More games postponed and venue changed

Here are the games that have been postponed

• SAFFC vs Courts Young Lions (2 May) 
• TPUFC vs Albirex Niigata (S) (5 May) 

Here are the games that have their venue changed to Jalan Besar

• Home United vs Balestier Khalsa (4 May)
• Woodlands Wellington vs Hougang United (5 May)

Stags open lead at the top

Tampines Rovers have open up a lead at the top of the table after crushing Balestier Khalsa 5-0 at Jalan Besar.

Both Aleksandar Duric and Benoit Croissant scored a brace with Ahmad Fahmie contributing as he notched his first goal in over three years.

The two-time champions continue to show no ill-effect from their AFC Cup campaign as they had a tough match in midweek but they continued to set a relentless pace for the championship.

The Eastern giant have now collected 29 points from a possible 33 and no rivals have been able to keep pace.

The Warriors showcased that as last week the Choa Chu Kang team was second but fall to third now after being crushed 3-6 by Albirex Niigata (S) at Jalan Besar.

Shotaro Ihata scored four of those goals with Kazuki Kobayashi and Shimpei Sakurada also chipping in.

Replying for the Warriors was Mislav Karoglan, who chip in with two goals, and Ivan Jerkovic.

In another match played at Jalan Besar as well, Gombak United defeated Woodlands Wellington 1-0 with Kwon Jin Sung scoring the winner. 

SAFFC

Shahril Jantan (GK) (C), Shaiful Esah, Hafiz Osman, Bah Mamadou (Daniel Hammond), Daniel Bennett, Noh Rahman, Ivan Jerkovic, Rhysh Roshan Rai (Ruzaini Zainal), Mustaqim Manzur (Indra Sahdan), Mislav Karoglan, Fazrul Nawaz 

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Woodlands Wellington 

Ang Bang Heng (GK), Adrian Butters, Munier Raychouni, Madhu Mohana, Graham Tatters, Syed Karim (Darrel Tan), Sazali Salleh (C), Shahri Musa, Han Yiguang (Ali Imran Lomri), Goh Swee Swee (Nigel Vanu), Leonardo Alexio 

Gombak United

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

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Tampines Rovers

Hassan Sunny (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Ahmad Latiff (Ahmed Fahmie), Akihiro Nakamura, Shahdan Sulaiman, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar (Zahid Ahmad), Aliff Shafaein (Shukor Zailan), Aleksandar Duric (C) 

Balestier Khalsa

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

Luka Savic depart Warriors

SAFFC Prime League registered midfielder Luka Savic is set to depart.

This is due to unhappiness on the player part that he has been unable to break into the Warriors side.

The 21-year-old had demanded, after the Etoile FC match, to know from coach Richard Bok if he was in the coach plan as the Serbian was unwilling to sit on the bench anymore.

The Warriors management response was swift with them handing Savic a transfer and the midfielder is now set to depart after May 14

Luka Savic has claimed he has several European (Likely Serbian) clubs lead up already awaiting to sign him.

Tampines look set for knockout stage

Tampines Rovers have taken a giant step towards the knockout stage by defeating Hanoi T&T 3-1 at Jalan Besar.

With this win, the Stags have eight points from four matches along with a four-point gap between third placed Hanoi T&T.

Therefore the Stags only need to win one of their remaining two matches and with their next opponent being Maldives side Victory SC, the Stags looked assured of that.

The Stags goals were scored by Ahmad Latiff (2) and Aleksandar Duric  

Tampines Rovers

Hassan Sunny (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Seiji Kaneko, Ahmad Latiff (Shukor Zailan), Akihiro Nakamura, Shahdan Sulaiman (Zahid Ahmad), Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Aliff Shafaein (Jamil Ali), Aleksandar Duric (C)

Games postponed and venues changed

Here are the games that have been postponed

• Etoile FC vs Courts Young Lions (28April) 
• Etoile FC vs Geylang United (2 May) 

Here are the games that have their venue changed to Jalan Besar

• Albirex Niigata (S) vs SAFFC (28 April)
• Tampines Rovers vs Balestier Khalsa (30 April)

XXIII Canon Lion City Cup draw

Group A 
Spore U15
Newcastle United
Juventus

Group B
Spore U16
Everton
CR Flamengo

Tampines Rovers COE selection trials

Tampines Rovers Football Club will be holding selection trials for their Centre of Excellence programme for the Under-14, Under-12, Under-10 and Under-8 age groups.

The selection trial dates are as follows.

