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After the usual pre season controversy and dilly dallying the SLeague finally got under way last
night with a couple of games. Hougang United drew 1-1 with Tanjong Pagar at Hougang Stadium. Jordan
Webb gave the home team the lead but Takaya Kawanabe pulled the Jaguars level a few minutes later.
Just over 400 fans bothered turning up for the season opener.
"I always believe such cooperation
between clubs and their locality GROs (Grassroots Organization) will do more good than anything.
Both parties should leverage on the plus sides of each other to benefit themselves in the long run.
And this is something I hope the "joint event" this afternoon is not a "one-off"
event.
In a new bid to attract more interest it seems the SLeague have come up with a novel way of
releasing the fixture list for the new season. Taking a leaf from the harry Potter movies they are
announcing them bit by bit. The logic, such as it is, is that if it's good enough for JK Rawlings'
teen magicians it's gotta be good enough for the SLeague.
It's probably the worst kept secret in Singapore football beyond the would DPMM rejoin in 2012 but
Darren Stewart has moved to take charge of Balestier Khalsa after several years with Gombak
United.
Stewart had built an exciting team at the Bulls a couple of years back and looked set to break the
Uniforms monopoly on the SLeague when it was decided by the powers that be that Gabrial Obatala and
Kingsley Njoku could no longer stay in the country therefore depriving the team of their first
choice strikers with the seasons just 180 minutes old.
Two games played last night, two away wins in the SLeague. Wins for both Home United and Tampines
Rovers means the title won't be decided until after the SEA Games when the two collide.
Tampines needed Ahmad Fahmie's 89' winner to get three points at Gombak United while two second
half goals in 10 minutes brought Home the points and keeps them clear.
I have been most remiss in my coverage of the SLeague in recent weeks and I do apologise for that.
I hope to take some games in before the end of the season though.
So how do we stand as we enter the final furlong? I think it's fair to say it's a two horse race as
the table shows;
1 - Home United 29 22 2 5 72-28 682 - Tampines Rovers 29 21 3 5 60-23 66
Four games remaining and a two point difference make for another exciting climax to the SLeague.
This report suggests Persib Bandung are interested in a couple of Australian midfielders. Robbie
Gaspar has spent several years in Indonesia playing for clubs like Persita, Persiba and Persema but
has been without a club since leaving Persema during last season's short lived LPI.
The other Aussie reportedly interesting Persib is Goran Subara.
Malaysia Cup
Johor v Kedah 0-2Sabah v Perak 0-0Sime Darby v Terengganu 0-3PKNS v Negeri Sembilan 1-2Sarawak v
Kelantan 0-2Johor FC v Felda United 0-2T Team v Selangor 1-0PDRM v KL 0-3
Just one home winner in the opening round of the Malaysia Cup and even that saw one of the
favourites, Selangor, go down 1-0 to a goal by Alias!
I understand Gombak United coach Darren Stewart is being linked with a move to Johor ahead of next
season's Malaysia Premier League.
Aussie Stewart is in his third season with The Bulls and many felt the team would have won some
silverware in 2010 had the fates not conspired against them so cruelly.
Holding a 3-0 lead going into the 2nd leg of their Singapore Cup Quarter Final against Myanmar side
Okkthar United, Hougang United were made to fight all the way as the Myanmar team gave them a scare
or two. Fortunately for the daftly nicknamed Cheetahs, Jordan Webb's goal right on half time gave
them some breathing space but their 3-1 loss was enough to see them into the semis where they join
Albirex Niigata, who defeated them in the League Cup Final, and Home United.
The fate of both Hariss Harun and Safuwan Baharudin (pictured below) to join the national team for
the upcoming World Cup group stages qualifiers is still hung in a balance, despite having their
names on the 24-men squad list released by the Football Association of Singapore this evening.
Would Sufawan having the last laugh?
I have been overlooking the bread and butter over the last week; time now for an SLeague
update!
Young Lions v Hougang United 2-0Balestier Khalsa v Home United 0-4Etoile v SAFFC 1-0Tampines Rovers
v Geylang United 0-2Albirex Niigata v Tanjong Pagar 1-0Home United v Gombak United 2-1Balestier
Khalsa v Tampines Rovers 0-1
1 - Home United 22 16 2 4 56-21 502 - Tampines 22 15 3 4 42-18 483 - Albirex Niigata 22 14 1 7
49-22 43
18 - Mislav Karoglan (SAFFC), Aleksander Duric (Tampines Rovers)16 - Frederic Mendy (Home United)14
- Qiu Li (Home United)
14/08 Tampines Rovers v Home United15/08 SAFFC v Albirex Niigata16/08 Hougang United v Okkthar
United17/08 Gombak United v Etoile18/08 Home United v Tampines Rovers19/08 Okkthar United v Hougang
United20/08 Etoile v Gombak United 21/08 Albirex Niigata v SAFFC
Last year of course Bangkok Glass beat Tampines Rovers 1-0 in the final.
