Let me ask you, what is the beauty of Singapore football?
You might be wondering this to be a very tough question, or just dismiss it as 'No beauty in Singapore football'. In fact, I am not very sure too. Despite being a local, and attracted to football here, I still have not found much. The thing is, you watch because it is happening near you, and you are interested at such things.
I plan to keep this post short and sweet, but pardon me if I don't.
Singapore is a small country, a little red dot on the world. Yet, with just 4.5 million citizens in SIngapore at the moment, we have successfully overthroned Thailand as the kingpins of South-East Asia. What do we have? How did we achieve that?
The government has a say in this. They are a good government, and they constantly promote racial harmony and thus led to different races willing to work and cooperate well with each other. Secondly, the system in the S-League shows that each club is allowed 4 foreign players. This really promotes the Foreign Talent Scheme used for recruiting foreign talents to our national football. I can easily name a few in the national team, such as Daniel Bennett, Precious Emuejeraye and so on.
Now, to the main point. Beauty of Singapore football? Is it because of the competitive title race? Lots of controversies? Quality football? What is the pull factor in this question?
My answer is: Support of Singapore, Passion for Football, and some more.
From the Malaysian Cup days, Singapore had done very well, in attracting attention. Now, we are trying to gnite that passion, which can be seen from the effects of our matches in the Asean Football Championships, which we eventually won.
We love football, the craze makes us get attracted.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
1st S-League match on TV for 2007
With this post, I mark my 35th post on this blog. This blog does not have a long history, and I am proud to be using this chance to present my Hattrick experience and various arguments and debates for Singapore football.
I shall be talking about, yes, the first televised match this year of the S-League. I had missed the first half an hour, which means the goal Indra Sahdan scored. I saw the replay, though, and it was a good, tight-angled goal from the striker. I was quite amazed when Liaoning FC was dominating from the start of the second half. In the end, they lost to a goal from young prospect Goh Swee Swee. I believe Liaoning had deserved more, but they end up rueing missed chances when a shocking lob hit the crossbar from the left flank. Another opportunity was greatly saved by Singapore's number 1 custodian Lionel Lewis.
Liaoning had proved to be good stuff. Their tactics of sending high balls is really effective, and Goh's winner proved to be a good goal that snatched any reward for the Chinese outfit. I certainly feel for them, as they had dominated proceedings in the second half and shown us what they are capable of. They just have to improve on their heading as, though they have more than 10 corner kicks, most of them ended up being cleared. Thye know how to win the ball in these situations, so they just have to work on their positioning and win more air battles to score more goals. Home United did not play like title favourites, and it was the Chinese team that shown more domination and determination than their opponents.
Kudos to the Chinese team, they will start collecting points very soon, and may end up better than Albirex in the rankings, if they improve on the points I have mentioned. At this point in time, Geylang United seems to be the most hardworking team, and the most champion-like team now is neither SAFFC nor Tampines Rovers. SAFFC appear off-colour, while Tampines' team is jaded and lacking confidence. Home is showing some champion-like appearance, having the ability to come back from being dominated in play to deal a killer punch and settle affairs. They do have enough quality to win the title, but expect stiff competition from Woodlands, due to their strikeforce, and SAFFC, when they regain their form.
Form guide (In opinion, not following much statistics):
In order:
Home United
Geylang United
Woodlands Wellington
Young Lions
Sengkang Punggol
Balestier Khalsa
Gombak United
SAFFC
Albirex Niigata
Tampines Rovers
Liaoning Guangyuan
Korean Super Reds
The bolded ones mean I am more sure with their positions.
I shall be talking about, yes, the first televised match this year of the S-League. I had missed the first half an hour, which means the goal Indra Sahdan scored. I saw the replay, though, and it was a good, tight-angled goal from the striker. I was quite amazed when Liaoning FC was dominating from the start of the second half. In the end, they lost to a goal from young prospect Goh Swee Swee. I believe Liaoning had deserved more, but they end up rueing missed chances when a shocking lob hit the crossbar from the left flank. Another opportunity was greatly saved by Singapore's number 1 custodian Lionel Lewis.
