Versatility is his key as Utility man Butler seeks to prove himself.

Utility man Jake Butler is out to prove himself

During last November's centralised foreign player trial conducted by the FAS, they helped to rope in the likes of Kiwi Jeremy Christie, who eventually went to play for New Zealand in the World Cup in June.

In bid to position itself as the source to provide quality import players to the S.League, Trebol Sports International left no stones unturned as they introduced another New Zealander, Jake Butler to the local football scene.

Butler, who presently plays for Waitakere United, came to Singapore with a big reputation back home in the Kiwis' football fraternity for skippering his team to the domestic league championship – the New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC), last season.

Initially, the thought of playing abroad never came to the 26 year-old's mind until Christie, his former team-mate at the club, encouraged him to do so.

“It never crossed my mind to play overseas, until Jeremy (Christie) told me I should give a shot at it.”

“And I'm very grateful to my family for their moral support and to my club, especially since the new season has just started, for allowing me to come up to Singapore seek out some opportunities.“ said Butler whose initial reluctance to venture outside New Zealand was purely due to his family and work commitments.

“However, by making that decision to venture aboard as a full-time player, I hope to earn myself a professional contract in the S.League that allows me to solely concentrate and improve my game.

“Whilst I want to stay in Singapore for a while to prove myself, seeking out opportunities like playing in the J-League in the near future is another thing I hope to achieve as well.” added the part-time footballer who holds a day job as a sale representative.

Butler in action for Waitakere United (Photo credit: Phototek)

Despite not having played for any club outside New Zealand, Butler is no stranger to the international scene.

As the Oceania club champions twice in 2007 and 2008, Waitakere United earned the right to be featured at the biggest stage in club football – the FIFA Club World Cup.

Recalled those days when he competed against some of the world's top footballing sides, Butler reminisced, “It was more of getting opportunities to play competitively against some of those top teams like Manchester United, and we might just be one stage away from meeting them.”

Unfortunately, on both occasions, the club which hailed from the fifth largest city in New Zealand, lost to Adelaide United of Australia and Iran's Sepahan in 2007 and 2008 respectively in the mandatory play-off which determines who earns the right to progress to the next round of the tournament.

“But it was good to see Waitakere being ranked alongside the best in the world then.” said the center midfielder who is a loyal servant to his club since joining them as a youth player as 18 year-old.

Butler with the blogger (Photo credit: Mr Bryan Lim of "Trebol")

Footage of Butler in action

Although, Butler's strengths lie in both his defensive and attacking qualities and fit perfectly as a towering striker for his 1.85m frame, he admitted that his preferred position is the "hole" behind the strikers where he could provide them with the essential support.

“Back home at games in New Zealand, I'm basically given a free role in games by my coach (Neil Emblen) and in Singapore, they played me as a striker in some of the trial games with a few of the local clubs.” revealed the player who was named as the captain of the “All Star XI NZFC” team recently.

According to Mr Bryan Lim, the Sporting Director of Trebol Sports International, the talent scouting firm that facilitates the Kiwi's stay in Singapore, part of the itinerary other than arranging trials for Butler is to offer the player a chance to get familiar with the local football culture.

“After the story on Jeremy Christie appeared in the papers back in June (pictured above), we have been receiving enquires from interested clubs who are keen to take a look at some of the players we have scouted.

“It's something really positive for a new start-up whose main business objective is to scout for quality foreign players to play here and enhance the quality of the S.League.” said Lim who formed the partnership with two other friends last year.

Nearing the end of the interview, Butler was asked to state the likely problem he will be facing should he be offered a chance to turn professional in Singapore.

“Being away from home for such a lengthy period for the first time is something I'm likely to face in the early stages. However with the means of communicating through the internet, I think I should overcome that.” said the player nicknamed “Booms” who is the doting father to two girls - four year-old Leyla and seven month-old Emmie.

