The show must go on....

Balestier's Brazilian import Vitor Borges venturing into the Rams' heartlands

So much debate had been on-going if the S.League should have a recess during the World Cup period.

The argument is that with the "Greatest Show on Earth" grabbing the attention world-wide, the domestic league will be further deprived of attention and the crowds, as reported on the papers recently, are staying away.

However, in my opinion (as I already spelt it out during a discussion on this blog's FB page), we simply can't stop the league just because of the World Cup.

My reason being that it will cause a "piling up"of fixtures towards the end of the season.

Yes, for the fact that initially there was suppose to be a recess for the league during this period when there was a proposal for a joint-tournament between the S.League clubs and their Malaysian counterparts.

However, due to some technical difficulties, the whole proposal was scrapped off (anyway, I was told the Malaysians are not that keen to complete against the S.League clubs unless it's against SINGAPORE - talk about that "Malaysia Cup"sentiment).

Furthermore, with the YOG (Youth Olympics Games) to be held in August, the league will have its recess with the national team heading to Europe for a training tour in prepare for the Asean tournament at the end of the year.

Having a gap now for the sake of the World Cup, I'm not sure if it would break the momentum of some of the teams as a lengthy period without games with competitive nature might somehow jolt the form of these teams, especially of those who are "on the form".

For the sake of it, the show MUST GO ON...

(P.S: the match photos are of those of Prime League fixture between Gombak United and SAFFC at Jurong West Stadium and those of between Woodlands Wellington and Balestier Khalsa at Woodlands Stadium on the same day)

[Event] Nike Cup Singapore 2010 @ *SCAPE

Good thing was that the flood that devastated the island shopping belt did no damage to the *SCAPE , the venue of the Nike Cup Singapore Tournament (pictured above).

Under the blazing sun, 120 teams from the "Central Zone" of Singapore comprised of sides of both "Junior" (between the age of 14 to 16) and "Senior" (17 to 19) categories were vie for a spot to among the top 50 teams (25 each from each category) to represent this zone to complete in the Grand Final after the tournament completed its “around-the-island” tour.

According to organizers, this tournament will be played in other “zones” (i.e.: East, West,North Zones), following the completion of the “Central Zone”.

On top of the Nike trophy and products, the winning team of the “Senior” category of this tournament will get a chance to head to Brazil on an all-expenses paid trip to train in Granja Comary where the Brazilian national teams conduct their training sessions.

While the winning team of the "Junior" category will get a chance to train with our very own Singapore National Team, on top of $8,000 worth of Nike products!

SOME OF THE PICTURES FROM THE EVENT
The emcee briefed the participants of the rules and regulations

The showing of the advertisement clip - "Write the Future" before the start of the games.

It was packed with high-intensity play as the teams squared off with one and other.

Every move and ball was played cautiously and diligently.

As everyone was focused and determined.

Because at the end of the day, there will be a winning team.

And someone will walk away in despair

But sportsmanship prevails - that's the most important thing we learnt.

Unfortunately, if a goal is being scored... someone must make way for the others....That's football.

THE SHORT CLIP OF ONE OF THE MATCHES

Shot a footage of one of the matches taken place, so you guys would roughly have an idea how the games were played, just like at the old school basketball courts or on any open space.

A NOTE FROM THE ORGANIZERS...
Registration for the Nike Cup remains open as teams from the East, West and North zones get set to compete for the remaining 150 slots in the Grand Finals. The top 50 senior and junior teams from each zone will battle it out in the Grand Finals on 4 July.

FOR MORE PICTURES FROM THIS EVENT, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

For more information and to register, please log on to http://www.nikefootball.com.sg/nikecup or call the Nike Cup hotline at +65 6323 2054.

Some worthless relic from the past....

I must apologise for the recent lack of updating due to the fact that there are some tidy chores in my house for the upcoming repair works that's gonna take place in days to come.

As such, I might see myself being tied up for some packing and clearing up some stuff along the process. The last time round saw me unearthed the two precious TNP centerspread of the Malaysia Cup era and now here are some relic I discovered during my clearing out...

OLD MATCH TICKETS

I think match tickets are something just like a piece of stamp that reflected well on something that happened in the past. On and off, I would always get an email from a Belgian ticket collect asking for used ticket of the those Lions' matches.

Unfortunately, these used tickets below are not to be given away at any price for its significance.

(Pictured above) This ticket was the admission slip to the S.League Opening ceremony on 14 April, 1996 at the National Stadium where the Thai national team was in town to pit against a S.League All-Star Selection.

In the end, it was the guest that won the match and the ceremony was graced by the then Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong.

Noticed the SAFFC logo imprinted on the slip, this ticket was purchased at Jurong Stadium (the former home ground of the Warriors, with aid from an ITE classmate).

On 20 April 1996, the inaugural S.League season kicked off at various venues with Balestier Central took on Police FC at the Toa Payoh Stadium.

I was lucky enough to see the first ever S.League goal scored by Bosnia striker Esad Seijic (who incidentally scored the league's first ever hat-trick) against a Brazilian-fronted Police side, who eventually won the match 2-1.

If I'm not wrong, this match dated 14th June 1996 WAS NOT the match that recorded the highest-ever attendance in the league history, it was the returning fixture for the Rams-Eagles match at the National Stadium.

Despite purchased the "Gallery" tickets, I and a group of pals managed to sneak into the bench-section of the Grand Stand.