Date: Saturday, 30 April 2011 and Sunday, 1 May 2011
Time: 8:30am to 10:30am
Venue: Open field in front of Tampines Stadium

The selection trials will be held by the Club’s Technical Director Vorawan Chitavanich, S.League Head Coach Steven Tan and Team Manager Zulkarnaen Zainal. Assisting with the trials will be coaching staff members Narong Saiket, K. Balagumaran and Satria Mad.

For further details, please contact the Club Admin Office in person or call 6784 6670.

Tampines Rovers Soccer Academy 2011 Term II

Tampines Rovers Football Club will kick off the 2011 Soccer Academy Term II programme on Sunday, 1 May 2011.

The academy will be held in two sessions.

Sunday morning session
Time 8:30am to 10:00am

Sunday evening session
 Time 4:30pm to 6:00pm

Interested participants can register at the Admin Office, Tampines Stadium, 25 Tampines Avenue 5, Singapore 529759 from Monday, 18 April 2011 onwards at 10:00am. (Mon to Fri, during office hours 10:00am to 6:00pm)

Term II (12 Sessions)
Session Dates
1. Sunday, 1 May 2011
2. Sunday, 8 May 2011
3. Sunday, 22 May 2011
4. Sunday, 29 May 2011

5. Sunday, 5 Jun 2011
6. Sunday, 12 Jun 2011
7. Sunday, 19 Jun 2011
8. Sunday, 26 Jun 2011

9. Sunday, 3 Jul 2011
10. Sunday, 10 Jul 2011
11. Sunday, 17 Jul 2011
12. Sunday, 24 Jul 2011

Protectors defeat Eagles 2-1

Home United defeated Geylang United 2-1 at Bishan

Frederic Mendy score both goals for the Bishan side with Kim Jae Hong replying for the Eagles.

With this victory, the Protectors climb to second in the table for the next 48 hours at least.

In another match, Hougang United crushed Tanjong Pagar United 5-0 at Clementi.

The goals came from Ratna Suffian, Noor Ali (2), Diego Oliviera and Diallo Mamadou.

TPUFC 

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

Hougang United

Ridzuan Hasan (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C) (Emmeric Ong), Ratna Suffian, Duncan Elias, Azhar Sairudin (Fathi Yunus), Jordan Webb, Diego Oliviera, Noor Ali, Carlos Delgado (Aqhari Abdullah), Mamadou Diallo

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Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK) (Fajar Sarib), Kenji Arai, Valery Hiek, Rosman Sulaiman, Abdil Qaiyyim, Nor Azli Yusoff, Isa Halim, Firdaus Idros (Asraf Rashid (Firdaus Kasman)), Kim Dae Eui, Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li (C)

Geylang United

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

S-league Preview XI

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

Mon 25-Apr TPUFC - Hougang United (CMT)
Tue 26-Apr Home United - Geylang United (BSN)
Thu 28-Apr Albirex Niigata (S) - SAFFC (JES)
Thu 28-Apr Etoile FC - Courts Young Lions (QTN)
Fri 29-Apr Woodlands Wellington - Gombak United (JBS)
Sat 30-Apr Tampines Rovers - Balestier Khalsa (TMP)

TPUFC vs Hougang United
Balestier coach Salim Moin called it a disappointing performance. As for Gombak Darren Stewart, he called it his team worst performance ever. Yet both teams defeated the Jaguars. That show the gulf the Jaguars has to breach and frankly they are not able to do it this season and maybe the next two as well (That how long it take to gain the needed experience). Hougang has no excuse not to walk away with 3 points. 2-0 to Hougang United

Home United vs Geylang United
I cannot see how Geylang United can score a goal at this point and without a goal, no team has any chance to win a game. So a draw is the best outcome for the Bedok side but too bad, their infamous 'bus' defence is long gone (or is it thank goodness as watching it is painful at times). So does the Eagles have hopes? I would say yes as Home United can be negative at times with coach Lee seeming being 'afraid' of losing and have put one too many defensive midfielders to stifle others instead of others being afraid of Home star-stubbed team. This is one match he should not hold back as the Eagles will be more than willing to accept such an outcome. 1-0 to Home

Etoile FC vs Courts Young Lions
One cannot image how the champions will not win this match even if the Cubs put out their regulars again. With the Cubs seeking to expose as many players as possible they are constantly changing sides and Robin has admitted the second-stringers are 'pulling' down the team but the Cubs will continue as they need the experience. For me, I have say it and I will say it again, I am willing to accept it for the Cubs are developing players and that is the most important thing for me. 2-0 to Etoile FC