[MEDIA RELEASE] Young Lions and Beijing Guoan players allowed to train following FAS Appeals Committee hearing

(Media Information from the Football Association of Singapore)

SINGAPORE, 25 October 2010: Young Lions’ Fairoz Hasan, Gabriel Quak, Khairul Nizam, Madhu Mohana and Beijing Guoan Talent’s Meng Yang, Su Boyang, Zhang Ye have had their appeals allowed by the FAS Appeals Committee (AC) regarding their suspension from ‘all football related activities’.

The players will now be allowed to continue training with their respective clubs during the period of suspension. The fines and the period of suspension imposed on each of the players remain and the players will not be permitted to participate in any competitive football matches as well as football competitions in all its forms at the national, club and grassroots level.

The seven players were charged with bringing the Great Eastern – YEO’S S.League match between Young Lions and Beijing Guoan Talent into disrepute for their conduct and participation in the mass brawl on 7 September 2010.

The players had pleaded guilty to the charges made against them before the FAS Disciplinary Committee (DC) on 21 September 2010.

- END -

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
25 October 2010

[Feature] Nike5, a breakthrough collection of footwear that transforms the small-sided football game

(The content of this entry is obtained via the transcript provided by Integrated Marketing Solutions Group [IMSG] - the PR agency for Nike Singapore)

(P.S: The copyrights of the images depicted in this blog entry belong to Nike, unless stated on the images itself.)

The culture of football reigns supreme both on and off the regulation pitch. From the cages in England to the streets of Rio, the game has evolved from adaptations of small sided football that have taken shape all over the world. Renowned for lightening speed, fluid dribbling, precise control, one touch passing and shots from all over the pitch, the small sided game (as pictured above in the Nike Cup Singapore 2010) has matured and demands footwear designed for its specific styles.

Players are bound to find a boot to fit their game, with a collection of boots led by the Nike5 Elastico Finale (caneta) and Nike5 LunarGato (sala). With a range of surfaces and game styles, the Nike5 footwear is designed to the exact specifications of specific small sided games. Caneta is primarily played on indoor courts, while Sala is played on hard surfaces such as dirt and hard courts; both originate from Latin America. These homegrown games are quickly expanding around the world.

For the footballer to master their game, in their city, on their turf and by their own rules they need the best product to give them the edge in the competitive and evolving world of urban football.

The 2010 Nike5 Collection includes:

Caneta: Nike5 Elastico Finale (pictured above)

• Revolutionary outsole technology enhances underfoot ball control in all directions
• Full transition lightweight outsole increases 360 degree ball control while enhancing touch for quick distribution
• Anatomically contoured barefoot construction provides a lightweight fit
• Forefoot debosed dots work with the Kanga-Lite synthetic leather upper to provide a soft touch, while amplifying touch under more impact

Sala: Nike5 LunarGato (pictured above)

• Lunarlon platform technology, tuned specifically for the small sided game, maximizes balance stability, support and cushioning
• New Gum Rubber outsole design provides traction, flexibility and underfoot ball control
• Forefront leather upper cushions ball impact enhancing touch and control
• Seamless no-sew system increases comfort and flexibility
• Protective rubberized screen provides durability and strength in high-impact zones
  

The full 2010 Nike5 Collection will be available at retailers beginning October 1.

Here in Singapore, the Nike5 Elastico Finale will be available from 1st October onwards at a retail price of SGD 149, and the Nike5 LunarGato will be available from 1st November onwards at a retail price of SGD 139.

Both products will be retailing at the Nike Flagship Store in Wisma Atria (pictured above). For more information including photography and insights into the small sided game visit nikemedia.com.

[MEDIA RELEASE] Teams gear up for RHB Singapore Cup semi-final

(Media Information from the Football Association of Singapore)

SINGAPORE, 21 October 2010: Tampines Rovers will take on the Young Lions in an all-Singaporean semi-final of the RHB Singapore Cup while last year’s beaten finalist, Bangkok Glass will face off S.League leaders Etoile FC in the other semi-final match.

The Stags will host Young Lions in the first leg at the Tampines Stadium next Wednesday 27 October at 7.30pm, while the second leg will be held at the Jalan Besar stadium on Saturday 30 October.

