Start of S-League

Today is the day when Home United square off with newcomers Korean Super Reds. Home United had offered free admission into their 4,000 seater in the Bishan Stadium for this opening match of S-League 2007. Does this prove to be the new era for S-League, with more supporters being attracted by SIngapore football?

As S-League embark on their 12th season since its inauguration in 1996, who shall top the league? Who shall make good or bad impressions? Let us have a closer look. But before that, I challenge The Straits Times' prediction for the final rankings in this season. The writer had written that the three foreign teams, Albirex Niigata, Liaoning Guangyuan FC and Korean Super Reds, finish in 8th, 9th and 10th respectively. Is he belittling the ability of the foreign teams. Let me ask a question. What are the foreign teams introduced in the league for? They are supposed to challenge for the title or at least up the standards of soccer here. So, let me ask this writer, you may be predicting according to your real thoughts, and I don't challenge that, but please show some belief in the foreign teams. Korea, Japan and China are not that poor anyway.

The Singaporean public all support the local teams. So, while supporting the locals, please also give the foreign teams their due respect and not belittling them, just like predicting Home United would triumoh by at least 3 clear goals. Thye have only played 1 official match here, and that is a 0-2 defeat tp eventual League Cup champions Woodlands Wellington. We should not jump to sweeping generalities, and should instead hope that this foreign teams produce good stuff on and off the field and raise Singapore's football standard. We don't just want to be Asean champions and cannot qualify for the Asian Cup and Asian Games.

Predictions:

1 ) SAFFC
2 ) Home United
3 ) Woodlands Wellingon
4 ) Tampines Rovers
5 ) Young Lions
6 ) Korean Super Reds
7 ) Albirex Niigata
8 ) Geylang United
9 ) Gombak United
10) Liaoning Guangyuan FC
11) Sengkang Punggol
12) Balestier Khalsa

These are the predictions. I truly hope for the best of Singapore football in many years to be displayed this season.

And, Home United shall be held to a shocking draw 1-1 by Super Reds.