[Event] : National Day Challenge 09: Singapore vs China at Kallang on 12 August 2009

(P.S: Below is a press release by Strategic Public Relations Group Singapore, a renowned public relations consultancy who are coordinating the above-mentioned event)

Singapore, 28 July 2009

NATIONAL DAY CHALLENGE KICKS OFF WITH GRUDGE MATCH

Singapore Lions takes on China to launch new football event

Singapore – In celebration of Singapore’s National Day, the Singapore National Team will play China to kick off a new annual football event – the National Day Challenge.

Continuing Singapore’s birthday celebrations, the Lions will hope to win the first ever National Day Challenge against the Chinese national team which will take place on 12 August at the National Stadium.

The National Day Challenge 2009 is the brainchild of local sports and marketing consultancy firm, The Red Card Pte Ltd which is headed by former national footballer R. Sasikumar. According to Sasikumar, there are plans in place to bring other international teams. Asian giants, Japan have already been identified for future games.

“I firmly believe that this annual Challenge will play an important role in the ongoing development of football in Singapore. The tournament, although a Friendly, allows players access to a high level of opposition which provides them with a platform for competitive player development. In addition, this Challenge represents another opportunity to reach out to dedicated football fans within the Singapore sporting community. What better way to reinforce the values that make football so appealing, than to have it coincide with Singapore’s birthday?” said Sasikumar.

The National Day Challenge has no prize money on offer, but national pride obviously is at stake for both teams. The two teams last clashed in September 2006 during the Asian Cup qualifier where both teams drew 0-0 at the National Stadium. Earlier, China narrowly beat Singapore in Tianjin with a 93rd minute penalty, despite pre-match predictions that the host country would win comfortably.

The Lions would be eager to prove that the results were no flukes where China would want to regain the respect of being one of Asia’s footballing giants, having gone from playing in the World Cup Finals in 2002 to being ranked by FIFA as the 13th best team in Asia. Currently, China is ranked 108th and Singapore 127th in the FIFA world rankings.

The match is also crucial as part of Singapore’s preparations for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers where they are set to play against Thailand in November.

Says Singapore National Coach Radojko Avramovic, “We’ll be facing a quality team with good individuals who will be out to prove themselves as many are new to their team. It’s up to us to analyse our last game (against Liverpool) and to look at different options in our lineup. This game will be important for us to choose our best possible team to for the matches against Thailand.”

Gracing the event will be Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Madam Zhang Xiaokang who is set to be present at the inaugural challenge at the historic National Stadium on August 12 at 7.30pm.

Event and ticketing details are as follows:

National Day Challenge 09: Singapore vs China

Date: 12 AUGUST 2009

Venue: NATIONAL STADIUM

Kickoff: 7:30PM

Ticketing Locations

• Jalan Besar Stadium, South Entrance
  Available from 31st July to 11th August 2009
  Weekdays: 12pm to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm
  Weekends: 12pm to 6pm
  

• National Stadium
  Available only on 12th August 2009 from 5pm onwards

Ticket Prices

• Grandstand: $15
• Gallery: $10
• Concession tickets (For Gallery seats only)
  * Students (Primary/ Secondary/ ITE/ JC): $2
  * Seniors (60 and above): $5
  

**For football fans with NTUC membership, they will be able to purchase tickets at a discounted price from the ticketing counters.**

National Day Challenge Lucky Draw

Grand prize: A trip for 2 persons to go to Anfield to watch Liverpool vs Manchester United on 24th Oct 09.

• Includes travel and accommodation, the match tickets as well as tours to Anfield and Old Trafford.
• Valued at $5k.
• Lucky Draw coupons will be given out with purchase of every ticket.
• Not valid for concession and complimentary tickets.
• All completed entries have to be submitted to the allocated boxes prior to 7pm on match day to be eligible for the draw.
• Winner will be announced at half time, which is also the time that the draw will be held.

Instant Reaction: Singapore 0-5 Liverpool (edited)

(Picture from TV) Doesn't this trophy looks like the Malaysia Cup?