The crazy scoreline had protruded the leaky defensive woes facing both Singapore and Malaysia in
this much-anticipated "Causeway Derby" for the ticket to the group stages of the Asian World Cup
Qualification.
"Farra" scored in the 44th minute to make it 3-1 to Singapore It was virtually a game of two halves
with Singapore shackled off the early scare for letting the Malaysians to score in the first minute
through dangerman Safee Sali by walloped four goals in reply from Aleksandar Duric, Qiu Li,
Fahrudin Mustafic and Shi Jiayi before the end of first half.
You never know what you're gonna get with Albirex Niigata in the SLeague. The other day they
thumped Gombak United 5-1. Not long before that they got turned over by Geylang United, 1-0. Their
42 goals from 19 games makes them the second highest goalscorers in the SLeague behind Home United
and they sit in 4th place, 4 points behind leaders Home.
Geylang United v Woodlands Wellington 1-0Tanjong Pagar v Etoile 0-2Albirex Niigata v Balestier
Khalsa 1-0Hougang United v Gombak United 3-2Tanjong United v Geylang United 0-1Etoile v Woodlands
Wellington 3-0
That's five straight wins now for Geylang United with nothing let in. Not bad considering they had
won only two of their opening 13 games!
As a football club Phnom Penh Crown are doing much right. There is a professionalism about them
that appears to be lacking in other CLeague clubs. They have a small range ofmerchandising
available and, more important, they are investing in youth with an academy designed to attract the
kingdom's finest talents.
Last season, blogger Paul Mavroudis sent me his preview on his beloved South Melbourne FC's maiden
Singapore Cup campaign and this time round he took the initiative to pen his thoughts before the
Hellas are due to meet Albirex Niigata (Singapore) this coming Sunday at the Jalan Besar
Stadium.
Many thanks to Paul for his contribution.
You never know what you're oing to get with Gombak United. Before last night's game with Geylang
United they had won six and drawn six of their opening 15 games. Well, now they have lost seven so
figure them to win their next game. Geylang defeated them 1-0 thanks to Vasile Ghindau's second
half penaty.
Over 1,700, officially (!) turned up last night to see Gombak United take on Young Lions and went
home muttering and mumbling after seeing the visitors earn a surprise 2-1 win.
Fans were heard complaining that they had come to see the players fighting but they got a football
match instead.
It is expected that Straits Times will launch an investigation to find out why there was no fight
feeling that yet again Singapore football has besmirched the nation's honour.
Reports coming out of Singapore suggest national team coach Raddy Avramovic has sensationally
dropped several big names ahead of World Cup Qualifiers in July.
Out go Noh Alam Shah, Baihakki Khaizan, M Ridhuan, Agu Casmir and Precious. The only overseas based
in the squad of 30 are Mustafic Fahruddin, reportedly returning to Singapore next month, Shahril
Ishak, from the previously rebel Liga Primer Indonesia, and Khairul Amri.
For so long Sengkang Punggol were a laughing stock in the SLeague. If they dropped much further
down the league table, nobody ever once said, they would end up in the Batam Regional League.
Sengkang Punggol players couldn't score in Lorong 8 or Joo Chiat the mockers mocked. The guys
behind the now extinct Fish Out Of Water blog produced more than their heroes ever did.
Young Lions v Woodlands Wellington 509Etoile v Gombak United 502Woodlands Wellington v Tanjong
Pagar 753Balestier Khalsa v Etoile 602Tanjong Pagar v SAFFC 880
Grim reading eh? These are recent attendances at SLeague games and remember Etoile are the bloody
champions!
Much talk of strategic plans, much quotes from the great and good in the world game (sic) saying
how great the strategic plan is/was.
Geylang United v Tampines RoversHome United v Woodlands WellingtonEtoile v Tanjong PagarGombak
United v Balestier KhalsaSAFFC v Phnom Penh CrownSouth Melbourne v Albirex NiigataHougang United v
Young TigersPattaya United v Okkthar United
Five foreign teams this year, well seven if you include Etoile and Albirex Niigata.
Malaysia Super League
Terengganu v Selangor 1-1Perak v Kedah 1-3
Malaysia Premier League
Selangor PKNS v Penang SDM Navy 6-0Johor v ATM 0-0Penang v Penang USM 2-5Sarawak v MP Muar 6-0Pos
Malaysia v Sime Darby 0-3
SLeague
Woodlands Wellington v Gombak United 0-1
About 18 months ago it looked like Gombak United would be the team to break the stranglehold SAFFC
had on the SLeague. They boasted the best defence with Bah Mamadou and Obadin at the heart while
also boasting the most potent strikeforce in the country.
Agu Casmir headed to Persija in Indonesia, Kingsley Njokou has ended up with Phnom Penh Crown in
Cambodia while Gabriel Obatola is now with Pattaya United in the Thai Premier League after a spell
in the US with Portland Tomberwolves.
