[Event] Live televised match back to heartlands at Bedok Stadium on May Day...

(Poster courtesy of Geylang United FC )

Live televised football is making its return to heartlands on the Labour Day (1st May 2009), when Geylang United will play hosts to defending Singapore Cup holders SAFFC at the Bedok Stadium.

The Eagles are enjoying some good run of form lately since Mike Wong took over as the head coach of the Bedok-based team, whereas the SAFFC Warriors aren't having that kind of luxury after that away defeat to DPMM that knocked them off from the top of the table days ago at Brunei.

Singapore Cup trophy

Still cup game is a different kind of ball game as it's a "knock-out" competition with whoever lose this fixture will have wait for another season to challenge for the coveted trophy (above).

So being a "long weekend" this coming weekend, it's a good option to head down to Bedok Stadium for a night to be filled with thrill and explosive actions rather than be at the pubs, discos or being couch potatoes!!

See you there, match kick-off at 7.30pm (Singapore time)

watchin' a game in a 33-degree climate

Just wondering how it was to catch a game in a 33-degree climate?

Anyway, it wasn't that HOT after all as I was under-sheltered at the Jalan Besar Stadium for the Prime League fixture between Sengkang Punggol and the national-U18.

The final score: National U18 1-5 Sengkang Punggol.

PICTURES FROM THE MATCH

"Plenty of fluid to stay hydrate"

"Alright, skippers, the usual stuff - Fair Play"

Sengkang's corner in the first half

Some close-up action shots from where I sat during the game

Sengkang's custodian-cum-skipper Amos Boon in action.

Q & A with former Balestier Khalsa goalkeeper Rizal Rahman

Rizal, in his younger playing days

INTRODUCTION

Former Balestier Khalsa goalkeeper Rizal Rahman shared with us his life after he hung up his gloves in 2007 and the difficulties he faced in a new environment that is totally different from his previous job as a professional footballer.

In this Q & A as well, Rizal tells us why he pledged most of his playing career with the unglamorous outfit, Balestier Khalsa (except in 2004, when he was released to play for Home United before returned to Toa Payoh Stadium a season later) and who were the ones been supportive throughout his playing career.

RIZAL RAHMAN Q & A

1) Please tell us how you first involved in competitive football, from school to S.League level.

"Like many boys, I started out with 'void deck' football and because the primary school where I studied don't have a soccer team, so I played for the Tampines Rovers youth team instead.

In 1992, we took part in a tournament organized by the NKF where we faced the 'elite' squad from the MILO soccer school in the final.

I performed well during that match by saving shots from likes of Indra Sahdan, Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin etc. But unfortunately, we lost the game in the end.

Following that, I was approached to join this "elite" squad by the coaches of the squad, Cikgu Samsuri and Cikgu Latiff.

From then onwards, I went to play for Home United Prime League squad before joining Balestier Central (now known as Balestier Khalsa) in 1999.”

At Old Trafford, Rizal is middle of the front row
(No trouble spotting Indra Sahdan but how about Ahmad Latiff?)

2) Your decision to quit playing full-time 2-3 years ago, was it because of injury or you decided to opt for a viable career option or otherwise?

"Both reasons contributed to my decision then. I injured my ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament ) in 2006 during a match against Tampines Rovers, even though I did recovered.

However, at the same time I would like to opt for a stable career path given the history of that ACL injury I sustained, so with one of my team-mates we decided to make the jump into the aviation industry."

3) How was it difficult to adjust to a new career that is totally not sporting type?

"It was very difficult then, as I don't have any prior working experience other than being a professional footballer.

But I glad that my new colleagues were helpful by giving me all the encouragement and also the pressure to perform well eventually see I fitted into my new career."

4) You mentioned before that some S.League clubs offered to take you on part-time basis but you declined because of work commitments, are you aware if there's some other ex-players facing similar situation like you?

"Yes, I'm aware that one of my former team mates faced the same problem as I did."

Inside Manchester United's Old Trafford home ground

5) How do you think is it difficult to juggle football and day job if you decided to accept those earlier offer?

"It will be very difficult to juggle both if one is on shift schedule like I do, but in my opinion, it may not be as tiring if he's on a 'eight to five' (office hours) job."

