S-league: Facts & Figures

They will be remembered in time

2012-01-16T00:35:00.005+08:00

From the title header, one may think I am going to write a story about some star players but in fact, it is a bunch of ageing men.

However they are more important than any star players, FAS chairman or even sponsors as they are still around despite the blows they have constantly received for all their endless contributions to grassroot Singapore football.

And they continue to have the fire in their belly to fight on.

Yes, they are the clubs chairman.

Tampines Rovers chairman Teo Hock Seng showcased his fighting spirit as he revamped his team and hired much better foreigners to have the belief he can beat the FAS Malaysia team if they are willing to have a match-up.

Over a decade on since he took over Tampines Rovers and he is still showing how much love has for local football but even he cannot fight father time.

This photo from Pohui facebook (just ignore that man in the middle) showed the ageing face of many of the clubs chairman.

I am not being ageism but that is reason I believed they will be remembered in time because they may well be the last batch of 'fools' to contribute so much to Singapore football yet expect little to, in truth, nothing in return.

For let be honest, football worldwide in general is never profitable to clubs in the best of time let alone Singapore football and the money a few of these guys have contributed would have bought them a thing the average Singaporeans desired.

I am talking about a piece of property as it is no secret that over the years, the likes of Teo, S.Thavaneson or Patrick Ang etc are believed to have spend that much on the clubs they loved.

But what have they got in return?

Backstabbing time and time again by FAS and ignorance from the average fans (or should I call spectators instead of the most sensitive term of gloryhunters) as well as our 'beloved' SPH media if one is honest.

Indeed I will be honest and say if I have the cash, I will never contribute that kind of amount as I do not see any reason why I should for FAS will get the credits while I am struck with the bills.

If I buy a property I will see returns but never for Singapore football if history is a guide.

Just looked at the blows to Geylang United management (as it is not Patrick Ang but the likes of Robert Lim and Seak Poh Leng etc as well) time and time again.

In 1996, S-league inaugural year, many promises were make by FAS top brass but virtually none were kept and as a result Geylang United were left with a debt over a million dollars .

If they had walked away then no one can blamed them but they stayed and worked hard to make their beloved club debt-free again and it was no easy task as Singapore was embroiled in three recessions in a five-year period.

Amidst all that, Geylang were still spending a decent amount to contend with the uniform teams as they finished in the top three in four of the next seven years alongside a league title.

That was no mean feat and in 2003, it seem as the Eagles will embark on the glory days until FAS came calling and Geylang had to release 7 - the most by any clubs then - players to Young Lions.

Again, if Geylang management walked away, who can blamed them as nobody like to develop players and then see them go off (for free somemore)

Talks of national interest mean nothing for the general election last year show one can be pushed in the name of national interest for only that far.

Just a side track, if Singapore public continue to agree to accept the same conditions as in the past decade Singapore economy as a nation can continue to grow at a decent pace but of course, whether the general public get to taste the fruits is another matter.

Same reason; talks of national interest sound hallow if clubs are asked to carry the burden alone while FAS get most of the fruits.

As example just see the Suzuki Cup wins or SEA Games bronze of the past decade, clubs were an afterthought despite them being asked to contribute players like last year, when Tampines were asked to give up Shahdan Sulaiman even as they were in a title race.

Just think if the Stags had ended up second the other players and staffs will have lose out on bonuses while all the work the management done to build the team are wasted.

All in the name of national interest.

Sorry but PAP, which our FAS president come from, tell us it is not enough just to base on that to incite talented personals to join the government and take a pay cut of over millions.

In that case what more for football where you are not paid a million dollars but rather you have to contribute that instead and do not expect any appreciation from the average fans or media

You might as well spend it on yourself like what Bill Ng, Hougang United chairman, commented in which he noted he could have got a new Ferrari with the money he invested in the club.

He should have done so in my view as when the current Geylang management time is up, they will received nothing in return from anybody after over two decades of contribution of not just cash but also time and efforts.

Not like Alex Ferguson who was recognised last week by FIFA and Geylang and Balestier management causes are hardly any less important as unlike the Scotman, they did not received a income that allowed them to live a lifestyle above the average guys. (I have to point out again it is the other way around)

That why they are 'fools' and in the current climate in Singapore they may well be the last of their kind for let be honest our government is right to note such people are ever more difficult to find.

Singapore football or me do not deserved them for they have been subsidizing Singapore football for ages without any appreciation.

That why I have to say it for the last time, in time to come, they will be remembered as fewer and fewer will do it now (they will be missed especially by FAS as FAS must know they do not have the kind of cash on hand to spend every year)

2012 Charity Shield sponsored by Great Eastern

2012-01-13T10:46:00.001+08:00

The 2012 Charity Shield will be known as Great Eastern Charity Shield with the league main sponsor opting to sponsor this event as well.

The match-up will pin last season champions Tampines Rovers against last season Singapore Cup champions Home United.

It will be held at Jalan Besar Stadium on February 5.

Proceeds and donations raised in conjunction with this match will go towards our adopted charity under the Great Eastern ChildrenCare programme which will benefit the less privileged children from MINDS Fernvale Gardens School.”

Great Eastern extend sponsorship

2012-01-13T10:41:00.000+08:00

Great Eastern today announced that it will extend its Co-Title Sponsorship of the S.League for a further two years, from 2012 to 2013, valued at a total of S$1 million.

With this renewal, the S.League is assured of providing local football a platform where young, talented and experienced footballers can showcase their skills as well as giving Singaporeans the opportunity to enjoy the Beautiful Game. With a new tournament format and a total of 14 teams competing for top honors this season, the S.League will certainly prove to be an exciting affair for both fans and players.

Commenting on the sponsorship renewal, Dr Khoo Kah Siang, General Manager (Singapore), Great Eastern Life, said: “We are happy to continue our partnership with the S.League which we have been supporting since 2009. Football has always been one of the top sports in Singapore and our association with the league has helped to bring the Great Eastern brand closer to the community.

“At Great Eastern, our focus is to promote Health and Wellness to not only our customers, but to all Singaporeans from all walks of life and of all ages. Hence our sponsorship of sports events such as the S.League and also our annual run for women. Our ‘Life is Great’ tagline is our inspiration. We believe that ‘Life is Great’ when one is healthy and well and our main intent is for everyone to live a healthier, happier and longer life.

“One key initiative during this new sponsorship term will be our working with the Football Association Singapore (FAS) on an outreach programme to schools where we will be using football to promote life skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and character-building to the young, while at the same time championing a healthy lifestyle through sports. We also welcome to our Great Eastern team three ambassadors – Lionel Lewis, Aleksandar Duric and Paul Cunningham – who epitomise the virtues of hard work and dedication. They will help us promote the importance of a healthy lifestyle not only to the football fraternity but also to the community at large, including schools.

“We are also delighted, for the first time, to sponsor the Great Eastern Charity Shield which will be held on 5 February as the curtain-raiser to the 2012 S.League season. Proceeds and donations raised in conjunction with this match will go towards our adopted charity under the Great Eastern ChildrenCare programme which will benefit the less privileged children from MINDS Fernvale Gardens School.”

Newly-appointed S.League CEO Mr. Lim Chin, who was also present at the press conference, mentioned, “I cannot be happier to be sitting here today with our friends of Great Eastern Life Assurance. Some of the Great Eastern management are my old-time football buddies, and it is great to see us coming together again to bring Singapore football to another level. Great Eastern Life Assurance Co Ltd has been a firm supporter of local football and with this sponsorship renewal, they are reaffirming their conviction to continue promoting the beautiful game here in Singapore. With the many initiatives intended to reach out and target the community, I am sure this wonderful partnership between Great Eastern and the S.League will soar to greater heights.”

Ivan return to DPMM

2012-01-13T10:36:00.001+08:00

Croatian playmaker Ivan Jerkovic has return to Brunei DPMM.

The 32-year-old was with SAFFC last season as DPMM sat out the S-league due to FIFA ban on football activities in the state.

Now with the ban lifted and SPMM opting to re-join S-league, the Croatian has chosen to return to Brunei to play for DPMM.

The other foreigners in the club are two Brazilian imports, defender Tales dos Santos and forward Rodrigo Gral along with Ghanaian striker Osman Bashiru.

2009 League Cup winning coach, Vjeran Simunic has also re-joined the Bruneian club as he activted a clause with his Vietnamese club that allowed him to leave if he re-joined DPMM.

DPMM are back in the S-league

2012-01-13T10:33:00.000+08:00

DPMM are back in the S-league.

The Bruneian club had their stay in the S-league disrupted in 2009 due to a ban by FIFA on any football activates in the state and they were unable to join S-league the next season as well as the ban was not lifted.

With the ban now lifted, Brunei DPMM has re-joined the S-league

The official signing ceremony was held at the Singapore Sports School on 10 January 2012, witnessed by His Royal Highness, Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, The Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, who is in Singapore on an official visit.

DPMM will be the 14th and final team that will compete in the 2012 Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League.

Hiek depart Home

2012-01-13T10:14:00.002+08:00

S-league 2009 Player of the Year Valery Hiek has depart Home United and the S-league.

The Cameroonian defender and maimstay of the Home defence for the last 3 years is going to the Thai Premier League.

The 31-year-old had been offered a contract by the Bishan management to extend his stay for another year but he has chosen not to sign on the dotted line as he believed he can get a better deal elsewhere.

He will be missed as he and Kenji Arai form a backline that won last season Singapore Cup - Home first trophy since 2005.

Hougang movement

2012-01-13T09:57:00.002+08:00

Here are Hougang United movement from their fan blog - cheetah's fan blog

These are the players coming to the club. For players leaving, you can find it in the link

IN	TEAM
Ridhwan Osman Nurhilmi Jasni Rhysh Roshan Rai Shamil Sharif Ng Jiafa Ante Barac Stanislav Vidakovic	Balestier Khalsa Balestier Khalsa SAFFC Tanjong Pagar United Tanjong Pagar United HNK Hajduk Split Free agent

Future of Spore football not worth full time

2012-01-08T14:18:00.001+08:00

The Courts Young Lions are looking for an assistant coach but it is not a full-time job.

For me, that man action speak louder than his words (as CYL is still under FAS charge - not the new S-league CEO - so that man cannot push to him)

Over S$2 million for his Malaysia team to hire all those men and all on full-time contract.

Yet not even one full-time assistant coach for the future of spore football for let be honest, CYL will see more U23 players than that Malaysia team ever will.

Afterall who will want to step forward under those types of terms. May as well stay with their current jobs.

No way is he pumping into spore football like he claimed, only his Malaysia team

A step closer toward North Korea

2012-01-08T13:42:00.002+08:00

The report is here so you can find out who is the new S-league CEO after SEVEN MONTHS OF SEARCHING

For me, this is the meritocracy system I keep hearing about from our PAP leadership and a panel make up of those party members show what it mean now.

In the end, no matter what, always appoint your own man in charge.

We are fast becoming North Korea now; if not in term of football but certainly system.

In the same period when North Korea appoint a leader because he is somebody son, that government panel, which consist totally of civil servants and a ex-military man, appoint a solider after claiming they were looking for somebdy from private sector.

In Spore, you want to head an organisation. Join the Army as looked at how they are just parachute to head Spore.

PUB - Navy (they got the right man as he flooding Orchard)
SNOC - Army (Look at the infighting before SEA games before it was time even to claim credits)
SSC - Army
Ministers - Army

So much for meritocracy.

Long live the military.

AFC Cup draw

2012-01-08T13:29:00.001+08:00

Group F
Tampines Rovers
Song Lam Nghe An (V-league champions)
Kitchee FC ( Hong Kong Division 1 Champions)
Terengganu (MSL runner-up)

Group H
Home United
Citizen AA (Hong Kong FA Cup champions)
Yangon United (Myanmar National league champions)
AFC Champions League playoff loser

Rest of the action

2012-01-08T13:02:00.002+08:00

In other action, Gombak United defeated Woodlands Wellington 4-2, Albirex defeated SAFFC 1-0 and Etoile FC defeated CYL 3-2.

Korean Chang Jo Yoon scored a brace and his fellow countryman Park Kang Jin contributed one as well. Tengku Mushadad scored the last Bulls goal of 2011.

Hyun Jong Woon and Goh Swee Swee reply for the Rams.

In the Swans victory, Bruno Castanheira scored the only goal of the game.

Theo Raymond, Kamel Chaaouane and Kevin Lefranc scored for the Stars in their win with Zulfahmi Arifin and Faris Ramli replying for the Cubs.

Woodlands Wellington

Phang Chin Guan (GK), Fumiya Kobayashi, Duncan Elias, Madhu Mohana, Syed Karim, Jalal, Guntur Djafril (Moon Soon Ho), Sazali Salleh (C), Han Yiguang (Sahhid Jamallil), Hyun Jong Woon, Goh Swee Swee

Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jalsee Hatta (C), Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena, Walid Lounis, Shafuan Sutohmoh (Tengku Mushadad), Park Kang Jin, Fareez Farhan, Chang Jo Yoon (Ruhaizad Ismail), Zulkiffli Hassim (Hamqaamal Shah)

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SAFFC

Hyrulnizam Juma'at (GK), Shaiful Esah (Hafiz Osman), Razaleigh Khalik (C), Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Zulfadli Zainal Abidin (Mustaqim Manzur), Ivan Jerkovic, Rhysh Roshan Rai (Erwan Gunawan), Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz

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Courts Young Lions
Jasper Chan (GK) (Syazwan Buhari), Irwan Shah (C), Shahir Hamzah, Raihan Rahman, Abdul Hadi, Al-Qaasimy Rahman, Zulfahmi Arifin (Hariss Harun ), Faris Ramli, Nigel Vanu, Fairoz Hasan, Haniff Sadique (Ruzaini Zainal)

Tampines are champions

2012-01-08T13:01:00.003+08:00

Tampines Rovers won the 2011 S-league title as they thrashed Balestier Khalsa 5-0 at Tampines Stadium.

Fahrudin Mustafic (2), Aleksandar Duric, Ahmad Latiff and Ahmed Fahmie got the goals.

The Stags had retaken the leadership of the S-league table in their last game after they defeated Home United 1-0 and this game, they just had to ensure they took full points to win the S-league title.

And this is what the now three-time S-league champions have done in emphatic fashion.

As for Home United, despite matching Tampines Rovers in term of result on the night and for much of the season, they finished second and no doubt much will be ask of what will happen in their last game if their coach Paul Lee had not been forced to sit on the sideline due to his sending off in an even earlier game against Hougang.

Home goalscorers were Masrezwan Masturi (3), Qiu Li and Shi JiaYi.

Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Fahrudin Mustafic (Zahid Ahmad), Firdaus Kasman (Jamil Ali), Ahmad Latiff (Ahmed Fahmie), Akihiro Nakamura, Ismadi Mukhtar, Imran Sahib, Aleksandar Duric (C)

Balestier Khalsa

Joey Sim (GK), Anaz Hadee, Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Vahid Bogucanin (Kenneth Chang), Armanizam Dolah (Shamsurin Abdul Rahman), Ridhwan Osman, K Vikraman, Poh Yi Feng, Andrew Tan (Hilmi Azman), Kim Young Kwang,

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Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK) (Fajar Sarib), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros , Masrezwan Masturi (Asraf Rashid), Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li (Nor Azli Yusoff)

Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Syed Fadhil, Khayrulhayat Jumat, Hassan Aziz, Kim Jae Hong, Shah Hirul, Syed Thaha, Nurhazwan Norasikin (Hasree Zais), Zul Elhan Fahmi, Rizawan Abdullah (Amy Recha), Hafiz Rahim

Hougang the only winner out of 3 games

2012-01-03T21:29:00.001+08:00

Hougang United was the only team to get a winner out of 3 games as they defeated TPUFC 3-1

Hafiz Nor got the goal for the Jaguars with Hougang Brazilian forward Diego Oliviera getting a hat-trick to hammer the Jaguars.

Gombak and SAFFC play to a 1-1 draw with Obadin Aikhena scoring for the Bulls while Ivan Jerkovic reply for the Warriors.

In another match, Albirex Niigata (S) and Etoile FC also play to a 1-1 draw with Shotaro Ihata getting the goal for the White Swans while Aly Doumbouya got the goal for the Stars.

Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C) (Zulkiffli Hassim), Hamqaamal Shah (Ruhaizad Ismail), Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena, Walid Lounis, Ridwan Jamil (Fareez Farhan), Tengku Mushadad, Park Kang Jin, Chang Jo Yoon

SAFFC

Hyrulnizam Juma'at (GK), Razaleigh Khalik (C), Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Noh Rahman, Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Ivan Jerkovic, Rhysh Roshan Rai (Mustaqim Manzur), Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz (Indra Sahdan)

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TPUFC

Fa Ng Jia (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Arisman Arman, Delwinder Singh, Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Azlan Alipah, Nurizam Azman (Israel Tan), Gary Loo (Shamil Sharif), Hafiz Nor

Hougang United

Ridzuan Hasan(GK) (C), Lau Meng Meng (Faizal Amir), Syaqir Sulaiman (Eddie Chang), Shahril Alias, Ratna Suffian, Azhar Sairudin, Fazli Jaffar (Fathi Yunus), Noor Ali (C), Aqhari Abdullah, Diego Oliviera, Mamadou Diallo

Tampines take giant step towards title

2012-01-03T20:14:00.001+08:00

Tampines Rovers have taken a giant step towards winning the 2011 S-league as they defeated a weary-looking Home United at Tampines Stadium.

With the Protectors playing in the Singapore Cup Final just 3 days earlier, the Stags had a big advantage of of a well-rest squad and the Stags took full advantage of it.

In a match played on field that I cannot called a pitch, it was a match of few chances as both sides were unable to create much with the state of the field.

In the end, it was a moment of inspiration from Ahmad Latiff who notched the winner.

The Stags now go one point ahead of Home United with one game left

Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Fahrudin Mustafic, Firdaus Kasman (Jamil Ali (Shukor Zailan)), Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Ismadi Mukhtar, Imran Sahib, Aleksandar Duric (C)

Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros (Qiu Li), Masrezwan Masturi (Yasir Hanapi), Frederic Mendy, Sherif El-Masri (Sufian Anuar)

Home are Singapore Cup champions

2012-01-03T19:18:00.001+08:00

RHB Singapore Cup 2011

Final

Home United 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S)

Home United

Home United won their fifth Singapore Cup and their first in 6 years as they defeated Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 in the Final.

French forward Frederic Mendy got the winner in extra-time although the Protectors should have won it at the death in full time as they had the ball in the net.

But refereeLeow Thiam Hoe ruled there was a foul by Mendy before he netted the goal.

There was no denying the Frenchman who finally netted again in extra-time and this time the referee can find no reason to cancel it out.

In the third/fourth place match, Etoile FC defeated Hougang United 3-0 to clinch third position for the second season in a row..

Ironically last season against Young Lions, Etoile FC also won by the same scoreline of 3-0.

It was Anthony Moulin who scored a brace with Stephane N'cho adding in one goal in between.

This time it wasKamel Chaaouane, Franklin Anzite and Theo Raymondwho got the goals.

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shahril Alias, Eddie Chang, Azhar Sairudin (Aqhari Abdullah), Jordan Webb (Sobrie Mazelan), Faizal Amir, Basit Hamid (Ratna Suffian), Carlos Delgado, Mamadou Diallo, Noor Ali (C)

SEA Games XXVI results (Group Stage)

2012-01-03T18:57:00.000+08:00

Singapore U23 0-0 Malaysia U23
Singapore U23 2-1 Cambodia U23
Singapore U23 0-2 Indonesia U23
Singapore U23 2-0 Thailand U23

'Final year' syndrome

2011-11-16T06:23:00.003+08:00

Although that man has claimed he will be announcing plans on the future of the S-league in the coming days, if not weeks, I am not interested or excited not just because I have grown awry of his words and promises but rather he is showing symptoms of a leadership style I will call 'Final year' syndrome.