It was a soft, deflected goal from Andriy Voronin at the stroke of first half and the lapse in an indiscipline Singapore' backline in the second half saw the visiting the Liverpool ended their Singapore "holiday training camp" with a win over the hosting Lions at the heaven-know-when-will-tear-down National Stadium.

To be honest, I thought we did well to hold the 18-time English Champions for large part of the first half until that Voronin's strike.

But sad to say though that lack of discipline and composure eluded the Lions as they cracked as the game progressed.

What a shame as it was an ONE half performance, but NO SHOW in the second.

SOME REACTIONS FROM MY "FACEBOOK" LIST

(Some instant reactions from my "facebook" contact)

"thinks it's a shame we didn't give Pool a better fight... Better defending could definitely have prevented 2-3 of the goals!"

"I guess there was just no direction of whatsoever, individually they played okay I thought, but they were like 22 lost lions :("

"To think Liverpool lads like Kuyt and Benayoun did give the hosts a lot of respect from their attitude during the game."

" is amused how people, who know nuts about liverpool, supports liverpool, because they're liverpool."

"Singaporeans are cheering as our national team is being demolished..."

" Sad to see my fellow Singaporeans cheering for a foreign team instead of our home team....."

From a FORMER Liverpool supporter who was there to see them training....

Yes, I admitted that I used to be one of the KOP.

But that was many years ago and yesterday I was the National Stadium to catch the Reds' only "open door" training session in front of approximately 6,000 (just a rough figure).

SOME PICTURES TOOK DURING THE EVENT
Spot someone familiar?

These fans flew in from Hong Kong to catch their idols in action.

A lady fan claimed herself as "Mrs El Nino"

Attentive fans with their sights focused on the field

These two boys trying hard to get a better view.

Some players greeted the fans at the East Stand before heading to shower.

Not eating sour grapes but I do really hope the same passion and enthusiasm would be shown to our boys this Sunday as well.

May the best team win...

Food for thoughts

(Picture) snapped this at "Sakura" YCK stadium

I was at Yio Chu Kang the other day for a meal.

The dinning place was one of the two restaurants located at both ends of the Yio Chu Kang Stadium.

As far as I know beside YCK complex, various sporting complexes (e.g.: Jurong West, Tampines, Choa Chu Kang, etc.) around the island also have such dinning facilities incorporated into these premises.

Now, here comes the question - Does any of the S.League clubs thought of working out with these eateries to venture into corporate hospitality on the match days?

Just a tweak to the idea I mentioned before by having clubs venture into this business model that has been an important income earner in Europe.

As the matter of fact that clubs here do not own the stadium they based, thus it's impossible to have any dinning facility inside the stadium compound unless the SSC (the landlord) give the go-ahead.

With some of the grounds having this "ready-made" requirement so why not have a thought of it?

Basically the idea work like this: the club will host these corporate guests in one of these dinning places before the kick-off (i.e: Dinner Time).

After all the atmosphere inside such eatery would be more conducive as compared to the stadium itself.

Some kind of arrangements can be sorted out if these eateries can provide some perks to fans who attend the games (remember discount being offered by one seafood restaurant during the Malaysia Cup days by presenting the ticket stub).

Just rant an idea out again... any takers??

[Event]: Record of 104 teams graced the "H-TWO-O Ultimate Challenge" futsal event

The trophy is named after the GOH - A/P Ho Peng Kee, the Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Law, who is also one of the two advisers of the FAS.

A total of 104** teams took part in the futsal competition of the "H-Two-O Ultimate Challenge" held at the Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) campus at Ang Mo Kio.

According to the organizers, this figure of 104 had set a new record in the Singapore "Book of Records" for the largest number of teams taking part in a futsal tournament held in Singapore.

This event was held in effort to raise fund for the Jamiyah Children's Home.

The "Bishan Glory", played in the youth category, with skipper Amirul (second from right)

Met a friend, Daniel (pictured above, second from the left) who was there with his group of "kakis" taking part in the event.