Liaoning had proved to be good stuff. Their tactics of sending high balls is really effective, and Goh's winner proved to be a good goal that snatched any reward for the Chinese outfit. I certainly feel for them, as they had dominated proceedings in the second half and shown us what they are capable of. They just have to improve on their heading as, though they have more than 10 corner kicks, most of them ended up being cleared. Thye know how to win the ball in these situations, so they just have to work on their positioning and win more air battles to score more goals. Home United did not play like title favourites, and it was the Chinese team that shown more domination and determination than their opponents.
Kudos to the Chinese team, they will start collecting points very soon, and may end up better than Albirex in the rankings, if they improve on the points I have mentioned. At this point in time, Geylang United seems to be the most hardworking team, and the most champion-like team now is neither SAFFC nor Tampines Rovers. SAFFC appear off-colour, while Tampines' team is jaded and lacking confidence. Home is showing some champion-like appearance, having the ability to come back from being dominated in play to deal a killer punch and settle affairs. They do have enough quality to win the title, but expect stiff competition from Woodlands, due to their strikeforce, and SAFFC, when they regain their form.
Form guide (In opinion, not following much statistics):
In order:
Home United
Geylang United
Woodlands Wellington
Young Lions
Sengkang Punggol
Balestier Khalsa
Gombak United
SAFFC
Albirex Niigata
Tampines Rovers
Liaoning Guangyuan
Korean Super Reds
The bolded ones mean I am more sure with their positions.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Channel 5 Live Telecast
I am very glad and proud of Channel 5 for bringing to us every Friday every week a televised S-League match. This is a good thing, but it has been continued from Channelnewsasia, who had brought the telecast to us for the past 3 years. One of my hopes for this deal is for Channel 5 to bring us consistent telecasts, unlike Channelnewsasia, who sometimes let the televised match give way to other programmes.
Another more pressing issue, in my view and opinion, is that Channel 5 bring us more live matches from the UEFA Champions League. I understand that the channel had fought hard to bring us telecasts from the Games: Commonwealth, Asian, SEA and Olympics. However, many people in Singapore likes English football and European football. Therefore, it is not a solution to force us just to watch our own brand of football. They should let us watch BOTH. As I have noticed, for past years, Channel 5 had brought to us selected Champions League matches, on every Wednesday and Thursday early morning. Last year, I was able to tape down exhilarating matches, most from my favourite club Arsenal's matches, against Real Madrid, Juventus, Villareal and Barcelona. I absolutely LOVE this matches. As I have also noticed, sometimes Italian football was provided in the early hours. Not everyone needs to watch it live, they can also watch it through having it taped! Also, the Champions League telecast also included a highlights show on Sundays, providing avid supporters who did not subscribe to Starhub somethng to cheer about.
So, I urge Channel 5 to continue fighting for our rights, by also broadcasting Champion League matches starting from next season. At least they should bring to us selected matches starting from the knockout stages of the competition, and also highlights of the matches on Sundays. They have done it before, so they can do it again. That is my pressing need! Help!!!
Channel 5 has worked hard, so I would like them also to fight for the televised matches of some top leagues, perhaps selecting top matches, like matches in the EPL between the top 4, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. In the Spanish Primera Liga, matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid, and Valencia, possibly also Sevilla. In the Italian Serie A, matches between AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and possibly AS Roma. This would bring us to a total of about 12 EPL matches, 6 Spanish matches, and a further 6 Italian matches. That brings a grand total of 24 matches, and a possible rise to around 30+, if some other matches are included, perhaps derby matches.
So, I urge Channel 5 to bring us exciting matches, and ensure that despite the fact that we may not be watching it live, but also that we are watching it delayed telecast. The Barclays EPL highlights is definitely a great hit for me! Hence, I would urge Champions League matches as the main priority, then the top league matches in Europe. Perhaps, the Club World Cup final.
