Split not that bad

There have been much discussion on the plan by FAS to have a split system for the S-league next season.

To be honest, I have no problem with the split system as it bring the number of games in the league to 34-36 (depending on system) for the teams.

Of course, why I like the league to have a minimum of 30 games have been written before so I will say it briefly, it is for the good of the local league as it is next to impossible for a professional league to run for a season with too few games and what we see this season, with so many break, is a problem we should avoid.    

Indeed Duric must be wondering why we are taking a break yet again (As he spoke about it to the media a while ago) when the league just resume 2 weeks ago and this is the fourth time it is happening so how can the league build any momentum under such a situation.

Also a number of league have a form of split and it is not just Scottish Premier League but also the likes of Belgium Pro League and Greece Super League etc so they have their supporters.

As for those who given up on their split like Swiss Super League and Austrian Football Bundesliga etc they have still ensure they have 3-4 rounds system of games so as to have a reasonable of games.

So no matter what system one can think of, it is clear a need for a minimum of 30 games is unavoidable. 

Yet I do not believe in bringing teams into the league just for the sake of making up the number to 16-18.

A number of European (especially Eastern Europe) league do just that yet the problem they are encountering is directly linked to that; There are just too many weak teams plagued by weak management that will not survived in the dog eat dog environment.

Weak management is worse than any type of split system or even the previous three-rounds system and it can be seem in our current FAS president. (He is a weak president who I think have done nothing but is always around to claim credit and never around when there are problem to solve )

Just looking at some of the defunct S-league sides like Sembawang Rangers and Jurong FC - Sembawang management time saw them more busy fighting among themselves while Jurong management was noted as being unwilling to change or listen - showed us the problems ahead.

Where are we going to get the manpower to fill up the number we need if we want to bring the National Football League into the equation like some are suggesting.

Example: National Football League (NFL) Division Two club Admiralty FCis showing ambition by seeking S-league membership and they have the aid of one-time Woodlands Wellington mentor R Vengadasalam.

This is good and nothing against R Vengadasalam but my Viewpoint article - They will be remembered in time - will explain everything.

Father clock is not on their side and the problems Geylang United faced this season with new management (whom their fans are accusing of lacked of ambitions) showed the problems of getting the right persons (It can no longer be a one-man team anymore) at the right age as well. (It is a long process so they need decades on their clock) 

Like any plans there will be pros and cons and I have read many cons so here are the pros 

Pro of a split

• Top teams get more creditable games as they will be playing against stronger side (It is not just number of games like I say in the POV article - You scratch my back and I scratch yours - but also the quality)
• Bottom sides will also come out to play football more as unlike strong vs weak they will be more willing to come out against teams of their own strength so they will be learning more
• It does not affect the bottom half as much as talked about for even without a split the likes of Geylang and Woodlands will have little to play by the halfway stage for they cannot challenge consistently
• A Plate trophy can be created like some are suggesting although some will ask if it is fair a middle table team get a trophy when second do not have it

In the end, the Scottish Premier League also show us  that the split is not as bad as suggested for the Scots had the chance to ditch the system last year but in the end, they did not as they admitted there was no better plan for a 16-team league just have more weaker teams and will it help.

So the Split System has it own advantages for a country that cannot support too many teams at this point.

S-League sticks to 13 teams

The local media have reported next season S-league will remain as 13-teams so FAS are not admitting any new members.

This is despite interest from National Football League (NFL) Division Two club Admiralty FC.

The club, who have secured promotion to the NFL Division One next season after a dominant season, had expressed interest in joining the S-League.

It is understood that Admiralty's team manager R Vengadasalam had been in discussions with S-League CEO Lim Chin on the matter, since March but the chances they will be admitted look low.

AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Draw

Group A (Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok)
1. Thailand [host]
2. Vietnam
3. Philippines
4. Winners of the Qualifying Round

Group B (National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur)
1. Malaysia [host]
2. Indonesia
3. Singapore
4. Runners up of the Qualifying Round

StarHub League Cup 2012 Draw

Group A
SAFFC, TPUFC, Brunei DPMM

Group B
Albirex Niigata (S), Balestier Khalsa, Geylang United

Group C
Home United, Courts Young Lions, Hougang United

Group D
Tampines Rovers, Woodlands Wellington, Gombak United

Home and Tampines go down in final round of AFC Cup games

Both Home United and Tampines Rovers lost their final group game.

For Tampines, it did not matter much other than the fact it was their fourth game without a goal and it cost them yet another defeat as they went down 3-0 to Song Lam in Vietnam.