Called themselves the "Bishan Glory", the group of five had known each other for more than four years and been playing the game regularly in their usual hangout where they live (Bishan, of course).

The "Sims" being natural for this shot here

While this team (pictured above) called themselves "Sims" which initially I thought they named the team after the "Sims Family", only to realize they are associated with SIM, the educational institute, instead.

Other than those groups formed by the "weekend warriors", there are also various S.League clubs represented by their COE teams.

A/P Ho (pictured above) graced the occasion and urged all to support all levels of football in Singapore, which had achieved quite a lot during his tenure as the president of FAS before stepping down earlier this year.

Ms May Ngiam, VP for Markerting of Yeo's (pictured right above) presented a token of appreciation to A/P Ho following his opening address.

Mayor Zainudin Nordin (pictured above), the president of FAS also said a few words before the commencing of the futsal event.

The symbolic kick-off by the VIPs

The referee brief the teams' skippers before the start of the matches.

The hockey field of NYP was divided into four makeshift "futsal" fields for this event.

The NFA boys checking out at the Group standings.

While the Tampines Rovers' youngsters were warming-up themselves with the ground staff doing some patching up of the arch.

The scores and group standings were updated constantly throughout the day

Geylang United's youth squad also made their presence felt.

(Picture above) S.League footballers like Razaleigh Khalik, Lionel Lewis, Isa Halim and Indra Sahdan were also involved in this event, as they pit their skills against a group of boys representing the Jamiyah Children's Home (in yellow bib).

National skipper Indra Sahdan Daud, who is also a part-time student of NYP, showcase his striker's instinct in this friendly.

THE WINNERS THAT EMERGED FROM A HARD DAY OF WORK

(Picture above) "RV140" fought their way out of the 51 teams that took part in "Open Category" to clinch the honour.

(Picture Above) The Tampines Rovers U18 "B" Team were crowned the kings of the "U-21" category.

THE RECORD-BREAKING MOMENT

Ms Ngiam represented the organizers received the certificate, that confirmed the record-breaking feat, from the official from the "Singapore Book of Records".

AFTERTHOUGHTS & SUGGESTION

It's definitely not easy to organize such a big-scale event, but the organizers did a wonderful job to ensure everything was smooth-sailing and thanks to the complimentary "H-TWO-O" that worked its magic to ensure all involved were always remained hydrated under the scorching sun.

Perhaps, further tweaking of the game's rules is necessary to encourage more passing plays and closer control of ball skills.

As the disappointing part in some games was to see some teams' "kiasuism" in playing the ball to the opponents' half by having the goalkeeper making long throw into the opponents' arch hoping his teammate would "flick" in a goal (must be the fact that we are being Anglophile in football-sense).

But that's not what the 5-a-side version of the game is all about...

Players should refrained from taking "piledriver" unless necessary in futsal.

As futsal should be a game more on "ground-play".

A place where players learn to develop close-control of the ball.

How to work your way out of a tight situation in a confined space.

Unless you are dead accurate with your shot (like this goal), not point whack the ball hard as it will go out of play and disrupt the flow of the game.

Many thanks and appreciations to Ms Belda Chen of Yeo's for making this blog entry possible.

(**P.S: It was later confirmed that the actual total number of teams took part in the futsal event was 104, instead of 106 after 2 teams did not turn up for the event and the whole event had raised almost $15,000 for the Jamiyah Children's Home)

太极(Tai-Chi) Football is perfectly fine....

Shadow Boxing football is a joy to watch actually.

As what Super Reds had shown us how fundamental skills were being applied to curb a superior team like SAFFC, who were, honestly, out-of-sort hours ago.

Pending how individual look at it, for me it was a joy to watch despite the snail-paced of football played as it's not very often we seen such simplicity style of being played in an era when the game is getting more complex with list of dubious formations and much focused on pace, rather than the basic skills we first taught to master at very young age.