This is defined by me as one who try to build a legacy in his final few moment of that administration but which will fail due to lack of time or successors.

I am that negative as examples are abound of such administration style.

The current economic crisis affecting United States was due to years of US presidents putting off the need to bring down their deficits and leaving it to their successors.

One can trace it all the way back to the 1990s, when then-USA President Bill Clinton having build a surplus, after the deficits years of the 1980s under Regan and Bush, did not go on to tackle the deficits problem that was already building up until his final year.

At the point, he finally unveiled a plan to bring down the bulging deficit within a decade but of course we now know what happen after that.

By pushing the problem until then, and to the next generation, Bill Clinton did not solve a problem that was still under control.

He was only seeking a solution at that point as he needed to build a legacy and yet not wanting to suffer the consequences of his action, the time frame was way after he is long gone from office.

That is no solution and even in Singapore, we see traces of it.

During the recent General Election, transportation issues was one of the topic that pop up after a sizeable increase in Singapore population.

The claims was there was a lack of foresight as the problem is now not expected to be resolve until years from now but it was not so for back in 2000, there was already a Master Plan to deal with that.

It was unveiled by then-Minister of Communications and Information Technology (It was not called Ministry of Transport yet) Mah Bow Tan and had taken into account the abilities of Singapore transport system to take in a sizeable population.

If the Master Plan had gone to plan, many of the transport system (still building) will be in place by now, was it not so.

Yet Yeo Cheow Tong and then Raymond Lim, who took over, had their own plans as they wanted to build their own legacy, not Mah Bow Tan ones.

Yeo Cheow Tong was occupied dealing with the Free Air Agreement with other nations Ministry while Raymond Lim time saw him changing and chopping the Public Transport Council makeup and it role.

In a decade, there was not a single railway opening so our transport system was sterile.

Of course, the Nicoll Highway collapse delayed any action but the truth, even if it had gone to plan, the process was still lower than anticipated in the Master Plan; which we are seeing now.

Indeed in the next decade, Singapore will have two (and even three if we count the Johore line which is in discussion) more new lines opening in addition to the Circle Lines so we have build and finish three (or again four) in 10 years when we build no transport lines in the decade precessing it.

A result of a plan released by a Minister that was never en-tasked to look after it.

Then the answer must be to appoint a successor who think likewise.

But the question is will any successor, like in the USA election back in 2000 which even if a Democratic had won, follow a plan that was not of his own doing and be prepared to suffer it consequences if it ended in failure while sharing, if not give, credits with his predecessor in success.

We all know the answer to that question.

For a better example, across the Causeway, Malaysia longest-serving Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad took his own time to appoint a successor he thought will maintain and build on his legacy but that was not the case.

However, one cannot blamed his successor Ahmad Badawi as even a strongman Mahathir had to leave tough problems until his final years.

Like the bullet train line and the teaching of English, Mahathir only touch on all these plans when he was on the verge on retirement.

The Bullet Train Line will have 'killed' off Proton - Malaysia national carmaker - while the teaching of English have displeased both the Malay and the Chinese language nationalist and the government count on for votes from both these sectors.

Now both plans are dead and buried.

All these examples have a common beginning and a common ending.

There was a plan to tackle problems but it was only released in the final years of the person leadership and his plan never survive long or even die in still-birth after the person have left his post.

Now looked at our FAS President, he is releasing a plan in his final 15 months in charge, what does that that tell me.

He is suffering from 'Final year' Syndrome as he has neither the time to build things now nor the influence to ensure whoever is appointed by PM Lee will follow his plan.

That man just want to build a firewall to protect himself as he has done virtually nothing for three years other than blow more hot air. (See Viewpoint or Point of View menu for too many hot airs over the years to list and new addition over the months that I have not listed)

China defeat Singapore 4-0

2011-11-16T06:21:00.000+08:00

China defeat Singapore 4-0 at Jalan Besar

Both teams are out of contention for the Final Group Stage of the World Cup Qualifiers.

World Cup Qualifier (Asia Zone) Group Stage

Singapore 0-4 China

Singapore: Lionel Lewis, Shaiful Esah (Sevki Sha'ban 32'), Noh Rahman, Ismail Yunos, Daniel Bennett, Shi Jiayi (Isa Halim 46'), Mustafic Fahrudin (Hafiz Rahim 71'), Firdaus Idros, Shahril Ishak (C), Fazrul Nawaz, Aleksandar Duric

Jordan confirm their passage to Final stage with win over Singapore

2011-11-16T06:09:00.002+08:00

Jordan have confirmed their qualification to the Final Stage of the World Cup Qualifiers after they defeated Singapore 2-0 at Amman.

World Cup Qualifier (Asia Zone) Group Stage

Jordan 2-0 Singapore

Singapore: Lionel Lewis, Shaiful Esah, Noh Rahman, Juma'at Jantan (Sevki Sha'ban), Ismail Yunos, Daniel Bennett, Shi Jiayi, Mustafic Fahrudin (Hafiz Rahim), Shahril Ishak (C), Fazrul Nawaz, Aleksandar Duric (Firdaus Idros)

Geylang United are Prime League champions

2011-11-15T08:24:00.000+08:00

Geylang United have finished as 2011 Prime League champions.

The Bedok club hold off the challenges of Gombak United who finished, 3 points behind, as runner-up.

In third are Tampines Rovers; who had also finished as third last season.

However the Stags got Fazil Zailani who finish as top scorer of the Prime League with 18 goals.

Riswan Ebnu from SAFFC was runner-up with 14 goals and Amy Recha from Geylang United was third with 12 goals.

Etoile secured fifth spot

2011-11-14T06:16:00.000+08:00

Etoile FC have secured fifth spot after they defeated Gombak United 3-0.

Jonathan Toto notched a double with Kamel Chaaouane also contributing.

The 2010 champions also retain a chance to go up to 4th place as they are 3 points behind Albirex Niigata (S) with both having 2 games left and they are meeting each other in the next game on 25 November

As for a bottom of the table battle not to win the Wooden Spoon, TPUFC and Woodlands Wellington play to a 1-1 draw.

Patrick Paran had scored the opener in the last 10 minutes of play but it was still not enough to secure victory as the Jaguars team showed their inexperience by allowing the Rams a way back.

Korean Moon Soon Ho, brought in the mid-season transfer, showed off his value to the Northern club by coming off the bench and notching a goal thus allowing the Rams to share the points and hopefully have a chance to overtake the Jaguarsd going into their final game.

TPUFC are facing Hougang United while Woodlands Wellington will be facing Gombak United in their final game of the season.

TPUFC

Fa Ng Jia (GK), Arisman Arman, Delwinder Singh, Taufiq Rahmat, Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Shamil Sharif (Israel Tan), Azlan Alipah (C), Patrick Paran, Gary Loo (Nurizam Azman)

Woodlands Wellington

Phang Chin Guan (GK), Fumiya Kobayashi, Duncan Elias, Munier Raychouni (C), Madhu Mohana, Jalal, Guntur Djafril (Moon Soon Ho), Sazali Salleh, Han Yiguang (Syed Karim), Hyun Jong Woon, Goh Swee Swee

----------

Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jalse Hatta (C) (Zulkiffli Hassim), Hamqaamal Shah (Ruhaizad Ismail), Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena, Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad, Park Kang Jin , Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon (Ridhwan Jamaludin)

SRC are champions

2011-11-14T05:48:00.002+08:00

SRC are champions of the National Football League Div 1.

They hold off the challenges of Eunos Crescent who are runner-up while last season champions SCC finished a disappointing third; a further 13 points and 14 points off the pace of both clubs.

Tampines Rovers Prime League gain revenge with FA Cup triumph

2011-11-14T05:48:00.001+08:00

Tampines Rovers Prime League have won the 2011 FA Cup after they defeated SRC in the Final.

Last year, SRC had defeated Tampines Rovers Prime League 3-2 in the Final but this time the story was different as there will be no outcome even until the final whistle in full time and extra-time.

The game have finished 1-1 and only a penalty shootout will settle it.

And Tampines Rovers proved stronger in that department as they won 7-6 and walk away with the 2011 FA Cup.

No stopping Home or Tampines

2011-11-13T16:20:00.000+08:00

There is no stopping Home United or Tampines Rovers in the S-league as they defeated their rivals yet again despite only a few days rest in a busy month.

Home United defeated Hougang United 2-0 while Tampines Rovers defeated Gombak United 2-1.

Korean Jung Hee Bong got the Bulls goal but it was not enough with Jamil Ali and Ahmad Fahmie scoring the Stags.

For the Protectors, Shi Jia Yi and Valery Hiek goals was enough to secure all 3 points.

In other matches, SAFFC crushed Geylang United 6-3 while Balestier Khalsa and Woodlands Wellington played to a 2-2 draw.

Mustaqim Manzur, Mislav Karoglan (2), Ivan Jekvoic, Farzul Nawaz and Zulfadli Zainal Abidin all got on the scoresheet for the Warriors with Nakano Yuta,Daniel Hammond and Rizawan Abdullah replying for the Eagles.

Ishak Zainol and K Vikraman scored for the Tigers with Goh Swee Swee and Moon Soon Hon scoring for the Rams to share the point each.

Geylang United

Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sevki Sha'ban, Mubarak Ahmad (Rizawan Abdullah), Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong (Amy Samion Recha), Shah Hirul (Sofiyan Abdul Hamid), Syed Thaha, Nakano Yuta, Hafiz Rahim

SAFFC

Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah, Hafiz Osman, Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Ivan Jerkovic (Rhysh Roshan Rai), Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mustaqim Manzur (Zulfadli Zainal Abidin), Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz (Noh Rahman)

----------

Balestier Khalsa

Joey Sim (GK), Anaz Hadee, Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj (Armanizam Dolah), Ishak Zainol, Ridhwan Osman, K Vikraman, Poh Yi Feng, Hilmi Azman (Shamsurin Abdul Rahman), Kim Young Kwang, Mark Kevin McGough

Woodlands Wellington

Phang Chin Guan (GK), Duncan Elias, Munier Raychouni (C), Madhu Mohana, Han Yiguang, Jalal, Sazali Salleh, Guntur Djafril (Syed Karim), Hyun Jong Woon, Goh Swee Swee, Moon Soon Ho

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Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C) (Zulkiffli Hassim), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos (Ruhaizad Ismail), Obadin Aikhena, Walid Lounis, Ridwan Jamil (Tengku Mushadad), Park Kang Jin, Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon

Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Seiji Kaneko, Fahrudin Mustafic, Firdaus Kasman (Ahmed Fahmie), Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Ismadi Mukhtar, Imran Sahib (Shukor Zailan), Jamil Ali (Aliff Shafaein) Aleksandar Duric (C)

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Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK) (C), Shahril Alias, Basit Abdul Hamid, Eddie Chang (Fathi Yunus), Jordan Webb, Syaqir Sulaiman (Azhar Sairudin), Faizal Amir, Sobrie Mazelan, Carlos Delgado, Mamadou Diallo, Vitor Borges

Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros, Masrezwan Masturi (Yasir Hanapi), Frederic Mendy, Sherif El-Masri

Only Home and Tampines are left

2011-11-13T16:19:00.001+08:00

Home United and Tampines Rovers are the only teams left in the title race after they defeated their respective foes in the S-league thus casting out SAFFC.

Home United defeated CYL 2-0 while Tampines Rovers defeated Albirex Niigata (S) 3-1.

Firdaus Idros and Frederic Mendy got the goals in the Protectors match.

Tatsuro Inui had scored for the White Swans but a brace from Jamil Ali and then a penalty from Fahrudin Mustafic killed off the Japanese side.

Both teams at the top are now uncatchable despite SAFFC late effort as they crush Etoile FC 4-1 at Jalan Besar.

Goran Subara, Mislav Karoglan and Indra Sahdan scored for the Warriors while Wilson Grosset scored for the French side.

Gombak United had defeated TPUFC 3-2 in another match

Ruhaizad Ismail, Hamqaamal Shahn and Walid Lounis scored for the Bulls with Takaya Kawanabe and Shamil Sharif scoring for the Jaguars.

Tampines Rovers
Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Seiji Kaneko, Benoît Croissant (Jamil Ali), Fahrudin Mustafic, Firdaus Kasman (Shukor Zailan), Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib (Aliff Shaffaein), Ismadi Mukhtar, Aleksandar Duric (C)

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Courts Young Lions
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Irwan Shah, Shahir Hamzah, Afiq Yunos, Safuwan Baharudin, Fazli Ayob (Faris Ramli), Zulfahmi Arifin (Hafiz Abu Sujad), Hariss Harun (C), Shahdan Sulaiman (Gabriel Quak), Safirul Sulaiman, Khariul Nizam

Home United
Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenjia Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Firdaus Idros (Sufian Anuar), Yasir Hanapi (Nor Azli Yusoff), Masrezwan Masturi (Asraf Abdul Rashid), Frederic Mendy, Sherif El-Masri

----------

SAFFC

Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Razaleigh Khalik (Hafiz Osman), Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett (C), Ivan Jerkovic, Goran Subara, Noh Rahman, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz (Indra Sahdan)

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Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena (C), Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad (Ridwan Jamil), Ruhaizad Ismail (Zulkiffli Hassim), Park Kang Jin (Ridhwan Jamaludin), Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon

TPUFC

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C) (Patrick Paran), Arisman Arman, Delwinder Singh, Taufiq Rahmat, Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Nurizam Azman (Shamil Sharif), Azlan Alipah, Gary Loo

SEA Games XXVI Draw

2011-11-13T10:13:00.000+08:00

Group A
Singapore U23
Indonesia U23 (Host)
Malaysia U23 (Champions)
Thailand U23
Cambodia U23

Group B
Vietnam U23
Myanmar U23
Timor Leste U23
Brunei U23
Philippines U23
Laos U23

Home continue their march

2011-11-13T10:12:00.000+08:00

Home United continue their march to the 2011 S-league title by defeating Woodlands Wellington 2-1.

Masrezwan Masturi, who started his S-league career with the Rams back in 1999, and Frederic Mendy got the goals for the Protectors. Goh Swee Swee got the consolation goal for the Rams.

Tampines Rovers kept up the pressure by crushing CYL 4-1 and then defeating Geylang United 2-0 in the Eastern Derby.

In the matchup against the Cubs, Ismadi Mukhtar, Imran Sahib, Jamil Ali and Aleksandar Duric got the goals while in the matchup in the Eastern Derby Ismadi Mukhtar and Aleksandar Duric got the goals.

Safuwan Baharudin got the goals for the Cubs.

The Warriors also refused to give up as they defeated CYL 3-0.

Ivan Jerkovic (2) and Farzul Nawaz got the goals.

As for Albirex Niigata (S), their slim hopes of the 2011 crown was gone after they failed to beat Hougang United with the Cheetahs holding them to a 1-1 draw.

Shotaro Ihata got the opener but veteran Noor Ali cancelled it out.

Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Seiji Kaneko, Fahrudin Mustafic, Firdaus Kasman (Shukor Zailan), Ahmad Latiff (Jamil Ali), Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib (Ali Hudzaifi), Ismadi Mukhtar, Ahmed Fahmie, Aleksandar Duric (C)

Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Irwan Shah, Shahir Hamzah (Afiq Yunos), Safuwan Baharudin, Al-Qaasimy Rahman, Gabriel Quak, Hafiz Abu Sujad (Zulfahmi Arifin), Faris Ramli, Hariss Harun, Shahdan Sulaiman (Nazrul Ahmad Nazari), Khariul Nizam

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Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Abdil Qaiyyim (Asraf Abdul Rashid), Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Masrezwan Masturi, Frederic Mendy, Sufian Anuar (Yasir Hanapi), Sherif El-Masri

Woodlands Wellington

Ang Bang Heng (GK), Fumiya Kobayashi, Duncan Elias, Munier Raychouni (C), Madhu Mohana, Jalal, Sazali Salleh, Guntur Djafril (Nawfal Shahib), Han Yiguang, Goh Swee Swee, Moon Soon Ho

----------

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK) (C), Lau Meng Meng, Shahril Alias (Aqhari Abdullah), Ratna Suffian, Eddie Chang, Syaqir Sulaiman (Mamadou Diallo), Fazli Jaffar, Basit Abdul Hamid (Sobrie Mazelan), Noor Ali, Diego Oliviera, Vitor Borges

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Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Hassan Aziz, Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong, Shah Hirul, Syed Thaha, Nakano Yuta (Amy Samion Recha), Rizawan Abdullah (Zul Elhan Fahmi)

Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Seiji Kaneko, Fahrudin Mustafic, Firdaus Kasman, Ahmad Latiff (Shukor Zailan), Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar (Ali Hudzaifi), Jamil Ali (Aliff Shaffein), Aleksandar Duric (C)

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SAFFC
Hyrulnizam Juma'at (GK), Shaiful Esah, Hafiz Osman, Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett (C), Ivan Jerkovic (Zulfadli Zainal Abidin), Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mustaqim Manzur, Mislav Karoglan (Rhysh Roshan Rai), Fazrul Nawaz (Erwan Gunawan)

Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Safuwan Baharudin, Sheikh Abdul Hadi, , Fazli Ayob, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Ruzaini Zainal (Al-Qaasimy Rahman), Hariss Harun, Shahdan Sulaiman, Safirul Sulaiman, Navin Nigel Vanu (Gabriel Quak), Fairoz Hasan (Faris Ramli)

Home title to lose

2011-11-13T10:11:00.001+08:00

Home United have taken a giant step toward winning the 2011 S-league crown after they defeated, soon-to-be-dethroned, Etoile FC 2-1 at Bishan Stadium.

The Protectors had achieved the victory thank to an ex-Etoile FC man, Frederic Mendy, who had scored the equaliser after Etoile FC had taken the lead through Kamel Chaaouane.

Skipper Shi Jia Yi then notched the winner to give the Protectors a 5-points lead at the top now.

And it helped that Home United challengers are falling over one another to falter as this time, it was Albirex Niigata (S) that disappointed it supporters as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Gombak United; a club Albirex had crushed 5-1 previously.

Shotaro Ihata had given the White Swans the lead but the Bulls did not give up and Obadin Aikhena notched the equaliser at the end.

Meanwhile SAFFC kept up their slim title chances, after losses to Tampines Rovers and Home United respectively, by beating Hougang United 3-1.

Mislav Karoglan got a brace while Zulfadli Zainal Abidin contribute another in the Warriors win. Vitor Borges had scored for the Cheetahs.

In one other match.Geylang United defeated Woodlands Wellington 2-1.

Jalal had scored the goal for the Rams while Shah Hirul and Nakano Yuta got the goals for the Eagles.

Woodlands Wellington

Ang Bang Heng (GK), Fumiya Kobayashi, Duncan Elias, Munier Raychouni (C), Madhu Mohana, Han Yguang (Nawfal Shahib), Jalal, Sazali Salleh, Guntur Djafril (Goh Swee Swee), Hyun Jong Woon, Moon Soon Ho

Geylang United

Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sevki Sha'ban, Mubarak Ahamad (Rizawan Abdullah), Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Jeon Byung Euk (Hassan Aziz), Kim Jae Hong (Khalili D'Cruz), Shah Hirul, Syed Thaha, Hafiz Rahim, Nakano Yuta

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Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK) (C), Lau Meng Meng, Eddie Chang, Faizal Amir, Ratna Suffian (Shahril Alias), Azhar Sairudin (Aqhari Abdullah), Jordan Webb, Diego de Oliveira (Sobrie Mazelan), Carlos Delgado, Noor Ali, Vitor Borges

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Razaleigh Khalik, Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Noh Rahman, Ivan Jerkovic, Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Zulfadli Zainal Abidin , Mislav Karoglan, Indra Sahdan (Fazrul Nawaz)

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Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Abdil Qaiyyim (Firdaus Idros), Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Masrezwan Masturi (Sufian Anuar), Frederic Mendy, Sherif El-Masri

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Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang (Zulkiffli Hassim), Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena, Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad (Shafuan Sutohmoh), Ridwan Jamil, Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon (Ruhaizad Ismail)

Home take over top spot as Tampines falter

2011-11-13T10:09:00.000+08:00

Home United have taken a giant step toward winning the 2011 S-league after crushing arch-rival and challenger SAFFC 4-0 at Choa Chu Kang.

