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Robin Singh (9) celebrated after scored the winning goal Despite starting off their campaign on competitive mode early ahead the rest in Group E, Warriors FC found things tough going since the second-tier continent club tournament campaign started by chalking up losses against Persipura Jayapura and coupled with away losses to Maziya in Maldives and Bengaluru FC in Bangalore. With this 1-0 defeat from this returning fixture against Bengaluru, it marked the certainty to see the defending S . League champions' AFC Cup campaign come to another forgettable end, as they failed to progress out of the group phrase for the second time on a roll. Robin Singh body-checked by Vidosevic Curtis Osano headed the ball away  Adding salt to the wound, the fourth straight loss on the Asian level had anchored the most successful Singapore club at the foot of their group with other result on the same evening did no favour to them. Coming into this game with a number of regular start

Lions' coach Bernd Stange has been keeping low of late It was not surprising to see the usual reaction from some supporters following the announcement of the national team for the recent friendly matches against both Thailand and Guam. The usual grouses centered around those players who are constantly ignored by the establishment despite churning consistent performance in the S.League day in and out. And not without questioning those selections they deemed dubious (based on my interpretation of some postings online). In certain cases when preparing for any major overseas tournaments, it would see the inclusion of players having the "necessary experience" to cope with the higher intensity and competitiveness that are usually demanded by the international level which is something not the local league can provide (as compared to Thailand's TPL). Coach Raddy had his frustrations during his time here Therefore, it is not uncommon to see those they claime

Jonathan Xu (13) opened the account of the evening By all standards, it wasn't the best display of football in the evening that saw the match delayed by half an hour due to the activation of the Lightning Warning System (LWS), still gloss shall not be taken away that saw a more significant occurrence that took place on the field. When referee Kao Jung-fang blown to signal the end of the AFC Cup Group F match between Balestier Khalsa and Kingfisher East Bengal, history was made with the hosting Tigers registered their first points in their maiden continental tournament after upset the Kolkata-based club 2-1 at the Jalan Besar Stadium. After the heartbreaking defeat to Johor Darul Takzim last week , Balestier seems to have put things behind them and took their chances well as early as in the sixth minute when defender Jonathan Xu triggered scoreboard with a screamer from outside. It was the Toa Payoh-based club that dominated the game for the next half an hour and saw them

Disbelief for Balestier for the late goal conceded  Even after they were gutted by a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat against defending MSL champions Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) in last evening's AFC Cup Group F encounter, Balestier Khalsa coach Marko Kraljevic is pleased with the performance put up by his team. After all, the Johoreans were a much superior side that boast the likes of Malaysian internationals Safee Sali, Amri Yahyah and etc. on their payroll, but it was the show of sheer character with fighting spirit of the unheralded Singaporean side that won the hearts of those who watched them lost the game in dying moments in the encounter. Jonathan Xu (13) is playing his second AFC Cup tournament Poh Yifeng ( center ) ready to strike an attempt With the clock ticking away in seconds after the fourth official indicated four minutes of injury time, a lapse in concentration in the back of Balestier wall allowed a slip in that was latched on perfectly by Asraruddin Putra

Nico Velez (right) looks on a Persipura's celebrations   Unfortunately, having the competitive edge after went through grills offered by the Asian Champions League (ACL) playoffs in recent weeks did not give Warriors FC the necessary advantage, as perceived by many, during their AFC Cup Group E opener against Persipura Jayapura with the former succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the Jalan Besar Stadium. After all, the Indonesian side did not have the most ideal preparation prior to this fixture due to delay commencement of their domestic season that denied any serious match practice before coming to Singapore. However, the last evening's result should more or less cast those doubts aside in the words of Metusalach Dwaramury, the assistant coach of the West Papua-based side. Boaz Solossa (hands raised) scored the second goal Speaking through a translator after the match, the bespectacled assistant to Brazilian Oswaldo Lessa opined:"While this is our first competitiv

