AG: Singapore U23 knocked out

The Singapore U23 were knocked out after they were defeated 1-4 by India U23.

The defeat meant Singapore U23 finished with a point and that is not good enough to qualify for the round of 16.

Eugene Luo scored the only goal for the Asiad Cubs in this tournament.

In another match, Qatar defeated Kuwait 2-0 to qualify for the second round while India has to wait for other results.

Pos	Teams	Pts	GD
1	Qatar U23	7	3
2	Kuwait U23	6	1
3	India U23	3	1
4	Spore U23	1	-5

AG: Kuwait U23 2-0 Singapore U23

Kuwait U23 defeated Singapore U23 2-0 to qualify for the second round while Singapore await Thursday for India to decide our fate.

The Asiad Cubs will need to gain full points against India to have a chance to get to the second round as one of the best four third-placed teams. 

Qatar had earlier defeated India 2-1 to earn themselves 3 points and cement their second place spot.

Pos	Teams	Pts	GD
1	Kuwait U23	6	4
2	Qatar U23	4	1
3	Spore U23	1	-2
4	India U23	0	-1

AG: Cubs hold off Champions

The Singapore U23 managed to hold out against the Asian Games Champions Qatar as the Cubs seek to make it to the second round.

Up until the last quarter of the match, the Cubs managed to comfortably hold out against the Qatari with custodian Izwan Mahbud not having a single save to make.

From the last quarter onward though, Izwan Mahbud proved himself as he make 3 crucial save and when he needed help, his defenders and the upright came to his, and the Cubs, rescue.

In the end, Singapore nearly made full use of that when the Qatari keeper came rushing out of his goal to close down on substitute Erwan Gurnawan in injury time.

Erwan managed to get the better of the keeper and the covering defender and attempted a curling effort over the keeper from the left touchline, but the keeper was quick enough to get back to his goal to prevent the shot from floating in under his crossbar.

In another match, Kuwait U23 beat India U23 2-0.

Pos	Teams	Pts	GD
1	Kuwait U23	3	2
2	Qatar U23	1	0
3	Spore U23	1	0
4	India U23	0	-2

Singapore: Izwan Mahbud (GK); Faritz Abdul Hameed, Safuwan Baharudin, Afiq Yunos, Shakir Hamzah; Shahdan Sulaiman, Firdaus Kasman (Eddie Chang 77′), Hariss Harun (c), Izzdin Shafiq, Nazrul Ahmad Nazari (Fazly Hassan); Shahril Ishak (Erwan Gurnawan 90′ +2)  

Singapore Asian Games Squad

Goalkeepers
Izwan Mahbud (Young Lions)
Siddiq Durimi (Geylang United)

Defenders
Shakir Hamzah (NFA Under-18)
Afiq Yunos (Young Lions)
Eddie Affendy Chang (Young Lions)
Safuwan Baharudin (Young Lions)

Midfielders
Faritz Abdul Hameed (Young Lions)
Hariss Harun (Young Lions)
Shahdan Sulaiman (Tampines Rovers)
Syafiq Zainal (Balestier Khalsa)
Fazly Hassan (Geylang United)
Nazrul Ahmad Nazari (Young Lions)
Zulfahmi Arifin (Young Lions)
Izzdin Shafiq (Young Lions)
Shahril Ishak (Persib Bandung, Indonesia)
Firdaus Kasman (Home United)
Erwan Gunawan (SAFFC)

Forwards
Eugene Luo (Young Lions)
Khalili D’cruz (Young Lions)
Rizawan Abdullah (Woodlands Wellington)

Singapore Schedule

Singapore vs Qatar
7 November, Sunday, 7.00pm, Yingdong Stadium

Singapore vs Kuwait
9 November, Tuesday, 7.00pm, Yingdong Stadium

Singapore vs India
11 November, Thursday, 7.00pm, Huadu Stadium

Hariss Harun and Shahril Ishak make it to Asian Games

After weeks of uncertainty, news has finally emerged both Hariss Harun and Shahril Ishak will make it to Asian Games.

At first, both players were not expected to make it as Hariss Harun had studies commitment while FAS could not forced Shahril Ishak Indonesian club, Persib Bandung, release him as the Asian Games is not on FIFA list of international competition.

However, matter have changed now with Hariss Harun allowed to play in the first two group stage matches as his school have make allowance for the Young Lions midfielder to catch up on his studies later while Persib Bandung has agreed to release the ex-Home United player as they have no commitment during the Asian Games period which Singapore have matches.

Still, it was not all good news as FAS could not get all the players they wanted as the other two overage players - Khariul Amri and Mustafic Fahrudin - were not released by their Indonesian clubs.