At the same time, closer rival Tampines Rovers fell 2-1 to Etoile FC to let Home United take a 2 points lead at the top.

Sherif El-Masri, who has only recently won back his place in the starting lineup of the Home United side, was the hero as he notched a brace while Firdaus Idros and Yasir Hanapi also contribute to the effort.

Jonathan Toto and Kamel Chaaouane was the Stars scorers with Ahmed Fahmie replying for the Stags.

In other matches, CYL crushed Woodlands Wellington 5-1 and Balestier Khalsa defeated TPUFC 2-1.

Gabriel Quak, Irwan Shah, Faris Ramli, Hariss Harun and Nigel Vanu was the scorers for the Cubs with Rams sole reply coming from Moon Soon Ho.

In the Tigers match, Aussie Mark McGough showed his importance to the Tigers as he notched another 2 goals to give the Toa Poyah club their second win in 3games after going winless for nearly 3 months.

Takaya Kawanabe had reply for the Jaguars.

Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant (Seiji Kaneko), Fahrudin Mustafic, Firdaus Kasman (Jamil Ali), Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Ismadi Mukhtar, Shukor Zailan (Imran Sahib), Ahmed Fahmie, Aleksandar Duric (C)

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SAFFC

Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah, Hafiz Osman, Bah Mamadou, Ivan Jerkovic, Rhysh Roshan Rai, Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mustaqim Manzur, Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz (Indra Sahdan)

Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros (Abdil Qaiyyim), Masrezwan Masturi (Faizal Samad (Yasir Hanapi)), Frederic Mendy, Sufian Anuar, Sherif El-Masri

---------

Courts Young Lions
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Afiq Yunos, Irwan Shah, Abdul Hadi, Al-Qaasimy Rahman (Safuwan Baharudin), Gabriel Quak, Zulfahmi Arifin (Hafiz Abu Sujad), Hariss Harun (C), Shahdan Sulaiman, Nigel Vanu, Khairul Nizam (Faris Ramli)

Woodlands Wellington

Ang Bang Heng (GK), Fumiya Kobayashi, Duncan Elias, Munier Raychouni (C), Darrel Tan (Sahhid Jamallil), Jalal, Guntur Djafril (Nawfal Shahib), Han Yiguang, Hyun Jong Woon, Farhan Hairoddin (Syed Karim), Moon Soon Ho

---------

TPUFC

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Delwinder Singh, Taufiq Rahmat (Shamil Sharif), Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Azlan Alipah, Gary Loo (Abdul Rahman), Hafiz Nor, Patrick Paran

Balestier Khalsa

Joey Sim (GK), Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj (Anaz Hadee), Vahid Bogucanin, Ishak Zainol, Armanizam Dolah (Ridhwan Osman), K Vikraman, Poh Yi Feng, Andrew Tan (Nurhilmi Jasni), Kim Young Kwang, Mark Kevin McGough

Albirex won again

2011-10-24T19:16:00.005+08:00

Albirex Niigata (S) won their match-up again as they continue to challenge for the S-league title.

This time they did it by defeating Balestier Khalsa 3-1 at Toa Poyah with goals coming from Shimpei Sakurada and Shotaro Ihat.

The third goal was an own goal with the Balestier reply coming from Mark McGough.

In other matches, Etoile FC defeated Geylang United 3-2 and Gombak United defeated Hougang United 3-1.

Theo Raymond, Aly Doumbouya and Wilson Grosset got the goals for the Stars while Kim Jae Hong and Rizawan Abdullah reply for the Eagles.

In the Bulls game, Chang Jo Yoon (2) and Ridhwan Jamaludin got the goals for the home side with Noor Ali replying for the Cheetahs.

Days earlier, Hougang United defeated TPUFC 4-3 and Balestier Khalsa defeated CYL 1-0.

In the Cheetahs game at Hougang, Noor Ali, Carlos Delgado, Sobrie Mazelan and Jordan Webb got the goals for the home side while Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe and Patrick Paran got the goals for the Jaguars. Mark Kevin McGough had got the winner in the Tigers game at Toa Poyah.

In the days between these games, Geylang United notched up a victory against TPUFC; defeating them 2-0.

Hafiz Rahim and Rizawan Abdullah got the goals.

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Syaqir Sulaiman, Shariff Samat (C), Eddie Chang, Azhar Sairudin (Aqhari Abdullah), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar, Carlos Delgado (Fathi Yunus), Noor Ali (Sobrie Mazelan), Vitor Borges

TPUFC

Ng Jia Fa (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Arisman Arman, Taufiq Rahmat (Patrick Paran), Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Azlan Alipah, Nurizam Azman (Sudhershen Hariram), Abdul Rahman (Shamil Sharif), Hafiz Nor

---------

Balestier Khalsa

Joey Sim (C) (GK), Anaz Hadee, K Sathiaraj, Kenneth Chang, Vahid Bogucanin, Ridhwan Osman, Armanizam Dolah, Poh Yi Feng (Nurhilmi Jasni), Andrew Tan (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Kim Young Kwang, Mark Kevin McGough

Courts Young Lions

Jasper Chan (GK), Shahir Hamzah, Abdul Hadi, Gabriel Quak (Raihan Rahman), Hafiz Abu Sujad (Fazli Ayob), Faris Ramli (Khairul Nizam), Nazrul Ahmad Nazari, Safirul Sulaiman, Emmeric Ong, Fairoz Hasan (C), Fadhil Noh

---------

Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C),Sevki Sha'ban, Mubarak Ahamad (Rizawan Abdullah), Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong, Shah Hirul, Syed Thaha (Sofiyan Abdul Hamid), Zul Elhan Fahmi (Fadli Kamis), Nakano Yuta

---------

Gombak United
Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Tengku Mushadad (Ridwan Jamil), Ruhaizad Ismail (Farouq Farkhan), Park Kang Jin, Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon (Ridhwan Jamaludin), Zulkiffli Hassim

Hougang United

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

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Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sevki Sha'ban, Mubarak Ahamad (Zul Elhan Fahmi), Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Hassan Aziz, Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong, Syed Thaha, Nakano Yuta (Rizawan Abdullah), Hafiz Rahim

TPUFC

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Arisman Arman, Delwinder Singh, Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Azlan Alipah, Gary Loo (Shamil Sharif), Abdul Rahman (Patrick Paran), Hafiz Nor

---------

Balestier Khalsa

Joey Sim (GK), Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Vahid Bogucanin, Ishak Zainol, Armanizam Dolah (Nurhilmi Jasni), K Vikraman, Poh Yi Feng (Kenneth Chang), Andrew Tan, Kim Young Kwang, Mark Kevin McGoug

Albirex crush Geylang to continue their title challenge

2011-10-24T19:12:00.002+08:00

Albirex Niigata (S) refused to accept that their title challenge is slim by continuing to challenge for it as they crushed Geylang United 6-1 at Jurong East stadium.

The White Swans goals came from Shotaro Ihata, Tatsuro Inui, Atsushi Shimono, Bruno Castanheira (2) and Shunsuke Sagesaka.

Kim Jae Hong got the Eagles reply.

In other matches, Etoile FC defeated Woodlands Wellington 2-0, TPUFC defeat CYL 3-1 and Hougang United defeated Balestier Khalsa 2-0.

In the Stars match, Julien Durand and Kamel Chaaouane got the goals.

Kim Jong Oh, Takaya Kawanabe and Hafiz Nor had got the goals for the Jaguars with Fazli Ayob replying for the CYL.

Noor Ali and Diego Oliviera scored in the Cheetahs victory.

Before that, Hougang United and Geylang United had played 4 days earlier as the Cheeaths came back from a goal down to defeat the Eagles 2-1 at Jalan Besar.

Korean Jeon Byung Euk had open the scoring in the first half for the Eagles before a second half fightback with goals by Mamadou Diallo and Vitor Borges saw the Cheetahs snatching all 3 points.

Geylang United

Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid (Khalili D'cruz), Sevki Sha'ban, Daniel Hammond, Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong, Shah Hirul, Syed Thaha, Zul Elhan Fahmi (Hassan Aziz), Nakano Yuta, Rizawan Abdullah (Mubarak Ahamad)

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Shahril Alias, Ratna Suffian, Azhar Sairudin, Jordan Webb, Sobrie Mazelan (Mamadou Diallo), Carlos Delgado, Noor Ali (Fazli Jaffar), Vitor Borges (Eddie Chang)

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TPUFC

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Arisman Arman (Nurizam Azman), Delwinder Singh, Taufiq Rahmat, Kim Jong Oh,Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Azlan Alipah, Gary Loo (Ganesan s/o Devadas), Hafiz Nor

Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Afiq Yunos, Irwan Shah (C), Raihan Rahman (Shahdan Sulaiman), Abdul Hadi, Al-Qaasimy Rahman, Zulfahmi Arifin, Faris Ramli (Hafiz Abu Sujad), Nazrul Nazari, Nigel Vanu (Fazli Ayob), Khairul Nizam

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Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Syaqir Sulaiman (Faizal Amir), Shariff Samat (C), Fathi Yunus (Aqhari Abdullah), Eddie Chang, Fazli Jaffar, Carlos Delgado (Azhar Sairudin), Noor Ali, Diego Oliviera, Vitor Borge

Balestier Khalsa

Ahmadulhaq Che Omar (GK), Anaz Hadee, Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Vahid Bogucanin, Ishak Zainol, Ridhwan Osman (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Poh Yi Feng (Armanizam Dolah), Nurhilmi Jasni, Andrew Tan, Kim Young Kwang

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Woodlands Wellington

Ang Bang Heng (GK), Fumiya Kobayashi (Farhan Hairoddin), Duncan Elias, Munier Raychouni (C), Madhu Mohana, Zulkarnain Malik (Oswind Suriya), Jalal, Sazali Salleh, Hyun Jong Woon, Goh Swee Swee (Sahhid Jamallil), Moon Soon Ho

----------

Geylang United

Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid (Khayrulhayat Jumat), Sevki Sha'ban, Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong, Syed Thaha, Khalili D'cruz (Amy Recha), Nakano Yuta, Rizawan Abdullah (Mubarak Ahamad)

Home and Tampines marches on

2011-10-24T19:09:00.000+08:00

Home United and Tampines Rovers marches on as they defeated their respective foes on the field.

Home United had defeated Courts Young Lions 2-0 - with goals from Frederic Mendy and an own goal - while Tampines impressively defeated SAFFC 3-1 at the Warriors fortress Choa Chu Kang.

The Stags goals came from Ahmed Fahmie (2) and an own goal while SAFFC sole goal came from Mislav Karoglan.

That defeat now leave the Warriors with a mountain to climb as they are now 7 points behind Tampines Rovers and 6 points behind Home United so SAFFC have to hope both teams collapsed which will be difficult.

In other matches Etoile FC crushed TPUFC 6-1 and Gombak United defeated Balestier Khalsa 2-0.

In the Stars match up, the with goals from Maxime Belouet, Julien Durand, Aly Doumbouya and Wilson Grosset (3) while the Jaguars sole goal came from Hafiz Nor

As for the Bulls game, the goals came from Zulkiffli Hassim and Jung Hee Bong.

TPUFC

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Arisman Arman, Delwinder Singh, Taufiq Rahmat, Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Azlan Alipah, Abdul Rahman, Hafiz Nor

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SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah, Hafiz Osman, Bah Mamadou (Indra Sahdan), Daniel Bennett, Ivan Jerkovic, Rhysh Roshan Rai (Fazrul Nawaz), Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mustaqim Manzur (Noh Rahman), Mislav Karoglan

Tampines Rovers
Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Fahrudin Mustafic, Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Shukor Zailan, Ahmed Fahmie (Firdaus Kasman), Aleksandar Duric (C)

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Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman (Abdil Qaiyyim), Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros, Masrezwan Masturi, Frederic Mendy (Yasir Hanapi), Sherif El-Masri (Sufian Anuar)

Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Afiq Yunos, Irwan Shah (C), Safuwan Baharudin, Al-Qaasimy Rahman (Shahir Hamzah), Hafiz Abu Sujad, Ruzaini Zainal, Faris Ramli, Shahdan Sulaiman, Nigel Vanu (Nazrul Nazari), Fairoz Hasan (Fazli Ayob)

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Balestier Khalsa

Ahmadulhaq Che Omar (GK), Anaz Hadee , Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Vahid Bogucanin, Ishak Zainol, Armanizam Dolah (Ridhwan Osman), Poh Yi Feng (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Andrew Tan, Kim Young Kwang, Mark Kevin McGough

Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena, Tengku Mushadad (Ridwan Jamil), Ruhaizad Ismail (Zulkiffli Hassim), Park Kang Jin, Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon (Ridhwan Jamaludin)

Jordan defeat Singapore 3-0

2011-10-24T19:08:00.002+08:00

Jordan looked set to reach the World Cup Qualifiers Final stage after they defeat Singapore 3-0 with goals from Abdallah Deeb, Anas Bani Yaseen and Ahmad Hayel.

Singapore continue to get the short stick on officiating as the Lions had a goal cancelled out which replay show should be allowed to stand.

It was not offside as the assistant referee rule.

This is the third match in a row referee decisions had gone against although one has to admit it was not as costly as the previous two matches which would have give the Lions the chance to gain points.

But this 'goal' came late in the game when Jordan was already three goals up.

World Cup Qualifier (Asia Zone) Group Stage
Singapore 0-3 Jordan

Singapore: Izwan Mahbud, Juma'at Jantan, Safuwan Baharudin, Daniel Bennett, Shaiful Esah, Shi Jiayi (Isa Halim 45), Hariss Harun, Hafiz Rahim (Shahdan Sulaiman 45), Shahril Ishak (C), Fazrul Nawaz (Khairul Nizam 61), Aleksandar Duric

Singapore defeat Philippines 2-0

2011-10-24T19:00:00.003+08:00

In a friendly international arrange to prepare for the World Cup qualifer against Jordan, Singapore defeated Philippines 2-0 at Jalan Besar stadium.

SAFFC defender Shaiful Esah had opened the scoring with one of special freekick before Aleksandar Duricmake the game safe by notching the second goal.

International Friendly

Singapore 2-0 Philippines

Singapore: Lionel Lewis (Izwan Mahbud), Juma'at Jantan, Safuwan Baharudin (Noh Rahman), Daniel Bennett, Shaiful Esah (Delwinder Singh), Isa Halim (Hafiz Rahim), Hariss Harun, Shi Jiayi, Shahril Ishak (C), Fazrul Nawaz (Shahdan Sulaiman), Aleksander Duric

The lies that man told to get his Malaysia team

2011-10-02T15:03:00.003+08:00

I should be a fortune teller as just two months after I predicted everything that will happen - Trust, something I do not have of FAS - has happen.

But do be honest I do not need a crystal ball to see that future as history and human nature has been a guide.

As I noted before, that man can walk away from it all so it is not even a gamble for he will not be hurt no matter the outcome in years to come and indeed he can used it for his political advantage.

After all, the Minister-in-charge-of-Muslim-Affairs, Yaacob Ibrahim, is going to be over 60 by the next GE and with only a single Ministerial post for the Malay, those below need to show something as what has that man done during his time as Mayor, labour leader or even the Malay community if one can enlight me.

Former MM Lee claimed PAP do not lies but obviously that man tell us a different story or is it as WilkLeaks files said, PAP is looking for it MPs at the bottom of the barrel with many of them second to, worse, third choice ones.

Of course, this is a blog about S-league football and not government so I will stop here about why I believe his human nature is choosing this path.

Here are the difference between the fact and the lies he told in July when he wanted his Malaysia team. (Who know there may be more but here are the starter course)

S-league matches to be played on weekend so it can played to better crowds
Now the story has totally changed and S-league will remain on weekdays and it is only his Malaysia team that get this benefit

Just to add on, no doubt he will claimed it is to avoid a clash but may I remind readers that MSL is a shorter season and start earlier so there are free weekends but no doubt not a single S-league games will be played on weekend next season for let be honest, he is asking SPOOLS to foot his bill.

It is U23 team no matter what

Now he create the world first "U28' team (where have one heard of this nonsense) and claimed it is still a development squad

No doubt the year after that, the age limit will be raise again but even Arsene Wenger do not lie to himself like that and when he buy players above 23, he admit their potential for development is not high so he want the final product for these kind of players and that is why he rarely touch such players even in the early 20s

He will not disband Courts Young Lions no matter what
Now stories are already leaking (and confirm by former S-league CEO, and partner in crime, Winston Lee in August, just a month, after his 'brave' words) Courts Young Lions will be gone so no doubt the million dollar contract is going to his team now

So much for the increase in number of young players as some of his defenders claimed as now we have less than 20 players exposed under his remaining term and he may wishfully hoped the clubs will help him out; I will said fat hope as club coaches will be under pressure to help their team win, not developed FOC players for FAS.

Increased in subsidies
Now I can tell readers I believe not a single single club will get the full amount as no doubt FAS as the tester will fail every team no matter what

Just think, if every club give up $100k, he can get nearly $1million and the PKI take up 50% of it so it is up to $5 million.

Simple maths for the sponsors have promise the money so the money is there and it is up to FAS to decide how to 'split it' with no overseer. (I do not think the new S-league CEO will stand up to FAS as they are it real employer not S-league)

Youth development will not be footing the bill
But already we see cost cutting measures where many local Under-age teams cannot travel because FAS refused to foot the bill

Note the difference between Ho and that man era, Ho always found money to foot those bills for National Team and age groups so those who claimed he will continue to fund the Under-15 and Under-16 teams, I will note once the media fade away he will forget these teams like he forget about the rest of the age groups because they have no media attention.

We are not paying FAM money in any kind
Truth is we gave FAM anywhere between RM1million to RM 2.5 million disguised as subsides for their youth team for take note it is an 'exchange program' so why the need to pay FAM

I have no doubt FAS will give in even more in years to come as even now FAS has closed it books to the public. Remember in Ho time, FAS opened it books as Ho wanted to show the public FAS spending but now, FAS has not published it account since 2009; the year the man took over.

GIC and Temasek closed it books because of national issues but what about FAS. Why have the spending on local football gone down so much in the 3 years under him.

PAP do not lie. Not this man as from July to now it barely 100 days and the stories we get are totally different from the ones he delivered back then.

Who does S-league CEO represent

2011-09-30T22:02:00.011+08:00

I mean looked at who is choosing the new S-league CEO!

Along with that man, the selection panel that decide the new S-League CEO includes former minister and FAS president Professor Ho Peng Kee, president of the Singapore Bowling Federation Jessie Phua and Singapore Sports Council CEO Lim Teck Yin.

Why is Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and Singapore Bowling Federation (SBF) involved but not a single S-league club.

S-league CEO is to run and represent S-league; which are in the interest of the clubs yet they have no say but bowling and SSC have.

SSC, may I remind them, refused to get itself involved in Singapore Athletic Association (SAA) election over two year ago claiming it has no right as this involved those in the sport and SSC as the overseer can only advise.

Worse of all, why bowling?

Does it mean Singapore football can now send people over to oversee one of their many committees as well.

I do not understand the logic.

Maybe this panel is just meant to select one of their own as frankly I only see government people in there and not a single person from the private sector so how can they attract the man from the private sector they claimed they want to hire.