For Home United, it cost them a shot at first spot with Chonburi walking away with all 3 points as the Thai side won 1-0 at Bishan.

The Protectors will now have to face a tough away tie in West Asia against Syrian side Al Shorta.

Tampines Rovers

Sasa Dreven (GK); Anaz Hadee, Benoit Croissant, Jufri Taha; Ismadi Mukhtar, Fahrudin Mustafic (Aleksandar Duric 46’), Sazali Salleh, Ali Hudzaifi (Imran Sahib 46’); Davor Piskor, Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin, Ahmed Fahmie (Syaiful Iskandar 68’)

-----

Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK); Masrezwan Masturi (Indra Sahdan Daud 69’), Rosman Sulaiman, Franklin Anzite, Jeremy Chiang; Shi Jiayi, Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, John Wilkinson, Firdaus Idros (Frederic Mendy 31’); Shotaro Ihata (Hafiz Nor 55’), Qiu Li.

Third comeback secured Home their spot in last 16

Once again, Home United went into the break behind but once again they showed their prowess in the second period to secure a precious win.

All 3 of their win in Asia this season was thanks to their second period comeback and this one secured their spot in the last 16 with 1 game to spare in the group.

The goals came from regular scorer Frederic Mendy and defender Franklin Anzite,

Their next game in Bishan will still be of importance as it will decide the group winner which come with home advantage in the 1-tie game in the last 16 knockout stage.

In the other game in the group, Chonburi defeated Yangon 2-0.

Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK); Nor Azli Yusoff, Franklin Anzite, Kenji Arai, Jeremy Chiang; Firdaus Idros (Indra Sahdan), Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Shi Jiayi (Masrezwan Masturi), Qiu Li; Frederic Mendy, Shotaro Ihata (Rosman Sulaiman)

Stags AFC Cup dream over

If Tampines Rovers management were to conduct a review of their failure in the AFC Cup, it will not be any surprise to know the answer is their attack.

It was the third time in 5 games that they failed to find the net and without goals you cannot win.

They can claim they created chances but in the end the only stats that matter is whether those chances were converted into goals for if they are not then it is worthless in the end.

Like in this game which they had to win but could only play out to a 0-0 draw.

In the other game in the group, Song Lam chances were also ended as they fell to Terengganu 6-2.

Tampines Rovers

Sasa Dreven (GK); Anaz Hadee, Benoit Croissant, Jufri Taha; Imran Sahib, Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin, Sazali Salleh (Ali Hudzaifi), Ismadi Mukhtar (Hairulnazri Hanafi); Jamil Ali (Davor Piskor), Aleksandar Duric, Ahmed Fahmie.

Home get their win with second comeback

It seem Home United have to go into half-time losing to win games in Asia.

For the second time in 4 games, they went into the break behind but no problem as they Protectors came back in the second period to win it all.

Qiu Li and Frederic (2) got the goals for the Protectors.

In the other game in the group, Chonburi played to a 3-3 draw with Citizen in Hong Kong. 

Home United

Lionel Lewis (GK), Nor Azli Yusoff, Franklin Anzite, Kenji Arai, Jeremy Chiang (Indra Sahdan), Firdaus Idros, Sofiyan Abdul Hamid, Shi Jiayi, Qiu Li; Shotaro Ihata, Frederic Mendy.

Duric score to give Stags their first win

Aleksandar Duric found his scoring touch to give Tampines Rovers their first win the group.

His brace gave Tampines Rovers a 2-0 win in Malaysia.

It gave Tampines Rovers 4 points in the group and renew their chance of winning second spot.

Another win in their next game against leader Kitchee will be of utmost importance.

In the other game in the group, Song Lam also got their first win with a 1-0 win against leader Kitchee. 

Tampines Rovers

Sasa Dreven (GK); Anaz Hadee, Benoit Croissant, Jufri Taha; Imran Sahib (Ali Hudzaifi), Fahrudin Mustafic, Sazali Salleh (Fazil Zailani), Ismadi Mukhtar; Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin, Aleksandar Duric, Davor Piskor (Ahmed Fahmie)

Home win point at Yangon

Home United won a precious point at Yangon to continue to hold second spot.

The Protectors have 4 points from their 3 games thus far

In the other game in the group, Chionburi defeated Citizen 2-0 to cement their place at the top. 

