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Showing posts from October, 2013

"Matchpix" - October 2013

(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) 2013 Singapore Cup - Home Utd 1-0 Balestier Khalsa 7/10/13 Nothing went right for the Tigers (white jersey) that day  It was a dream that came to an abrupt end with Balestier Khalsa saw their unprecedented bid for a cup double ended in an agony. Given a precedence that saw the newly crowned League Cup winners came from behind to beat Hougang United to be in the RHB Singapore Cup's "Final Four", hopes were high for the Tigers to repeat the same feat against Home United who were on a slim advantage of a goal margin after their semi-final first-leg win at Toa Payoh earlier. But Firdaus Idros's strike in second half dashed any hope of doing so. Tried these shots on the settings of ISO 2500, 1/1000 on f2.8. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE

Another second chance for Stags in Asia

Three-peat for Tampines Rovers  Unlike the previous two seasons that saw tight finishing to the S . League title race, Tampines Rovers had a relatively easy ride (amid some scares along the way) on their route to retaining the trophy. Thanks to their closest rivals Albirex Niigata (Singapore)'s defeat to Balestier Khalsa last Sunday, the Stags were declared the league champions without kicking a ball and had their trophy presentation took place right after their 1-1 draw against Tanjong Pagar United last evening at home. The presentation coincided with the Asian Champions League (ACL) final which took place on the same night and it's no secret the now five-time S. League champions have long harbour the thoughts to compete with the continent's elite. Wonder if I would get another chance? Depending on the outcome of the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) criteria check weeks ago on the S . League (which is due to release next month), Tampines would then

Not easy shooting INSIDE for the Masters

The "Masters" getting ready for action at the tunnel This afternoon saw me inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium for the IG Masters 6s Singapore Cup. This event was back in town for the second time running after the first was held last year at the same venue. It featured the likes of Robbie Fowler, Mark Wright, Paul Parker, Patrik Berger with many others who used to ply their livelihood in the English Premier League (EPL) and not forgetting our own heroes like Nazri Nasir, Dalis Supait, Lim Tong Hai, Bashir Khan plus the still active Aleksandar Duric turning together for the Singapore Masters team. Robbie Fowler (R) takes on Alex Duric (C) with Lim Tong Hai looks on Pierre van Hooijdonk (right) made scoring look easy Meanwhile those former EPL stars were represented in the forms of "Liverpool Masters", "Man Utd Masters"(based on their past affiliation with the two clubs) and "EPL All Stars Master". The event was split into three

Status Quo for Albirex in S.League as they spread their Cambodian wings

Albirex Singapore Pte Ltd, the operating company of S.League club Albirex Niigata (Singapore), announced the establishment of Albirex Niigata Phnom Penh FC (ANPPFC). The logo of the new club (via Albirex Niigata-S's FB ) The newly setup is a wholly owned subsidiary of Albirex Singapore in Cambodia and will be based in the country capital Phnom Penh where they are due for their debut in the “Metfone Cambodian League” (C-League) next year. "Albirex Niigata Phnom Penh FC will also hope to raise the value of sports in Cambodia by operating a football club in Japanese style and contributing Cambodian society. Through these activities, we will try to be a role model as a leading company in the Japanese sports business." said the club in the statement on the motive behind their foray into the Cambodian football scene. Scheduled to kick-off in January 2014, ANPPFC will fill up their roster using mainly Cambodian players with up to five import players allowed under the s

"It'll be SEA Games!" as Coach Stange declared his priority after 2-1 win over Syria

Khairul Amri (19) gave Lions the lead in 61st It is obvious that Singapore national team coach Bernd Stange will be heavily involved in the preparation for the upcoming SEA Games with the remaining matches in ongoing Asian Cup qualifiers are served as tuning up process. Naming seven players with Games eligibility in the starting lineup in their 2-1 win over Syria, therefore, came no surprise when he mentioned earlier the "first test" to prove his "passing-and-dominating" theory will be in the biennial regional meet . Shafiq Ghani (center) helping out in defence Safuwan Baharudin (21) kept things tidy at back That notion was confirmed right immediately after the Lions' victory at the Jalan Besar Stadium on the night that saw Khairul Amri and Gabriel Quak put their names on the scoresheet against the Middle-Easterners. "It'll be the SEA Games," said the 65-year-old coach in reply to the first question fielded by the media in the

Coach Stange remains defiant amid criticism ahead of Syrian test

Coach Bernd Stange (right) facing criticism lately Bracing the brickbats thrown at his direction following string of unconvincing results by the Singapore national team of late, national coach Bernd Stange remains defiant. Speaking to the media before the start of the Lions' training session at the Jalan Besar Stadium, the 65-year-old German coach insisted his "passing-and-dominating" philosophy is the trend of world football these days. "First, I have to correct that this is not Bernd Stange style of football, as this is how football is now played on international level with passing at high speed." stressed ex-Belarus coach on his theory that is the gauge of football nowadays. "We must see this process as a long term one and not something we can do in five months time." he added. Adam Swandi has been prominent in Stange's plan A defeat in the penultimate showdown against the Syrians on this coming Tuesday will see the reigning Ase

That "Lack of Sense of Belonging"...

"Untuk Bangsa Dan Negara" I was having a chat with someone, who is a not sports fan, and he commented there is a lack of sense of belonging in Singapore nowadays and that a match involving the national team is unlikely to attract passionate crowds to back the Lions. DAILY HARDSHIP RESULTED IN A LACK OF SUPPORT That lack of sense of belonging he suggested is not merely because the mass public doesn't feel the sense of connection to those on the field but the general society's sentiment on whole does not have that "feel" towards this land we live on. By that he opined when the general public is facing constraints and difficulties to carry on with their daily life with little space of luxury, how would one feel the "sense of belonging" towards this country amid those hardships, let alone throwing their weight behind "Singapore" during those matches? NOT SKILLS BUT FANS' MOTIVATION TO WIN GAMES He went on added it's not

[RHB Singapore Cup] Agony for the Tigers as Protectors march on to the Final

Tigers came close to tap on this melee in 20th minute It was a dream that came to an abrupt end with Balestier Khalsa saw their unprecedented bid for a cup double ended in an agony. Given a precedence that saw the newly crowned League Cup winners came from behind to beat Hougang United to be in the RHB Singapore Cup's "Final Four", hopes were high for the Tigers to repeat the same feat against Home United who were on a slim advantage of a goal margin after their semi-final first-leg win at Toa Payoh last week. In a match that was relocated to the Jalan Besar Stadium from Bishan Stadium for unspecific reasons, both teams took onto the field knowing a slip would be costly for either side in their bid for glory. However, the cautious approach was soon overshadowed by some physical plays on the field that saw referee Leow Thiam Hoe reaching for his pocket on numerous occasions to keep things in check. The red card incident in the 33rd minute Kim Minho (15) go