"Matchpix" - December 2011

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• 2012 Pre Season starts... Geylang United(26/12/11)

2012 Pre-season Training starts with Geylang on Boxing Day 2012.

With the field still under maintenance, the Eagles begun their preparation by focus on their conditioning on the tracks under the eyeful eyes of newly-recruited trainer Peter Jakobsen (pictured above left).

Due to his resemble to Dutch legendary striker Denis Bergkamp, it's not wonder that Jakobsen was often mistaken for making a comeback with the Eagles when his picture first surface.

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• 2012 Pre Season starts... Home United(27/12/11)

Home United also begun their pre-season training at the end of December at Ang Mo Kio Secondary School.

The school is one of the adopted schools by the Protectors in their outreach program.

Some ball drills were gone through as coach Paul Lee got his team in groove for the challenges ahead.

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• "Uniform Friendly" on New Year's Eve (31/12/11)

Two of biggest names in Singapore football engaged in a friendly match for both coaches to gauge the strength of their teams with the Warriors walked away 2-0.

The challenge would always be the light setting as the sunset was approaching when the dark clouds were looming over JBS just now.

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"Uniform Friendly" on New Year's Eve...

Honestly speaking this hastily-arranged fixture came as a surprise to me when I was told the "Uniform Duo" (SAFFC and Home United)be playing against each other at Jalan Besar on the New Year's eve.

John Wilkinson (left) skippered Protectors against his old club

After all, not all the teams have started their pre-season training and let alone if DPMM's status is officially confirmed despite the earlier report on Asean Football Federation website (AFF).

"I just want to know my new players' strength so I called (SAFFC coach) Richard Bok for this friendly match." said Home United coach Paul Lee after the match that saw his side lost 2-0 to its arch rivals.

"However, it's still to early to gauge my team's performance when players like (captain) Shi Jiayi and (Fred) Mendy are still not back in Singapore.

"I think for now result of this game is not important, as I need to check the condition of my players." added the Korean coach who just completed his Pro License coaching course in South Korea.

Almost ready...

Echoed his counterpart's sentiment, coach Bok sums up his assessment identically at his post-match press briefing.

"To me, getting the team into shape matter most than the result." he said.

"Also, we have five players not back into the team and the key is to get the team gel together as quickly as possible before the season starts.

Hassan Sunny joins SAFFC this season

"While I am glad that our new signings have given us more options in areas like midfield and goalkeeping" concluded coach Bok who saw the inclusion of quality players such as Shukor Zailan and Hassan Sunny from Tampines with Seiji Saito confirmed as the Warriors' fourth import.

Earlier on, the CCK-based powerhouse retained the service of last season's top scorer Mislav Karoglan and recruited Shimpei Sakurada and Tatsuro Inui from Albirex Niigata (Singapore).

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[Feature] Project Teamwork - GALAXY S II - Street Soccer in Brazil

(This entry is sponsored by Samsung Mobile)

It's a common sight everywhere in Brazil to see the fun-loving natives get together spontaneously for a game of kick-about on any space they can find.

Be it that it could be an obscure back alley of any street, the famed Copacabana beaches or on those lush manicured pitches dotted around this football crazy nation, so long inches of space are made available you bound to see the Brazilians coming together to enjoy a game of street soccer.

Join host Sal Masekala of “Project Teamwork” in the following clips as he visits Florianópolis in south of Brazil, home of leading futsal (five-a-side soccer) club - ADC Florianopolis to meet up with team captain Denison Cabral and find out from him how the gospels of teamwork is spread to those players through the game of street soccer.



In these videos, Cabral and his colleagues at ADC Florianopolis, whom some Singaporeans may have seen them in action at Ngee Ann City in April, also show us how innovative products from Samsung mobile actually help the team to be the dominant force in world futsal scene.

The versatility of Android operated GALAXY S II is one such characteristic of the product that enable the team to plan their tactics on software that is made available on the gadget and little surprise that it helps the team in their recent success in this part of the world when they were crowned the “Tiger Street Football Champions”.



“Project Teamwork” is a joint collaboration by mobile communication giants Samsung Mobile with leading sports broadcaster ESPN's International Content Development group to educate people the value of teamwork through various sports.

Another round of Rams-Tigers exchange... [edited]

I'm not sure if anyone of you out there notice this scenario since the early days of the S.League that there are these two clubs been "close trading partners".