To recoup losses, it would be perfectly alright, if Channel 5 can omit some other programmes that cost quite some money. This can include the golf tournaments that are not main or majors of PGA tournaments, nor are they our country's tournaments. Cut off some days of telecasts from the SEA Games or Commonwealth Games, while some other less popular sporting actions can also be omitted.
For the sake of the soccer-loving nation of Singapore, do us proud, and leave us more than satisfied not to turn to Starhub and let the less financial ability's to enjoy watching. Soccer, is, the best ever sport in the world.
Another more pressing issue, in my view and opinion, is that Channel 5 bring us more live matches from the UEFA Champions League. I understand that the channel had fought hard to bring us telecasts from the Games: Commonwealth, Asian, SEA and Olympics. However, many people in Singapore likes English football and European football. Therefore, it is not a solution to force us just to watch our own brand of football. They should let us watch BOTH. As I have noticed, for past years, Channel 5 had brought to us selected Champions League matches, on every Wednesday and Thursday early morning. Last year, I was able to tape down exhilarating matches, most from my favourite club Arsenal's matches, against Real Madrid, Juventus, Villareal and Barcelona. I absolutely LOVE this matches. As I have also noticed, sometimes Italian football was provided in the early hours. Not everyone needs to watch it live, they can also watch it through having it taped! Also, the Champions League telecast also included a highlights show on Sundays, providing avid supporters who did not subscribe to Starhub somethng to cheer about.
So, I urge Channel 5 to continue fighting for our rights, by also broadcasting Champion League matches starting from next season. At least they should bring to us selected matches starting from the knockout stages of the competition, and also highlights of the matches on Sundays. They have done it before, so they can do it again. That is my pressing need! Help!!!
Channel 5 has worked hard, so I would like them also to fight for the televised matches of some top leagues, perhaps selecting top matches, like matches in the EPL between the top 4, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. In the Spanish Primera Liga, matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid, and Valencia, possibly also Sevilla. In the Italian Serie A, matches between AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and possibly AS Roma. This would bring us to a total of about 12 EPL matches, 6 Spanish matches, and a further 6 Italian matches. That brings a grand total of 24 matches, and a possible rise to around 30+, if some other matches are included, perhaps derby matches.
So, I urge Channel 5 to bring us exciting matches, and ensure that despite the fact that we may not be watching it live, but also that we are watching it delayed telecast. The Barclays EPL highlights is definitely a great hit for me! Hence, I would urge Champions League matches as the main priority, then the top league matches in Europe. Perhaps, the Club World Cup final.
To recoup losses, it would be perfectly alright, if Channel 5 can omit some other programmes that cost quite some money. This can include the golf tournaments that are not main or majors of PGA tournaments, nor are they our country's tournaments. Cut off some days of telecasts from the SEA Games or Commonwealth Games, while some other less popular sporting actions can also be omitted.
For the sake of the soccer-loving nation of Singapore, do us proud, and leave us more than satisfied not to turn to Starhub and let the less financial ability's to enjoy watching. Soccer, is, the best ever sport in the world.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Effectiveness of foreign teams
What are the pros and cons of having foreign teams in a local league? Singapore boasts the only league in the world that have as many as 3 foreign teams in their league. This is not helped by the fact that our league only comprises a meagre 12 teams. Furthermore, it was increased from 10 two years ago! What's so good about foreign teams? Let's find out.
Having foreign teams boast our league's competitiveness. This is clearly one of the main benefits. However, from the matches till now, and the teams till now, I believe foreign teams are under-achieving, or they just doesn't have the required ability. Is it due to the weather in Singapore, or is it due to first-time jitters? Korean Super Reds have now lost another match, against Gombak United. However, they crumbled due to conceding three goals in the last 15 minutess. This could be due to the humid weather for the Koreans. Albirex has been, till now, the most successful team, with two 5th and 1 6th-placed finishes, and are likely to be the best of the foreign teams again. Liaoning's true ability has not yet surfaced.