6) You last played for Balestier Khalsa, a team that emphasized on grooming talents than winning honours, do you ever felt a lack of satisfaction when playing for them because as professional player, winning honours is a way to motivate him to excel or you have different opinions?

"Winning medals, honours are important to a player's career but that's not everything. What matters most is the chance to start every game to prove your worth to everybody.

And for the fact that I owed a lot to Mr Thava (S Thavaneson, Balestier Khalsa's vice-chairman and team manager) for what I had achieved during my playing time, as he was always there to advise and encourage me whenever I had any problem.

And also the rest of those in the club like Karim (Abdul Karim Razzak, former Balestier Khalsa coach) and Zai (Md Zainudeen bin Hassan, Balestier's Head of Youth Development).

I guess it's my way to show my appreciation to the club by staying put."

"Anyone able to spot Steven G and Mike Owen here??" asked Rizal (not me, hehehe)

7) Who was your toughest opponent you faced in your playing career?

"Noh Alam Shah, as he is so committed whenever he is on the field, his aggressive presence on the pitch is enough to send shivers down everybody's spine."

8) Who was the defender in front of you that made you felt at ease then?

"Former skipper Darren Stewart (now head coach of Gombak United) made me feel comfortable whenever he was in front of me."

9) Who were the persons that inspired you most in your playing career?

"Mr Thava, of course, other than him, my parents, my wife and one of my paternal uncles who bought me my first pair of boots and tracked my progress throughout my playing career.

And also not to forget to mention gentlemen like Mr Elangovan, my goalkeeping coach at Balestier and those who coached me during my national youth team days like Cikgu Sies Senan, together with goalkeeping coaches Cikgu Ahmad Wartam (former national skipper Fandi Ahmad's father), Cikgu Khairullah and Yacob Hashim whom had been helpful during my developmental stage as a 'keeper."

10) Would you want to return to play in the S.League? If not, why?

"I don't see myself coming back as a player, given the work and time constraints I facing now."

With former national coach Barry Whitbread (on the extreme right)

11) Do you still play competitive football or being involved in non-playing capacity? I mean for your current employer or in the NFL, like some former S.League players do?

"I received offers from some NFL teams but declined because of the reasons mentioned earlier.

But I do play for my current employers whenever opportunity arises, like the annual match we played against our Malaysian counterparts whom we rarely defeat till I joined the company."

12) I aware becoming a coach is one career option for retired pro players, has that option came to your mind before?

"I would only consider becoming a coach, like as a goalkeeping coach, once my current career is stable as that is the most important thing to me now."

13) What do you miss most of your playing career?

"I missed those days, definitely, like getting ourselves prepare for the games, taking care of what we eat as diet is very important part to a player and also being focused and discipline as well.

At times, I do get calls from my former team mates asking me out a game of 'monkeying' (ball passing practice)."

14) Lastly, do you still keep track on S.League?

"Yes, I do read TODAY to keep myself update on the latest happenings in the local scene."

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I thank Rizal for making time out of his busy schedule to meet up for this Q & A session, allowing me to use some of his photos from his "Facebook" account for this blog entry.

Let's wish him all the best in his current career but sincerely hope, as what he mentioned once his career stabilize, will come back to the scene to contribute a way or another in developing next generation of talented goalkeepers like him.

AFC Cup Group H - Home United FC 5-1 Club Valencia (MDV) (edited)

The Final Score

TWITTER UPDATE
The "Twitter" box had been removed from this blog entry and you can trace whatever I "tweeted" on the right of the page (under the "BoLASEPaKO" on twitter menu).

PICTURES OF THE DAY & THE SHORT TAKE of THE GAME

Banner boys getting ready

It was indeed a tame affair as compared to ACL, as the crowds were much lesser than expected.

Maybe like what a friend mentioned,"most of them might be at Selegie now" (Selegie being the place where Singapore Pools HQ is located and they offered to broadcast this game to those punters who were there.)

Teams lining up before the start of the game.

Two quick goals under less than 10 minutes by Home United had stamped their authority in the game as the Maldivian struggled to cope with the onslaught by the Protectors right from the start.