Coach Kraljevic speaking to the media (credit: Playmaker ) After their first pre-season friendly match against the visiting Johor Darul Takzim II (JDT II) that ended in a two-all draw at the Toa Payoh Stadium, Balestier Khalsa's Croatian coach Marko Kraljevic breathe a sign of relief when he addressed the media pack after the match. Said the Singapore permanent resident:"This is the only second time we used the pitch after it was closed for maintenance and I am feeling okay and relief after able to do so after a month, "I thought we started promising for the first twenty minutes before things don't turn out well for us, overall I think we did well but we just need some time to adjust, since our foreign players only arrived last week." summarized by Coach Kraljevic on his thoughts on sharing the spoils with the Malaysia Premier League side that is led by Goran Paulic, his former teammate at the Toa Payoh-based club during the days of the semi-professiona

Balestier's latest move caused many jaws to drop Having hyped up the fraternity with their out-of-the-box online recruitment process , S . League club Balestier Khalsa had identified a number of those who came forward to register their interest in pursuing a professional football career by interviewing some of those who had been shortlisted. "We had identified a list of players from those who applied and interviewed some of them," said Mr Cheng Tim Nee, the club general manager who confirmed this information with this blogger over a series of text exchanges. However, as mentioned by club chairman Mr S Thavaneson in the papers  it's not because the club is facing a shortage of players for the coming season that will see the Tigers represent the Republic in the AFC Cup as the reigning Singapore Cup winners, but it's more about viewing it as a long-term program for the club. Poh Yifeng (foreground) gets a chance to play in Asia this year As such, it

Zaiful (yellow jersey) dominated the play in his box Just like how he did in the semifinals that aided Balestier Khalsa to the RHB Singapore Cup final after knocking out Tampines Rovers on penalties, custodian Zaiful Nizam is the Tigers' star of the night again. The former Lion City Cupper put up another stellar performance for the Toa Payoh-based club in front of 6,000 at the Jalan Besar Stadium to beat defending holders Home United 3-1 to clinch the side's second honour for the consecutive season (Balestier were the League Cup winners last year). Staying true to the spirit of any Cup fixture, the designated home side did not sit back to allow their neighbours across Braddell Road to take any advantage of having a more potent frontline that would win any game on their day. Sadly though, the night did not belong to the Protectors who were left frustrated for much of the game, not just because of Zaiful's heroics, but also due to the well-marshalled backline led b

(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) AFC Cup Home Utd 1-1 Persipura Jayapura 11/3/14 Eye on the ball on a hazy night This was the first time I wore a mask to shoot the match, as it was so hazy and choking that evening. Much better display from a S.League side with Home United drew 1-1 with Persipura Jayapura in this fixture, but the Protectors paid the heavy price for having a thin squad for this campaign and made things look very difficult for them at this stage. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE MATCH PICTURES Paul Scholes at Court Megastore Paul was looking at me ... Manchester United legend Paul Scholes was at Court Megastore on the invitation by the IT and furniture retailing giants. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE PICTURES S.League - Home Utd 2-2 Hougang

Indra Sahdan (no . 19) scored the winner Save for the own goal resulted by Precious Emuejeraye's touch in the 26th minute that led to the equalizer for the visiting Churchill Brothers, it was, otherwise, a dominant performance by Home United in this returning AFC Cup Group E fixture at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The Goa side beat the reigning Singapore Cup holders 3-1 in their earlier meeting and with defending S.League champions Tampines Rovers defeated another Indian side Pune FC a day earlier in another group match, it was without any doubt that the Protectors were determined to duplicate the same outcome. Fazrul (right) can't stop scoring since his return Izzdin Shafiq (right) tussle with Balwant Singh All hard works eventually paid off when 35-year-old striker Indra Sahdan Daud, who came on as a replacement for Emuejeraye in the second half, scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute to signal his comeback to the scene after long lay off since last Sept