathan Toto), Fareez Farhan (Nazrul Nazari), Zulfahmi Arifin, Benjamin Lee
--------------

TPUFC
Shamsudin Hashim (GK), Anthony Aymard, Hafiz Osman, Delwinder Singh (C),Jonathan Xu, Hanafi Salleh (Azlan Alipah), Farhan Rahaman, Carlos Delgado, Hafiz Nor, Seah Si Hao (Syed Karim), Gilbert Bayonne