BoLASEPaKO•COM - A Blog on Singapore Football

(P.S: If you access this site via "come.to/matchpix" , please click the "Facebook" icon after you click "HERE" when you want to view the album as that will redirect you to the album, thank you) SGFootball Friendly @ Padang - SCC 0-4 Hougang Utd (8/1/12)) The Cheetahs played their first match since resumed training three weeks ago and on the most expensive green on the island - The Padang against NFL side SCC. The HOOLS made their presence felt and inspired Hougang United to the victory which drawn the praise from coach Nenad Bacina who felt it's a good thing to Singapore football by the kind of show of support by fans to the team. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE MATCH PICTURES "Eastern Friendly" - Geylang Utd 1-2 Tampines Rovers 14/1/12 This match was initially slated on the previous Saturday before it was postponed till the mentioned date due to the condition of the field. Apparently, the grass of the pitch seems a bit ...

(This entry is formulated based on the transcript of the media release issued by the Football Association of Singapore)   Johan Gouttefangeas (facing front) SINGAPORE, 30 JANUARY 2012 – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced today that Mr Johan Gouttefangeas will step down as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the S.League. “I am thankful that the FAS has completed its investigation into the recent allegation that I was a bankrupt and affirmed that I was not adjudged a bankrupt. While I am still confident that I will be able to add value and help bring the S.League to the next level, I have decided that under the current circumstances, it is in the best interests of the league and Singapore football that I relinquish my post,” said Mr Gouttefangeas. “I am grateful to the management of FAS and S.League, as well as the stakeholders including the club chairmen, sponsors and fans, who continued to support me during this period. As I had mentioned earlier, FAS and...

2012 Geylang United HOME kit Having heard the outcry over the decision to change the traditional green home strip to a maroon one, Geylang United decided to revert, although not entirely, the unpopular choice of colour. Instead, the maroon kit will become the Eagles' away jersey with a mainly white-coloured based uniform (pictured above, depending on your browser settings) be the choice of the home outfit for the new season. BACK DOWN FROM THE BOARD In a media statement issued today, the club said: "After gathered response and feedback from the fans, the club management has decided to make the necessary changes in our jersey colour arrangement. "With approval sought from FAS (Football Association of Singapore), the maroon kit will become the away outfit, while the white/green kit will be our 2012 home jersey choice of colour." The Eagles added new home kit will be mainly white in colour, with a stripe of green across the chest to give the jersey a more ...

(The entry is formulated based on the transcript of the media release issued by the Football Association of Singapore ). Johan Gouttefangeas (facing camera) SINGAPORE, 27 JANUARY 2012 – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has completed its investigation into the allegations against S.League Deputy Chief Executive Officer Johan Gouttefangeas (pictured above). Media reports had surfaced earlier last week that Mr Gouttefangeas was declared a bankrupt in France and would therefore be disqualified from being a key officer of FAS, which is registered as a charity. Section 27(1)(b) of the Charity Act states that a person shall be disqualified from being a key officer of a charity if “he has been adjudged bankrupt and has not been discharged”. FAS President Zainudin Nordin said: “Prior to the appointment, FAS did our due diligence and ran checks which found nothing amiss. Nevertheless, we took a serious view of the allegations directed towards Mr Johan Gouttefangeas and we immed...

(This entry is formulated based on the media release issued by the Football Association of Singapore ) Mr Ang had been the face of the club In less than a week, perennial underachievers Geylang United are hit by another news when it was announced that their long-serving chairman Mr Patrick Ang (pictured left) will step down from his post on 1st February. According to the media release issued by the Football Association of Singapore, the long-time veteran in the local football scene will hand over the reins to former national skipper Leong Kok Fann. "I am privileged to have served as the President and Chairman of Geylang International and Geylang United respectively and I am proud of our club's record in both the S.League and its predecessor league, the FAS Premier League." said Mr Ang in the statement issued in the late evening. "While I am sad to leave the club, I do believe the time is now right for a fresh person to take the reins. I am confident th...

