BoLASEPaKO.com - A Blog on Singapore Football

(Media Information from the Football Association of Singapore ) Former Lion Rafi Ali (with cap) is instrumental behind the success of the junior Stags SINGAPORE, 27 October 2011: Tampines Rover Prime League side overcame a resolute Singapore Recreation Club 8-7 on penalties to win their third Singapore Pools FA Cup. In front of 1414 fans at the Jalan Besar stadium, the young Stags took the lead in the first half through captain Fazli Zailani but Blessing Ughojo equalised for SRC late into the second half to send the match into extra time. Both teams were unable to break the deadlock in extra time and the match went into a penalty shootout where Young Stags goalkeeper, Fariq Ghani denied his opposite number, SRC goalkeeper, Shamsudin Hashim, to send the Young Stags supporters into raptures. Tampines Rovers team manager, Zulkarnaen Zainal gave full credit to his opponents. “SRC played really well and pushed us all the way. Full credit to them as they showed that they deserve

Long overshadowed by its more glamorous counterparts (i.e.: the S.League and the Singapore Cup), the FA Cup is the third major tournament organized by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) since 1995. From 1999 onwards, the tournament had become a chance for a silverware for the NFL clubs after a decision was made that S.League clubs should not longer participate in this competition with Tanjong Pagar United being the last professional club to clinch the honour in 1998 after beating Sembawang Rangers at the demolished National Stadium. However, the admission of Prime League squads of the S.League clubs in 2006 had end the monopoly of these NFL sides on this trophy with each year finalists since then having a side being the secondary squad of a professional setup with them walked away as winners on three occasions. Picture obtained from the  official Facebook page Unfortunately, the last two editions of the Cup Final saw the part-timers triumphed over their much illustrio