For if they do not want S-league clubs involved as they lacked the connection to get good men for the job but does this panel have it!

For the S-league CEO will be tasked with getting money from private sector so it is good if he come from there and has the connections like Richard Scudmore, BPL CEO, who before getting that post was a media man.

He clearly know the in and out of media and has been able to use it to his and his company advantage as one thing about the running of BPL is how they 'covered' up the negative news whenever it involved their brand - which even other top European league cannot matched.

The issue about debts of BPL is a good example as Scudmore always claim their debts are 'different' from other European league which have fallen foul of it and somehow BPL always has one group of media willing to defend that as a fact even if not all are not as supportive of it.

This is why Scudmore earn his pay and frankly can the S-league CEO earn that pay which is reportedly S$8k a month.

I will wait to pass judgement (as it is only fair) but I wonder how do we get a good CEO as it is unlikely the panel will have the connection to get men from the sectors Singapore football need.

Mystery solved

2011-09-30T21:20:00.003+08:00

Now I know why SSC have not issued a statement about the Today article on JBS expansion.

It does not involved them as FAS will be footing the bill on this one as this new Today report tell us it is FAS who is calling for vendors.

Of course this lead to the million dollar question of how come FAS have money now? (After coming out repeatedly to cry they have no money when it time to spend money on local football)

If you ask me, it is more likely there will be no Courts Young Lions in 3 months time as they need the money even more now.

Afterall even if it is a temporary stand it will cost as least a hundred thousand dollars (including maintenance cost as SSC is not going to foot it since they did not build it) and money do not grow on trees, it has to come from somewhere.

The Chinese saying the lamb fur must come from lamb (literally translated) come to mind.

All this for a temporary stand is not worth it as I can see that stand lasting a year or two before it is torn down and during that time, the maintenance cost will be borne not by FAS but by Singapore next generation in turth. (Reason is FAS will cry even louder they have no money now for local football as all of it is either going to FAM, the Malaysia team or JBS)

S-league Preview XXIV & XXV (edited for correcting some errors)

2011-09-25T23:43:00.003+08:00

Mon 26-Sep Etoile FC - TPUFC (QTN)
Tue 27-Sep SAFFC - Tampines Rovers (CCK)
Wed 28-Sep Home United - CYL (BSN)
Thu 29-Sep Balestier Khalsa - Gombak United (TPY)
Fri 30-Sep Geylang United - Hougang United (JBS)

Mon 3-Oct TPUFC - CYL (QTN)
Mon 3-Oct Hougang United - Balestier Khalsa (QTN)
Tue 4-Oct Woodlands Wellington - Etoile FC (CCK)
Wed 5-Oct Albirex Niigata (S) - Geylang United (JES)
Thu 6-Oct Hougang United - TPUFC (HGG)
Thu 6-Oct Balestier Khalsa - CYL (TPY)

S-league Preview XXIII - 4 right with 1 perfect score and 3 wrong

Etoile FC - TPUFC
I wonder what mental state Etoile is in now. Having lost the semi-final of the Singapore Cup, they are doom to finish empty-handed after last season Double and that is a blow. But they have a season to finish and the least their ultras will expect is that the team is a professional (I think they can agree with that). That mean finishing off the Jaguars. 2-0 to Etoile FC

SAFFC - Tampines Rovers
For such games, I have always say to be on the safe side, it is a draw. But not at this point as a draw only benefit their rivals and a winner may have to emerge. It is not easy as both sides are capable of beating the other on their day so who will be the top dog on the day. At this point, I am willing to go with the home side as 1) they have the advantage of the home pitch and at CCK it is a big advantage 2) The Warriors players are less taxed than the Stags for the Stags have the added responsibility of Asia this year 3) The Warriors main players, other than Daniel Bennett, are not national players while the Stags most important attacker Duric is. This is important as the national players are taxed to the max this quarter and when one hear Lionel Lewis being burn out, one know players are also human. 3-1 to SAFFC

Home United - CYL
8 more games to go and every point count. So it win or bust. The Protectors have no excuse why they cannot get full point as even their second team could take on the Cubs. Also it is not played at the artificial pitch of JBS so that is another plus for them. At the same time, the Cubs have no advantage of a good rest as they battled in Vietnam in the same week Home was playing in the Singapore Cup. Clearly all the advantage are with the home side. 3-0 to Home

Balestier Khalsa - Gombak United
The Bulls are a side capable of finishing in the top half yet they can easily fail to reach that target. This is the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde side of the Bulls. One just do not know if they are mentally prepared for the challenge. Darren Stewart cannot keep hiding behind the undeniable fact they have lost good players over the last two seasons as he has been given his own sweet time to build a side in his own image. He must show he is a good a coach as anybody in the league and for this season, it mean a top half finish. They have the squad to to do that. 3-1 to Gombak

Geylang United - Hougang United
The Eagles have kept the nucleus of the side for a while now and one can see they are ready to reap it reward which is a top half finish once again (4 time in last 5 seasons). It may not seem like much but for Geylang it is only the start of a climb (A very long climb) back to being a force in the S-league. What is clearly handicapping them is the U23 policy as they cannot reap the benefit of their youngsters like in 03 thus they have to go the long way of building a side with players who are not as 'desired' (Khalili D'Cruz etc). It is a tough road to ply. 3-2 to Geylang

TPUFC - CYL
Out of the 10 points the Jaguars won this season, 8 have come from the Cubs and the Rams. This show the Jaguars can take on this two teams as both lacked the killer touch to trouble the Clementi side; who have good foreign recruits. The Jaguars could be collecting their points again from the Cubs again. 2-1 to Jaguars

Hougang United - Balestier Khalsa
The games are coming in thick and fast for Hougang and I am not sure they have the squad to deal with it. After a 3-day rest, they do battle again and this is their 6th games in 22 days. Not even the Big 3 squad will be able to deal with it, in my opinion, let alone Hougang. The Tigers could well take advantage of that. 2-1 to Balestier

Woodlands Wellington - Etoile FC
Can the Stars not win this one? Surely if they cannot do that, we know their mind is gone and that they are cruising towards the end of the season which is not the professional thing to do. They have commented they are a professional side then this is the time to show it. 2-0 to Etoile

Albirex Niigata (S) - Geylang United
A tough game for the White Swans as the Eagles are 1 of the side capable of derailing their title challenge. Indeed the Eagles could have ended the White Swans League Cup dream had they hold out for another few more moment. Since then, the Eagles have got stronger and this time there is no extra-time for Albirex to win full point to continue their challenge. With the Big 3 having games in hand, they can slip up and Albirex can only, at best, catch up with them but if Albirex slip, it could be the end. 2-2 draw

Hougang United - TPUFC
Another game in a crazy month for Hougang and they must have expended all their round by now. The Jaguars must hope so as Hougang is no easy place to visit to win a point or more. But it could well be the case as the Jaguars targets are easy to achieve which is any point gain this season is a win. So they do not need more than a point and I can see doing that. 1-1 draw

Balestier Khalsa - CYL
The Tigers can still climb out of the bottom 3 and they can do that if they beat the Cubs. Surely coach Salim Moin do not hoped his players are happy with their current position and the players proved there is still hunger and desire in them. This is the least expected of them as one is not asking to win anything other than this match so they still can climb out of the bottom 3. It is not asking for the sky. 2-1 to Tigers

2011 Ho Chi Minh City Football Tournament Results

2011-09-25T23:31:00.000+08:00

Results
Singapore U23 0-3 Aspire Academy U17
Singapore U23 0-3 South Korea University team
Singapore U23 1-2 Vietnam U23

Albirex reach second Final this year

2011-09-24T15:24:00.001+08:00

After reaching the League Cup Final and winning it, Albirex Niigata (S) have reached their second Final this year after defeating a stubborn Hougang United 5-4 overall.

The White Swans looked well on their way to the Final in the first leg as they got a two goal in the first period through Norihiro Kawakami, who scored a brace, but the Cheetahs showed the fighting spirit that have accompanied them this season by fighting back.

First Sobrie Mazelan pulled a goal just before the break and then in the second period Syaqir Sulaiman got the Cheetahs back on level term just 10 minutes before the end of the game to break the White Swans heart.

The second leg was no different as Albirex Niigata (S) took the lead in the game through Shotaro Ihata but Hougang United refused to die as the script demanded.

Basit Hamid, who came on as a sub, got the equaliser through an indirect freekick in the last 15 minutes after the Cheetahs had missed a penalty earlier in the game.

Neither side could get the winner in the remaining time thus extra-time was needed.

Yosuke Saito got the White Swans ahead again in that period but once again the Cheetahs came back as Sobrie Mazelan pulled the Cheetahs back on level term with 5 minutes to go.

That was when the Cheetahs make the mistake of the game as with a man advantage, with Albirex top scorer red-carded Shotaro Ihata, they went for the kill and left themselves short at the back.

The White Swans got their winner through a quick counterstrike as Hougang United lost the ball in midfield and with a 3on 3 situation, a pass found Yosuke Saito with space and time to take into the box and fired it into the top corner.

There was no coming back after this as Albirex reached their first ever RHB Singapore Cup Final.

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Syaqir Sulaiman (Eddie Chang), Shariff Samat (C), Shahril Alias, Ratna Suffian (Sobrie Mazelan), Azhar Sairudin, Jordan Webb, Carlos Delgado, Noor Ali, Diego Oliviera (Basit Hamid)

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Hougang United

Ridzuan Hasan (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Syaqir Sulaiman (Raymond Kwa), Shahril Alias, Fathi Yunus, Ratna Suffian, Azhar Sairudin, Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar (Sobrie Mazelan), Noor Ali (C), Diego Oliviera (Basit Hamid)

Home reached Singapore Cup Final after 6-year absence

2011-09-24T15:23:00.001+08:00

Home United have reached the RHB Singapore Final after defeating Etoile FC 2-1 in the semi-final.

The first leg have ended 1-1 with Sherif El-Masri getting the goal for the Protectors while Sirina Camara got the goal for the Stars.

In the second leg, Frederic Mendy got the all-important winner as the Protectors defeated Etoile FC 1-0.

Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan (C), Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Abdil Qaiyyim (Nor Azli Yusoff), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros (Sufian Anuar), Masrezwan Masturi, Frederic Mendy, Sherif El-Masri

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Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan (C), Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Abdil Qaiyyim (Sufian Anuar), Nor Azli Yusoff (Shi Jiayi), Isa Halim, Masrezwan Masturi, Frederic Mendy, Sherif El-Masri (Zulfadli Zainal Abidin)

Tampines and Home win

2011-09-24T15:22:00.000+08:00

Tampines Rovers and Home United won their respective matches to stay as the forerunners of the S-league challengers.

Tampines Rovers defeated Woodlands Wellington 4-0 while Home United won 3-0 against TPUFC.

In the Stags match, Aleksandar Duric notched a hat-trick with Benoit Croissant also contributing. In the Protectors match, Frederic Mendy and Valery Hiek (2) got the goals.

In another match, Hougang United and Courts Young Lions drew 1-1 with Diego Oliviera getting the goal for the Cheetahs while the Cubs goal came from Haniff Sadique.

TPUFC

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Arisman Arman, Delwinder Singh, Sudhershen Hariram, Cyril Bagnost, Azlan Alipah, Nurizam Azman, Gary Loo, Abdul Rahman (Justin Khiang), Hafiz Nor (Shamil Sharif)

Home United
Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Abdil Qaiyyim (Faizal Samad), Shi Jiayi (C) (Rosman Sulaiman), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros, Frederic Mendy, Sufian Anuar (Masrezwan Masturi), Sherif El-Masri

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Woodlands Wellington

Ang Bang Heng (GK), Fumiya Kobayashi (Farhan Hairoddin), Duncan Elias, Munier Raychouni, Madhu Mohana, Syed Karim (Darrel Tan), Jalal, Sazali Salleh (C), Han Yiguang (Moon Soon Ho), Hyun Jong Woon, Goh Swee Swee

Tampines Rovers
Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Fahrudin Mustafic, Firdaus Kasman, Ahmad Latiff (Ahmed Fahmie), Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib (Ali Hudzaifi), Ismadi Mukhtar (Jamil Ali), Shukor Zailan, Aleksandar Duric (C)

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Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Syaqir Sulaiman, Shariff Samat (C), Shahril Alias, Azhar Sairudin, Fazli Jaffar (Lau Meng Meng), Basit Hamid (Noor Ali), Sobrie Mazelan (Jordan Webb), Aqhari Abdullah, Diego Oliviera, Vitor Borges

Courts Young Lions

Jasper Chan (GK), Afiq Yunos (C), Shahir Hamzah, Hafiz Abu Sujad (Abdul Hadi), Zulfahmi Arifin (Shahdan Sulaiman), Faris Ramli, Nazrul Ahmad Nazari (Fazli Ayob), Emmeric Ong, Nigel Vanu, Fairoz Hasan, Haniff Sadique

Albirex charge stalled

2011-09-24T15:21:00.001+08:00

Albirex Niigata (S) charge up the S-league table have been halted by Courts Young Lions.

Before this game, the White Swans have won 11 of their last 12 games - which include rivals like Home United and Etoile FC - to climb up the S-league table but with this 1-1 draw, it give the White Swans rivals a chance to open a gap with both Tampines and Home having two games in hand as well as the leadership of the S-league.

Shahdan Sulaiman had scored for the Cubs while Tatsuro Inui scored for the White Swans.

On the same night while the White Swans stumbled, the Warriors did not as they defeated Balestier Khalsa 3-1 to continue to bite at both Tampines Rovers and Home United feet.

The hero was once again their inspirational Croatian forward Mislav Karoglan as he notched a brace especially the second one which showed his class as he beat several defenders and midfielders on his way to firing in the goal.

Fazrul Nawaz scored the Warriors third goal while Mark McGough reply for the Tigers.

As for the mid-table battle, Gombak United kept up their chances of a top half finish with a 2-1 defeat of Geylang United.

Jeremy Chiang and Chang Jo Yoon got the goals for the Bulls.

For Hougang United, their chances of a top half finish looked slim after their 1-3 defeat against Etoile FC.

Kamel Chaaouane (2) and Sirina Camara scored for the Stars while Noor Ali scored for the Cheetahs.

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Syaqir Sulaiman, Shariff Samat (C), Ratna Suffian, Eddie Chang (Aqhari Abdullah), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar (Diego Oliviera), Sobrie Mazelan (Carlos Delgado), Noor Ali, Vitor Borges

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Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena, Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad, Park Kang Jin (Ridwan Jamil), Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon (Ridhwan Jamaludin)

Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Adrian Dhanaraj (Mubarak Ahamad), Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong, Shah Hirul (Zul Elhan Fahmi), Syed Thaha (Hassan Aziz), Nakano Yuta, Hafiz Rahim

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Balestier Khalsa

Ahmadulhaq Che Omar (GK), Anaz Hadee (Armanizam Dolah), Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Vahid Bogucanin, Ishak Zainol, K Vikraman (Hilmi Azman), Poh Yi Feng, Andrew Tan (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Kim Young Kwang, Mark Kevin McGough

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah, Hafiz Osman, Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Syaiful Iskandar (Fazrul Nawaz), Ivan Jerkovic (Rhysh Roshan Rai), Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mislav Karoglan, Indra Sahdan (Noh Rahman)

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Courts Young Lions

Jasper Chan (GK), Irwan Shah (C), Shahir Hamzah (Emmeric Ong), Abdul Hadi, Al-Qaasimy Abdul Rahman, Fazli Ayob, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Ruzaini Zainal, Zulfahmi Arifin (Fairoz Hasan), Shahdan Sulaiman, Safirul Sulaiman (Afiq Yunos)

True or False

2011-09-17T16:57:00.002+08:00

That is my belief regarding the story broke out by TODAY on Jalan Besar Stadium expansion.

Frankly I do not want to be negative for the sake of it but in that story there was not a single statement from the most important stakeholder - Singapore Sport Council.

This is important as they will be the one paying the bills for any expansion and unless they confirm it, all that talks is just PR from FAS for just a few days earlier, FAS deny that it has a plan for expanding any stadium.

And this is not the first time I read a story on stadium expansion as let remember just a few months back that man at FAS was in the news (as he always does when he want to give 'good news' but never bad ones as take note the one answering in those are always his men) with Straits Times quoting him as saying talks on Toa Poyah was 'going well' and with Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) 'support', he expect SSC to approve it.

But since then, not a word so we know it is died and buried so that why he has never mention it.

After all, Etoile FC at least has a letter from SSC so they can build a clubhouse but what do you have other than your words (which is not worth much considering your record)

At the same time, he may like to mention Tampines Stadium which is not selected for expansion but rather to be a shopping centre (or Life Hub as called by them) by People Association (PA) and it would have help Singapore football more to know if whether this was happening.

But we know he will never answer this question but to lose Tampines stadium even if JBS is expanded is a loss not a win.

Lastly it is no help to Singapore football to only expand only one stadium just as Esplande is of little help to Singapore Art with them struggling to develop a niche outside the few who really appreciate them.

So it much better if that man get down to real work and answer some really questions like telling everybody if Courts Young Lions will be in S-league or will it be culled so you can steal the money for your Malaysia team and pay FAM as Courts $1million sponsorship is no doubt delicious.

S-league cannot keep waiting for you to have time to deliver the good news so you can get PR as it is nearly a year since you claim you will give S-league more money but you refused to tell anybody if you really have the money.

S-league Preview XXIII

2011-09-12T17:45:00.002+08:00

Mon 12-Sep Etoile FC - Hougang United (QTN)
Tue 13-Sep Gombak United - Geylang United (JWS)
Wed 14-Sep Balestier Khalsa - SAFFC (TPY)
Wed 14-Sep CYL - Albirex Niigata (S) (JBS)
Thu 15-Sep TPUFC - Home United (CMT)
Fri 16-Sep Woodlands Wellington - Tampines Rovers (JBS)
Sat 17-Sep Hougang United - CYL (HGG)

S-league PreviewXXI & XXII - 10 right with 2 perfect score and 5 wrong

Etoile FC vs Hougang United
I am not sure the French are in the right frame of mind to play this game. They will be more focus on the Singapore Cup a week later as frankly that represent their best chance of a trophy this season. Of course, this could well be the case for Hougang as well but the difference is expectation as Hougang is already experiencing one of the best season ever so they can go into Singapore Cup with the least pressure. 2-1 to Hougang

Gombak United vs Geylang United
This game will give the winner the best chance to cement a place in the top half. At this point, I think the Eagles have the better chance as they are in the form of the season. They can more than take on Gombak United and defeat them. 3-1 to Geylang

Balestier Khalsa vs SAFFC
The Warriors have hit 14 goals in their last 3 games without reply from the other sides. While for the Tigers, they have not won in their last 5 games and only once in their last 10. This is the form of a side in trouble and meeting the Warriors now looked a forgone result. 3-0 to SAFFC

CYL - Albirex Niigata (S)
Albirex Niigata (S) is the team to win this game and rightly so. Let be honest, the White Swans are fighting for the crown for a reason so they are good. They can defeat the Cubs and I see no reason to see otherwise. 2-0 to Albirex Niigata (S)

TPUFC vs Home United
Home United are suffering because of the WCQ as their best players are called up to the National Team. This is taking a toll on the Bishan side as some of their regulars are playing when half-fit but luckily for this game, the Protectors squad can come into effect as surely their second-stringers can take on the Jaguars and come out with all 3 points. It is the least the squad of Home United are expected or else why will Home United spend so much money to build a squad. 2-0 to Home United

Woodlands Wellington vs Tampines Rovers
The Stags will not mess this up as even without 3 regulars last week and a team hit by the toll of the WCQ, the Stags still found it in itself to defeat the Jaguars. The Rams are, at best, only slightly better than the Jaguars and they will find it hard to take on the the Stags who, now, welcome back their 3 regulars and a team that is better-rested than last week.