It further showcased how bad the management under Zainudin have been as they should have expected it as Indonesia did not send a team to the Asian Games and the Indonesian Super Liga have commitment during that period.

Asian Games - Singapore drawn with champions

The Asian Games Lions have been drawn alongside champions Qatar in a draw conducted today.

The other teams in the group are another West Asian team Kuwait and South Asian powerhouse India.

The top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams will qualify for the Round of 16.

It  looked a reasonable group for the Asian Games Lions as even with the loss of 5 players, with Hariss also out, we will be reinforce with 3 senior players so the choice of the seniors could well decide the fate of the Asian Games Lions.

All the other factors about the oppositions like whether they 'filled' with more overage players than allowed is out of our hand as let be honest, it is happening.

The last Asian Games saw Qatar crowned champions with cries of up to 6 'senior' players but then runner-up Iraq, who make the accusations, was found later to have fake players for the U19 ACQ thus was kicked out of the U19 Asian Cup Finals.

THE GROUPINGS

Group A: China, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Japan

Group B: Iran, Vietnam, Bahrain, Turkmenistan

Group C: Korea Republic, Palestine, Jordan, DPR Korea

Group D: Qatar, Kuwait, India, Singapore

Group E: Uzbekistan, UAE, Hong Kong, Bangladesh

Group F: Thailand, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan

Hariss Harun is not going to the Asian Games

According to TNP, Singapore midfielder Hariss Harun is not going to the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

This is a huge blow according to Lions head coach Raddy as in his opinion there is no player among the Cubs rank that can replaced the Young Lions player.

The 20-year-old took this decision as he is in his final year of his studies and his dad decided that it is better for him to complete my studies first.

To be honest, he can always join the next Asian Games as we have to remember 3 overage players are allowed so there is a next chance for him.

It is then of course a good decision by his father.

Eximbank Cup Results

Singapore Provisional Asian Games results at Eximbank Cup

Singapore Asiad team 1-1 Iran Olympic team
Scorer - Eugene Luo

Singapore Asiad team 0-0 Vietnam U23

Singapore Asiad team 0-0 Malaysia U23

Asian Games squad to play in Vietnam competition

A provisional Asian Games squad will be send to play in the Eximbank Cup (yes, it change name again) in Vietnam.

They will play Iran Olympic team, Malaysia U23 team and Vietnam U23 team in preparation for the Guangzhou bound games in China this November.

Provisional Singapore Asian Games Squad
GK
Izwan Mahbud Young Lions
Lionel Lewis Home United

DF
Shakir Hamzah NFA U18
Daniel Bennett SAFFC
Hidhir Hasbiallah Gombak United
Eddie Affendy Chang Young Lions
Afiq Yunos Young Lions

MF
Syafiq Zainal Balestier Khalsa
Faritz Abdul Hameed Young Lions
Hafiz Abu Sujad Young Lions
Nazrul Ahmad Nazari Young Lions
Zulfahmi Arifin Young Lions
Hariss Harun Young Lions
Firdaus Kasman Home United
Erwan Gunawan SAFFC

FW
Al-Qaasimy Abdul Rahman NFA U18
Rizawan Abdullah Woodland Wellington
Eugene Luo Young Lions
Fadhil Noh Young Lions
Khalili D'cruz Young Lions

Lionel and Bennet are the overage players for the moment

Asian Games 2010

26 nations have selected to send their football teams to compete in the Asian Games 2010 at Guangzhou.

They are China (host), Hong Kong, Bahrain, Bangladesh, North Korea, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Palestine, Qatar (champions), Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Maldives.

The 26 teams will be divided into 6 groups with 2 groups having 5 teams.

The top 2 from each group and 4 best third place finishers qualify to play in the knockout stage.

The competition will start from November 7 and last 18 days with 7 stadiums to be use for the men event.

2010 Asia Games Football Draw set for September

About 35 Men's team and 12 Women's team have confirmed their participation in the 2010 Asian Games Football tournament.

The application deadline is set for the end of July.

For the men's tournament, 16 teams (as ranked by the teams performances in Doha 2006) will enter the Group Stage automatically, they are China, Qatar, Iraq, Iran, Korea Republic, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Korea DPR, Bahrain, Kuwait, Japan, Hong Kong, Syria, India, Vietnam, Oman

The remaining 19 teams will play in the qualification round and they will be drawn into 6 groups with the winners of each group along with two of the best runner-up teams entering the Group Stage.

In the Group Stage, the 24 teams will be drawn into 6 groups and the winners of each group and two of the best runner-up teams qualified for the Quarter Finals,

Draw of the Qualification Round will be held in September.

Schedule:
November 7 to November 11 - Qualification Round
Group Stage Starts at November 14
Final to be played at November 25

Cubs are going to the Asian Games

After an appeal to the SNOC, FAS have won the right to send the Cubs to the Asian Games.