Albirex Niigata (S) vs SAFFC
The White Swans has lost every games they faced against the top 4 this season so once again, I believed this will be the outcome. The top 4 are in a class of their own and the White Swans do not have the players needed to take them on a constant basis. And the Warriors cannot afford not to win this one as even if the season is early, they should know every points count (as they are 8-times champions). Afterall at the end of the season, those close-but-no-cigar teams will look back and wonder what might have been if they did not drop a point here or there and this is one of those games that count as winable but is a banana skin as well. 2-0 to SAFFC    

Woodlands Wellington vs Gombak United 
The Rams do defend better than their fellow strugglers but like their fellow mates, they have no attack and once they go behind the game is up. That why they need to be tight against the Bulls as the Bulls attack are not the most fearsome in the league and can be contain. The fate of this game is in their own hand. Focus and contain their opponent and they have more than a reasonable chance of getting a point but anything more is asking for the moon. 0-0 draw

Tampines Rovers vs Balestier Khalsa
First thing, I have to praise the Stags as it is amazing they are top and still fighting for the championship in Singapore and Asia. I would have thought the schedule could have caught up with them but no, they have shown they are a side to fear in Singapore and Asia. They have the discipline and the talent to win this game before even the half is up but as always the Tigers will make it tough. The Tigers will be tight so the Stags have to score early or faced a siege on the Tigers defence as the game drag on. 1-0 to the Stags

MOU signed with JFA

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan Football Association (JFA).

With MOUs signed between the Japan Football Association and the French Football Federation (2005) and Spanish Football Federation (2010), this will be the JFA’s first Memorandum of Understanding signed with an Asian country in their illustrious history.

This partnership will provide a new impetus for the cooperation between FAS and JFA in the development of football, particularly in the area of youth development, football science and medicine, coach and referee education.

The partnership will also serve as a basis for developing possible future collaborations and relations between both sides.

Under the terms of the partnership, Singapore and Japan will, among others, implement an Exchange and Attachment Programme which may comprise of courses, clinics, seminars and attachments for administrators, coaches, referees, players, instructors, football science and medicine personnel.

Both FAS and JFA will also work towards facilitating the arrangement of potential training camps for their respective national and club teams in both countries.

Another area of cooperation is the mutual exchange of information, know-how and expertise in key areas pertaining to the administration and management of football in both countries. This will include the application of information technology in the administration of the domestic leagues of both countries.

Japanese is NFA U16 coach

FAS has appointed Japanese Takuma Koga as the new National Football Academy U-16 coach.

“Koga's immediate task will be to prepare our NFA U-16 team, who have just been awarded the SNOC Team of the Year (Team Sport, Juniors), for the upcoming 23rd Canon Lion City Cup in June 2011. In addition, he will prepare the "Cubs" to participate in the 2013 AFC U-19 Youth Championships.

“Koga, who was previously the head coach of Cerezo Osaka Under-15 team, holds the S License obtained in 2006, which is equivalent to the AFC Pro Diploma - the highest coaching qualification in AFC. I am pleased to note that Koga's Club Cerezo Osaka are playing in this year's AFC Champions League and are currently on top of the group. Koga’s appointment as our NFA U-16 head coach has been made at the right moment, as the boys have completed their school competitions and will be able to focus their attention on the task ahead. Koga will be reporting to the FAS Technical Director Slobodan and he will also be sharing his coaching experience with our local youth coaches,” said Mr Zainudin.

Apart from his coaching credentials, Koga also boasts a distinguished playing career. As a professional footballer, Koga played alongside household names like Brazilian legend Dunga at Jubilo Iwata, where he won the J-League titles in 1997 and 1999, as well as the J-League Cup in 1998.

ADC Florianopolis from Brazil Claims Inaugural Tiger Street Football Regional Tournament in Singapore‏

 
The second day of the Tiger Street Football event, held at Ngee Ann City, along Orchard Road, saw two local and four invited international teams go head to head in the Regional Tournament, with a cash prize purse of USD5,000 up for grabs. ADC Florianopolis from Brazil lived up to their billing as favourites to win the tournament by defeating a spirited Thai Son Bac Futsal Club from Vietnam with a tight scoreline of 5-4.

As finalists of yesterday’s local competition, both On The Run and La Plata Jr B received the opportunity to compete against both ADC Florianopolis and Thai Son Back Futsal Club as well as Manchester Futsal Club from England and G H BANK.RBAC Futsal Team from Thailand.

After the round robin stage, local team On The Run, backed by a vocal crowd put on a strong fight against ADC Florianopolis in the semi-finals and almost won the knock-out tie with two minutes to go and the scores leveled at 3-3. However, a late penalty converted by the Brazilian outfit was enough to see them through to the finals where they met Thai Son Bac Futsal Club, who themselves left it late to defeat G H BANK RBAC Futsal Team with an identical 4-3 scoreline.

