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.

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

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. 

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)

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)

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)

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

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  

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)
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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
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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
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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

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 #sleague fine idea. But the report had errors. #sgfootball 

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

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

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

Third: #sleague give prize to top 11 not top 10. #sgfootball

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

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

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

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

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)
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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