DPM Teo Chee Hean (fifth from the left at back row) graced the fixture draw in MBS (Picture credit: FAS) I'm not mean to dampen the mood of everyone here, but I guess many of you out there must be disappointed by this time of the day when we are only made known of the opening round instead of the FULL fixture list of this season S.League. I was actually staying up late waiting for the latest media release from the league authority to see if the full list would be made known before the end of the day, but only to realize it was only accompanied by the same list (i.e.: the opening round) posting on the official Facebook page earlier when they sent out at 9.47pm. BONE OF CONTENTION The delaying of the release of the fixtures had long been the bone of contention for many for the past few seasons with this year staying that course again (and we are talking about the S.League Version 2.0). Hardly surprised to see my fellow blogger Antony Sutton of "Jakarta Casual"  sharing...

Jozef Kapláň (left) with Coach Mike Wong Fans of Geylang United would have to take some time to get used to seeing their beloved Eagles trooped out Bedok tunnel in not their usual green outfit. "WHY CHANGE OUR COLOURS?" EAGLES' FAN Instead of the colour that was long associated with the most successful team in the pre S.League days, the players will be donned in the maroon top. "We have always been green, why changed our identity?" said web designer Md Noor Hadi, an Eagles supporter who was surprised with the club's decision that was made known recently. He added: "It may be a small matter to many, but to people like me, who supported the club since the early 90s (Geylang International days), it's just not right lah. Green is the club colour, not maroon." Jozef Kapláň's (middle) only time in GREEN A similar sentiment is not alone with a Geylang fan who voiced his disapproval on the club's official Facebook page when the new m...

Many folks will be forgiven if they thought the new season of the S.League is going to kick-off a year or so, instead of the official date given the league authority - 9th February 2012. It's not a laughing matter and consider the fact the unveiling of the CEO of the League was only done weeks ago and on the same occasion the media were only made know in larger content what are to be expected in the much touted "S.League Version 2.0". Sounded confident and well-aware of the tough task ahead, Mr Lim Chin, the newly appointed CEO opined that "everything is all in place to ensure the league get kick start." in his inaugural speech. Which many hope that would be the case and share the same optimism of the former Chief of Artillery who has been visiting clubs around the island in part of his familiarization tour . Yet, there are already grumblings on the grounds on the lack of awareness drive (except the announcement for the annual show opener - the Charit...

(This entry is formulated based on the transcript of the media information issued by the Football Association of Singapore ) File Picture from "SCREWED UP!!" SINGAPORE, 17 JANUARY 2012 – The selection committee identified and interviewed a handful of candidates for the position of S.League CEO in the past few months. After all the interviews were done, Mr Johan Gouttefangeas was deemed to be the best man for the role of Deputy CEO. We did our due diligence and ran checks which found nothing amiss. As far as the FAS management is concerned, we were not aware of his personal issues back in France. FAS takes a serious view of the allegations directed towards Mr Johan Gouttefangeas. We will be conducting an immediate review before deciding on the next course of action. CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE 17 JAN 2012 The following statement was issued by the Football Association of Singapore the following day (18th January 2012) SI...

"Etoile Ultras" with their distinctive banner on matchdays "Etoile's sit-out is not a surprise for me." That was the first comment by Mr Pierre Foucaud, the group leader of "Etoile Ultras" - the independent Etoile FC's fan club on the 2010 S.League Champions' decision to sit out of the upcoming 2012 season. A meteorologist by trade, the local-based Frenchman together with two other compatriots formed the "Ultras" back in 2010 to back the French side when they debut in the S.League and claimed the title in their inaugural season. Something that never materializes (Picture credit: from sources) Despite that feat, things did not appear to be rosy on the surface with allegations of reports on various unpleasant issues that surfaced along the way and eventually saw their former chairman Johan Gouttefangeas (pictured above left with French star Laurent Robert)  left in the club in last June  (Gouttefangeas was recently named ...