It's not uncommon to see players of this particular club swapping jerseys for another particular side after a season or two that in recent years seems to have intensified.

As what I recalled that while there were some controversies surrounded the transfer of then Woodlands Wellington star striker Dalis Supait (pictured left in Balestier Central outfit) to Balestier Central (now known as Balestier Khalsa) in 1997 season, but that should also marked the beginning of such "close trading ties" between the two with English striker Paul Robinson heading the same route in 1999.

Following that some notable transfers between the two included the likes of Korean star winger Park Tae Won and Japanese midfielder Akihiro Nakamura.

When both these East Asian aces left the Toa Payoh outfit for a greener pasture of the Rams then, it was a contrasting ending for both Park and Nakamura.

Whilst Nakamura (pictured below) saw his career re-stabilized at Balestier after journeyed around the island and left the club on a high note to play for the Rams, it wasn't a really pleasure stay at Toa Payoh Stadium for Park after his transfer from the now defunct Jurong FC.

Aki Nakamura (left) stabilized his career during his Tigers day

Being the supposedly cornerstone of the "Koreanization" at Balestier under ex-Malaysia Cupper Jang Jung, pacey Park wasn't able to replicate his Cobras' form that was feared by many defenders in the league (I still vividly recalled the argument he had with the chairman after a game and saw stormed into the dressing room) and left for Woodlands after one season.

Since then, players like Anaz Hadee, Hafez Mawasi, Goh Swee Swee (pictured above), Han Yiguang, Ahmadulhaq Che Omar, Armanizam Dolah, etc. are some of the names that donned the stripes of the two in recent years.

Particularly for goalkeeper Ahmadulhaq who is reportedly heading back to Woodlands for a second spell after he was released by Balestier recently.

Interestingly enough, he will be joined by Daniel Hammond too, he is back with the northern side on a second spell as well following his move to Balestier in 2010 before heading to SAFFC and Geylang United this season.

To complete the cycle of the talk, former Balestier head coach Salim Moin (pictured above foreground) is also reportedly to take up the assistant coaching post with the Rams next year along another Tigers alumni R Balasubramaniam.

Pointless of Repeating .... [This is not an ANNUAL REVIEW]

Picture Credit: 123RF.com

It has come to this part of the year when I would always pen my annual review to summarize my thoughts on what happened in the past twelve months in Singapore Football.

Having said that, I must admit that it's been quite a difficult year for the local football that has been struggling with myriad of procrastinating problems that remain lingering.

So much that I think it will be a daft idea to go on repeating those issues (i.e.: lack of crowds, lack of interest, etc.) then propose some "naive" solutions to these woes.

Instead, I decided to post up the links to the past "Annual Reviews" that were archived in this blog since the transition in 2005.

Annual Review 2005 -"FROM SITE TO BLOG"

Annual Review 2006 - "10 years old"

Annual Review 2007 - "DOUBLE ONE"

Annual Review 2007 - "The odd Dozen"

Annul Review - "13 deemed UNlucky"

Annual Review - "SCREWED UP!!!"

I know some of you might say these reviews can be easily access from the LABEL titled "Annual Review" on the side menu, but the whole point of doing this is to ask the readers to go through these entries to determine if things are still remain the same and see if anything has actually improved (a bit at least).

It's by not mean of being lazy, but as mentioned earlier that's not point of repeating the routine again and again.

And if I really have to think of something I really want to say about the scene this year, I think the picture at the TOP of page should be able to bring the message across.

Since the "Brush and Broom" comment appeared in late July, the league authority seems to have picked up some "manuals" along the way" and enticed the folks out there what to expect (although, the wait may have been just too long).

However, just in case there's a need to refresh what problems are facing the scene this entry is always here to serve as a reference if there's a need.

Lastly, not to forget to mention a group of fans along the way decided to "take things into their hands" by involving themselves in the local football fraternity via the social media platforms which has helped to gap the gap in certain ways between various stakeholders in the circle (you know who you are, just give yourself a pat at back).

While at the meantime, let me just stay focus and sort things out...

Feet Dragging (nothing new, but...) [edited]

The feet-dragging on various issues pertaining the S.League is not doing any good if the league authority is keen to have the struggling competition back on its feet.

With mysteries of the identities of Winston Lee's replacement for the league's CEO, the 13th and 14th team still looming large, plus the near "black-out" on S.League coverage on the mainstream media in recent weeks have further inflicted more damages it can ill-afforded to.