Hougang United - CYL
Believed this game will not be as important as the next two one for Hougang. It is the Singapore Cup semi-final so Hougang will surely want their best players to be fit. A draw will then suit both sides as at this point, both sides will be satisfied with their season. 1-1 draw

Albirex open their new clubhouse

2011-09-12T17:18:00.001+08:00

Albirex Niigata (S) have open their new clubhouse

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NEW Clubhouse Opening from 1 Sep (Thu)!

Have fun in the Electronic Games, Table Soccer, reading, gallery etc.

■Opening Hours: 10am-10pm
■Location: Jurong East Stadium, 4th floor (MAP)
            （Nearest MRT Station： Chinese Garden, 5 mins walk）
■Phone: 6334 0511

How to become a Clubhouse Member
- Membership is open to persons 18 years old and above.
- Membership fees are as follows:
     1-year membership: S$10
     2-year membership: S$18
     3-year membership: S$25
- Please produce your IC/Passport/Employment Pass when submitting your application for membership.

Jackpot Room
- Access to and use of the Jackpot Room is strictly restricted by law to Albirex FC(S) Clubhouse members aged 18 years old and above.
- Members must produce their valid membership card to enter the Jackpot Room.

Dress Code
- No Shorts(Bermuda and three quarter are OK)
- No Slippers
- No Singlets
- Exercise goers are advised to change from sweaty outfit to clean ones before entering the clubhouse.

To Supporters Club Members
Current members of Albirex FC (S) Supporters Club (18 years old and above) will be automatically registered as Albirex FC(S) Clubhouse members, subject to eligibility criteria and management approval.

Please produce your Albirex FC(S) Supporters Club membership pass when you use clubhouse for the first time to be issued the Albirex FC(S) clubhouse membership card.

Etoile set to ink deal for clubhouse

2011-09-12T17:17:00.000+08:00

Etoile FC is set to have their own clubhouse in Queenstown soon.

Etoile chairman Hicham Moudden have the letters of acceptance and approval from Singapore Sports Council (SSC) officials to finalise details on the clubhouse lease when he emerged from their meeting at SSC headquarters in Kallang.

Moudden said: "We're just looking over the contract details and hope to sign the lease by the end of this month.

"Once we have everything ready we will make an announcement ... and we aim to start renovations before the start of the 2012 season."

The proposed 30,000 sq ft facility at Queenstown Stadium featured a restaurant, gym, a sports bar and roof-top astroturf pitches for small-sided football games.

Albirex and Warriors close gap on Home and Tampines

2011-09-12T17:11:00.001+08:00

As the S-league march down to it final 3 months, it looked like a four-horse race has developed as Albrex Niigata (S) and SAFFC closed the gap on duo leaders Tampines Rovers and Home United.

Home United was unable to shake off the effect of the international break as most of their regulars were involved with the national team and not helping, they also missed the services of 16-goal Mendy and defensive midfielder Isa Halim due to suspension.

With the national players also returning half-injured like Lionel Lewis, Qiu Li and Shi JiaYi, it looked like Home is in trouble.

Albirex Niigata (S) took full advantage with their rest squad as they crushed the Protectors 4-0 with goals from Tatsuro Inui, Ryuta Hayashi, Shimpei Sakurada and Kunihiro Yamashita.

A day later, SAFFC also took advanatge as they crushed Woodlands Wellington 7-0 to close the gap to 4-point at the top.

Fazrul Nawaz, Taisuke Akiyoshi (2), Mislav Karoglan (2) and Indra Sahdan were the scorers. One of the goals also include an own goal.

For one other match, Gombak United defeated Courts Young Lions 1-0 at Jalan Besar.

Jung Hee Bong continue to look a different player at Gombak as he notched the winner.

Home United
Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Nor Azli Yusoff (Faizal Samad), Firdaus Idros, Masrezwan Masturi (Sufian Anuar), Qiu Li (Asraf Rashid), Sherif El-Masri

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SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Hafiz Osman (Razaleigh Khalik), Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Noh Rahman, Ivan Jerkovic (Rhysh Roshan Rai), Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Fazrul Nawaz (Indra Sahdan), Mislav Karoglan, Erwan Gunawan (Syaiful Iskandar)

Woodlands Wellington
Ang Bang Heng (GK), Fumiya Kobayashi (Oswind Suriya), Duncan Elias, Sahairi Ramri (Syed Karim), Munier Raychouni, Madhu Mohana, Jalal, Sazali Salleh (C), Hyun Jong Woon, Goh Swee Swee (Darrel Tan), Moon Soon Ho
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Courts Young Lions

Jasper Chan (GK), Afiq Yunos, Irwan Shah (C), Abdul Hadi, Al-Qaasimy Abdul Rahman (Emmeric Ong), Fazli Ayob, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Ruzaini Zainal, Zulfahmi Arifin (Fairoz Hasan), Shahdan Sulaiman, Safirul Sulaiman

Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad, Park Kang Jin (Ridwan Jamil), Fareez Farhan (Zulkiffli Hassim), Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon (Ridhwan Jamaludin)

Tampines go top with win

2011-09-12T17:08:00.002+08:00

Tampines Rovers reached the top of the table after the international break with a 1-0 win over TPUFC.

Aleksandar Duric notched the winner.

As for champions Etoile FC, their title hopes are over as they go down 7-2 to Albirex Niigata (S).

With this defeat, the Champions are 14 points behind new leader Tampines Rovers with only 1 game in hand.

It looked like an insurmountable job as even Tampines Rovers falter, there is Home United, Albirex Niigata (S) and SAFFC on hand to take advantage.

Shotaro Ihata scored a hattrick while Tatsuro Inui got a brace with the remainder coming from Kunihiro Yamashita and Bruno Castanheira.

Sirina Camara and Aly Doumbouya scored for the French side.

In one other match, Geylang United staged an amazing comeback to defeat Balestier Khalsa 3-2 at Bedok.

At one point, the Tigers were two goals ahead thanks to Andrew Tan and Kim Young Kwang.

But the stage for the comeback was set when Hafiz Rahim scored from the spot just minutes after the Tigers had taken the two-goal lead.

Syed Fadhil and then Eagles new sentential forward Yuta Nakano notched the second and third goal of the match to overcome the Tigers.

Geylang United

Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Jonathan Xu (Mubarak Ahamad), Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Hassan Aziz (Shah Hirul), Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong, Syed Thaha, Nakano Yuta, Hafiz Rahim (Rizawan Abdullah)

Balestier Khalsa

Joey Sim (GK), Anaz Hadee, Paul Cunningham (C), Vahid Bogucanin, Ishak Zainol, Ridhwan Osman (Nurhilmi Jasni), K Vikraman, Poh Yi Feng, Andrew Tan, Kim Young Kwang, Mark Kevin McGough

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Tampines Rovers
Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Firdaus Kasman (Ali Hudzaifi), Akihiro Nakamura, Ismadi Mukhtar, Jamil Ali (Zahid Ahmad), Shukor Zailan, Aliff Shafaein (Ahmed Fahmie), Aleksandar Duric (C)

TPUFC

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Arisman Arman (Sudhershen Hariram), Delwinder Singh, Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Azlan Alipah, Nurizam Azman (Taufiq Rahmat), Gary Loo, Hafiz Nor

Iraq defeat Singapore as another penalty decision go against Lions

2011-09-12T17:04:00.000+08:00

Iraq defeat Singapore 2-0 in the World Cup Qualifiers after yet another penalty decision go against Lions when the game was in the balance.

With Iraq in the lead, Singapore had a valid call for a penalty as Hafiz Rahim was hacked from the back when he was set to take a shot in the box and the Iraqi defence in chaos at that point.

Unfortunately, Japanese referee Tojo Minoru refused to acknowledge it and the Lions missed a golden chance to level the game.

Iraq will then go on to win the game 2-0 and take all 3 points.

World Cup Qualifier (Asia Zone) Group Stage

Singapore 0-2 Iraq

Singapore: Lionel Lewis, Daniel Bennett, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Juma’at Jantan, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim (Shahdan Sulaiman 81’), Shahril Ishak(C), Hafiz Rahim (Shi Jiayi 57’), Aleksandar Duric, Qiu Li (Fazrul Nawaz 45’)

S Murali (Edited)

2011-09-05T20:10:00.005+08:00

Saw this on Liga Singapura but I do not expect Hougang United to be given a fair verdict by the mass media and as a result, most Singaporean will be accepting of what the mass media write.

I think the comments by civotarum weeks ago in the Kallangroar forum panned this out.

Same type of incident but praises for the Portuguese for going out and attacking a fellow staff on the opposite side.

sports editor? what a joke!

im refering to his article on mourinho on friday's tnp

of course! mourihno is giving spanish football life.. fights and scuffle are results of passion and desire to win, it makes the game interesting.. and that is why he gets up at 4am just to watch mourihno's antics on television..

guys, he has already marked dec 11 and april 22 on his calendar to see more fights between real and barca, he cant wait..

on the other hand, fights or scuffles (from nas vs bennett to yl vs bg to hougang vs etoile) in sleague is embarassing, disgraceful and hooliganism. I dont see Mr Murali suggesting that the sleague is interesting, exciting and competitive due to the fights/scuffle

(personally, i watched some of real vs barca matches in the champs league and king's cup last season, and find it absolutely distasteful/disgraceful the behaviour of both sets of players, going down theatrically. 4-5 players surrounding the referee complaining, whining and pressuring the referee to hand out a card at every challange.)

Unfortunately Singapore do not have the type of checks on the media on themselves like the Guardian and the Sun etc.

This is seem by the Shin Min chief editor car incident years ago; with Today claim they were the only one covering the news.

It looked like SPH are not doing their job but do one expect any differently as ultimately, all the other chief editors of other papers (under SPH) will not want to be seem 'attacking' their fellow colleagues in the same company for UK New of the World was not brought down by it own company papers but from outside (It was the expose from Guardian that ended the NOTW)

And Wilkleaks has shown how powerful SPH Singapore editors are (And I have always commented that SPH sport editors are not as weak as some believed and that why the likes of ex-SPH man like Jeffery Low etc were so powerful) for let not forget SPH do control over 90% of Singapore mass print media which ultimately most Singaporean still get their news.

That why the likes of TNP sport editor S Murali can be so biased without any fear as Straits Times will not say anything as they are from the same company while TODAY is a portion owned by SPH.

And he has openly showed it as he has basically told the world he will support the Malaysian project while continuing to neglect S-league which they will only report negative news about.

The proof from civotarum again as quoted in the sport editor own words.

And here is a promise: From this day on, The New Paper will be your Malaysia Cup guide.

We will bring you all the stories that matter, all the colour, all the goals, all the passion.

Just like in years past, we will leave no stone unturned in our quest to give unrivalled coverage of the tournament that should grip the attention of the nation.

Has Mr S Murali promised such help?

I believed the answers are out there already with the different treatment.

Ex. TNP is printing the Roars papers but Mr S Murali as the main man of TNP sport section has not written in it. Surely there is no excuse as how can the main man of the paper not hve a section in it other than the fact he does not want to do it and the Roars was done only for the sake of doing it.

Hougang defeat Champions in rematch

2011-09-05T19:30:00.001+08:00

Hougang United defeated Champions Etoile FC 2-1 in the rematch of the abandoned match a few month ago.

Brazilain forward Vitor Borges gave the Cheetahs the lead in the first half before Etoile FC pulled it back in the second period from a setpiece.

Selim Kaabi scored as the Cheetahs were unable to match the Frenchmen in the box as a corner was sworn in thus allowing Kaabi to nod home from close range.

But from their own set piece moments later, the Cheetahs took the lead again thank to Azhar Sairudin who took advantage of the Stars inability to clear the ball.

Azhar pounced on the loose clearance off a free kick and evaded a challenge before firing in with the outside of his right boot to give the Cheetahs winner.

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Ratna Suffian, Azhar Sairudin (Eddie Chang), Jordan Webb, Faizal Amir, Sobrie Mazelan (Diego Oliviera), Carlos Delgado (Aqhari Abdullah), Noor Ali, Vitor Borges

China defeat Spore thanks to controversial penalty decisions

2011-09-03T16:12:00.002+08:00

China defeated 2-1 Singapore in the World Cup qualifiers after a controversial penalty gave the Chinese the chance to level the game.

Up to that point, Singapore was holding out against the Chinese and was on the way to a famous victory on Chinese soil.

Aleksandar Duric had given Singapore the lead in the first half as he intercepted a pass from China’s skipper Li Weifeng and set Qiu Li free on the counter-attack. With a two on two situation, Qiu Li feigned to take a shot several time but instead of shooting, the Home United forward teed Duric up to place the ball home.

The Chinese side then started to pile on the pressure against the Lions but could find no breakthrough.

Up until Lebanese referee Andre El Habbab step in as I can accept the first one but if the second penalty was given then in every game, there must be at least one penalty per minute for Shaiful Esah cannot be deemed to have foul Yu Dabao at all. (Other than in the Chinese and the Lebanese referee eyes)

For if that was a spot-kick, then what happen in the box just minutes later, immediately after China second goal, must be one as well as Li Weifeng totally missed the ball and hacked down Duric in the box.

It was no wonder Raddy had to protest the Lebanese referee 'impartial' reading of the game and should have never be send off for if it was anybody that need to go to the stand, it was the referee.

China boasted by the referee help went on to win the game.

World Cup Qualifier (Asia Zone) Group Stage
China 2-1 Singapore

Goalscorers: Aleksandar Duric (30')

Singapore: Izwan Mahbud (Lionel Lewis 54’), Daniel Bennett, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Juma’at Jantan, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim (Shahdan Sulaiman 84’), Shahril Ishak(C), Shi Jiayi (Hafiz Rahim 64’), Aleksandar Duric, Qiu Li

Thai and Spore play to a draw

2011-09-03T15:48:00.002+08:00

Thailand and Singapore played out a goalless draw in an international friendly tune-up at the Rajamangala Stadium.

The match was important preparation for both sides as Thailand play Australia while Singapore take on China on September 2 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic said: "This is not the first time Thailand and Singapore played each other and both countries know each other well. I believe that this game is important for both of us as we prepare for the China game while the Thais will play Australia in the World Cup Qualifiers.

"It was an exciting and competitive game where both teams had chances. In the first half, we had more opportunities but they had chances in the second-half as well. It will be a difficult game against China as they have some quality players, but we will go to Kunming and do our best and play our own game."

The Lions will now proceed to Kunming on August 26 to continue their preparations.

International Friendly
Thailand 0-0 Singapore

Singapore: Izwan Mahbud (GK) (Lionel Lewis), Shaiful Eash, Daniel Bennett, Safuwan Baharudin, Juma'at Jantan, Shi Jia Yi (Hafiz Rahim), Mustafic Fahrudin (Shukor Zailan (Delwinder Singh)), Shahril Ishak (C) (Zulfahmi Arifin), Isa Halim, Aleksandar Duric (Ruzaini Zainal), Qiu Li (Shahdan Sulaiman)

RHB Singapore Cup semi-finall to be LIVE

2011-09-03T15:26:00.004+08:00

S-league has announced all the four matches of the RHB Singapore Cup will be telecast LIVE.

19 Sept Home United vs Etoile FC - Bishan
20 Sept Albirex Niigata (S) vs Hougang United - Jurong East
22 Sept Etoile FC vs Home United - Queenstown
23 Sept Hougang United vs Albirex Niigata (S) - Hougang

Hougang make the final four

2011-09-03T15:21:00.001+08:00

Hougang United make the final four after they managed to hold out against Myanmar side Okkthar Unitedto win 4-3 overall over the two leg.

Hougang had impressive crushed the Myanmar side in the first at Hougang thanks to an own goal, Noor Ali and Jordan Webb.

After that, it was expected the North-East side will get into the semi-final easily but they were shocked in the second leg, at Jalan Besar, as the Myanmar side came at them and nearly forced extra-time as Okkthar United scored a 3-1 win.

Nyi Nyi Aung, Hla Tun Aung and Aung Myint Tun scored for the Myanmar side while Jordan Webb reply for the Cheetah.

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Shahril Alias (Ratna Suffian), Fathi Yunus, Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar, Faizal Amir, Sobrie Mazelan (Basit Hamid), Carlos Delgado (Aqhari Abdullah), Noor Ali

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Hougang United
Ridzuan Hasan (GK) , Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Fathi Yunus, Ratna Suffian, Eddie Chang (Faizal Amir), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar (Sobrie Mazelan), Basit Hamid (Aqhari Abdullah), Carlos Delgado, Noor Ali

Etoile FC defeat Bulls to reach RHB Singapore Cup semi-final

2011-09-03T15:08:00.003+08:00

Etoile FC are in the RHB Singapore Cup semi-final, as expected, after they defeat the Bulls 4-1 overall over two legs.

The Bulls are struggling this year and they have never done well in the Singapore Cup competition having never reached the semi-final stage.

That was why it was no surprise they will struggle again as they went down to Etoile FC 1-0 in the first leg, at Jurong West, with Wilson Grosset getting the winner.

In the second leg, Etoile FC finished them off with a convincing 3-1 win with Kevin Lefranc, Aly Doumbouya and Kamel Chaaouane scoring.

The sole Bulls goal was scored by Hamqaamal Shah.

Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Hamqaamal Shah (Zulkiffli Hassim), Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena (C), Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad (Ridhwan Jamaludin), Park Kang Jin, Fareez Farhan, Ridwan Jamil, Chang Jo Yoon (Aloysius Yap)

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Gombak United
Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jaslee Hatta (C), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang (Zulkiffli Hassim), Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena (Ruhaizad Ismail), Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad, Park Kang Jin, Ridwan Jamil, Chang Jo Yoon (Fareez Farhan)

Warriors knocked out by Albirex

2011-09-03T14:57:00.002+08:00

Albirex Niigata (S) are in the semi-final of the RHB Singapore Cup after they defeated the Warriors on penalty kicks.

The first leg in Choa Chu Kang had ended 0-0 despite the Warriors having a big advantage after the White Swans had a man send off but they did not take it.

The second leg at Jurong East ended in a 2-2 draw with the Japanese side taking the lead twice but they could keep the lead long with the Warriors hitting back each time.

Bruno Castanheira and Shotaro Ihata scored for the White Swans while a brace from Ivan Jerkovic cancelled them out for the Warriors.

Albirex Niigata (S) won 7 - 6 after Penalty Shootout.

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Hafiz Osman, Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Syaiful Iskandar (Fazrul Nawaz), Noh Rahman, Ivan Jerkovic, Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mustaqim Manzur (Indra Sahdan) , Mislav Karoglan

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SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Hafiz Osman (Razaleigh Khalik), Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Noh Rahman, Ivan Jerkovic, Rhysh Roshan Rai (Indra Sahdan), Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mustaqim Manzur (Fazrul Nawaz), Mislav Karoglan

Home go through to semi-final

2011-09-03T14:45:00.001+08:00

Home United have reached the semi-final of the RHB Singapore Cup after defeating Tampines Rovers on penalty kicks.

The first leg at Tampines had ended 3-3 with a hat-trick for Aleksandar Duric while the Protectors goals came from Frederic Mendy (2 goals) and Qiu Li.

The second leg in Bishan was not as thrilling with a 0-0 draw but it was no less edgily as neither side could afford to go behind.

Home United then go on to win 4 - 2 in the Penalty Shootout.

Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Firdaus Kasman (Shukor Zailan), Ahmad Latiff (Ahmed Fahmie), Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Jamil Ali (Aliff Shafaein), Aleksandar Duric (C)

Home United

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

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Home United
Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros (Faizal Samad), Masrezwan Masturi (Sufian Anuar), Qiu Li, Sherif El-Masri (Nor Azli Yusoff)

Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib (Firdaus Kasman), Ismadi Mukhtar, Shukor Zailan (Ahmed Fahmie), Jamil Ali (Aliff Shafaein), Aleksandar Duric (C)

That man is culling clubs for cash

2011-08-20T15:20:00.000+08:00

That is my feeling when I saw this plan for next season.