Said Denison Cabral, captain of ADC Florianopolis on his team’s achievement as winners of the tournament, “We are thrilled to have won the first ever Tiger Street Football Regional Tournament in Singapore. We would like to thank the title sponsor of the tournament, Tiger Beer, all other sponsors as well as the event organisers, ESPN STAR Sports. We faced strong opposition today and the oval, caged pitch created a new competitive experience for us. Tactically, we had to adapt to the conditions whilst maintaining our usual playing style and we are delighted to have finished as champions!”

The 37-year-old also heaped praise on local team On The Run, who almost pulled off an upset in the semi-finals. “We knew On The Run are a great side from the way they won the local competition yesterday and we expected a tough match. There was mutual respect between both teams and I think the match reflects that there is excellent local football talent in Singapore. They brought the best out of us and hopefully more football players here recognise the potential they have through tournaments such as Tiger Street Football in the future.”

As champions of the tournament, ADC Florianopolis walked away with a cash prize of USD3,000 whilst runners-up Thai Son Bac Futsal Club earned themselves USD1,500.

Yesterday’s local competition featured 32 local teams battle it out for cash prizes, a supply of Tiger Beer as well as the chance to represent Singapore in the Tiger Street Football Grand Finals to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 10 to 11 September. On The Run emerged victorious after defeating La Plata Jr B in the final with a 6-1 scoreline.

Following the Tiger Street Football event in Singapore, it will move regionally to Bangkok, Thailand (May); Guangzhou, China (July) and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam (August) before the Grand Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At the Grand Finals, the top team from each local leg will have the chance to fight it out to be the Tiger Street Football Champion and win the coveted top prize of USD30,000. 
 
For full tournament results and information, log on to www.TigerStreetFootball.com.sg and http://www.facebook.com/TigerFootballSG

Results from today’s Tiger Street Football Regional Competition - Singapore
Round Robin Stage
Group 1
G H BANK RBAC Futsal Team (TH) def. Manchester Futsal Club (ENG): 3-2
G H BANK RBAC Futsal Team (TH) def. On The Run (SG): 5-2
On The Run (SG) def. Manchester Futsal Club: 7-0
Group 2
ADC Florianopolis (BRA) def. La Plata Jr B (SG): 7-2
Thai Son Bac Futsal Club (VIE) def. La Plata Jr B (SG): 4-2
ADC Florianopolis (BRA) def. Thai Son Bac Futsal Club (VIE): 7-0
Semi-finals Stage
Thai Son Bac Futsal Club (VIE) def. G H BANK RBAC Futsal Team (TH): 4-3
ADC Florianopolis (BRA) def. On The Run (SG): 4-3
Third & Fourth Placing Match
G H BANK RBAC Futsal Team (TH) def. On The Run (SG): 6-1

Final
ADC Florianopolis (BRA) def. Thai Son Bac Futsal Club (VIE): 5-4


About Tiger Beer

Tiger Beer, brewed by Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore (APBS), is one of Singapore’s most recognised icons globally. As a leading home-grown brew, Tiger Beer is currently brewed in 11 countries and is available in some 60 countries in Europe, the US, Latin America, Australia and the Middle East. 
 
Tiger Beer has been winning global acclaim through the years. In its 78-year history, the brew has picked up over 40 international accolades and awards.  The  most  notable  include  the Gold Medal at the Brewing Industry International  Awards,  UK,  1998  and more recently, the Gold Medal in the International  Style  Lager  category  at  the  2010  World Beer Cup, often referred to as ‘The Olympics of Beer Competitions’ by the industry. This is the second recognition Tiger has received at the same competition, where it last won the Gold Medal in the European-style Pilsner category in 2004.
 
Through its close involvement in sports, dynamic brand campaigns and innovative sponsorships, Tiger has positioned itself as a leading contemporary beer brand across the world. Tiger Beer has become a recognisable and sought-after premium beer and was named UK Cool Brand Leader in 20

Stags are King of the East again

Tampines Rovers defeated Geylang United 1-0 at Bedok to win the Eastern Derby.

The winner was not from the usual man, Duric, but Japanese Akihiro Nakamura.

The Eagles though had played well but it is clear they need a goalscorer for with the chances they had, it should end in a draw, minimum.

Yet at this moment, it looked like a long shot as their local forwards are not scoring and their foreign recruit is following suit as well.

So without goals, how can the Eagles get anything from the game.