An unmarked Firdaus Idros volley home after Fadzuhasny Juraimi's shot was cannoned off the frame in the third minute, before Peres de Oliveira headed home the second goal after he connected well to a Juma'at Jantan cross from the left in the seventh minute.

Pre-match pleasantries

Peres turned provider twice following that by set up a nicely laid ball to a surging Kengne Ludovick who blasted from outside the box to make 3-0 in the 24th minute and low crossed the ball to an unmarked Juma'at Jantan in six-yard box to slot home in the 36th minute.

Shot of the action from upper tier

Valencia scored their consolation in the 64th minute when Nkemi Arim tap-in from a Rilwan Riley's cross from the left, the visitors seemed able to crawl themselves back to the game by staging such decent offensive plays following that , though it was rather too late as the reality was that they were already three goals down with their oppenents shifted their game to a lower gear then.

Ludovick's free header from an open play resulted from an Itimi Dickson's corner made it 5-1 in 78th minute after some failed attempts before that.

And with this victory, Home United see themselves edged closer to the next round...

POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE...

Club Valencia's Coach Jozsef Dzurjak, just as he about to leave the room.

"For the first five minutes, my team went to sleep and I'm not happy with their performance." said Club Valencia coach Jozsef Dzurjak in his very (less than FIVE minutes) brief assessment of his team's poor showing.

"We scored early in the third and seventh minute which gave the boys the confidence in this game" said Mr P N Sivaji (pictured left on above with Radio 938 reporter Philip Goh) in his post-match assessment.

"During our half-time talk, I told the boys to put aside the 4-0 first half lead.

"Valencia started strongly in the second half as they begun to throw their players forward, forced us to make some mistakes which we need to address these problems before our next league game against the Super Reds." added the former national coach.

[ADV] Sale pitch for BOCAP... Your support will be greatly appreciated.. thanks

Well..

I agree that some felt this cap is selling a bit expensive and I do admit that this a rather bland design cap (being someone not that artistic) BUT this cap here is just a small step and effort for me to move towards the direction to make this little blog of my to be self-sufficiency.

Whilst I don't see this cap is a hot seller (anyway it never meant to be) but neither would I or can I lower the price, as I must be fair to those who already bought the cap.

All I can say is given its limited quantity of 50 caps, the profit margin of each cap is not even a cost of curry puff you bought from "OCK".

So your kindness of helping out by making purchase to buy this cap will be great appreciated in helping to sustain the operation of this blog - "BoLASEPaKO - a simple view on Singapore Soccer".

Thank You very much

Biggest Blooper!!!! by Mediacorp (edited)

Snapped this shot from today's TODAY's TV listing pages and those of you guys are sharp enough will see what I'm trying to say, get it?

Anyway, the game was full of missed chances and thanks to a lucky bounce off John Wilkinson that the defending champions beat the Super Reds to climb to the top of the league standings.

As what SAFFC's coach Richard Bok (on right) said, with his custodian Shahril Jantan on his right.

Newly-recruited Feiruz Abdul Hanib Mahmud (above) is Super Reds' goalkeeping and fitness coach, represented the club in the post-match press conference.

1989 Hillsborough Disaster - In memory of those 96 who lost their lives

"Hillsborough Disaster" clip from Youtube

It's hard to imagine that 20 years had past since that tragic day in Sheffield.

This was probably the first time such a human tragic event unfolded in front of my own eyes, on television.

Soon after Peter Beardsley missed a chance to give Liverpool the lead in this ill-fated FA Cup semi-final match, the TV cameras switched the attention of the millions viewers to Leppings Lane terrace, where the tragedy happened.

This blog entry is dedicated to those who lost their lives on this day, this time 20 years ago...

(P.S: Please kindly exercise your utmost respect to the deceased, should you have anything to comment, thanks....)

BoLASEPaKO unable to access ?

Hi Folks...

I'm not sure what had happened but on 13th April 2009 around 2230hrs onwards, this blog is down with the error message shown (as depicted above).

I still couldn't figure it out what's the cause... Just wondering if other people facing the same problem?

Shell-shocked is too nice a word (aftermath the 7-1 game)-(edited)

The SMS update!!

Shell-shocked is too nice a word to describe last night 7-1 demolition of Sengkang Punggol by a revitalized SAFFC.