In the other semi-final match, Thailand’s Bangkok Glass will meet Etoile FC on Friday 29 October at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The match will be televised ‘LIVE’ on MediaCorp Channel 5 and on StarHub Channels 201 and 222, at 7.30pm. The return leg will take place one week later at the Queenstown Stadium on Friday 5 November.

2010 RHB Singapore Cup Semi Final Round Fixtures:

Wednesday 27 October 2010
Tampines Rovers vs. Young Lions (1st Leg)
Tampines Stadium
7.45pm

Friday 29 October 2010
Bangkok Glass vs. Etoile (1st Leg)
Jalan Besar Stadium
7.30pm (‘LIVE’ on MediaCorp Channel 5)

Saturday 30 October 2010
Young Lions vs. Tampines Rovers (2nd Leg)
Jalan Besar Stadium
7.45pm

Friday 5 November 2010
Etoile FC vs. Bangkok Glass (2nd Leg)
Queenstown Stadium
7.45pm

(Kindly note that the matches on 27 October (Wednesday) and 5 November (Friday) will not be featured ‘LIVE’)

-End-

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
S.LEAGUE
21 August 2010

All square a piece at SOS Cup 2010

(Pictured above)The veterans shown their mark of respect to the late Mr Dollah Kassim

SHORT SCRIBE OF THE MATCHES
It's all square a piece at the Sultan of Selangor Cup 2010, as the Selangor veterans avenged for their last year's lost to their Singapore counterparts with a 1-0 win at the Shah Alam Stadium, thanks to a Sharin Majid's strike in the last third minute of the match, which was played 20 minutes each half.

(Pictured above)Balestier Khalsa's coach Nasaruddin Jalil (right) in action against Selangor Veterans

While the marquee match saw the Singapore Selection destroyed the Selangor Selection 6-0 in front of the approximately 60,000 of their adoring Klang Valley supporters.

To be honest, the home side just returned to their home base after they lost to Kelantan a night before that saw them knocked out of the prestigious Malaysia Cup competition.

(Pictured above) Selangor in tatters

Aleksandar Duric jolted the confidence of the Klang Valley giant with a first minute strike, before Etoile's Freddy Mendy scored twice before the game was adjourned for half time.

Following the break, SAFFC 's Ivan Jerkovic, who replaced John Wilkinson in this tournament, scored immediately after the game restarted and with two more goals from Juma'at Jantan and Duric towards the end, the Singapore selection side retained the Sultan of Selangor Cup.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS UNIQUE RIVALRY
Last I mentioned last year, this unique rivalry between Singapore and Selangor is an indispensable part of the footballing history of both sides of the causeway.

While in some parts of the worlds, where hatred in the rivalries are firmly rooted but not for the case of these veterans from both sides, as depicted in the picture above that ex Lions' skipper Samad Allapitchay (in white-red top) embraced Dato' Soh Chin Aun, his Selangor counterpart from their heydays in the 1970s before the veterans' match.

As they would say, "On we fought hard on the field, but we are all good friends off the field".

THE SELANGOR FANS ROCKED SHAH ALAM


Finally, got to witness myself the might of the Klang Valley fans.
MORE PICTURES ON THE MATCH DAY OF THE "SULTAN OF SELANGOR CUP 2010", PLEASE CLICK HERE.

On a royal invitation to Shah Alam...

It's always a privilege to be part of the Singapore contingent to travel up to Shah Alam, the state capital of Selangor for the annual "Sultan of Selangor Cup" event.

Initiated in the year 2001 by the present ruler of Selangor, the aim of the event is to foster the footballing ties between the two sides, whose illustrious rivalry dated back since the 1920 when the Malaya Cup first started.

Both Selangor and Singapore take turn to host the event, with Jalan Besar Stadium played hosts last year, this year's edition is shifted back to the 80,000-capacity Shah Alam Stadium (pictured above).

SOME PICTURES FROM THE TRAINING SESSION..

The Singapore Selection had their training session at the gigantic arena with coach Terry Pathmanathan briefing his charges in the middle of the field.