Next, the foreign teams could boost our Foreign Talent Scheme. However, this point cannot stand. Look at players like Mustafic Fahrudin. They do not come from the foreign teams. Albirex and Liaoning are feeder teams, and their better players get to go back to the J-League. So, our scheme only selects players mainly from our local clubs.
Then, foreign teams can attract more fans. Again, this point can only be regarded a a half-point, since we local people usually support our local teams. For me, I do not have a supported team, but I would choose SAFFC. If not, this season, I would also support Geylang United.
On the other hand. foreign teams restict local players moving up to the level of the S-League. Foreign teams currently occupy a whopping 25% of our league, which means just 9 teams with local players. Furthermore, these local teams are allowed to have 4 foreign players in their teams. This further restricts it, since it is more likely these teams acquire players they are going to put in the first-team. Just look at Aleksander Duric, Therdsak Chaiman, Laakad Abelhadi, Park Tae Won. These are household names, or at least the better-known plaers, yet they are all foreigns.
On the whole, foreign teams are beneficial, yet only marginallly. Hence, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) should consider restricting the number of foreign teams to 2, or else they should expand the league to about 15 or 16 teams, with 3 foreign teams, and good foreign teams. They keep saying about the need for more Chinese and Indians. More local teams and more good prospects in the life after soccer could attract them to playing in the S-League. Now, only Shi Jiayi is the Chinese, and he is not even a local Chinese. We seriously need more people like Goh Tat Chuan. If expanding league size is not a good idea, why not have two divisions, with 12 teams in each division? So, the foreign teams can stay, but if they are not good enough, they would get demoted to the lower tier. And, the bottom two or three teams in the second tier can be replaced, and foreign teams will have to start from the lower tier and have to prove themselves before moving up.
I end this discussion, hoping FAS can get a hold of my humble opinions.
Having foreign teams boast our league's competitiveness. This is clearly one of the main benefits. However, from the matches till now, and the teams till now, I believe foreign teams are under-achieving, or they just doesn't have the required ability. Is it due to the weather in Singapore, or is it due to first-time jitters? Korean Super Reds have now lost another match, against Gombak United. However, they crumbled due to conceding three goals in the last 15 minutess. This could be due to the humid weather for the Koreans. Albirex has been, till now, the most successful team, with two 5th and 1 6th-placed finishes, and are likely to be the best of the foreign teams again. Liaoning's true ability has not yet surfaced.
Next, the foreign teams could boost our Foreign Talent Scheme. However, this point cannot stand. Look at players like Mustafic Fahrudin. They do not come from the foreign teams. Albirex and Liaoning are feeder teams, and their better players get to go back to the J-League. So, our scheme only selects players mainly from our local clubs.
Then, foreign teams can attract more fans. Again, this point can only be regarded a a half-point, since we local people usually support our local teams. For me, I do not have a supported team, but I would choose SAFFC. If not, this season, I would also support Geylang United.
On the other hand. foreign teams restict local players moving up to the level of the S-League. Foreign teams currently occupy a whopping 25% of our league, which means just 9 teams with local players. Furthermore, these local teams are allowed to have 4 foreign players in their teams. This further restricts it, since it is more likely these teams acquire players they are going to put in the first-team. Just look at Aleksander Duric, Therdsak Chaiman, Laakad Abelhadi, Park Tae Won. These are household names, or at least the better-known plaers, yet they are all foreigns.
On the whole, foreign teams are beneficial, yet only marginallly. Hence, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) should consider restricting the number of foreign teams to 2, or else they should expand the league to about 15 or 16 teams, with 3 foreign teams, and good foreign teams. They keep saying about the need for more Chinese and Indians. More local teams and more good prospects in the life after soccer could attract them to playing in the S-League. Now, only Shi Jiayi is the Chinese, and he is not even a local Chinese. We seriously need more people like Goh Tat Chuan. If expanding league size is not a good idea, why not have two divisions, with 12 teams in each division? So, the foreign teams can stay, but if they are not good enough, they would get demoted to the lower tier. And, the bottom two or three teams in the second tier can be replaced, and foreign teams will have to start from the lower tier and have to prove themselves before moving up.