For me, it is just too much of coincidence that at a time he need cash to pay for his Malaysia team that we see such a suggestion about reducing local clubs. (Frankly if you ask me, they came from his men who knew how to please him)

Of course their defence is that the money can be doubled up but people need to understand that a lot of the seed money is under variables so other than the Big 3, most other clubs will struggled to get the full amount so it does not matter if it become bigger.

Example: looked at the mid-tier clubs like Gombak, Hougang, Geylang etc they are not likely to collect the sponsorship section of the money so even if one doubled it up it will go back into FAS coffers.

So if you asked, this is how FAS intend to raise money by twisting and playing around the seed money variables

How long until that man era end

Singapore squad announced for Thailand and China

2011-08-20T14:57:00.000+08:00

Lewis Lionel

Izwan Mahbud

Ridhuan Bin Barudin

Safuwan Baharudin

Afiq Yunos

Sevki Sha'ban

Hamqaamal Shah

Ismail Yunos

Juma'at Jantan

Bennett Daniel

Shaiful Esah

Delwinder Singh

Mustafic Fahrudin

Shukor Zailan

Shahril Ishak

Shi Jiayi

Isa Halim

Shahdan Sulaiman

Zulfahmi Arifin

Hariss Harun

Aleksandar Duric

Qiu Li

Fazrul Nawaz

Hafiz Rahim

China squad announced

2011-08-20T14:42:00.000+08:00

The 25-man squad is as follows:

Yang Zhi (Beijing Guo’an), Zhang Lie (Shanxi Renhe), Zeng Cheng (Henan); Du Wei (Zhejiang Lvcheng), Rong Hao (Zhejiang Lvcheng), Feng Xiaoting (Guangzhou Evergrande);Li Xuepeng (Dalian Shide), Liu Jianye (Jiangsu), Li Weifeng (Tianjin Teda), Sun Xiang (Guangzhou Evergrande); Deng Zhuoxiang (Shandong Luneng), Hao Junmin (Shandong Luneng), Chen Tao (Tianjin Teda), Yu Hai (Shanxi Renhe), Zhao Xuri (Shanxi Renhe), Yang Hao (Guangzhou Evergrande), Huang Bowen (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, KOR), Feng Renliang (Shanghai Shenhua), Huang Xiyang (Henan), Yang Hao (Guangzhou Evergrande), Zheng Zhi (Guangzhou Evergrande); Gao Lin (Guangzhou Evergrande), Yang Xu (Liaoning Hongyun), Qu Bo (Shanxi Renhe), Yu Dabao (Tianjin Teda).

Why I will not support that Malaysia project

2011-08-15T22:25:00.012+08:00

Right from the start I have never supported the FAS plan in the first place but now after seeing the collapse of PSV in Holland, I know I will never support it.

FAS plan unfortunately still have not detailed to anybody how they intend to do the impossible in world football and that is to turn in a profit big enough and long enough to support an industry even in bad times.

Just how do they intend to fund that project? (where is the money since you guys claimed you are so poor)

For me this is too important to set aside.

Of course some will tell me I am too money-minded but the collapse of PSV remind us all, whether we like it or not, money is an important factor in world football today.

All projects PSV may have intend to implement or is implementing will be gone in days to come as the City Council will have to show they are not funding the club indiscreetly thus the Dutch club will have a tough time ahead.

Just image that happening in Singapore but this time, it is on a larger scale as FAS reach is over all Singapore football and yet it has to stop funding Singapore football.

It has happen and it was in the 90s as I frequently mention for until now I have not seem a good explanation about the disappearance of so many Singapore projects around that time when FAS was bleeding millions in the Malaysian project.

Indeed Singapore did not have the money or even efforts to implement a project like NFA until it was 1999 and this was a time when FAS boast it had millions in sponsorship in it coffers.

Where did all the money go!

Like PSV, FAS had chosen to spend the money on more glorious projects and quite frankly this is not unexpected for this is not just happening to Dutch or Singapore football for BPL is a living example as despite having so much cash, it has been noted by many that they are not preparing for a time when they may have to live in a more prudent time as their debts keep building up.

This is ultimately human nature for looked around the world at the number of grand projects country after country keep competing to build and we can see how easy it is to fall into the trap.

Before continuing, I would like to note the difference in events in Singapore since those times and by that I mean the state of the economy and stage of Singapore development then for Singapore had at that point enjoyed a 14 year breath-breaking growth in our economy so we were very prosperous.

Indeed Singapore was then growing at near double-digit pace for the late 80s and early 90s and the Jack Neo movie - Money Not Enough - was based on how our spending had gone out of control for even our then-PM Goh later admitted, after the Asian Financial Crisis, the Republic cannot afford to spend like that anymore.

So to expect that sponsorship will reach a new high is a pipe dream as now if our economy grow over 5%, we already considered it high.

Also with the global climate set to worsen, even our Finance cum Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has told us to expect our economy to be hit no matter what so finding that extra cash will be even more impossible and if that man at FAS can do it then he should be our Finance Minister, or even better the EU and US will need him now (Yes, I am being sarcastic)

In addition, another fact to add in is the makeup of the sponsorship then as it is much like Malaysia League, before 2003, and Indonesia League and that much of the money has come from the 'vice' (Chinese saying considered glutton, drink, flirt and gamble as them so I let you guys guess which of the two 'vice' provided the bulk of that team sponsorship) trade.

So the reality is sport sponsorship is not as forthcoming as many keep telling us for it never was.

Now continuing on, I would like to note another difference and that is unlike PSV, FAS cannot expect Singapore government or even their 'friend' FAM to come to it rescue.

While even our PM Lee like to jump on the bandwagon to tell us how he believe the sport of football can unite Singapore, I also know if the sport get into financial difficulties like PSV, it can expect nobody to help it regardless of how many of the politicians - opposition or government - keep jumping on the already crowded bandwagon.

This is the situation in Singapore and that is why I keep talking about money for Singapore football have nobody to rely on if it ever ran into problems.

And it does not help when I think of the fact how big that Malaysia project will cost

With eight-time champions SAFFC as an example, that team can easily cost over S$2.5 million as we have to note the cost of traveling is higher for that project and that is nearly 27% of FAS budget of $9 million.

Also I am not counting in the fact FAM will received over RM2million on their part from FAS for their youth team (How generous of a 'poor FAS')

If you ask me, all that money come from hallowing Singapore football out as Liga Singapura has already shown us with that man in charge, he has cut off the supply to women football in under 3 years and if one tell me that it will not spread to other aspect of local football in time to come, I can tell everybody it is wishful thinking as eventually, it will spread.

Now going on to other areas other than money,frankly I believe youth development will die out once this project start as even now youth development is not appreciated by clubs as they are in a loser position.

If a player is good or have potential, FAS will come calling and they have no say in this matter so why will a club put their heart into youth development for no matter what, they cannot use their player anyway.

Worse is when FAS decide that the players they pick up are not those they wish to develop so they are 'return' to clubs midway through the season as though they are 'garbage collectors'.

Do FAS believe they will not have to pay a price for Balestier vice-chairman S. Thavaneson has pointed out early this season that clubs are not happy to see their develop players go for nothing and if one looked at many of the clubs team sheet it is clear many clubs will now rather hired players above 23 to be on the safe side.

That is why Raddy pleas to clubs to play more U23 players in recent years are ignored and who can blamed the clubs for are there anybody who will honestly claim they do anything differently.

Since the situation is like that, why will the Malaysian project not help.

Firstly, the focus of FAS will never be on youth development as they will be running a club and those who claim they can balanced it, I will point to Arsenal or even a better example Crewe Alexandra.

As it Wikipedia writeup showcase it admirable focus on youth development - In recent decades the club has been associated with manager Dario Gradi, whose 24-year tenure between 1983 and 2007 made him at that time the longest-serving manager in English football; he returned to the role in 2009. Gradi is known for focusing on youth development and promoting attractive, technical football. Notable players brought through the Crewe youth system include former internationals Neil Lennon, Danny Murphy, Seth Johnson and Dean Ashton - people may like to know the price it pay with them in the last division of English football and facing a situation they may drop out of it.

There will be no patience when one is running a club and that is the truth.

And subletting youth development to clubs by taking over them like TPUFC deal is no solution as there is no perfect plan and the biggest flaw of this plan is the takeover club also have to show results.

So they cannot wait for players to develop especially in crucial area like the centre of defence and midfield as well as a forward line.

We can see these areas in the Jaguars side occupied by the foreigners and in the long term, other than a really-committed Young Lions team, and I am talking about a real U23 team not the club they are promoting now, where do one find those players.

For let not forget even now Khairul Nizam, who is talked about as a future national forward, is still very raw and is only potential thus not the finished article.

He need games and lot of them yet if he is used for that Malaysian team then our dear FAS is going to see their dream of glory bust as he is not likely to score enough or be threatening enough to bring them that target.

So what will be their choice?

If history is a guide, I can tell it is glory as the current FAS president has only 18 months left and what happen after his tenure, will he really cared as until he has promised much but he has not moved on any of the projects like NTC or even the 20k stadium etc.

Instead one see FAS always backtracking for now FAS is already telling us they can only afford to have one U23 team but I will not accept it especially as that project is already costing us so much money so there is no excuse they cannot fund a second team for whatever reason. (I will never accept no money excuse as long as that man is in charge as he authorized over RM2million to FAM so he has money)

That is why I believed youth development will take a slide downwards now as this project will squeeze time and efforts from FAS (Let not just talk about money) and will they have anything left to spare for other aspect of Singapore football.

If women football and the NFA example (After all why did they need to depart the Malaysia Cup before finally waking up and realizing we need a project like NFA, what have FAS been doing those years) is a guide, then the answer is no as they have not shown they can managed anything (based on how they are running the league at this point) let alone a team.

Clearly this FAS project will ultimately caused as much problems down the road like the 90s as time have changed and to develop a squad of only 25 is not enough anymore but this is what FAS doing now.

How can one expect me to support this team when that man is in charge and so many questions are unanswered.

PM Lee (and even that man in charge of FAS now) can walk away if this team run into problems for Singapore football but I cannot so I will never support this Malaysia project.

Geylang sell out official replica jerseys and launching heritage T-shirt

2011-08-15T17:45:00.001+08:00

Geylang United have announced they have sold out all the ready stocks for Geylang United Official Replica Jerseys which was selling for $50

But fans who are still interested to buy one can still place order with them.

At the same time, the club is launching a heritage T-shirt at the end of this month.

Record sponsorship for Home

2011-08-15T17:40:00.000+08:00

Cola-Cola has renew it sponsorship of Home United for another 3 years until 2014.

It will set a new record in term of total sponsorship as Home United will be getting S$1.6million in their new deal.

It beat the previous record, also held by Home United, of S$1.5million.

Cola-Cola has been Home United main sponsor for the last 9 years.

Home sides 8 Away sides 0

2011-08-15T17:38:00.003+08:00

All the home sides won their matches as SAFFC crushed TPUFC 4-0, Gombak United defeated Woodlands Wellington 3-0 and Geylang United defeated Courts Young Lions 1-0.

Mislav Karoglan scored a hat-trick with the other goal coming from Fazrul Nawaz.

In the Bulls-Rams matchup, former Geylang flop Jung Hee Bong notched his fourth goals since departing the Bedok club as he hit a brace with Ruhaizad Ismail scoring the other goal.

As for the final game before the break for the Singapore Cup, Kim Jae Hong got the winner for the Eagles.

SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah (Noh Rahman), Razaleigh Khalik (Hafiz Osman), Bah Mamadou, Ivan Jerkovic, Rhysh Roshan Rai, Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mustaqim Manzur, Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz (Indra Sahdan)

TPUFC

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Khairul Solyhin, Delwinder Singh, Taufiq Rahmat, Sudhershen Hariram (Ganesan s/o Devadas (Israel Tan)), Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe (C), Nurizam Azman, Gary Loo, Abdul Rahman (Arisman Arman)

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Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos (Jaslee Hatta), Obadin Aikhena (C), Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad, Park Kang Jin, Fareez Farhan (Ruhaizad Ismail), Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon (Ridhwan Jamaludin)

Woodlands Wellington

Ang Bang Heng (GK), Fumiya Kobayashi, Duncan Elias, Sahairi Ramri, Munier Raychouni, Madhu Mohana, Jalal (Darrel Tan), Sazali Salleh (C), Han Yiguang (Guntur Djafril), Hyun Jong Woon (Goh Swee Swee), Moon Soon Ho

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Geylang United

Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sevki Sha'ban, Adrian Dhanaraj, Jonathan Xu, Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong, Syed Thaha, Nakano Yuta, Hafiz Rahim (Khalili D'cruz)

Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Irwan Shah (C), Shahir Hamzah, Safuwan Baharudin (Afiq Yunos), Al-Qaasimy Abdul Rahman (Ruzaini Zainal), Zulfahmi Arifin, Faris Ramli, Nazrul Ahmad Nazari (Fazli Ayob), Shahdan Sulaiman, Nigel Vanu, Fairoz Hasan

There is no stopping Home as they win yet again

2011-08-15T17:36:00.001+08:00

Home United continue their march towards the 2011 S-league by beating Geylang United 3-1 convincingly at Bedok.

Qiu Li, in hot form recently, got a brace while Sherif El-Masri mark his comeback into S-league contention recently with a goal as well.

Sevki Sha'ban got the consolation goal for the Eagles.

Tampines Rovers kept pace with the leaders after defeating Hougang United 3-1 thanks to goals from Ahmad Latiff, Aleksandar Duric and Jamil Ali.

Jordan Webb got the consolation goal for the Cheetahs.

But this was not the case for the defending champions, Etoile FC, as their title hopes looked hopeless now as the Courts Young Lions held them to a 1-1 draw.

Nazrul Ahmad Nazari scored for the Cubs while Hicham Bouchemlal got the goal for the French side.

In one other match, Albirex Niigata (S) crushed Woodlands Wellington 5-1 with goals from Norihiro Kawakami, Shotaro Ihata, Tatsuro Inui, Bruno Castanheira and Shimpei Sakurada.

Moon Soon Ho got the sole consolation goal for the Rams.

Woodlands Wellington
Phang Chin Guan (GK), Fumiya Kobayashi, Duncan Elias, Sahairi Ramri (Goh Swee Swee), Munier Raychouni, Madhu Mohana, Nawfal Shahib (Syed Karim), Jalal, Sazali Salleh (C), Hyun Jong Woon, Moon Soon Ho

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Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sevki Sha'ban, Adrian Dhanaraj (Khayrulhayat Jumat), Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Jeon Byung Euk, Shah Hirul (Sofiyan Abdul Hamid), Syed Thaha, Khalili D'cruz (Stanely Ng), Nakano Yuta, Hafiz Rahim

Home United
Fajar Sarib (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman (Masrezwan Masturi), Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros (Khairul Anwar), Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li, Sherif El-Masri (Faizal Samad)

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Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Fahrudin Mustafic, Firdaus Kasman (Shukor Zailan), Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar (Zahid Ahmad), Jamil Ali (Aliff Shafaein), Aleksandar Duric (C)

Hougang United
Fadhil Salim (GK) (Ridzuan Hasan), Lau Meng Meng, Shahril Alias, Fathi Yunus, Ratna Suffian (C), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar (Basit Hamid), Faizal Amir, Sobrie Mazelan (Noor Ali), Carlos Delgado, Vitor Borges

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Courts Young Lions

Jasper Chan (GK), Afiq Yunos, Irwan Shah (C), Shahir Hamzah, Fazli Ayob, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Ruzaini Zainal (Nazrul Ahmad Nazari), Emmeric Ong (Safuwan Baharudin), Nigel Vanu, Fairoz Hasan, Fadhil Noh (Shahdan Sulaiman)

Big 3 marches on

2011-08-15T17:34:00.001+08:00

The S-league Big 3 marches on as they won their respective matches.

Home United defeated Gombak United 2-1, Tampines Rovers won against Balestier Khalsa 1-0 and lastly, SAFFC crushed Courts Young Lions 3-0.

Firdaus Idros and Frederic Mendy had scored the goals for the Protectors while Jung Hee Bong got the goal for the Bulls.

Ahmad Latiff got the winner in the Stags-Tigers matchup while Shaiful Esah, Ivan Jerkovic and Mislav Karoglan scored the goals in the Warriors-Cubs matchup.

In one other match, Albirex Niigata (S) defeated TPUFC 1-0 thanks to a winner from Yosuke Saito.

TPUFC

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Khairul Solyhin, Kim Seong Kyu (C), Delwinder Singh, Taufiq Rahmat (Abdul Rahman), Sudhershen Hariram, Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Gary Loo, Hafiz Nor (Ganesan s/o Devadas)

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Home United
Fajar Sarib (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros (Faizal Samad), Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li, Sherif El-Masri (Masrezwan Masturi)

Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Hamqaamal Shah, Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena (C), Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad (Shafuan Sutohmoh), Park Kang Jin, Fareez Farhan (Zulkiffli Hassim), Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon (Ruhaizad Ismail)

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Balestier Khalsa

Ahmadulhaq Che Omar (GK), Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Vahid Bogucanin, Ishak Zainol, Armanizam Dolah (Ridhwan Osman), K Vikraman (Hilmi Azman), Poh Yi Feng, Andrew Tan (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Kim Young Kwang, Mark Kevin McGough

Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Fahrudin Mustafic, Firdaus Kasman (Jufri Taha), Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib (Aliff Shafaein), Ismadi Mukhtar, Jamil Ali (Fazil Zailani), Shukor Zailan, Aleksandar Duric (C)

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SAFFC

Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah, Razaleigh Khalik, Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Ivan Jerkovic (Rhysh Roshan Rai), Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mustaqim Manzur, Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz (Indra Sahdan)

Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Safuwan Baharudin, Fazli Ayob, Hafiz Abu Sujad (Afiq Yunos), Ruzaini Zainal (Fairoz Hasan), Zulfahmi Arifin, Hariss Harun (C), Faris Ramli (Irwan Shah), Nazrul Ahmad Nazari, Shahdan Sulaiman, Safirul Sulaiman

Home look to pull away

2011-08-15T17:32:00.001+08:00

Home United was the only one of the Big 3 clubs to win and looked to have a golden chance to pull away from the crowd.

Home United defeated Balestier Khalsa 4-0 with goals from Qiu Li, Juma'at Jantan, Sherif El-Masri and Frederic Mendy.

As for Tampines Rovers and SAFFC, they fell to defeats against Geylang United and Etoile FC respectively.

Geylang United defeated Tampines Rovers 2-0 in the Eatsern Derby at Tampines own ground with goals from Jeon Byung Euk and Yuta Nakano.

This was only the Eagles third win in the last 27 Derby meetings.

For SAFFC, they went down to a 1-0 defeat with the winner from Jonathan Toto.

In one other match, Courts Young Lions defeated Hougang United 2-0 with goals from Shahdan Sulaiman and Nazrul Ahmad Nazari.