Home United's custodian Lionel Lewis was the first choice when the Singapore Selection played on the same ground two years ago.

While the main squad were having their training session on one half of the field, the Singapore veterans were having their as well on the other side.

The some of the veterans at the hotel lobby after their training session, with Robert Sim (pictured above left), Haslir Ibrahim (who is carrying a bag on his left arm) and Ho Kwang Hock (on the right) having some light moments.

MORE PICTURES ON THE EVE OF THE MATCH DAY OF THE "SULTAN OF SELANGOR CUP 2010", PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Singapore Cup - The FINAL FOUR...

Tampines Rovers 6-1 Balestier Khalsa (aggregate score)
It was a farewell match for Lions striker Khairul Amri (pictured above on the extreme right in the Stags' customary post-match debriefing after defeating Balestier 3-1 at the Toa Payoh Stadium.)

Fortunate thing for the nippy forward was that while he scored his final goal for the Stags at the stroke of half time, he did not earn himself a booking like both Noh Alam Shah and Shahril Ishak did when scored their farewell goal - took off their jersey in celebration.

So he need not have to worry about the number of card he accumulated beforehand, should he make a return to local football in the near future.

Best of Luck in Balikpapan as a big welcome awaits him.

Etoile FC 6-4 Kitchee SC (aggregate score)
At least it was proven to us that are ways to outsmart league leaders Etoile FC - doing the Kitchee way.

True to what coach Josep Gombau said before the game that artificial surface of JBS suits his team's style of play and proven it did.

For those at the ground and home watching, I'm confidently to say they're the most deserving side to go through the next round.

Despite the early setback to allow the French to increase the lead on aggregate at the start of the game, Kitchee continued their flow passing game and successfully fought back to draw level on average.

However, poor defensive marking and decision by the match officials over the Etoile's hotly disputed third goal cost Kitchee the game and sent them back packing home to Hong Kong.

Bangkok Glass 6-4 South Melbourne (aggregate score)
To be honest, the Victorian side played well and were controlling the returning leg of their fixture against another invited team, Bangkok Glass.

With a two-goal deficit loomed over their heads, the Melburnians got down to business straight away by playing a pressing game that denied any chance for their opponents' much-feared duo of Gbenga Ajayi and Paul Bekombo to strike terror like they did in the first leg.

Unfortunately, lapse of concentration paid the price as the Glass Bunnies, buoyed by their large travelling fans contingent, took the lead in the 27th minute amid the Aussies' domination that eventually saw the Eddie Krncevic's (pictured above in dark t-shirt) men knocked out of the Cup.

Young Lions 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (aggregate score)
The Young Lions completed the quartet that formed the "FINAL FOUR" of the Singapore Cup's semi-finals with a 1-0 aggregate score over the Japanese-based Albirex Niigata (S) at the Jurong East Stadium.

The week-long three-match series featuring the two young sides saw V Sundramoorthy's (pictured above - file picture) boys triumphed on two occasions (one league and a cup tie) over their opponents, who still yet to register a victory at their home ground this season.

MORE PICTURES OF THE "FINAL-FOUR", PLEASE CLICK HERE.

The Passing away of a legend - Mr Dollah Kassim

Mr Dollah (in foreground) in his final match for the country against Selangor's veteran in last year's SOS Cup at Jalan Besar Stadium.

With deep sadness, please be informed the passing away of "Raja Gelek"- Mr Dollah Kassim, one of the greatest footballers the country had produced, this morning.

Mr Dollah collapsed during the veterans' game in last year's Sultan of Selangor Cup at Jalan Besar Stadium and been bed-ridden since.

For all what he had done for Singapore football, we shall not forget and thank him for his contributions and may his spirit be with us.

Rest In Peace, Mr Dollah...

Click HERE TO LISTEN, as Mr Dollah shared with me his best moment playing against Selangor and what made it so unique about this footballing rivalry that enchanted generations.