Despite assurance from the top that this country's domestic league will not play second fiddle once January comes, but given things that happened of late with earlier mentioned, would be too late if those issues are to be left to the eleventh hour again (nothing usual in local football scene)?

The failure to allow the dust settled when February comes (when the S.League is scheduled to kick-off), would only see us walking through another "sand storm", unless the person who is going to drive us through knows the way when the road ahead of us is poorly-marked out.

If not, what's the point?

I decided to replace the "Skull" head with this comic strip that more or less related to the present situation now (at least to me now...)

[Feature] Adam Swandi won the "Raja Gelek" Award...

(This feature is formulated from the media release issued by the Football Association of Singapore from which picture and quotes were extracted, unless credited)

Adam (no 10) in action against Juventus in Canon LCC

His glittering performance in the 23rd Canon Lion City Cup is the testament why he is rated as one of the country's brightest footballing prospect.

His commanding presence as the skipper during that tournament eventually led the National Football Academy (NFA) U15 to the respectable third position in that youth tournament that also featured the boys from renowned club sides such as CR Flamengo and Juventus.

So little surprise came last Sunday when Adam Swandi emerged as the winner from the pool of five nominees in annual "Dollah Kassim Award", an initiative by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS),in partnership with The New Paper, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Pools.

This award is named after the late Singapore football legend who passed away last year with aim to aspire young talent with the wining player earning a training stint at a top football club overseas.

Adam (center) received the award in the NFA Graduation Ceremony (Picture Credit: FAS)

In the award present ceremony held at the Amara Hotel, Adam received the prizes that include a trophy from Mr Ezaad Abdullah (pictured above second from right), son of the late Mr Dollah Kassim.

“I am honoured with this win and I could not have done this without the support of my team and guidance from my coaches. I now look forward to my overseas training stint at a top club.” said Adam after the ceremony.

In conjunction of this ceremony, the NFA also held its 11th graduation ceremony where various NFA coaches such as U15's Coach Dejan Gulscevic, NFA U16's Takuma Koga gave an account of their team's performance to those presence

Just a Random Thought... (Is this BoLASEPaKO meant to you?)

Just a random thought here as this only came to my mind while I was working just now.

As you guys may have noticed of late there's not update on this blog.

One reason is that now it's "off-season" and I thought it's a time to recharge, while also reflect and re-evaluate the direction this blog is heading to.

That's the purpose of "BlastFromThePast" to engage conversation with readers

On the blog Facebook page, I have been posting "BlastFromThePast" entries (as pictured above) to share with you all some of those past entries since 2005 (which I really hope you would appreciate those past efforts).

In a way, I do hope you, the readers, can decide for yourself if it has been a worthwhile experience to drop in a peek at this blog and also to see if there's any change in the local footballing landscape since you first watch Singapore football.

If I'm too bother about getting a higher hit-rate than provide value to the readers, then it's pointless

And not so much a surprise to see a dip in the hit-rate during this period (as pictured above), although I am encouraged by the fact that the viewership does maintain its consistency within my expectation that makes me conclude a thought.

Beside serving as a platform to share my thoughts, insight on the local game, while occasionally break some news on the blogsphere, it also how this blog can serve as an archive center for curious readers to find out more about Singapore football.

Which I certainly hope it does (based on statistic generated that shows some actually googled their way here).

Until then... Signing off :)

More to follow suit after this?

Priority for Lionel is his family and his club, Home United

While many consider retiring from international football at the age of 29 is too young, especially for the case of goalkeeper.

After all, great custodians like Dino Zoff and Peter Shilton did maintain their presence between the posts for their countries past their forties.

But for the case of Lionel Lewis who decided to call his Lions career a day the tell-signs were already there in recent weeks.

Right after the loss to the Iraqis back in September, the Home United 'keeper revealed his intention to the waiting press at the mixed zone that night.

This came after Lionel just recovered from an adductor injury that sidelined him against the Malaysians in that crucial "Causeway Derby" in July.

On top of that coupled with other injuries that sustained since the start of his career, it's a matter of time for him to consider his options and so when the news broke out this morning, it hardly surprises me actually.

Consider the fact that I blogged some weeks back if it has become a liability for the national players to cope with both their Lions and club commitments simultaneously in such a stretched environment, and with the decision by Lionel it might tell us that more would follow suit if welfare of these guys are not looked into.