Near dead Silence (Last post for year 2005)

After the uproar caused by the SEA Games squad's failure to achieve something out of nothing, the local scene seems quiet lately.

Except for some active discussions going on at some online local football based forums, it's relatively quiet .

Osagie Ederaro had left Singapore after an impressive showing with Balestier, with words of that the negotiation for an extension had broke down between the two parties.

Another Nigerian Greg Nwokolo will be headed south to ply his trade in the Indonesian league.

With the news of both Ahmad Latiff and national team skipper Aide lskandar joined Johor, are probably the notable transfer news so far (and l was told the duo fitted in nicely)

Maybe that's an Asian mindset or whatsoever, local fans don't really know who is going to feature in their teams until the season is about to kick off.

Unlike the European clubs who always made known to the media who they are targeting at. Most of the off season negotiations take place behind the scene.

Perhaps the fear of "hijacking" that's why some of the discussion took place behind the curtain.

Anyway, having tagged closely behind the happenings of the local scene, l will heading for a short break, thus taking this opportunity to wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

FROM SITE TO BLOG

(the logo on the left commemorated the 9th anniversay of BoLASEPaKO)

I made a decision months ago to convert this website into a blog.

It came at a time when the blogging community is under intense surveillance from all corners, following some high profiled cases threw some bloggers over the sensitive remarks posted.

Nonetheless, always strive for something that never involved with those unnecessary l had decided to proceed.

The reasons of having BoLASEPaKO to convert into a blog are mainly because of the following.

• Better archiving of what l had said and commented (sometimes, have to crack my brain just to recall what l said)

• Cut down the time and hassle of uploading,
  adjusting the layout of the site
  (with the Blogger, it has becoming a ease to do so)
  

So would like to shift the focus of the site rather for it's layout and graphics to more on it's contents.

Hi then Lo

In short, the year 2005 started with a bang on 16^th January.

The day we were crowned as the football kings of South East Asia, by clinching the Tiger Cup in front of the sea of reds.

Unfortunately though, the third-on-the-roll failure to
advance to the semi-finals of the bicentennial SEA Games football tournament, had sent the football fraternity tumble to ground zero yet again.

What a waste...

SINCHI BYE FOR NOW, PHEW!

The withdrawal at eleventh hour by Chinese Club Sinchi FC was "well-received" by large number of s-league supporters.

Goodness gracious, at least it save us a trip to that daunting "wild, wild west" arena.

Never a favourite among the fans and media alike, thus I don't really habour too much hope on whether how they going to promote futsal (though being a keen fan of the five-a-side version) from the scratch, when they can't even carved a niche after three years of "assimilating".

STILL DON'T GET IT?

I don't hide my sceptical beliefs about Sporting Afrique and Sengkang Punggol FC.

The failure of Paya Lebar Punggol (PLP) had once again proofed that hastity admit a team after a short presentation, not only is like losing a "battle of Waterloo" but a damaging factor to the league on whole.

More fans and potential sponsors will give a miss if the sorry spectacle of the Seashorses repeat again, in this case for Sporting Afrique and the newly-formed Sengkang Punggol FC (joint-venture by Sengkang Marine and PLP).

Even in established leagues, the NBA's Toronto Raptors and NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars were given ample time (from bidding to be the franchisee, signing of players and etc.) to prepare themselves before their debut in their respective leagues.

I would beg some clarifications to be explained by the league authority for the "kiasuism" shown in admitting these teams.

If not any Tom, Dick or Harry could produce a fanciful, "too good to be true" proposal and join in the fun, with the paying fans at the losing end, as always.

Itimi and Agu In a Limbo?

(Picture taken early this year, with Itimi facing the camera after the Lions final training session prior the Tiger Cup Final)

These two guys been under intense scrutiny, following their far from satisfactory performance in the recently concluded SEA Games.

Now following their release from the Young Lions, both Agu Casmir and Itimi Dickson will be wasting no time to seek a new employing club.

Unfortunately, their current form and high wages have been the stumbling blocks.

Which is why this blogger would like to ask, what if both of them can't secure a new contract, is there any aid for these naturalized citizens should they remained out of job?

After all, being paid to kick the ball is probably the only thing they can do to earn a living and also being a full time sportsman, there are always risks like nagging injuries that could shorten one's career.

Which is way this blogger is kind of worry, what if Agu remains an injury prone player and (touch wood!) being forced to end his career prematurely, would that be any help or assistance provided to cater this scenario?

Perhaps, those worries had been taken into consideration before they decide to assimilate into the paper-chase, status cautious Singapore society.

If not, some aid or scheme should be in placed to provide necessary assistance, should the need arises.

Heading Down Under

While we have this on going talks of having our players ply their trade in the foreign leagues.

National skipper Aide Iskandar (pictured on the left with the blogger) will be heading to nearby Johor to join the Southern state in their quest to rejoin M-league elite.

Though not as shocking as what Hasnim Haron did in the early 90's since Aide is at the sunset zone of his career.

But what triggered a bigger shocker is when news were made known when prime time players likes of Indra Sahdan Daud, Agu Casmir were being targeted by other Malaysian clubs as well.

Thankfully though Indra committed himself to another long term deal with Home Utd.

As some commentaries pointed out it's never a wise move to play in the league across the causeway since there's a decline in playing standard and attendance (except for the Malaysia Cup final, which is still enjoying a healthy figure as told by a Malaccan who claimed the atmosphere being "havoc").

It came at a time when everybody are pondering if the new pro soccer league could hold itself against the other deeply established leagues of other football codes ,such as the Aussie Rules (AFL) and the Rugby League's NRL.

The Aussies, by clinching their World Cup berth has definitely boasted the profile of the fledging A-League.

So the thought of playing down under ever crossed the minds of our local players?

Their rather close proximity to us, English as the main language and the football link between the two nations is strong since the days of Abbas and Alistair, counted as some of the contributing factors on why Singaporean players shall give it a try.

With prominent players like Viduka, Kewell earning a living at EPL and other European leagues, it is pretty clear that scouts from Europe have been constantly look out on Australian talents.

Therefore, it could be an option to use the A-League as a springboard to European leagues, rather than having to travel half the earth only to be rejected despite the blessing given (here I'm talking about Noh Alam Shah's European adventure.)

After all, we're talking about rubbing shoulders with the likes of Sydney FC's Dwight York on the field and former Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon (pictured on the left, credit:Liverpool FC's Official Site), the head coach of Perth Glory FC, off the field.

Former S-Leaguers like Stuart Young (former Woodlands), Andre Gumprecht (ex SAFFC) and etc. are being some of those players we saw here, now earning their bread and butter over there.

So what's holding back? Nguyen Truong Van's saga? I certainly hope not. However, if any Singaporean player even got a chance to be there . Perhaps their skills would eventually "heal" the "wounds".

(P.s: Many thanks to Mr Adrian Chan for picture taken with Aide Iskandar)