[MEDIA RELEASE] Singapore looks to equal SOS record in Cup defence

(Media Information from the Football Association of Singapore)

SINGAPORE, 12 October 2010: Singapore has announced a handful of fresh faces as they rekindle their friendship against old foes Selangor in the Sultan of Selangor’s (SOS) Cup on Saturday, October 16. Balestier Khalsa‘s K. Vikraman and S.League topscorer Frederic Mendy are poised to make their first ever SOS appearance having been called up to the squad for the first time.

Young Lions Assistant Coach, Terry Pathmanathan, who scored the winner for the Singapore Veterans’ in 2008, will be leading Singapore’s defence as the annual competition moves back to the Shah Alam Stadium this year.

With the current head-to-head record standing at 3-4 to the advantage of the Selangor side, a win this year will finally put Singapore on level terms with the Red Giants, adding to their comfortable 3-0 victory at the Jalan Besar Stadium last year. Coach Terry however, is well aware of the tough task ahead after the current Selangor side captured their second successive Malaysian Super League title this year.

“Despite the tight schedule, I believe we have assembled a strong squad to face Selangor. The rivalry between Singapore and Selangor has always drawn in a packed stadium, so naturally the players are looking forward to soaking in the atmosphere at Shah Alam. Selangor have a strong team but I’m confident that the players will compete well and provide the fans with another fine spectacle of football this year.” said Terry.

The veteran teams from both sides will play in the traditional curtain-raiser prior to the main match to relive a rivalry that dates back almost a century. Singapore fans can look forward to the stellar cast which will include yesteryear legends, Fandi Ahmad, Malek Awab, S.Rajagopal and David Lee.

2010 SULTAN OF SELANGOR CUP's SQUAD

Singapore Selection Squad

HASSAN SUNNY		GOALKEEPER		TAMPINES ROVERS
LIONEL LEWIS		GOALKEEPER		HOME UNITED
ISA HALIM		DEFENDER		HOME UNITED
JUMAAT JANTAN		DEFENDER		HOME UNITED
DANIEL BENNETT		DEFENDER		SAFFC
TENGKU MUSHADAD		DEFENDER		HOME UNITED
VALEY HIEK		DEFENDER		HOME UNITED
GABRIEL OBADIN		DEFENDER		GOMBAK UNITED
SHI JIAYI		MIDFIELDER		HOME UNITED
MUSTAQIM MANSUR		MIDFIELDER		SAFFC
JOHN WILKINSON		MIDFIELDER		SAFFC
SHAHDAN SULAIMAN		MIDFIELDER		TAMPINES ROVERS
ALIFF SHAFAEIN		MIDFIELDER		TAMPINES ROVERS
ALEKSANDER DURIC		FORWARD		TAMPINES ROVERS
FREDERIC MENDY		FORWARD		ETOILE FC
K.VIKRAMAN		FORWARD		BALESTIER KHALSA

Singapore Veterans' Squad

SHAHRI RAHIM	GOALKEEPER
DAVID LEE	GOALKEEPER
ABDUL SAMAD ALI	DEFENDER
ROBERT SIM	DEFENDER
HASLIR IBRAHIM	DEFENDER
RAZALI SAAD	DEFENDER
TERRY PATHMANATHAN	DEFENDER
ISHAK SA'AD	DEFENDER
LIM TIEN JIT	DEFENDER
MALEK AWAB	MIDFIELDER
SYED FARUK	MIDFIELDER
YAHYA MADON	MIDFIELDER
SURIA MURTHI	MIDFIELDER
SALIM MOIN	MIDFIELDER
LEONG KOK FANN	MIDFIELDER
NASARUDDIN JALIL	MIDFIELDER
S. RAJAGOPAL	MIDFIELDER
ABDULLAH NOOR	FORWARD
AHMAD SUYUTI ALI	FORWARD
DON ANG	FORWARD
HO KWANG HOCK	FORWARD
D. TOKIJAN	FORWARD
FANDI AHMAD	FORWARD

[Instant Reaction] FAS's decision to withdraw direct application to ACL

"Status-quo" and that's for sure

By his own words, has Mr Zainudin Nordin, the president of the Football Association of Singapore acknowledged the "lack of critical mass in key areas such as talent pool and resources" that "there is still a pressing need for us to continue having foreign teams participating in our league"?