AUDIO CLIPS FROM THE POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE

• Super Red's coach Jeon Kyeong Joon's comment after the game
  http://www.mediafire.com/file/kckdgq0yjmv/jeon-after-2-nil over saffc.mp3
  
  Coach Jeon pays tribute to his team for the efforts shown tonight and attributed the victory for controlling, moving the possession effectively throughout the game.
  
  
• SAFFC's coach Richard Bok's comment after the game
  http://www.mediafire.com/file/cdmqmai231y/bok-after-2-0 loss to Super Reds.mp3
  
  Coach Bok admitted that his team were not playing as a team and being "static" during the match, also felt the sending off of John Wilkinson before the end of the first half being the turning-point of the game.

Not yet a STAR but learn to deal with it too

"I didn't make him a star, the media did!" refuted a coach recently when asked about the less-than-desirable performance by his "star" player after another defeat to his team.

How true that statement was as a matter of fact it's only when a player who performed consistently well enough and therefore being mentioned in the media.

(Picture) ex-Sengkang coach Jorg Steinnebrunner with the media after their season opener

As this player continued to maintain his good form and help his team to gain victory after victory, it's inevitable that public would want to know more about him and his life outside football.

So this perhaps how the love-hate relationship between footballers and media developed.

Use it wisely not only it helps to lift up the profile and image of that particular player but having it works against you, the press pack will be the last persons one would want to see.

One classical example would be former national left-winger Lee Man Hon (P.S: Nothing personal here, just using his case as a case study).

When the then 19 year-old left footer made his presence in "Dream Team" of the Malaysia Cup days, his impact was immediately felt in that team that boasted the likes of established stars like Fandi Ahmad, Abbas Saad etc.

(Picture) Was Man Hon "killed" by the unnecessary media attention then?

Furthermore, being a natural left-footer playing on the left flank had solved one of the perennial headaches of the national coach then, coupled with the fact that being one of few ethnic Chinese players who always had that boyish grin of his face, it's not surprise to see Man Hon became a media darling then.

Sadly though, the former SAFFC, ex-Tanjong Pagar United winger found the fame and attention too much to handle, gradually saw him bowed out of the game due to injuries and that weight issues that been dogged him since his enlistment to national service (remember that infamous TNP frontpage that depicted a bloated Man Hon who was just enlisted?).

(Picture) One undeniable fact - the team and media must work hand-in-hand despite the differences

Which is why we see how delicate and difficult the balancing act is of the relationship between the two parties as mentioned earlier.

So what can we learn from this and ensure our younger generation from getting tangled in the web of mess?

Frankly, neither do I have a solution.

However having these budding footballers to engage in such media engagement is not totally an evil thing at all.

At least, they'll be trained on how to deal with the press at an early age as part of a character-building process, rather than being a "late-boomer" who might stammer when talking in public.

(Picture) Fury's coach Ian Ferguson claimed he was misquoted when asked about Robbie Fowler's status weeks ago

Although, some measures need to be taken care of to avoid spilling the beans and not to be misquoted on certain issues (remember NQLD Fury's coach Ian Ferguson had to come out and set the record straight after speculation went wild that marquee Robbie Fowler might not be playing against Tampines Rover during their visit here weeks ago?).

(Picture) Darby: We missing him, don't we?

At the end of the day, I feel that to revive the wanning interest of the league not just depend on improving the quality of play but also how crucial we have some colourful characters to spice up the interest like R Vengadasalam and Steve Darby (above) in the yesteryear to Brunei DPMM's coach Vjeran Simunic in the current season.

Although, at this stage a lot of the guys tend to be discreet in what they say in the public, if not like what Darby used to say,"I'm not sure am I gonna be FINE if I said this."

Testing Testing... post match video interviews of Rams-Tigers Clash

Shortly after the match at Woodlands Stadium, both coaches gave their brief assessment of the match.

(P.S: Sincerely apologize for the fact of the poor audio as it's been a long time I'm using my "Ranger"DV camera)


Balestier coach Nasaruddin Jalil shared his thoughts




Woodlands coach Nenad Bacina shared his thoughts

At least we got one side of the story now (Part One..)