Think about it, it was only $12 then to catch an EPL side to play at Kallang (as compared to $88 to see Liverpool last year)!!

Fans got to see David Ginola (and we are STILL waiting for Etoile to fulfil their promise), Peter Beardsley of the Magpies, while a certain Alan Shearer was here as well (but the then manager Kevin Keegan wanted Shearer to be featured in his first game as a Newcastle player at Newcastle and let many Singapore fans disappointed).

9th November 1996 was a date to be remembered in the history of the Singapore football, as Fandi Ahmad climbed up to the podium to receive the brand new S.League trophy and declared Geylang United as the first ever S.League champions after beating SAFFC in the Championship match at Kallang.

FIXTURE CARDS

Here are some rather handy-size fixture cards for reference in the past.

I'm not sure if it's worth any effort to print them nowadays, since the fixtures frequently alter that I do really lost track at times.

Nonetheless, these cards made good souvenir and collectible items...

(From Top to Bottom) 1994's Singapore's fixtures in the Malaysian League, follow by the "Tiger Beer" Series and the "Pioneer" Series of the inaugural season and 1997 season saw the league starting off with 9 (instead of the supposedly 10) with the inclusion of Jurong FC.

The debut season modelled the J-League format for having a two-series format and a decider match to determine the Champions, unfortunately, after the highly-successful "Tiger Beer" series, the follow-up "Pioneer" Series was all but a disaster (as far as I concerned) with dwindling interest, probably because local fans were not accustomed of having such weird league format.

Therefore, the following season became a "single-series" format with the inclusion of Jurong FC and Landmark Marine Castle, however, days before the season started the latter pulled a shocker by abruptly withdrawn from the league.

Citing "no ready" as the primary reason, although weeks before that they allegedly tried to lure Egmar Goncalves from Police FC failed after the Dragons lodged a complaint against such dealing "behind the doors".

(Facts detailed above are based on my recollection and truth knowledge, please feel free to correct any factual mistake, thanks)

And the Winner is.....

INTRODUCTION
We have come to the end of the "Spot-The-Grammar-Mistake" contest based on this entry titled "Noticed the "M" or "W" effect in recent matches??".

As the rules stipulated in the second round of the contest (which was made known to those involved) that since none of the "short-listed" respond to the request to indicate whether they intend to follow-up in the second round of the contest, it was therefore decreed that the winner of the BOCAP will be decided by a "LUCKY DRAW" format.

THE CONDUCTING OF THE LUCKY DRAW TO DECIDE THE WINNER OF "BOCAP"





Footage recorded with ONE take...

THE ANSWER....
"Tampines Rovers suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Young Lions last mid-week, before came back strongly to whack Beijing last night, and while completed their "last-of third-in-seven" when they squared off against Etoile in the mouth-watering match in JBS."

The mentioned paragraph was written on 7th June, whereas Tampines played Etoile on the 9th, so doesn't that mean "completed" should not be used in the paragraph?

My mistake
While completed their "last-of third-in-seven" ... Etoile in the mouth-watering match in JBS.

My answer
While 'to be completed' their "last-of third-in-seven" ... Etoile in the mouth-watering match in JBS.

The winner will be contacted shortly... Stay Tuned.

I would like to add that there may be some opinions on the FINAL answer, but please bear in mind that ALL DECISIONS are FINAL, and hope in the good spirit like in any competition - Please respect and accept whatever outcome. Thank you

In random order...

The acclimatization for my new camera continues as I decided to put up some shots I captured before, during and after the games...

(Pictured above) Sengkang's new signing An Jae Cheul (no 7) reacted candidly after a smiling assistant referee Amos Lim ruled the ball in favour for Ivan Lovric's SAFFC after a tussle near the line.

The "Rajman" - Raj Kumar, editor of the 938LIVE Sports Team, getting ready before go on air before the start of the Singapore Cup tie between Gombak United and South Melbourne.

Nice leap by this Gombak player as he evaded the challenge from this grounded South Melbourne player, but it was the banner at the background captured more of the attention.

Despite not doing well in the league after their fine showing in the League Cup, these boys still have their faith behind the beleaguered Sengkang Punggol.

Sengkang's coach, Aide Iskandar put on a brave front facing the camera after another defeat at home.

Noticed the "M" or "W" effect in recent matches??

Geylang United (pictured above) after their exit from the AFC Cup, notched up some impressive result only until recently they lost to Balestier in the Cup SAFFC on last mid-week and Etoile over the week.

SAFFC's (pictured below) topsy-tury form continue after bounced back to beat Geylang, lost to an impressive Bulls in front of live TV audience, despite coach Bok claimed his team worked hard which was something for all to convince if that's the case.

Tampines Rovers suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Young Lions last mid-week, before came back strongly to whack Beijing last night, and while completed their "last-of third-in-seven" when they squared off against Etoile in the mouth-watering match in JBS.

While Stags' coach Vorawan Chitavanich (pictured below, middle of the white-shirted) has not been forthcoming on whenever if the packed schedule has begun to take toils on his "Dads' Army", but the sight of "blowing hot and cold" is definitely something not quite of he liking, especially his team is still holding a slim lead at the top over the rest.

On the hindsight though, things may be blowing hot and cold for these teams, it has been a season that caused a few unimaginative results with some impressive results from the perceived minnows.