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) S.League Champions 2012 -Tampines Rovers 2/11/12 Jubilation! Tampines Rovers - the Champions Thanks to a Fahrudin Mustafic's penalty that placed the Stags on a goal lead before half-time did the trick calm some nerves and eventually retain the title. Nonetheless, kudos to the Tampines players, who got over that heartbreak Cup loss days ago, for staying resilient throughout the evening and ensured the 15-kilogram trophy remain within the Republic boundary. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE MATCH PICTURES.

After 3-0, Harimau fans started to exit (credit: Mr Milton Tan) For many Singapore fans, the date 18th December 2002 will always be remembered for the wrong reason. It was the day when the Lions lost 4-0 to Malaysia in front of a crowd of 40,000 in that year's Tiger Cup opener. Since then, despite an unbeaten run against its neighbours across the Causeway, which ended June this year in the Causeway Challenge, that remain the sore point in the recent years of Singapore football (notwithstanding the two Asean titles and reaching the highs in the World Cup qualifiers). So sweeter could it not be that at the same setting of a regional showdown like Suzuki Cup with the fearless Singapore side triumphed 3-0 (double from skipper Shahril Ishak and header from Aleksandar Duric) over the defending champions on their home turf to exorcise that ghost that haunted the Republic since 2002. Like they always said, the victory from the first match of any group stages ushered in an au...

Yesterday morning caused quite a panic for the Woodlands Wellington faithfuls when they woke up to see the possibility of their beloved side might be omitted out of the coming season , following reports that suggested the northern club had not furbished the league authority with a required "financial plan" for the coming season. Woodlands remain in the league (file picture) Such revelation came at a time after Gombak United earlier announced their decision to "sit out" for the coming season due to financial difficulties (although the Bulls maintained they will still continue with their outreach and running of their COE programs). By around 8.30pm on the same day, news trickled in with the confirmation of Woodland's participation in next year's campaign , and at the meantime refuted any claim of alleged financial uncertainties with plans for the upcoming season. Even with the announcement by the Rams' management on their confirmation of being p...

Better perspective from here In their last prep match prior to the regional showdown, the Singapore national team had a run of game against a weak Pakistan side, who their coach admitted the lack of exposure on international level is one of the problems facing the cricket-mad nation in their football development. Speaking after the 4-0 thumping by the Lions at the "Wild Wild West" (Jurong West), Pakistan's coach Zaviša Milosavljević gave an insight on the football scene in the South Asian nation. "Politics is not the biggest problem facing Pakistan football." said the Serbian coach when asked if off-the-field circumstances are being the hindrance from moving forward for the game in the country. "It's poorly organized with a lot of resources not being used. "And one of the aims is to organize a proper youth system, as we are having players at 16, 17 years old playing at senior level without proper building up, which I think is a sensitiv...

(L-R) Hariss, Safuwan (in away stripes), Baihakki, Shahril, Shahdan (home stripes) Amid the merry making setting at Amara hotel, the new national kit was officially unveiled with national players led by captain Shahril Ishak, Shahdan Sulaiman, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin and Hariss Harun taking on to the stage, decked in the home and away stripes by Nike. In the same setting graced by the presence of FAS President Zainuddin Nordin, Secretary General Winston Lee and national coach Raddy Avramovic, it was confirmed that the American sporting giants will extend its sponsorship to the Singapore national senior and youth teams until 2016. The Lions and NFA U17 boy (front row)s with the VIPs  Said Nike Singapore Country Marketing Manager, Mr Vijaya Kumar Jayaraj, on the extension of the partnership since 2006. “We hope to inspire the fans to express their support for the Lions by giving them an avenue to share their messages of encouragement. We are happy to be co...

(This entry is formulated based on the media release issued by Tanjong Pagar United Football Club ) (P.S: The copyrights of the images depicted in this blog entry belong to Tanjong Pagar United, unless stated on the images itself.) Coach Vallee coached Etoile FC in 2010 Like any notable figure in the past, his presence at several games during the closing stages of the recent concluded S.League 2012 season had speculations sparked within the fraternity that would one-time Etoile FC coach Patrick Vallee (pictured left) coming back in the scene after a two-year hiatus. After all, Nenad Bacina, who reportedly stepped down from his post as Hougang United's coach recently, was spotted by this blogger towards the end of last year's campaign at Choa Chu Kang Stadium. "I will be heading to Indonesia." said coach Neno (as Bacina is affectionately known as) to me, after I yelled out for him from a distance and the next thing we all knew that following a few outings a...