As for the Balestier Khalsa-Woodlands Wellington match on the same night, the Tigers ate up the Rams 2-0 with goals from Kim Young Kwang and Vitor Borges.

In the next night, defending champions Etoile FC and 8-time champions SAFFC played out to a 1-1 draw at Jalan Besar.

Anthony Moulin scored for the French side with Fazrul Nawaz replying for the Warriors.

In the weekend, Gombak United defeated Coruts Young Lions 2-0 to stake their claim on the leadership of the best of the rest aka as fifth spot.

Ruhaizad Ismail and Park Kang Jin scored the goals.

The Bulls have now overtaken the White Swans but fourth spot looked harder to get as they are 3 points behind and with an inferior goal difference.

Geylang United

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

Tampines Rovers

Hassan Sunny (GK), Jufri Taha, Benoit Croissant, Ahmad Latiff (Ahmed Fahmie), Akihiro Nakamura, Shahdan Sulaiman, Imran Sahib, Ismadi Mukhtar, Aliff Shafaein (Jamil Ali), Park Yo Seb, Aleksandar Duric (C) 

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Balestier Khalsa

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

Woodlands Wellington 

Ang Bang Heng (GK) (C), Adrian Butters, Munier Raychouni, Madhu Mohana, Graham Tatters, Syed Karim, Shahri Musa, Han Yiguang (Nawfal Shahib), Goh Swee Swee (Sahairi Ramri), Leonardo Alexio, Nigel Vanu (Jala) 

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SAFFC

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

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Courts Young Lions

Jasper Chan (GK), Afiq Yunos (Irwan Shah), Eddie Chang, Firman Hanif, Hariss Harun (C) (Shakir Hamzah), Nazrul Ahmad Nazari, Ignatius Ang, Eugene Luo, Syafiq Zainal, Haniff Sadique (Izzdin Shafiq), Khalili D'cruz 

Gombak United 

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

Home end losing streak

Home United ended it 2-game losing streak by beating Young Lions 1-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Firdaus Idros scored the winner.

In two other games, Hougang United defeated Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 at Hougang while Gombak United crushed Tanjong Pagar 3-0 at Jurong West.

Ratna Suffian had scored the winner in the match at Hougang.

In the Jurong West game, the goals came from Chang Jo Yoon, Kwon Jin Sung and Ridhwan Jamaludin. 

Hougang United

Fadhil Salim (GK), Lau Meng Meng, Shariff Samat (C), Syaqir Sulaiman, Ratna Suffian, Azhar Sairudin, Jordan Webb, Faizal Amir (Diego Oliviera), Noor Ali (Basit Hamid), Carlos Delgado, Mamadou Diallo (Emmeric Ong)

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

TPUFC 

Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Kim Seong Kyu (C), Ganesan s/o Devadas, Ashwin Tiwari, Kim Jong Oh (Benedict Low), Hyun Jong Woon, Azlan Alipah, Nurizam Azman, Gary Loo, Abdul Rahman (Justin Khiang), Patrick Paran (Shamil Sharif)

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Courts Young Lions

Izwan Mahbud (GK), Afiq Yunos, Faritz Abdul Hameed, Irwan Shah, Shakir Hamzah, Fazli Ayob, Izzdin Shafiq, Hariss Harun (C), Nazrul Ahmad Nazari (Eugene Luo), Syafiq Zainal (Haniff Sadique), Shahfiq Ghani (Safirul Sulaiman) 

Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Kenji Arai, Valery Hiek, Juma'at Jantan, Rosman Sulaiman, Nor Azli Yusoff, Isa Halim (Farizal Basri), Asraf Rashid (Firdaus Idros), Firdaus Kasman, Kim Dae Eui, Qiu Li (C)

Wilko first foreign captain in Thai league

ST photo

John Wilkinson has make history again according to the Straits Times as he has become the first foreign captain in Thai Premier league.

And the way the Singaporean found out was amazing as he was greeted by thunderous applause after being asked to stand in the middle of a team huddle during training two months ago, his Police United teammate said it was because they were amazed he was still playing good football at 31.

Minutes later, he found out the real reason and was lost for words.

The former Singapore Armed Forces FC playmaker had been named captain, becoming the first foreign skipper in the Thai Premier League's 16-year history.

And that after he has become the first Singapore footballer to play in Thailand when he joined the Phatum Thani-based outfit weeks earlier on a two-year deal.

'My coach (Thawatchai Damrong- Ongtrakul) has a really dry sense of humour, so he chose this method of breaking the news,' recalled Wilkinson.

'It's still a huge shock looking back at it. It was just my 10th training session with them, but it's a huge honour and shows my team's faith in me.'