[RHB Singapore Cup] Protectors to begin their defending in "foreign" land

(This entry is formulated based on the media release issued by the Football Association of Singapore)

Home Utd are the reigning Cup holders (file)

Despite their heart breaking exit from the AFC Cup tournament weeks ago, Home United found on a new battleground surrounded by another legion of foreign teams.

As the reigning Cup holders, the Protectors will now have to fight their way out of the Pool B of this season's RHB Singapore Cup tournament to be assured of another chance to represent the island republic in the continental front.

In a draw that was held this morning at the Jalan Besar Stadium, the Bishan-based club were drawn into the group that features fellow S.League sides like Albirex Niigata (Singapore) FC and Brunei DPMM with the returning of Filipino sides Global FC and Loyola Meralco Sparks.

The remaining three slots in Pool B went to the newcomers of the tournament - Nagacorp FC and Svay Rieng FC of Cambodia with Laotian side Champasak filling up the roster.

EXTENSION OF SPONSORSHIP BY RHB BANK
The same ceremony also witnessed the renewal for the sponsorship of the local premium Cup tournament by the Malaysian banking giants for another three years starting from 2014.

The renewal of sponsorship by RHB Bank (credit: FAS)

As part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, RHB Bank Berhad is working closely with the S.League to enhance and strengthen ongoing efforts to make the RHB Singapore Cup even more exciting and also to venture out to the region to promote this tournament which includes the donation of footballs to needy children in Cambodia, as revealed in a statement issued by the tournament organizers following the draw.

Said RHB Bank Singapore Country Head, Mr Jason Wong:“The RHB Singapore Cup has a very pronounced presence in South East Asian football. Due to the regional presence of this competition, there is natural synergy between FAS and RHB to work together as the Bank expands our operations in ASEAN. Through the sponsorship of the RHB Singapore Cup, RHB Bank is proud and heartened to be part of the ongoing process of football development and the laying of a strong footballing foundation in Singapore. The participation of foreign clubs heightens the competitiveness of the tournament and being a knock out tournament and with big prize money at stake it has proven to be most exciting year after year.”

LM Sparks' Phil Younghusband will be again (file)

Showing his appreciation for the extension of the sponsorship that is now into the tenth year, FAS president Mr Zainudin Nordin said:“We are heartened and also humbled by RHB Bank Berhad’s unstinting support of the RHB Singapore Cup. This sponsorship renewal is another milestone for the S.League, as this would be our third major sponsor re-signing in two years, including YEO’s and Great Eastern, our co-title sponsors for the S.League. This is further testament that big corporations like our partners believe strongly in the S.League branding and they are very confident of the commercial value the league brings to their businesses."

At the meantime, the Pool A comprises of the following teams - Harimau Muda, Tampines Rovers, Woodlands Wellington, Geylang International, Tanjong Pagar United, Hougang United, Warriors FC, Balestier Khalsa.

The schedule of the Preliminary Round of the tournament will be made known on a later date with the draw as follows:-

Pool A:
Harimau Muda vs Tampines Rovers FC
Woodlands Wellington FC vs Geylang International FC
Tanjong Pagar United FC vs Hougang United FC
Warriors FC vs Balestier Khalsa FC

Pool B:
Svay Rieng FC (Cambodia) vs Albirex Niigata (S) FC
Home United FC vs Nagacorp FC (Cambodia)
Global FC (Philippines) vs Brunei DPMM FC
Loyola Meralco Sparks FC (Philippines) vs SHB Champasak FC (Laos)