Balestier Khalsa
Joey Sim (GK), Paul Cunningham (C), K Sathiaraj, Vahid Bogucanin, Ishak Zainol, Armanizam Dolah, K Vikraman (Ridhwan Osman), Poh Yi Feng, Andrew Tan (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Kim Young Kwang (Hilmi Azman), Mark Kevin McGough

Home United

Fajar Sarib (GK), Kenji Arai, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (C), Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros (Masrezwan Masturi), Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li (Nor Azli Yusoff), Sherif El-Masri (Faizal Samad)

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Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Irwan Shah (Safirul Sulaiman), Safuwan Baharudin, Fazli Ayob (Faris Ramli), Hafiz Abu Sujad, Ruzaini Zainal (Al-Qaasimy Abdul Rahman), Zulfahmi Arifin, Hariss Harun (C), Nazrul Ahmad Nazari, Shahdan Sulaiman, Nigel Vanu

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C) (Basit Hamid), Shahril Alias, Fathi Yunus (Raymond Kwa), Ratna Suffian, Azhar Sairudin (Sobrie Mazelan ), Faizal Amir, Noor Ali, Carlos Delgado, Vitor Borges

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Tampines Rovers

Yohann Lacroix (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Fahrudin Mustafic, Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Aliff Shafaein (Jamil Ali), Shukor Zailan (Firdaus Kasman), Aleksandar Duric (C)

Geylang United
Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sevki Sha'ban, Adrian Dhanaraj (Hassan Aziz (Mubarak Ahamad)), Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong (Sofiyan Abdul Hamid), Shah Hirul, Syed Thaha, Nakano Yuta, Hafiz Rahim

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SAFFC
Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah, Razaleigh Khalik ((Syaiful Iskandar), Hafiz Osman, Bah Mamadou, Daniel Bennett, Noh Rahman (Fazrul Nawaz), Ivan Jerkovic, Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi, Mislav Karoglan

Hall of Fame Menu

2011-08-01T18:45:00.001+08:00

Aide Iskandar & S.Subramani - The Perfect Pairing

Egmar Gonclaves - classic goalscorer

Ivica Raguz, Jure Ere, Velimir Crljen - The Triumvirate

Mirko Gaboavc - Goal Machine

Nazri Nasir - Leader and Player of his generation

Peres De Oliveira - Brazilian wizard

Aide Iskandar & S.Subramani - The Perfect Pairing

2011-08-01T18:43:00.003+08:00

Aide Iskandar

Nationality: Singaporean

D.O.B: 28 Mar 1975

Club: Home United (1996-2005) Tampines Rovers (2006) Geylang United (2007-2008) Sengkang Punggol (2009)

Position: Defender

Honours

S-league: 1999, 2003

Singapore Cup 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006

FAM-FAS Cup Champions Cup: 2005

Tiger Cup: 98, 04/05

ASEAN Football Championship: 07

S.Subramani

Nationality: Singaporean

D.O.B: 5 Aug 1972

Club: Tanjong Pagar United (1997-1998) Home United (1999-2005)

Position: Defender

Honours

S-league: 1999, 2003

Singapore Cup: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005

FA Cup: 1998

Player of the Year 1998

FAM-FAS Cup Champions Cup: 2005

Tiger Cup: 98, 04/05

ASEAN Football Championship: 07

Players History

It would have been much fairer if both these two gentlemen had a writeup of their own football career but it would be impossible to tear them apart just like the careers they forge together.

But who would have believed that for the start of their individual career was much different.

Aide was always earmarked to be a national player as he came out of the national youth setup but Subramani never had that privilege.

But one can never keep a good player down and Subramani started his road toward being the national star by 1996 - the same year the S-league started; which gave him the stage to show off to then-national coach Barry Whitbeard his talent.

At the same time, his football career was also taking off with his club Tanjong Pagar as his no-nonsense defending endeared him to head coach Robert Alberts; who will really mould him into the star defender the Lions will depend on for over a decade.

Indeed by 1998, S.Subramani was one of the factor why the Jaguars nearly won the Treble as build on a bed-rock defence, Tanjong Pagar United pushed SAFFC to the end and only missed out on the S-league title due to goal difference.

But it was still better than one can expect as he won a Cup Double - Singapore Cup and FA Cup - as well as the S-league Player of the Year award at the end of it all.

It was fully justified for the saying go, all championship sides are build from the back and he was the main pillar at the back for the Jaguars and without him, it was doubtful the Queenstown club would have matched SAFFC all the way in the League and won the Cup competitions.

At the same time, Aide career cannot be considered as brilliant for the criticism of him at that point was he lacked concentration for the full 90 minutes thus he was not fulfilling his early promise.

Still, if there are moments that change history, 1998 was it for a recession meant Home United could picked up Robert Alberts in mid-point after the league season (At that time, league and Cup can be considered two separate seasons with Cup competition only starting after league season end) and much like how he mould Subramani, the Dutchman will finally kickstart Aide club career.

Other than that, the other moment was the Tiger Cup in Vietnam as Barry Whitbeard finally solved his defensive puzzle with a three-man partnership - Aide, Subramani and R.Sasi Kumar.

It was perfect as Aide was the passer while Subramani had the focus and Sasi kumar got the muscle.

That foundation saw Singapore bring back their first-ever international trophy - Tiger Cup and it caught the eye of the Dutchman now at the helm of Home United.

He was determined to bring the trio together for the start of the 1999 season and he got his wish thus the start of Home golden age, up to this point, was build.

For it was not difficult to guess what happen at the end of the 99 season.

Yes, Home United won their first S-league crown with the best defensive record and they only missed out on a Double after their bitter uniform rival SAFFC knocked them out in the Singapore Cup semi-final.

But next season, it was in reversal as Home United will go to win the Singapore Cup after beating SAFFC in the Final while the Protectors lost the S-league crown to the Warriors in return despite having another good defensive record that year.

At the point, Sasi kumar was starting to develop other interests and he will soon fade out of the picture and in such circumstance, clubs will usually go look for a foreigner to bulk up their defence but Aide and S.Subramani will show why they are the perfect pairing as they adapt brilliantly to the new situation.

They will now form a partnership in the centre that was as brilliant as the trio one and they show they did not need the muscle for they had the defensive capabilities to cope without it.

However during that transition period, national coach Vincent Subramaniam and after that his successor Jan Poulsen seek new partnership for them with the likes of Winston Yap and Razif Mahamud etc all try out but they could not replicate the same wavelength as the Home United pair.

Indeed by the end of the 2002 season, the Home United pair defensive capabilities was back to it best and the 2003 season will see the Bishan club sweep all opposition in front of them as the Protectors achieved a League and Cup double.

In 2004, Home United will reach the AFC Cup semi-final - the first time in history a local club had gone so far in Asia continental competition - and a year later, they will win the Singapore Cup for the fourth time.

All this achievement, the pairing had a major part in it for since the end of the partnership, up to the point of writing nearly six years later, Home United had been unable to achieve that high point again.

Even the Lions achievements in that period was build on such a solid foundation as the Lions won their second Tiger Cup in 05 and the duo gave a performance that was as good as 98 especially Subramani who had soldiered on in the second leg of the semi-final after being hit in the head by a bottle thrown by the opposition.

In 07, the Lions won the renamed, from Tiger Cup, ASEAN Football Championship for the third time and after that, the Lions did remarkably to reach the World Cup Qualifiers group stage - which only the top 20 Asian nations participate in.

Much like Home United, the four years since their retirement from international football one after the other, the Lions have struggled to find another pairing like them to build a solid foundation so to launch an assault on Asia.

They have shown what a pairing they were at the back as they won a combined 236 caps and nobody could have replaced them in their time.

Aide, who depart Home United in 2005, play for Johore FA in the MPL, Tampines Rovers, Geylang United and then lastly Sengkang Punggol in the next four years.

He will win another Singapore Cup with Tampines Rovers but he was never able to forge another partnership in defence that will match the high of the past decade again.

As for Subramani, he took over the captaincy from Aide at Home and continue to play as good as he give at the club until 2009 when he decided his body could take it no longer after over 350 appearances for them.

Singapore, Home United and the public must be grateful for their contribution in their time and they were the perfect pairing at the perfect time for Singapore football.

Aide Iskandar stats

Geylang United

Year	League App	Goal	Cup App	Goal
2007	30	1	1	0
2008	27	3	2	0
Total	57	4	3	0

GEYLANG UNITED vs GOMBAK UNITED – 28/5/07

Home United

Year	League App	Goal	Cup App	Goal
1999	21	1	6	1
2000	21	1	6	1
2001	31	0	5	0
2002	30	2	3	0
2003	28 (2)	1	5	0
2004	22 (1)	2	4	0
2005	24	2	4	1
Total	177 (3)	9	33	3

Home United - Asia

Year	Asian App	Goal	Others	Goal
2000	?	?	-	-
2001	?	?	-	-
2002	2	0	-	-
2004	10	0	-	-
2005	8	1	2	0
Total	20	1	2	0

Sengkang Punggol

Year	League App	Goal	Cup App	Goal
2009	11	0	3	0
Total	11	0	3	0

Tampines Rovers

Year	League App	Goal	Cup App	Goal
2006	18 (1)	1	6 (1)	0
Total	18 (1)	1	6 (1)	0

TAMPINES ROVERS vs SAFFC – 25/10/06

Tampines Rovers - Asia

Year	Asian App	Goal
2006	2	0
Total	2	0

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S.Subramani stats

Home United

Year	League App	Goal	Cup App	Goal
1999	22	0	6	0
2000	21	0	6	0
2001	31	0	5	0
2002	30	0	3	0
2003	28	0	5	0
2004	22	1	4	0
2005	26	0	5	0
2006	25	0	1	0
2007	32 (1)	1	6	0
2008	26 (1)	0	3	0
2009	9 (1)	0	2	0
Total	272 (3)	2	46	0

Home United - Asia

Year	Asian App	Goal	Others	Goal
2000	?	?	-	-
2001	?	?	-	-
2002	2	0	-	-
2004	10	0	2	0
2005	8	0	-	-
2006	2	0	-	-
2008	6 (1)	0	1	0
2009	5	0	-	-
Total	33 (1)	0	3	0

S-league PreviewXXI & XXII

2011-08-01T18:33:00.001+08:00

Tue 2-Aug CYL - Hougang United (JBS)
Tue 2-Aug Balestier Khalsa - Home United (TPY)
Wed 3-Aug Tampines Rovers - Geylang United (TMP)
Wed 3-Aug Etoile FC - SAFFC (QTN)
Thu 4-Aug Albirex Niigata (S) - TPUFC (JES)
Fri 5-Aug Home United - Gombak United (JBS)
Sat 6-Aug Balestier Khalsa - Tampines Rovers (TPY)
Sun 7-Aug SAFFC - CYL (CCK)

Mon 8-Aug Woodlands Wellington - Albirex Niigata (S) (WLD)
Mon 8-Aug Geylang United - Home United (BDK)
Wed 10-Aug CYL - Etoile FC (JBS)
Wed 10-Aug Tampines Rovers - Hougang United (TMP)
Thu 11-Aug SAFFC - TPUFC (CCK)
Fri 12-Aug Gombak United - Woodlands Wellington (JBS)
Sat 13-Aug Geylang United - CYL (BDK)

S-league Preview IXX & XX - 5 right with 1 perfect score and 9 wrong

CYL vs Hougang United
Will Hougang be tired? Likely as they just endured a grueling campaign of 4 games in 11 days in the league cup that ended disappointingly. Mentally they will be affected no matter what as they came so close to a trophy. So this game will be a test but can they beat the Cubs in that state? 100%! They have the players so Aide have to pick them up. 2-1 to Hougang

Balestier Khalsa vs Home United
The Tigers have not shown they are in any sort of form other than being terrible now. It is a bad time to face Home United who will welcome back their national players and to be honest, the Protectors may not even need them against the Toa Poyah side. 3-0 to Home

Tampines Rovers vs Geylang United
The Stags are slowly regaining their form after a blip in June. They have now won their least two league games and one of them was against the league champions, Etoile FC. More encouragingly was the fact they kept a clean sheet in both their victories despite a keeper crisis. Now they have signed French keeper Yohann Lacroix until the end of the season, they will be looking to build from that. 2-0 to Tampines

Etoile FC - SAFFC
It is tough to predict when the big guns matchup but this one I have to give it to the French. They looked to have recruited well in the transfer window and their financial situation have improved thus giving their players a peace of mind that should increase their morale. Indeed talks that they are here to stay for years to come show they have more faith in local football than that man in charge of it (who I wondered why he was appointed by the government in the first place since he does not seem to have time or even faith in local football but that is another story) Thus even with the point penalty, the French are not out of the title race and the faith they have shown, I return to them as well as the Warriors have blown hot and cold and at this point in time, the French are hot. 3-1 to Etoile FC

Albirex Niigata (S) vs TPUFC
The League Cup champions will be glad their league campaign resume a few more days after their League Cup one ended. They have endured three games that needed extra-time and out these two of them - semi-final and - Final - required PK to sort it out. Physically or Mentally, it must have taken a lot out of them so they will be even more delighted they will have the easy task of the Jaguars. The Jaguars are stronger now but is not yet there to challenge the newly-crowned League Cup champions. 2-0 to Albirex

Home United vs Gombak United
The Protectors are facing a tough schedule now of playing 3 games in 6 days. The Bulls are the second match and no matter how one think, they are still a difficult side to face as we do not know which one will turn up. However, the Protectors want to be champions then they need to win such matches in such grueling schedule. And there is no excuse as they have a squad to deal with it. 2-1 to the Protectors

Balestier Khalsa vs Tampines Rovers
Anybody seriously think the Tigers can stand up to the Stags? Few, right (if any). In the best of time, the Tigers may have a chance, like at the start of the season when they put up a bus in front of their goalpost to win a point, but now they are in the worst run of the season where they cannot pick up a point even against bottom sides like Woodlands Wellington, we know they have no chance. 2-0 to Stags

SAFFC vs CYL
Like the Tigers -Stags match, one cannot see how the Cubs will upset a Warriors looking to win the 2011 S-league crown. The Warriors cannot afford to mess up now as they have no way back into the title race unlike earlier in the season and Richard Bok is an experienced enough coach to know that now is crunch time. 2-1 to the Warriors

Woodlands Wellington vs Albirex Niigata (S)
The White Swans are smiling as they have a soft schedule to return to from their grueling League Cup campaign. The Rams are a much improved side like the Jaguars who faced the White Swans days earlier but is it enough? Not likely and the only hope they have is that the White Swans will be feeling the effect of playing so many games in the past month. A chance even if it is a slim one. 2-2 draw

Geylang United vs Home United
A tough end to the grueling schedule facing Home. The Eagles are much tougher now as they have toughen up their team in the transfer window and it looked to have paid off. The Eagles are climbing up the league table and in the League Cup, they should have finished off the eventful League Cup champions, Albirex Niigata (S), if they held up for another few more minutes. That is how good good they are now and Home should not think they can walk away with 3 points easily. They will need their full team for this one and it should be enough, if only just. 2-1 to Home

CYL vs Etoile FC
I cannot see how the champions who are on a good run will fall now. The last time round, the Cubs caught them cold as they were back from an enforced rest that clearly disrupted their form. Now two months later, the French side are in great shape and form and they can beat the Cubs. No doubt about it. 2-0 to Etoile

Tampines Rovers vs Hougang United
Hougang have shown they can take on the big boys on their day so will it be this day? Surely the Stags will have learn their lesson in the 2-0 defeat at Hougang earlier in the season and they will have prepared well to take on the North-East side. A slip up now will be disastrous and the Stags must know that. On their own day, Hougang will not be a match but now is not the time to take such chances. They must stifle the Cheetah at Tampines. 3-1 to Tampines

SAFFC vs TPUFC
Surely the Warriors will not slip up against the Jaguars again. If they have not learn anything the last time round, the Warriors deserved to fall but if they have, they must know they need to win this match no matter what. 2-0 to SAFFC

Gombak United vs Woodlands Wellington
I have no trust in the Bulls (This is well-known) even as they should start as favourite here. They have a light schedule in view of other teams who have to play as many as 3 of 4 matches in a few days. They are well-rested so they should beat as man for man they are still better than the Rams. But mentally I feel they suck and the Rams, having spend so much effort rebuilding in the transfer window, will put a fight and i am willing to trust them for this one. 2-2 draw

Geylang United vs CYL
The last of the Eagles own grueling schedule but at least they are spread out over 11 days unlike their opponent who have one more game squeeze in and this will be the Cubs third games in 7 days. I cannot see how they will be able to match up to the the Eagles after such a run. The Eagles now have the weapons - Yuta Nakano - to harm their rivals and they should take advantage of it. 3-1 to the Eagles

World Cup draw (Singapore group)

2011-07-31T20:14:00.002+08:00

Group A
Singapore
Iraq
Jordan
China

Group B
Lebanon
United Arab Emirates
Kuwait
Korea Republic

Group C
Korea DPR
Syria
Uzbekistan
Japan

Group D
Thailand
Oman
Saudi Arabia
Australia

Group E
Indonesia
Bahrain
Qatar
Iran

Schedule

2 September 2011
China vs Singapore

6 September 2011
Singapore vs Iraq

11 October 2011
Singapore vs Jordan

11 November 2011
Jordan vs Singapore

15 November 2011

Singapore vs China

29 February 2012
Iraq vs Singapore

Singapore reach group stage

2011-07-31T20:07:00.003+08:00

Singapore reach the group of the 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL ASIAN QUALIFIERS after a 1-1 draw with Malaysia in their Round Two (2nd Leg) match at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on Thursday evening.

With first leg result seeing Singapore secure a 5-3 win over Malaysia, that draw in the return leg was enough to give Singapore 6-4 aggregate win.

The match got off to a good start for Singapore as they got the first shot on goal and looked to hang on to their two goal advantage. Shi Jiayi then came close to scoring but saw his effort sail over the crossbar.

Not wanting to be outdone, Malaysia got into attack mode and almost broke the deadlock through S.Kunalan. But Singapore’s No.1, Izwan Mahbud was on hand to block his shot and his defenders cleared the shot followed through from the rebound.

The Lions kept pressure on the Tigers’ defence by creating chances from both flanks but were unable to make them count. Malaysia’s goalkeeper, Khairul Fahmi who proved impossible to beat on home turf, kept his team in the game almost single-handedly. In the 26th minute, Referee Takayama Hiroyoshi had to stop play for a few minutes after lasers were used to distract the Lions’ custodian, Izwan just before a Malaysian free kick.

The first half then came to an end with the score board unchanged but with a whole lot of action on the pitch for the fans.

Coming back on for the second-half, the Tigers knew they had to get back into he game and did just that in the 57th minute through their striker, Safee Sali. The Lions worked doubly hard to hang on to their reduced one-goal advantage and it showed through the chances they created upfront.

Their efforts paid off when Izwan struck his one of his trademark kicks from just outside the penalty box in the 72nd minute which found Duric who then laid off a brilliant headed pass to Shi Jiayi to net Singapore’s equalizer.

With the two goal advantage back in place, the Lions stuck their game plan and shut Malaysia out. The Tigers however, surged forward to get back into the lead but on each occasion, they had their chances thwarted by the Lions’ strong defensive wall. In the dying minutes of the match, Malaysia’s Ahmad Fakri was sent off after receiving his second yellow card.

The match came to an end with the score, Malaysia 1-1 Singapore (Aggregate: 4-6).

Singapore Coach Raddy said “The game was a good one and that too in front of a big crowd. We got the result we wanted. I have been teaching my players that this is the kind of games you live to play for as a player in front of a full capacity stadium.”

“The crowd was simply fantastic and it was a great experience for me. I will continue to grow and improve as a player after this game.” Said Singapore No.1,Izwan Mahbud.

World Cup Qualifier (Asia Zone) Round 2, second leg
Malaysia 1-1 Singapore

Goalscorers: Shi Jiayi (72')

Singapore: Izwan Mahbud, Safuwan Baharudin, Shi Jia Yi, Aleksandar Duric, Qiu Li, Hariss Harun, Mustafic Fahrudin, Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak(C) (Fazrul Nawaz 79), Shaiful Eash, Juma'at Jantan.