I end this discussion, hoping FAS can get a hold of my humble opinions.
Monday, March 12, 2007
S-League
As the first round of the S-League draws to a close, I believe many people have a rough idea of what is likely to be the case for the rest of the season. As I offer my sincere and humble opinions, I do expect these opinions to come true, if not partially true.
As can be seen, Woodlands continued their remarkable start to the season with a 2-1 victory over last-season's Singapore Cup winners and league runner-up Tampines Rovers. Clearly, Tampines players are aging and they seriously need to draft in a new batch of young and energetic players to pose any serious threats to their title opponents. Meanwhile, Woodlands are a mix between youth and experience, or more like a team. They have lots of quality at the front, with Laakad Abdelhadi and Park Tae Won again scoring the goals. This is despite the departure of players like Agu Casmir and Itimi Dickson. Tampines should be wandering between 3rd and 6th when the July transfer window arrives, since they have not found replacements for the fast-aging Sead Muratovic, Mirko Grabovac, who struggled in the Beep Test.
Next, proceed to the match between last year's champions SAFFC and last season's wooden spoon awardees Sengkang Punggol. This match appears a total mismatch, but it ended 1-1. It can be considered a fluke, but you have to give Sengkang credit to even pull off this task, after managing a mere 18 points last season. It proves that their run to the League Cup final was no fluke. However, SAFFC have to seriously buck up, and awake from their hibernation, having just mustered a loss and a draw in this season's official matches. They too, have to find replacements for the older quality players, like Therdsak Chaiman and Aleksander Duric, if not they could end up like Tampines Rovers this season. When Therdsak left SAF seasons ago, SAF struggled, and only revived when this talismanic Thai returned to help pull the strings.
The match between Gombak and Geylang must be considered the least exciting of the matches this week, but seriously admit that this two teams are showing that they are capable to challenge for the top half of the table. For Geylang, it's a case of returning to the glory days, but they still have to work hard, and with skilful players too. Gombak have shown last season they can fight, and finished the season ahead of foreign outfit Sporting Afrique, and near Balestier Khalsa in the point tally.
Now, to the foreign teams. As I have already said, Korean Super Reds are really struggling, and surrendered easily to Home United. My prediction have been deemed invalid, as I ranked them a possible top 3. Now, I rank them in the bottom half of the table. As I say, you cannot judge a team based on just few matches. Maybe, if they win their next match, people will suddenly say they are good and rank them high. So mid-table is a high possibility. Home have shaken off their inconsistency in the League Cup and could easily end up as serious challengers for the title. I make them out as top 3, or even top 2.
Liaoning versus Young Lions bring out an interesting clash between Singapore's future prospects against Liaoning's future prospects. Young Lions did us proud by winning this 3-2, preventing any good start for the foreign teams. However, they are still unstable and I can't see them in a good position like they are at the start of last season. Maybe they will end up 5th. For Liaoning, I must say they did marginally better than their Korean counterparts. However, I can't see them picking any points against Home United in the first televised S-League match of 2007 on Channel 5. They should end the season challenging with Albirex and Gombak for 7th.
Lastly, Albirex versus Balstier. This match presents the best chance for the foreign teams, yet Albirex could only muster a weak 1-1 draw against Balestier, who are suffering from injury problems at such an early stage of the season. They should learn to be better, as their main team in Japan's division 1 just did recently: Hold Champions Urawa Red Diamonds to a 2-2 draw, scoring their two goals only in the last few minutes. Albirex could end up 7th. Balestier, with injury problems, could muster a late season charge, but should finish in the bottom three.
As I round up my points, these are the likely positions the teams will end up in.