Home United
Lionel Lewis (GK); Nor Azli Yusoff ((Hafiz Nor) Kairuldin Ishak), Franklin Anzite, Kenji Arai, Jeremy Chiang; Indra Sahdan Daud, Shi Jiayi, John Wilkinson (Firdaus Idros), Qiu Li; Shotaro Ihata, Frederic Mendy

Same old story for Stags

Once again, Tampines Rovers had the chances to win the game but once again they failed.

The reason was their failure to find the net yet again as Duric and his fellow teammates misses a few glint-edged chances while Terengganu took their to win 1-0.

Duric has always been the Stags best route to goal but now as he aged, he need help and the sooner the Stags give it to him the better for the team.

In the other game in the group, Hong Kong champions Kitchee defeated Song Lam 2-0. 

Tampines Rovers

Sasa Dreven (GK), Anaz Hadee, Benoit Croissant, Jufri Taha; Imran Sahib (Ali Hudzaifi), Fahrudin Mustafic, Sazali Salleh (Fazil Zailani), Ismadi Mukhtar; Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin, Aleksandar Duric, Davor Piskor (Ahmed Fahmie)

S-league could get ACL spot for 2013 after amendments

According to goal website, S-league is set to get a spot for the 2013 AFC Champions League (ACL) after amendments to it rules on entry to the competition.

Instead of having their slots taken away completely, Member Associations (MAs) who do not meet the criteria of participating in the ACL, will be handed points deduction instead.
 
A minimum number of 600 points out of a possible 1000 is, however, required for the MAs to qualify for participation.

And further news from Chinese based sites show S-league will be placed 8th thus occupying the last slot for the ACL playof.

Still it will be a tough job to get into the ACL group phrase as it may well be seeded so the S-league champion will be handed a tie against either a Chinese Super League, A-league or, best situation of difficult games, a Thai Premier League side.

Here is the table according to the Chinese media where the AFC Conference decided, before any checks, the East Asian slots.

Country	Group Stage	Qualifier
Japan	4	-
Korea	4	-
China	3	1
Australia	2	1
Thailand	1	1
Indonesia	-	1
Vietnam	-	1
Singapore	-	1

Aussies set to join EAFF

The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) is set to join the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) family according to news from Hong Kong.

They will be playing in the EAFF Cup although they have to start from the qualifiers.

Australia will be grouped alongside North Korea, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and the preliminary round winner (Guam, Macau or Northern Mariana Islands).

This is disappointing news for me as I had hoped FFA will join the AFF family instead as the benefits will not just be good for ASEAN football on the field but also off it as let be honest ASEAN FAs have much to learn commercially (Suzuki Cup is a success as the rights are held by WSG and not because ASEAN FAs run it well) 

ASEAN had it chance but it is just too scared to lose their only chance of a trophy.

Looked like ASEAN will be struck as Asia weakest region, alongside South Asia, for a lon.......g time to come whether we want to argue about it or not.

You scratch my back and I scratch your

The 1-0 defeat against Hong Kong is sure to result in a number of emotions.

Like this one at Kallangroar Forum from civotarum 

Before you start thinking we are superior to hong kong, maybe you should take a look at past head to head records between the 2 teams. From fifa.com, 6 matches played since 2000, Singapore has won 2, drawn 3, lost 1, not exactly superior..

I feel that hong kong are decent opposition, not great, but decent. Recent results include thrashing chinese taipei 5-1 and 6-0. And this was a chinese taipei team, we struggled to beat 3-2 at jalan besar barely a year ago.

I guess we should be satisfied that there are decent opposition for our national team to play, as compared to none at all. It is a good chance to test out some younger players who have little or no international experience. I am not even confident if we can get a victory against hong kong.

I do not disagree with it but that is not the crux of the problem for me.

It is the fact we no longer play any decent international football team on a regular basis anymore to improve ourselves in the long run from any such experience.

So whatever positives like the fact it give our youngsters good experience will be useless the next time they need it as they will have forgotten about it.

No matter how people want to look at this result, we cannot run away from the fact this is only our 3rd international this year that is including our World Cup Qualifiers.

Half a year is gone and during this time who had we played of international class (even by Asia second tier standard)

So what can anybody learn from just 3 games let alone one game.

The good results of the TRUE LIONS of the mid 2000s under then FAS President Ho Peng Kee came because we played as many as 20 internationals a year for a number of years.

But now!

This is thus what give inspiration to my header as national coach Raddy and our current FAS President (Yes that man from Bishan-Toa Poyah GRC) is  more concern about scratching each other back.

For each has been praising the other to sky to the SPH & MediaCorp Media in the last few months since the end of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Raddy told us that man Malaysia Super League project (MSLP) was a 'success' and it has given Singapore football a platform to success as he claimed playing the likes of Selangor or Kelantan is as good as international football already. 