League Cup 2011 Final & Third/Fourth matchup

2011-07-31T19:59:00.004+08:00

Final
Albirex Niigata (S) 0 (5) - (4) 0 Hougang United

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Shahril Alias, Fathi Yunus, Ratna Suffian, Azhar Sairudin (Sobrie Mazelan ), Jordan Webb, Noor Ali, Carlos Delgado, Vitor Borges
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Third/Fourth Placing

Tampines Rovers 0 (3) - (1) 0 Home United

Tampines Rovers
Alimin Mohamed (GK), Jufri Taha, Zahid Ahmad, Seiji Kaneko, Firdaus Kasman, Ahmad Latiff, Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib, Shukor Zailan, Aliff Shafaein (C) (Fazil Zailani), Ahmed Fahmie (Ali Hudzaifi)

Home United
Fajar Sarib (GK), Valery Hiek (C), Rosman Sulaiman, Farizal Basri (Firdaus Idros), Nor Azli Yusoff, Isa Halim, Asraf Rashid (Frederic Mendy), Faizal Samad (Khairul Anwar), Masrezwan Masturi, Lee Sang Ha, Sherif El-Masri

League Cup Quarter-Final & Semi-Final

2011-07-31T19:28:00.005+08:00

League Cup 2011

Quarter-Final

Etoile FC (5) 1-1 (6) Home United

Scorer: Maxime Belouet / Zulfadli Zainal Abidin

Home United

Fajar Sarib (GK), Kenji Arai, Valery Hiek (C), Rosman Sulaiman, Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Abdil Qaiyyim (Faizal Samad), Farizal Basri (Frederic Mendy), Nor Azli Yusoff, Firdaus Idros, Masrezwan Masturi (Sufian Anuar), Lee Sang Ha

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League Cup 2011

Quarter-Final

SAFFC 1-2 Hougang United

Scorer: Indra Sahdan / Jordan Webb, Basit Hamid

SAFFC
Hyrulnizam Juma'at (GK) (C), Razaleigh Khalik, Hafiz Osman (C), Bah Mamadou, Noh Rahman, Rhysh Roshan Rai (Ivan Jerkovic), Goran Subara, Taisuke Akiyoshi (Hafsyar Farkhan), Mustaqim Manzur (Riswan Ebnu), Mislav Karoglan, Indra Sahdan

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Shahril Alias, Fathi Yunus (Sobrie Mazelan), Azhar Sairudin (Ratna Suffian), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar, Faizal Amir, Carlos Delgado, Noor Ali (Basit Hamid)

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League Cup 2011

Quarter-Final

Tampines Rovers 2-1 Gombak United

Scorer: Jamil Ali, Ahmed Fahmie / OG

Tampines Rovers

Hafez Mawasi (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Firdaus Kasman (Zahid Ahmad), Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Aliff Shafaein (C) (Fazil Zailani), Jamil Ali, Ahmed Fahmie (Ali Hudzaifi)

Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jeremy Chiang, Ismail Yunos, Obadin Aikhena (C) (Shafuan Sutohmoh), Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad, Ruhaizad Ismail (Farouq Farkhan), Park Kang Jin, Ridwan Jamil, Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon (Zulkiffli Hassim)

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League Cup 2011

Quarter-Final

Albirex Niigata (S) 3-1 Geylang United

Scorer: Shuhei Hotta, Bruno Castanheira (2) / Yuta Nakano

Geylang United

Yazid Yasin (GK) (C), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid (Mubarak Ahamad), Adrian Dhanaraj, Daniel Hammond, Syed Fadhil, Jeon Byung Euk, Kim Jae Hong, Syed Thaha, Nakano Yuta, Rizawan Abdullah (Shah Hirul (Jonathan Xu)), Hafiz Rahim

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League Cup 2011

Semi-Final

Home United 0-1 Hougang United

Scorer: Noor Ali

Home United

Fajar Sarib (GK), Kenji Arai, Valery Hiek (C), Rosman Sulaiman, Zulfadli Zainal Abidin, Nor Azli Yusoff, Firdaus Idros, Masrezwan Masturi (Asraf Rashid (Faizal Samad)), Lee Sang Ha, Frederic Mendy, Sufian Anuar (Farizal Basri)

Hougang United
Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Shahril Alias (Ratna Suffian), Azhar Sairudin (Fathi Yunus), Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar, Faizal Amir, Noor Ali (Sobrie Mazelan), Carlos Delgado, Vitor Borges

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League Cup 2011

Semi-Final

Albirex Niigata (S) (6) 1-1 (5) Tampines Rovers

Scorer: Norihiro Kawakami / Ahmed Fahmie

Tampines Rovers
Hafez Mawasi (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Firdaus Kasman, Akihiro Nakamura, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Aliff Shafaein (C), Jamil Ali (Fazil Zailani), Ahmed Fahmie (Ahmad Latiff)

League Cup Round 1 Results

2011-07-31T18:46:00.000+08:00

League Cup 2011
Round 1

Woodlands Wellington 0-2 Hougang United

Scorer: Fazli Jaffar, Vitor Borges

Woodlands Wellington

Ang Bang Heng (GK) (C), Fumiya Kobayashi, Duncan Elias, Munier Raychouni (Madhu Mohana), Jalal, Guntur Djafril, Sazali Salleh, Han Yiguang (Darrel Tan), Hyun Jong Woon, Shazlee Hamzah (Sahairi Ramri), Moon Soon Ho

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng (Eddie Chang), Shariff Samat (C), Shahril Alias, Fathi Yunus, Jordan Webb, Fazli Jaffar, Faizal Amir, Carlos Delgado (Aqhari Abdullah), Noor Ali (Sobrie Mazelan), Vitor Borges
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League Cup 2011

Round 1

TPUFC 1-3 Albirex Niigata (S)

Scorer: Takaya Kawanabe / Shimpei Sakurada, Kazuki Kobayashi, Bruno Castanheira

TPUFC

Ng Jia Fa (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Ganesan s/o Devadas (Taufiq Rahmat), Sudhershen Hariram, Justin Khiang, Kim Jong Oh, Cyril Bagnost, Takaya Kawanabe, Azlan Alipah (Benedict Low), Nurizam Azman, Gary Loo

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League Cup 2011

Round 1

Gombak United (S) 2-0 Balestier Khalsa

Scorer: Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon

Gombak United

Zaiful Nizam (GK), Jeremy Chiang, Obadin Aikhena (C), Walid Lounis, Tengku Mushadad (Ridhwan Jamaludin), Aloysius Yap (Zulkiffli Hassim), Shafuan Sutohmoh, Park Kang Jin, Ridwan Jamil, Jung Hee Bong, Chang Jo Yoon (Farouq Farkhan)

Balestier Khalsa

Joey Sim (GK), Anaz Hadee, Lim Young Woo, Paul Cunningham (C), Ishak Zainol, Ridhwan Osman (K Sathiaraj), K Vikraman, Poh Yi Feng, Nurhilmi Jasni (Shamsurin Abd Rahman), Kim Young Kwang (Armanizam Dolah), Mark Kevin McGough

Point of View Menu

2011-07-31T18:20:00.000+08:00

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Looked back at 2004 season

Viewpoint Menu

2011-07-31T18:17:00.001+08:00

2011

2010

2009

Transfer - June/July (Mid-season window)

2011-07-25T11:55:00.000+08:00

Window is closed

Pre-season transfers

Stags sign French keeper Yohann Lacroix

2011-07-25T11:54:00.000+08:00

Tampines Rovers have finally move to strengthen up their weakness as they looked to maintain their title charge.

With first choice custodian, Hassan Sunny, out until next season, the Stags are in need of an experienced hand at the back and Yohann Lacroix looked to be the one.

The 26-year-old Frenchman played for champions Etoile FC last season and he kept an amazing 21 clean sheet in 36 appearances for them.

If Lacroix managed even half of that for Tampines, it could still make the difference between securing a top 3 position or a championship crown.

Singapore edge Malaysia in WCQ first leg

2011-07-24T21:58:00.002+08:00

Singapore beat Malaysia 5-3 in the 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL ™ ASIAN QUALIFIERS ROUND TWO, (1st Leg) match at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday evening in what was a pulsating game of football.

A match between Singapore and Malaysia has always been passionate but this was a whole different match altogether. A flurry of eight goals with five coming in the first-half brought the 6,000 capacity crowd to a frenzy of cheers.

The match got off to a roaring start with Malaysia’s No.10, Safee Sali giving his side the lead within the opening minute of the game. The Lions refused to let their heads drop after the bad start and they came roaring back through Aleksandar Duric seven minutes later.

The Lions pushed on further to secure a comfortable lead in the first half and Qiu Li got the crowd standing in the 21st minute when he wonderfully floated a freekick that beat Malaysia’s custodian, Mohd. Sharbinee Allawee Bin Ramli.

Having a one-goal lead in the first-half was clearly not the Lions’ idea as they tore the Malaysian defence apart, scoring two goals in quick succession. Mustafic Fahrudin latched onto a cushioned header from Hariss Harun before letting loose a screamer of a shot in the 44th minute and Shi Jiayi ended the first-half for Singapore with the fourth goal in the 45th minute.

Coming back on for the second-half, the visitors strived to get back into the game but were reduced to ten-men in the 49th minute after their captain, Safiq bin Rahim was sent off for a hard challenge on Hariss Harun.

Looking to extend their three-goal lead, the Lions attacked in numbers, taking advantage of the extra man on the field. However, they too lost a player after referee Nawaf Shukralla dismissed Ismail Yunos for a second bookable offence.

With both teams having lost a player to red cards, the visitors got themselves into the game by scoring two goals within a minute. The goals were scored by Abdul Hadi bin Yahaya and Safee Sali in the 68th and 69th minute respectively.

With the scoreboard reading, Singapore 4-3 Malaysia and the home fans cheering the lions on to go for the kill, they got what they wanted when the impressive Duric finished off the night with his second goal of the match after a brilliant move between him and Qiu Li.

The match came to an end with Singapore walking away with a crucial two-goal lead over Malaysia in the 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL ™ ASIAN QUALIFIERS ROUND TWO, (1st Leg). The return leg will be played on 28 July at the Bukit Jalil Stadium.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Malaysia Coach K.Rajagobal praised his side for their effort in the second-half but he was also hard on them for their first half performance. “We got off to the best start, the best ever start. And then the whole defence collapsed when Singapore was putting pressure on the flanks. The second half we came back into the match, I have to pay credit to the players.”

He went on to add, “It would have been 4-4 or 5-5 but they were too eager especially my defence to push up and then left in a lot of space and time for Singapore to harass us. Nevertheless, we have to be optimistic, be positive and it was important for us to get three goals in the first leg.”

Singapore Coach Raddy, “It was a really exciting match to watch for the supporters from both sides. What happened was that we really wanted to win the game. The first-half in some ways, we used our heads more than our emotions. In the 2nd half, one moment of concentration cost us. All players gave their 100 percent and you can see that they are all very tired when the match ended.”

He also singled out a few players for praise, “I was very pleased with Qiu Li as I did not expect him to last so long, he did really well. Izwan also played well as he made critical saves in the first-half and I think he’s good for a boy who played for the first time in the National team. “

World Cup Qualifier (Asia Zone) Round 2, first leg

Singapore 5-3 Malaysia

Scorers: Aleksandar Duric (8', 80'), Qiu Li (21'), Mustafic Fahrudin (44'), Shi Jiayi (45')

Singapore: Izwan Mahbud, Safuwan Baharudin, Shi Jia Yi, Aleksandar Duric, Qiu Li (Fazrul Nawaz 89), Hariss Harun, Mustafic Fahrudin, Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak(c) (Shahdan Sulaiman 68), Ismail Yunos, Juma'at Jantan (Shaiful 91)

AFF U16 Championship Results

2011-07-24T21:49:00.002+08:00

Group B

1. Myanmar

2.Vietnam

3.Singapore

4.Cambodia

5.Philippines

Group
Singapore U16 5-0 Vietnam U16
Singapore U16 5-0 Philippines U16
Singapore U16 1-2 Myanmar U16
Singapore U16 4-0 Cambodia U16

Semi-Final
Singapore U16 0-2 Thailand U16

Third/Fourth placing
Singapore U16 0-1 Myanmar U16

Singapore beat Chinese Taipei 3-2

2011-07-24T21:39:00.001+08:00

Singapore defeated Chinese-Taipei 3-2 at the Jalan Besar Stadium just days before they march back onto the very same pitch for the 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS against Malaysia.

Singapore got thing going through Aleksandar Duric in the 17th minute. Left with just a simple tap in after receiving a low cross from Hariss Harun, he made no mistake to give his side an early lead.

Chinese-Taipei tried to get the game back on level terms but were unable to break down the Singapore defensive wall. The first-half came to an end with the score, Singapore 1-0 Chinese-Taipei.

Coming back on for the second half, Chinese-Taipei made their presence felt with a quick goal to bring the game back on level terms through No.9, Lo Chih An.

The Lions responded with a Duric goal in the 54th minute which got the fans fired up and their cheers grew louder.

Both sides pushed ahead for the next goal and substitute Hiang Shih Lu put his team back into contention in the 62nd minute. Sensing the need for more attacking options upfront, Coach Raddy brought on Fazrul Nawaz and Qiu Li in the 65th minute.

The tactical switch proved to be effective as the Lions wrestled back the lead with forward Fazrul Nawaz breaking away from his defenders to slot the ball home for Singapore’s 3rd and final goal of the match.

The game ended with the score board reading Singapore 3-2 Chinese-Taipei.

Singapore Coach Raddy, was satisfied with the result as he spoke about his team’s performance at the post-match press conference when he said: “There are some points we need to improve on and also some positive points to take note of. We created a lot of chances, passing most of the time.”

He went on to say “I am however happy with the performance of the team and this game allowed the players to learn from their mistakes as it is better to make mistakes now than in the match against Malaysia.”

“We kept passing the ball and had more possession. We did make mistakes today and we will learn from it and make changes to our game.” said Captain Shahril Ishak.

Goal scorer Aleksandar Duric was spot on when he said “We started with a new system of play from the match against Maldives and we are creating more chances. It was a good game and my team mates did well.”

Having taken charge of the team only three days ago, Coach Tee Tae Ho said “It was tough but I think we did ok. Singapore forwards have more experience and are organized.”

When asked about the difference between Singapore’s style of play and the Malaysians, “Singapore has more stability and matured while Malaysia is abit unstable and not matured.”

International Friendly
Singapore 3-2 Chinese Taipei

Scorer - Aleksandar Duric (2), Fazrul Nawaz

Singapore: Izwan Mahbud, Safuwan Bhahrudin, Shi Jiayi, Shahdan Sulaiman, Aleksandar Duric (Fazrul Nawaz 65), Hariss Harun, Mustafic Faharudin (Qiu Li 65), Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak (C), Ismail Yunos (Shaiful Esah 69), Juma'at Jantan

Kuwait Olympic 2-1 Spore Selection

2011-07-24T21:38:00.000+08:00

Kuwait Olympic defeated Singapore Selection 2-1 in a friendly game at Jurong West Stadium.

Erwan Gunawan got the goal for the Singapore Selection

Young Lions get their men including Shahdan

2011-07-24T20:58:00.002+08:00

Courts Young Lions have got their men thanks once again to their 'national interest' card.

Courts Young Lions have Navin Nigel Vanu from Woodlands Wellington, Ruzaini Zainal from SAFFC, Shahir Hamzah from Home United, Emmeric Ong from Hougang United and Sheikh Abdul Hadi from Gombak United.

Even Shahdan Sulaiman, whom the Stags have been unwilling to release, is joining the Jalan Besar side.

Tampines Rovers had wanted to release the 22-year-old midfielder only in October as they needed him for the championship race for he is playing a pivot part at the Eastern giant.

One wonder if clubs will be playing U23 players in pivot roles if the Cubs come calling everything when they are considered great players of the future thanks to a national interest card.

Home sign up new Korean

2011-07-24T20:48:00.001+08:00

It looked like his time is really up as former Korean international & K-league 2002 MVP Kim Dae-Eui has been unable to impress in his time at Home United.

The 36-year-old had come to S-league hoping to extend his playing career but he has been unable to command a regular place at Home United due to injury and poor from.

Therefore he has decided to call time on his career in the S-league.

His replacement is another Korean Lee Sang Ha.

Vitor sign for Hougang

2011-07-24T20:34:00.003+08:00

Vitor Borges is a Cheetah as the Hougang club have signed the Brazilian in the transfer window.

He will be expected to be the main man upfront even as he may not bring in the goals with a poor record of only 7 goals in 50 games in his time at Balestier Khalsa.

This is less of a problem at Hougang, who need a frontman as their own Brazilain Diego Gama de Oliveira is out for longer than expected, for the club have goal source like Noor Ali, Delgado and Webb.

Gombak get Eagles reject

2011-07-24T20:34:00.002+08:00

Gombak united have moved to sign Geylang reject Jung Hee-bong.

It is puzzling at best as I cannot see what the so called K2 Crouch can bring to the Jurong West side.

However the 25-year-old is an improvement on their import at least as they have released their own Korean flop, Kwon Jin Sung.

Kwon Jin Sung has make little impact at Gombak where he has been forced to come off the bench as he has been unable to command a regular spot.

As a foreigner, that is an unforgivable 'crime' as a foreigner must be able to command a starting spot.

Asian imports for Eagles

2011-07-24T20:34:00.001+08:00

Geylang United have signed two Asian for their foreigner slot.

They are Korean midfielder Jeon Byung Euk and Japanese forward Yuta Nakano.

It is a combination of experience and youth.

Jeon Byung Euk is 34-year-old and have played in the S-league before with Super Reds where he make 67 appearances; scoring 7 goals.

As for Yuta Nakano, he is only 21-year-old although he has already in J2 with Fagiano Okayama and Yokohama FC but in the three years he spend with them, he has make only 21 appearances and it is clear he is coming to Geylang to prove himself.

Making space for them is Jung Hee Bon, who has already departed, and now Romanian Vasile Ghindaru who has not impressed much in his 18 months in the S-league.

Geylang get Hammond

2011-07-24T20:33:00.000+08:00

Geylang United have signed Daniel Hammond from SAFFC as the Englishman is released by the eight-time champions.

The 28-year-old defender is considered surplus to requirement as he has been unable to break the Bennett-Mamadou partnership.

However it will not be the case at Geylang as the Bedok club have been leaking goals all season and his arrival will be welcomed.

The Eagles are his sixth club in the last five years in the S-league.

Rams signed up two Koreans to compete their foreign revamp

2011-07-24T20:31:00.000+08:00

Woodlands Wellington have signed Korean Moon Soon Ho and Hyun Jong Woon.

Hyun Jong Woon has been signed from Courts Young Lions while Moon Soon Ho is coming from the N-league (Korean Div 1).

However Moon Soon Ho has experience in the S-league as he has played for the Super Reds before in the 2008 season where he scored 7 goals in 39 games.

The Rams will hope he can repeat that as they have lost Navin Nigel Vanu to Courts Young Lions thanks to 'national interest'.

Without their young forward, the Rams have no strikeforce at the moment and they must hoped the two Korean will be that solution.

Tampines unwilling to lose Shahdan Sulaiman

2011-07-16T08:00:00.000+08:00

With the revelation, the Courts Young Lions want Tampines Rovers to give up midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman due to 'national interest', Stags head coach Steven Tan was none too pleased.

Shahdan Sulaiman have been played a pivotal role in the centre of the Stags midfield and have given them the creative juice they desire.

Therefore Tampines Rovers is unwilling to lose the 22-year-old as they are still in the hunt for the championship.

Steven Tan have wondered why Courts Young Lions cannot wait for he has given a deadline of October to release Shahdan Sulaiman to the Jalan Besar team.

However his pleas is unlikely to work on a FAS bent on getting players in the name of 'national interest'.