Excitement

The new S-League season will begin next month if I am not wrong, and I sense that things are going to be better.

For one, SAFFC had made a couple of tall signings. This is a huge step forward.

For another, French-based club Etoile FC is given the nod. I have always craved for a European-based club to feature in the S-League, and I hope the team will give a tremendous fight for honours here rather than languish in mid-table.

With thanks to Today newspaper, there has been quite some information about the lineup of S-League clubs with the new signings. Having read articles about Home United and Geylang United, I believe there is hope that the scouting network is expanding into high quality grounds. This can only be beneficial for Singapore football.

Can't wait to catch some of these new players in action.

And where is Duric heading now? Who has any idea?

Singapore 1-3 Iran

This performance is not a bad one from our Lions. However, it was a lesson, that at the Asian level, unlike the Southeast Asian level, it is pertinent to keep mistakes to a minimum. And to be honest, we could have lost by a bigger margin, as Iran broke through on counter-attack on quite a number of occasions. Their 3rd goal was a top-class goal. A great goal to score, on the counter-attack, through ball, cut in, and backheel for a lob.

It was not meant to be a historic performance for us, though we had a sniff of it. We were utterly unlucky to concede a penalty early in the match, as Precious' interception was not really a foul, and even if it is, it should be on the edge of the penalty area. The troubles doubled after a slack pass from Mustafic, and Iran pounced on it easily.

The Lions have to be credited for showing heart continually. Shaiful Esah's corner, missed by a seemingly random leg from someone which if made contact, would have been a wasted opportunity, was well put into goal by Alam Shah. Brilliant.

Had Amri, who came on for the hardworking Fazrul, scored that diving header, it could well have been a different story. Singapore would not have been eagerly attacking and exposed in counter-attack. The 3rd goal they conceded was right after a blocked shot from distance after the corner was headed out of the penalty area. Their defence was sorely lacking at the moment.

Following Thailand's stalemate with Jordan, Thailand is now placed 2nd ahead of Singapore on head-to-head and goal difference. Singapore must muster a better result than Thailand to progress in 2nd place. Iran had already secured top spot, while Jordan is one point behind the Southeast Asian rivals.

If Singapore can muster a win against Jordan once more, I do think their qualification should be justified. The team is much improved now.