The colorful Croatian coach of DPMM - Vjeran Simunic Don't get me wrong by saying the following statement. While other have their merits on getting the nod for the nomination, but DPMM coach Vjeran Simunic is clearly one who truly deserve the accolade to be named the Coach of The Year. As what the flamboyant Croatian coach has been kept emphasizing since the start of the year, it is mammoth task for his team, who have not been playing competitive football for more than two years due to a ban imposed by FIFA, to compete against other teams in the S.League. Nonetheless, the Wasps did not show that lack of competitiveness and along the process walked away with the Starhub League Cup (which they last won in 2009 before being forced to pull out), and the late surge of form saw them pushed the league title race to the extreme. Although the Bruneians tripped at their last hurdle of the campaign, what they had shown us is the sheer determination displayed and overcome the odds...

(This entry is formulated based on the media release issued by CROWD Pte Ltd , 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 new Lions kit for AFF Suzuki Cup It has been the talk along the grapevine over the launch of the new Singapore national team kit for the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup , that will be held held from 24 November to 22 December 2012. Finally, it has just been revealed by Nike that the Singapore team, affectionately known as the Lions, will be outfitted in brand new stripes for the upcoming biennial tournament with eight nations fighting for regional supremacy. Into its sixth year as the Lions' apparel provider, the new outfit by the world renowned sporting giants continues its belief in providing jerseys in its most advanced, environmentally-friendly technology. "Untuk Bangsa Dan Negara" It is made from 100% recycled polyester and con...

(This entry is formulated based on the media release by the Football Association of Singapore ) Bigger paycheck for the League Champions from next season. The much anticipated new initiatives for the season 2013 S.League are finally made known and confirmed in a press conference held this evening at the FAS headquarters at the Jalan Besar Stadium, after they caused quite a stir of late in recent run-up of events following reports in various media sources. The following are the key highlights of the upcoming season: With the “sit-out”decision by Gombak United, it will be 12-team league in season 2013. This new “2.5 round” format will see the 12 teams split into two halves based on their league standings after the completion of two rounds of fixtures. The final ‘half’ round will see teams (i.e.: top six teams in one group, bottom six teams in another group) playing against each other in their respective groups. All points accumulated in the 2 rounds will be carrie...

(L-R) Mr Korenaga (wearing new ANS's home hersey) with Mr Ashizawa In a press conference that took place this afternoon at its clubhouse at Jurong East Stadium, Albirex Niigata (Singapore) announced a new apparel sponsorship deal with "Gol." from Japan. With this agreement, the Japanese apparel supplier will be providing the outfit for the White Swans from season 2013 on a four-year deal. Speaking to the media, Albirex Niigata (S) chairman Daisuke Korenaga hopes the partnership will open up a new channel to Japanese companies as a platform to venture market outside the Land of Rising Sun. Some of the merchandise in display during the press conference "We hope to see more Japanese companies, who are keen to venture out of Japan to Asia, able to do so with similar arrangement." said Mr Korenaga. Formed in 2000, "Gol." has actively involved itself in supporting football actives in kids and students level back in Japan, according to Mr Ta...

Tampines Rovers retained the title on another tense ending Seriously, if we look back at the precedents that led to this situation at Jalan Besar Stadium this evening, it wasn't meant to be in this manner. Couple of messing up here and there by Tampines Rovers, the defending champions landed themselves to this inevitable plight against an impressive makeshift Harimau Muda, who were crippled with a number of notable absentees. "Farra" - The Enforcer's spot-kick sealed the win and title Jamil Ali (left) proven why he's a trump card for the Stags again Thanks to a Fahrudin Mustafic's penalty that placed the Stags on a goal lead before half-time did the trick calm some nerves and eventually retain the title. Nonetheless, kudos to the Tampines players, who got over that heartbreak Cup loss days ago, for staying resilient throughout the evening and ensured the 15-kilogram trophy remain within the Republic boundary. Sead Hadzibulic (no 10) had i...