I still struggling to come to term why the Dolphins, after yet another promising pre-season hype up, failed to deliver?

Not reacting to that "shell-shocker" but because of the network jam last night (Picture credit: Mr Gan Meng Yeow of Kallangroar.com).

Quality players being signed (the national team skipper, a national team defender, some seasoned players and a group of foreigners who impressed in the pre-season friendlies) and a revamped backroom staff are in place, so what happened?

Credit to Sengkang for holding the defending champions up till to almost 30 minutes before the floodgates opened, did had their fair share of chances with Indra Sahdan, Murphy Wiredu el at making their presence felt in the Warriors' box.

But with backline comprised likes of Daniel Bennett and Kenji Arai, both whom struggled against J-League champions Kashima Antlers days earlier, standing their way, it's no wonder things were looking tough for the sky-blue outfit.

Canadian striker Anthony Bahadur, whose second half consolation goal did little to reduce the deficit, is another player who must have failed to live up my pre-season expectation on him (kind of sad that as I always thought the trio of him, Wiredu and Indra would be the key of the Dolphins, which I hope it's not my naive then that blinded me for me to say that).

"Staying positive, looking forward and not dwelling on the past" suggested by a colleague, are the only tasks now for the Hougang-based club.

It may be tough to achieve those now, however that's the ONLY way out if Sengkang Punggol really want to stop the rot now.

For any players who joined this club should know they have something to prove their detractors wrong, and what could be a better way than to turn the tide around now with Sengkang?

If not, as what another friend commented after their opening loss to Gombak United (the picture above was posted before that game), "Sengkang were JUST PLAYING LIKE Sengkang!"

Noh Alam Shah's interview with "Trivela"

Once again I got an email from my Brazilian friend, Renato Andreão.

This time round, Renato conducted an interview with Tampines Rovers star striker Noh Alam Shah.

In this interview, "Ah Long" shares his thoughts with Renato on his ambitions for this season and gave his opinion what could have led the current trophy drought at Tampines, despite at a time boasted one of the potent striking line-up in the league.

And some "touchy" issues in which Alam Shah also gave his slight insights on his past, the national team and his take on the Asian Cup qualifier opponents likes of Jordan, Thailand and Iran.

http://www.trivela.com/Conteudo.aspx?secao=44&id=20411 (again in Portuguese.. so you may need "Google Translator", unless you read Portuguese.)

(P.S: Many thanks to Mr Renato Andreão for conducting this interview and allowed me to have it post up here..)

"Simunicism" Part TWO.. (much subdue version...)

DPMM's coach Vjeran Simunic watching his team warming up before their game vs Gombak

Not only fans will get to see two of three unbeaten (so far) sides - Brunei DPMM and Gombak United in action for THIS WEEK's "Friday Night Football" fixture at Jalan Besar Stadium. Fans will also get up close and personal with DPMM's Croatian coach Vjeran Simunic, who is slowly gaining a cult following for his exquisite use of words in the media and also his distinctive, expressive way in urging his team from the sidelines.

Definitely an option worth consider to spend your Good Friday night at a football stadium, where mouth-watering football actions are set to unleash to the crowds.

So see you guys LATER(10th April) at the Jalan Besar Stadium for this fixture, kick-off at 7.30pm and admission is FREE (and don't be a lazybum at the comfort of your couch, come down to see the action LIVE!!).

DPMM fans at the stands.

Someone "familiar' helping out in the stands.

DPMM's supporters lauded the performance of their heroes.

PRESS CONFERENCE PHOTOS

Gombak's coach Darren Stewart (above) greeted the media with a cordial smile before he commenced sharing his thoughts.

“We are disappointed to concede the goals through set-pieces” said the Australian coach.

“I would not blame anyone for conceding goals like that (through those set-pieces)” added coach Stewart.

“We got to be gracious in defeat as it's important to get over it, regroup ourselves, prepared ourselves for the next game and not dwell on it” said the former Johor and Balestier Central defender.

A much subdued Simunic (above, center) presented himself to the media after their victory over league leaders Gombak.

"We have smaller (built) players as compared to those tall players they (Gombak) have" said the moustached Croatian coach.