It hasn't been much of a season for Young Lions in the SLeague so far. They have just one win and
three goals from their opening eight games. The early season circus of Pele etc has been forgotten
as the season has now become one defeat after another; the latest coming in the last minute against
title challengers Home United.
With 10 games gone SLeague new boys Tanjong Pagar United have yet to light up the compeition.
Indeed, the opposite is true; they have become the whipping boys of the league as a team combined
of young players with the odd older head struggle to make any kind of impression beyond a team to
boost your goal difference against.
Former Gombak United central defender/defensive midfielder Goran Subara wants to return to the
SLeague when the transfer window opens in Indonesia. He currently plays for rebel Liga Primer
Indonesia side PSM Makassar who he signed for when they were coached by Robert Alberts and were
playing in the Indonesia Super League.
SINGAPORE, 30 March 2011: The S.League All Stars side to face the TAKE ACTION With
Albirex Niigata Selection in the S.League Cares, TAKE ACTION With Albirex Niigata Singapore
Charity Match at Jalan Besar Stadium this Saturday, 02 April has been officially announced.
The S.League All Stars are coached by three-time S.
(Media Information from the Football Association of Singapore)
SINGAPORE, 30 March 2011: The S.League All Stars side to face the TAKE ACTION With
Albirex Niigata Selection in the S.League Cares, TAKE ACTION With Albirex Niigata Singapore Charity
Match at Jalan Besar Stadium this Saturday, 02 April has been officially announced.
Indonesia Super League
Persib v Persiwa 5-2 (Milan Radovic 3, Airlangga, Hilton Moreira; Ferdinand Sinaga, Habel Satya)
15,458
Divisi Utama
Persita v Persiraja 3-1 (Christian Carasco 2, Rishaudi Fauzi; Christian Bekatal) 14,276Persipasi v
PSAP 3-0 (Arie Supriyatna, Asmar Abu, Zainal Anwar) 8,233Persih v Pro Titan 3-0 (Zahrul Bin Azhar,
Leanardo Veron, Friday Gbeneme) 3,678Persires v PSMS 1-2 (Choirul Anam; Rinaldo, Gaston Castano)
637PSBI v PSS 3-0 (Kurniawan, Arifin, Purwanto) 7,985Persekam v Persiba 2-2 (Harmoko, Abdul Rokhim;
Udo Fortune 2) 537Perseru v Persipro 2-0 (Mamadou Diallo, Aboubacar Camara) 2,518Persidafon v PSMP
2-0 (Ernest Jeremiah, Patrick Wanggai) 1,173Persigo v Barito Putra 2-1 (Iksan Abubakar 2; Sartibi
Darwas) 625PSLS v PS Bengkulu 4-0 (Carlos Sciucatti 2, Zulkarnein, Anton Irawan) 5,312Persikota v
Mitra Kukar 1-1 (Hendra Supatro; Erminarno) 3,784PSIS v Gresik United 1-0 (Rodrigo Santoni)
9,569
1 - Persiraja 19 12 2 5 33-21 382 - PSAP 19 11 5 3 28-16 383 - Persipasi 19 10 4 5 31-17 344 -
Persih 18 11 1 6 28-20 34
25 - Udo Fortune (Persiba)16 - Patrick Wanggai (Persidafon), Osas Marvelous (PSAP)
SLeague
SAFFC v Tampines Rovers 0-1 (Shadan Sulaiman) 3,008Balesiter Khalsa v Gombak United 1-2 (Vikraman;
Chang Jo Yoon, OG) 1,237
Referees seem to have gone card crazy in the SLeague this season. A whopping 12 yellows and one red
were issued at Gombak United a couple of nights ago while last night there were nine yellow and one
red. One guy even got a yellow for trying to take a corner outside the white lines; something that
I've been seeing more and more frequently over the last couple of years.
2009 saw Noh Alam Shah lead the Singapore exodus south to Indonesia. Followed by M Riduan,
Precious, Baihakki Khaizan and Mustafic Fahruddin it appeared Singapore internationals had been
seduced by the glamour, and wages, of the Indonesia Super League.
NAS and Riduan went on to win the ISL in their first season, collecting the trophy in front of
85,000 fans in Jakarta.
Before the 2010 SLeague season kicked off there were many who felt that Gombak United stood a fair
chance of securing their first ever title. Coached by Australian Darren Stewart they were a side
brimming with attacking flair and defensive stability.
Within a few weeks of course the dream was well and truly splattered by the red tape of Singapore
officialdom.
Pattaya United have signed Gabriel Obatola. The striker formerly played for Gombak United before
trying his luck in USA. He will partner another former SLeague hotshot (groan) Kengne Ludovick who
top scored in the Thai Premier League last season.
Having saw what he tweeted in the first place, I prompted Mr Neo Chee Seong (who contributed an
article last month) to come up with his list of players to fill up the vacuum after the disband of
the Singapore National Team.
Many thanks to Mr Neo for sharing his views on this issue.
Potential Players with Merits to be selected for Singapore National Squad.