After I blogged on why Bryan Soane's sudden departure from Balestier Khalsa had only side of the story covered , this morning's TODAY seem to have revealed the other side of the story.

(Picture) Soane and agent gave their side of story

Finally, we got the other side of the story after the news broke out weeks ago that the young Aussie striker had quit and went back to Sydney.

In the latest twist in the event that it was alleged by Soane's agent that "The club tore strips off him for doing nothing,".

Now that we had heard both sides' story, let's leave it to the league authority to look into it as too many opinions and views will lead us to no where.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/nnjnnqnixzn/1007SPC048.pdf - Cache copy of the story of the "PrtSc" above

[Event] : H-TWO-O Ultimate Challenge

In an effort to raise funds and the profile of orphans and children from disadvantaged families in Singapore, YEO’S will be holding its inaugural H-TWO-O Ultimate Challenge event on 18 July 2009 at Nanyang Polytechnic. This event will feature 2 exciting challenges - 5v5 Futsal and Biathlon.

5v5 Futsal is sanctioned by Football Association of Singapore. All proceeds collected will be donated to Jamiyah Children’s Home.

To register or information, please visit http://www.yeos.com.sg/htwooultimatechallenge/

Registration close on Sunday, 12 July 2009.

Shortly after that upset at Hougang Stadium....

... where a fired-up Sengkang Punggol defeated the newly-crowned League Cup champions, Brunei DPMM 2-1, coaches of both sides shared their thoughts with the media after the match.

• Sengkang Punggol's caretaker coach Aide Iskandar's comment after the game.
  http://www.mediafire.com/file/wykwz4yqnnm/Aide-after-SKP2-1-win-over-DPMM.mp3
  
  The former national skipper believed that his team had "learned from their mistakes after the matches against Tampines and Super Reds" and shows his appreciation to another former national captain Fandi Ahmad for the advice rendered during his team preparation since taking charge the Dolphins.
  

• DPMM's coach Vjeran Simunic's thoughts of the game.
  http://www.mediafire.com/file/4noonyjo5yd/Simunic-after-losing sengkang-2-1.mp3
  
  The Croation coach was duly waiting us outside the dressing room after we had our session with Aide.
  
  Coach Simunic admitted that missing of his several key players, fatigue were some of the reasons behind their defeat, while reiterated his view that the league is a tough one where every team is capable to beat each other.

(P.S: Guaranteed that the clips are full-unedited version and also trying out something new here, please feel free to feedback and comment if you have any thought, thanks)

The forgotten training ground outside Yishun MRT station...

(Picture) Took this picture yesterday during my train ride when the north-bound train stopped at Yishun station.

Of course, it's nothing usual about this green plot of uneven field and furthermore there's this sheltered walkout that linked the station to the nearest residential block, but what prompted me to blog something about it is because the field used to be the training ground of already-defunct Gibraltar Crescent SC, which used to play in old Premier League during the 1980s.

I still recalled many years back while on my way to my uncle's place in Yishun, I would have alighted at this MRT station and transferred to a feeder bus and it was during one of those visits I chanced upon an opportunity to catch the team in training.

Sadly though, the team, together with another northern-based team, Sembawang SC merged together as Sembawang Rangers FC to play in the inaugural S.League season in 1996, had faded away in 2003 when the Stallions decided to quit the league due to financial difficulties.

What a shame as the team that used to have the likes of Nazri Nasir, Thai midfield star Tawan Sripan and Noh Alam Shah, was one of the best-supported team in the league.

From Brunei's perspective....

(Picture) "PrtScr" from The Brunei Times

Got an email from a reader from Brunei who shared with me the match report of last night's match between Brunei DPMM and Balestier Khalsa at Bandar Seri Begawan.

Interested readers may wish to download a "pdf" copy of the match report from the link below:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/84y5xnmynn0/dpmm20bk.pdf

Thanks for the effort, Aziz