"It is the fighting spirit we have as we stayed behind (to defend) the goal.

"It's important for us to collect points at this stage to meet our top-five target, as the S.League is a tough league where every team is capable to beat each other."

"But my players still prefer playing on natural grass and in my opinion, the (artificial) surface (of Jalan Besar Stadium) is good for younger player under 25 year-old" said coach Simunic.

ACL Group G : SAFFC 1- 4 Kashima Antlers (edited)

PREVIEW

Kashima's Brazilian coach Oswaldo de Oliveira, at the pre-match press conference, also feared the artificial surface at Jalan Besar might affected the performance of his team.

Although weather wise in 'keeper Hitoshi Sogahata's words (in sleague.com) "It is humid but we are pretty acclimatized after training this morning. We are confident of performing once we are used to the weather".

BEFORE THE START OF THE MATCH

Using "Twitter" partially for this update.

A group of Japanese media already at work when I reached the ground.

The giant banners unfurled by the visiting Japanese.

Zico - the Brazilian legend still revered among Kashima's fans.

These fans flew in from Japan for three days to catch their heroes in action.

FIRST HALF SHORT TAKE

Not doubt it was a case of mis-match as the gulf between the two teams shown right from the start of the game.

The visiting Kashima Antlers true to what they promised, and shown no mercy to their Singaporean counterparts with their sheer aggression (but that's what SAFFC needed if they want to learn anything called "experience" from ACL).

Such precise and swift movements shown by the Japanese champions was liken to that of a surgeon having an operation.

Kashima opened the account of the night when Masashi Motoyama scored from close-range, after Hafiz Osman failed to prevent Atsuto Uchida from center to the box that reached Motoyama in the 222nd minute.

But Hafiz redeemed himself two minutes later with the equalizer from inside the six-yard box, having nicely latched onto a Therdsak Chaiman's cross from left. A porous SAFFC's defence allowed the visitors to snatch the lead back in the 42nd minute through Uchida before sending the teams back to the dressing rooms for half time interval.

Kashima's supporters indeed made their presence felt.. Well Done!!

SECOND HALF SHORT TAKE

Barely could SAFFC settled into the second half, Kashima showed their might again as early as in the 47th minute when Yuya Osako's header increased the deficit between the two, following some nice touches and pass from Brazilian import Marquinhos.

Things were not going SAFFC's way as skipper Aleksandar Duric saw his spot-kick saved at the near post by 'keeper Hitoshi Sogahata in the 57th minute after Park Tae Won was brought down in the penalty area by a Japanese defender.

I guess the Warriors were given a lesson that was really well-taught for playing at this level with Daniel Bennett's own goal in the 93rd minute closed the day at 4-1 to the visiting side.

PRESS CONFERENCE

"I thought we played quite well at some stages (of the game) and gave a good account for ourselves, just unlucky that we lost to a higher-level team (like Kashima)" said SAFFC's coach Richard Bok (above, right) in his assessment of his charges' performance.

"Duric is still my captain and still gives his best and yes, despite having a lean spell at this moment" added coach Bok when quizzed by the media about skipper Aleksandar Duric's less-than-impressive outing.

"For the last three games, we always raised our game and I hope those performance shown in ACL will bring to the S.League as well" concluded the Warriors coach.

A stern-looking Oswaldo de Oliveira greeted the media and blasted the match officials for the number of yellow cards awarded to his team.

"We come here to win, get the three points and our goal is to qualify for the next round (of the ACL)" said the former Santos, Flamengo, Sao Paulo (and the list goes on...that's impressive eh) coach.

"SAFFC gave up in the second half their defensive play and we could have scored some more goals" when asked about his impression of his opponents.


There were two translators at the press-conference, who were there to provide both Japanese and Portuguese translation to English whenever was necessary (with this impressive lady translator who speak with a crisp American-accented English).

AFTERTHOUGHTS

The visiting Japanese fans definitely gave a footballing lesson to their hosts counterparts, just like their heroes on the field did.

Despite small in numbers, the group of fans, comprised of both gender, young and old, had shown what's football cheering is all about unlike those "template" we saw at most of the grounds.

(P.S: the "twitter" had moved to the sidebar on the right, and on-and-off will make its presence on the main area when necessary)