(This entry is formulated based on the transcript of the media release from the Football Association of Singapore) Picture credit: FAS SINGAPORE, 15 JANUARY 2012 – The Courts Young Lions emerged victorious over the H-TWO-O Ultimate Dream Team after a nerve-wrecking penalty shoot-out in a match that was played at Jalan Besar Stadium this evening. With a charity element in place, a total of S$2,200 was raised for the Jamiyah Children’s Home from the goals scored by the H-TWO-O Ultimate Dream Team in open play and the media challenge that saw journalists take on former Lion, Lionel Lewis in a penalty shoot-out. The match produced a few worthy goal mouth action moments in the first half but it was in the second half that the match took a turn for the better as the 1,256 fans present saw a total of four well taken goals, two from Courts Young Lions, Mohd Sahil Suhaimi and Safuwan Baharudin and another two from the H-TWO-O Ultimate Dream Team, Ignatius Ang and M.Arvin. The teams ...

(This entry is formulated with the transcript of the media release by the Football Association of Singapore - FAS) (L-R) FAS President Mr Zainudin Nordin. S.League CEO Mr Lim Chin, Great Eastern Singapore GM Dr Khoo Kah Siang, Great Eastern Singapore Chief Marketing Officer Mr Colin Chan Reaffirm its commitment towards Singapore football since 2009, insurance giants Great Eastern (GE) has agreed to continue its sponsorship of the country sole sporting professional league - the S.League for another two-year. Under the newly-inked agreement, GE will extend this partnership, which is valued at a total $1 million, till 2013. "Football has always been one of the top sports in Singapore and our association with the league has helped to bring the Great Eastern brand closer to the community." said Dr Khoo Kah Siang, General Manager (Singapore), Great Eastern Life in the media statement released. “One key initiative during this new sponsorship term will be an outreach prog...

There he was sitting on a chair inside the venue hall almost unnoticed when I first arrived at the Singapore Sports School in Woodlands (which I nearly lost my way because of a misguided information of an apps on my phone). You see Brunei DPMM coach Vjeran Simunic (pictured above or left depend on your browser setting) would normally tucked in his trademark attire entirely in black colour and top off with a black baseball cap embossed with the DPMM logo on match day. Perhaps that was the reason I didn't notice him in the first place given that etched description in my mind. Given an ad-hoc assignment upon receiving a phone call I got down to work immediately and had a chat with the Croatian coach who was decked in full business suit with coat and tie. FAS advisor A/P Ho Peng Kee (centered-right) exchanges documents with Pg Haji Mohd Waslimin, DPMM club manager During a short chat up while waiting for the arrival of the guests of honour, the 58 year-old shared with us what...

(L-R): Lim Chin, Zainudin Nordin and Johan Gouttefangeas It's not fair to tag him now with either one of the two colonial characters whom I opined the new S.League CEO would be and define the direction the league is heading to under his leadership. The announcement of former ex-SAFFC chairman Lim Chin (pictured above left) came as no surprise with talks of the former Chief of Artillery being named as the man on the hot seat following several news reports of him suggested he would. SMOOTH TRANSITION FAS president Zainudin Nordin (pictured above center) assured the media that a smooth transition will be ahead for both Lim and his deputy, Johan Gouttefangeas (pictured above right) with him as the "hands-on" person to serve as guiding hand to the duo. In the eagerly anticipated press conference at the league headquarters at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Mr Zainudin said his vision for the S.League Version 2.0 is simple that is to see the league be commercially viable with th...

After weeks of speculation within the local football fraternity, former Gombak United coach Darren Stewart (file pictured right) is confirmed as Balestier Khalsa coach for the upcoming 2012 season. A former Australian international himself, Stewart starred for the Tigers when they were still called Balestier Central in the S.League in the late nineties, following his recruitment from Malaysian club Johor FA. Since hanging up his boots after his Tigers career, the former skipper took up assistant coaching post with the club that subsequently saw him at Geylang United in a similar position before turning out as the main man at Gombak in 2009. Following Stewart to Toa Payoh is Kevin Wee, his assistant at Gombak, who will replace ex-Lion Nasaruddin Jalil as the Tigers' Prime League coach, on top of assisting Stewart in the S.League proper. According to the club, coach Nasa will be redesignated as the club's COE U16 coach with ex-Clementi Khalsa defender and renowned TV pun...