Top 3: SAFFC, Home United, Woodlands Wellington
4-6th: Tampines Rovers, Young Lions, Geylang Utd
7-9th: Albirex Niigata, Gombak Utd, Liaoning FC
10-12: Korean Super Reds, Sengkang, Balestier
I end up saying, these predictions are subjective. I am likely to give more accurate ones in mid-season, when the transfer window opens.
As can be seen, Woodlands continued their remarkable start to the season with a 2-1 victory over last-season's Singapore Cup winners and league runner-up Tampines Rovers. Clearly, Tampines players are aging and they seriously need to draft in a new batch of young and energetic players to pose any serious threats to their title opponents. Meanwhile, Woodlands are a mix between youth and experience, or more like a team. They have lots of quality at the front, with Laakad Abdelhadi and Park Tae Won again scoring the goals. This is despite the departure of players like Agu Casmir and Itimi Dickson. Tampines should be wandering between 3rd and 6th when the July transfer window arrives, since they have not found replacements for the fast-aging Sead Muratovic, Mirko Grabovac, who struggled in the Beep Test.
Next, proceed to the match between last year's champions SAFFC and last season's wooden spoon awardees Sengkang Punggol. This match appears a total mismatch, but it ended 1-1. It can be considered a fluke, but you have to give Sengkang credit to even pull off this task, after managing a mere 18 points last season. It proves that their run to the League Cup final was no fluke. However, SAFFC have to seriously buck up, and awake from their hibernation, having just mustered a loss and a draw in this season's official matches. They too, have to find replacements for the older quality players, like Therdsak Chaiman and Aleksander Duric, if not they could end up like Tampines Rovers this season. When Therdsak left SAF seasons ago, SAF struggled, and only revived when this talismanic Thai returned to help pull the strings.
The match between Gombak and Geylang must be considered the least exciting of the matches this week, but seriously admit that this two teams are showing that they are capable to challenge for the top half of the table. For Geylang, it's a case of returning to the glory days, but they still have to work hard, and with skilful players too. Gombak have shown last season they can fight, and finished the season ahead of foreign outfit Sporting Afrique, and near Balestier Khalsa in the point tally.
Now, to the foreign teams. As I have already said, Korean Super Reds are really struggling, and surrendered easily to Home United. My prediction have been deemed invalid, as I ranked them a possible top 3. Now, I rank them in the bottom half of the table. As I say, you cannot judge a team based on just few matches. Maybe, if they win their next match, people will suddenly say they are good and rank them high. So mid-table is a high possibility. Home have shaken off their inconsistency in the League Cup and could easily end up as serious challengers for the title. I make them out as top 3, or even top 2.
Liaoning versus Young Lions bring out an interesting clash between Singapore's future prospects against Liaoning's future prospects. Young Lions did us proud by winning this 3-2, preventing any good start for the foreign teams. However, they are still unstable and I can't see them in a good position like they are at the start of last season. Maybe they will end up 5th. For Liaoning, I must say they did marginally better than their Korean counterparts. However, I can't see them picking any points against Home United in the first televised S-League match of 2007 on Channel 5. They should end the season challenging with Albirex and Gombak for 7th.
Lastly, Albirex versus Balstier. This match presents the best chance for the foreign teams, yet Albirex could only muster a weak 1-1 draw against Balestier, who are suffering from injury problems at such an early stage of the season. They should learn to be better, as their main team in Japan's division 1 just did recently: Hold Champions Urawa Red Diamonds to a 2-2 draw, scoring their two goals only in the last few minutes. Albirex could end up 7th. Balestier, with injury problems, could muster a late season charge, but should finish in the bottom three.
As I round up my points, these are the likely positions the teams will end up in.
Top 3: SAFFC, Home United, Woodlands Wellington
4-6th: Tampines Rovers, Young Lions, Geylang Utd
7-9th: Albirex Niigata, Gombak Utd, Liaoning FC
10-12: Korean Super Reds, Sengkang, Balestier
I end up saying, these predictions are subjective. I am likely to give more accurate ones in mid-season, when the transfer window opens.
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