My only reaction is - How irony can it be as it was only just yesterday when I blogged about "THE CHANCE" talent global search and seen for myself some of the raw talents being unearthed from the weekend and amateur scenes with whom some S.League clubs, I was told, are keen to "follow up" with them.

Yet, the decision based on what quoted on the AFC website is not doubt a regrettable one, as many fans out there perceived as a way to accommodate the foreigner-based teams in our league.

While Mr Zainudin mentioned in his letter to the AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam that " having foreign teams in the S-League was to inject 'more excitement and competitiveness for our fans, expose our local teams and players to various styles of play, secure non-Singapore sponsors and attract more fans, especially those from the expatriate community residing and working in Singapore'".

But has the result yield anything that benefit Singapore football? That's my question.

Over to you, sir and thanks for your kind attention.

[FEATURE] Fahmie got THE CHANCE!!!

There's only one winner who got THE CHANCE and he is none other than 22 year-old Ahmad Fahmie Bin Jamil, who emerged from the group of 400 players to be the chosen one to be Singapore's representative in this global talent search organized by Nike.

Since the launch of the program at the end of August, the coaching panel led by former Lions skippers Fandi Ahmad, Nazri Nasir and Aide Iskandar had been combing around the island to search for these talented weekend warriors who can only quench their thirst for the game at various hot-spots where these players were unearthed.

"Since the month of September, we had been to places like 'The Cage', 'SAFRA Tampines', 'FICO Sports Hub' to source for these players, as we felt that these are the so-called 'hot-spots' where we can find the raw talents we are looking for." said Mr Zainudeen Hassan who is the consultant to the coach panel (pictured below on the extreme right with the main coaching panel L-R: Aide Iskandar, Fandi Ahmad and Nazri Nasir).

"Although only one player is the chosen one that doesn't mean those who could not make the cut should deprive a chance to further enhance his football career, which is why we invited representatives from various S.League clubs to take a look at these players as well." added the former Balestier Khalsa's head of youth development.

It's something agree by one of those clubs' representatives who were presented as Woodlands Wellington coach A Shasi Kumar commented, "It's a good talent scouting program.

"In fact, just 45 minutes of watching them in action I think there is one or two players, based on their age, are good enough to play in the Prime League and who knows they can even make it to the S.League." suggested the 34 year-old coach.

Also giving his stamp of approval is one of the main coaching panellists, Nazri (pictured above) who spoke to this blogger at the end of the event.

"This scouting program has been an eye-opener for me, as I always thought that we don't have enough football talents in Singapore.

"However, having seen more than 300 players turned up during the preliminary trials (that took place in September) and yesterday having 30 players filtered to the 18 of them today, I'm glad to see there are so many talented players for one reason or another who are not turning out for clubs or their schools."said the 1998 Tiger Cup winning skipper.

As for the man of the moment, Fahmie (pictured above as he was being interviewed by the media) is elated to be selected to represent Singapore in this world-wide search.

"Now what is important for me is to train hard by go jogging and doing some workout at gym every day, which I hope to improve my game and represent the national team one day, after all this is a very good opportunity and it's a chance once-in-a-lifetime." said the recently ORDed National Serviceman.

“Fahmie was chosen because he showed us his determination to become a professional player. His experience playing for a club in the Prime League gives him an advantage, as he demonstrated that he was mentally and physically prepared throughout the entire trial duration,” explained Fandi (pictured above left talking to the media) who is the head coach of the panel on the decision made.

Let us wish Fahmie all the best and hope he will be one of those selected for eight international places in the Nike Academy, where all expenses will be paid for during their one-year full time training in this prestigious training center.

(P.S: The finale was capped with a finalists match with "The Chance" trialists playing against Redhill Rangers and saw the former walked away with a 3-2 victory)

MORE PICTURES OF THE CHANCE FINALE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.