Finally, the action matches the words.

For a while now, various government committees (SSC etc) have promised they will support S'pore football as they look to build S'pore into a sporting City for only football can unite like no other sport (According to their words)

But the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) then went on to say S'pore will not send it football team to Asian Games (Talk about a slap in the face of SSC who is supposed to look after sports in the island)

Now, SNOC have back off and even as it may displeased other sport discipline, the fact is football is the world most popular sport and only with success in this discipline can it raise the Republic sport culture.

Other sports had more success but it has not reach the public like the ASEAN title won by the Lions.

If that the case, then the Cubs need more exposure to catch up with Asia standard and that mean a guarantee to the Asian Games now and for the future.

SNOC reject Cubs for Asia Games

That why I have constantly say there should be a qualifiers for the Asian Games as how hard is it for Asian Olympic Council (AOC) to do that.

It is not like they have that many project on their hands and in Asia, we actually lacked such youth-age games for even those teams that do go to the Asian Games matches, most are only going to have to count on the 3 matches, they play in the group stages, for the next 4 years.

This is terrible and a recipe for disaster thus that why Asia is still a step (Ok, many steps) behind the established powers of Europe and South America.

Oh Yeah, here is the report from Today telling us football and Hockey are not going.

Also on another note, this is a further insult to local sport as Hockey have a qualifiers and they qualified as the runner-up in the group and they cannot go because SNOC want them to be top 6 first.

SNOC, you have a loose screw in your head as they did not just finished 6th in the qualifiers to get it but 2nd and if being the best 8 in Asia is not good enough, you clearly need a new brain.

Cubs looked set to go to Asian Games

It is increasing likely the Singapore U23 will be going to the Asian Games in Guangzhou.

While SNOC have not announced the size of participants going or even the sports that will be chosen, SSC have given it backing to Singapore football by naming it as 1 of 2 team sport chosen to receive extra financial backing for the foreseeable future.

1 of the reason is the 6-year plan by FAS and it include sending Singapore U23 team to the Asian Games where they can gained the needed experience to catch up with both West and North Asia as, surely, everybody know the SEA Games cannot cut it if our goal is indeed be among Asia top teams.

That why, if SSC is indeed backing Singapore football to the till, then the Cubs need to be at the Asian Games.

Asian Games to start a qualifiers system?

According to a report from Bangkok Post, it seem AIOC (Asian International Olympic Council) could start a qualifiers system for football for Asian Games as Thailand U23 has to go through a qualifier to reach the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

The Asian Games committee has always allowed teams who apply to played at the Asian Games.

This is great, if true, as I noted back in Asian Games 06, our youths need games at the Asian Games and if that was a qualifiers system, then FAS do not need to go through SNOC (Singapore National Olympic Committee) and not know if we qualified for it.

In a qualifiers system, Singapore U23 win and we are in like the Olympic.

Transparent and no need any argument as the fate is in our own hand.

What about future Asian Games

At the beginning, the Republic Under-23 football team were not among those selected to go to the Doha Games before an appeal saw the about turn from Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) to select the team.

So that means the end of the issue then.

If one is just thinking about the 2006 Asian Games, then yes, but to be honest, it does not take a genius to foretell that the same situation will pop out again for the 2010 Asian Games and beyond.

That is where the problem lie for Singapore for while our Under-23 team is never assured of the Asian Games, the Asian Games is part of Saudi Arabia, Japan and South Korea development plan where the Asian powerhouse send their Under-21 team to gain the needed exposure and experience to enhance their potential.

The Asian powerhouses know by only sending their Under-21 team to the Asian Games, they have given up their right to Asian Games crown but it matter not to them for football development for their youngsters is the main point.

The difference then is clear to note for SNOC does not concern itself with football development and it is not wrong as that is not SNOC area of scope.

It is FAS job and it is time FAS start to analyze whether it is possible to request SNOC to exempt the sport from their decision making by agreeing not only to pay the their own expenses but also restructuring the aim and buildup of the SEA Games to prove football development is the main point at these Games.

By that, the author means sending Under-21 teams to the biennial SEA Games for football development thus preparing for the build-up to an Under-23 team for the Asian Games. The Under-21 team will then also have an aim to progress unlike now for since it formation it has been drifting aimlessly seems by it non-action.

However in this way, the SEA Games crown is a goner but if football development is indeed part of FAS aim in sending the Singapore Under-23 team to the 2006 Asian Games as reported in their appeal to SNOC, it is time to back their words with proof.

Future Asian Games must no longer be held hostage to the relevant of results when the aim should be like Saudi Arabia, Japan and South Korea; which is to gain the needed exposure and experience to enhance the team potential.