If that the case, let look at this match report from footballopod and look at Raddy comments for he can tell us now that for many it was their first true international and so they had no experience.

And the main problem was they played too much long ball football which was not not how he expected them to play. 

So where is the experience of your so-called gelling and the 'tough' teams they are playing now.

My view is Raddy should look at the MSLP and tell us the football which we had dished out last night is in any way different from the way many of his youngsters played once there.

Because the long ball is effective in the Malaysia Super League (and I have noted that many times even before this project came to life) so what do you expect.

The reason is simple because defending there is nothing like international standard so if teams pump the ball often enough into the danger area they will get a chance or two.

That is why Singapore forwards find it impossible to score in international football regularly as even Hong Kong are not that generous.  

And let not go into the tough teams who are, by international football standard, not even considered so for if they are that good they will be in Asian Champions League and be like J-league; which was able to send 3 of it 4 representatives to the knockout stages. 

But of course Raddy has to back that GRC man as he backed Raddy to the tills.

Remember Raddy is that GRC man Arsene Wenger and helping to develop the beautiful football (or in turth the ugly British long ball method as he is turning a blind eye to it)

So is what Raddy and our GRC FAS president saying a myth or the turth - one can think for oneself.

The fact is anybody who believed we will improve by playing as few internationals as in recent times under our Bishan-Toa  Poyah GRC President and still improve by just playing most of our national players in the MSLP is crazy.

The Hong Kong result, if nothing else, has already tell us preparing for Suzuki Cup and SEA Games through MSLP is a joke for we all know the players will go back and play in the Malaysia Super League the same way as before and nothing has change.

More like back to the past and getting out of group stage will be celebrated in this age and time (It is not 70s or 80s anymore)

There is nothing like international football but the men in charge of the national team is just too busy scratching each other back. 

Development of youths not worth the money

For me this few sentences below make my headline and tell the story.

Yahoo interview

Lee admitted that having more financial muscle is helpful but is adamant that Singapore will look at ways to overcome the lack of it.

"Unlike other FAs, we have a limited budget and must always exercise financial prudence in everything we do. For example, instead of sending our youth teams for overseas training stints, we will arrange for them to play against older teams here first," he said.

It come from our regular 'no money guy' Winston Lee but as I note before this is hallow now as FAS is pumping millions into FAM through a Levy, foreign club subsidies and the footing of all the bills of the Malaysian teams traveling to Singapore.

It is NOT A SMALL BILL, Mr Winston Lee so how can you tell me FAS has no money when it is FAM 'BIGGEST SPONSOR'.

You can defend yourself only after releasing figures on how it cost just like you are willing to release the subsidy figure for local clubs.

Why is it you are willing to tell us how much money you 'pump into local football' (If they get the money as half of it is not guarantee unlike your money to FAM) but never how much you give to FAM.

What is there to hide!!!!!

Also if you or that man think playing older players is all there is to develop players then all the youths team can play your Malaysia team (Since it is costing a hand and a leg already)

But you guys must be the only guys in the world that think so as European clubs (since you mention Manchester United) DO SPEND REAL MONEY FOR THEIR YOUTHS TO TRAVEL AND DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS.

16th Great Eastern – YEO’S S.League Awards Night 2011

GREAT EASTERN Player of the Year
Mislav Karoglan (Singapore Armed Forces FC)

YEO’S Young Player of the Year
Tatsuro Inui (Albirex Niigata (Singapore))

MIKASA Coach of the Year
Koichi Sugiyama (Albirex Niigata (Singapore))

RHB Top Scorer Award
Mislav Karoglan (Singapore Armed Forces FC)

SINGAPORE POOLS Fair Play Award
Albirex Niigata (Singapore)

GREAT EASTERN Referee of the Year
Leow Thiam Hoe

WAGA Assistant Referee of the Year
Edwin Lee

TIGER BEER Goal of the Year
K. Vikraman (Balestier Khalsa - vs Gombak United on 25 March)

POLAR Fan Club of the Year
Singapore Armed Forces FC

RHB Story of the Year
“A conductor, a cheerleader” by Terrence Voon (The Straits Times)

SINGAPORE POOLS Picture of the Year
“Tampines trip up” by Benjamin Seetor (The New Paper)

YEO’S People’s Choice Award
Safuwan Baharudin (Courts Young Lions)

200 S.League Goals Award
Indra Sahdan Daud (Singapore Armed Forces FC)