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) Long before you think I am not longer taking shots from the pitchside as active as I used to, I managed to compile a few along the way sporadically (After all, it was quite an investment I had for those gears). AFC Cup - Home Utd 2-1 Churchill Brothers 2/4/14 Home United was one of the two sides played in the AFC Cup tournament few months ago and didn't make it to the next phrase like they last did in 2012. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO THE REST OF THE MATCH PICTURES Touring of the new National Stadium 21/5/14 Glad it is ready by now that when I was there to see the pitch surface of the new stadium, I did have my doubts with all those rumbles and constructions still ongoing around the arena. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE SHOTS

Another SHUTOUT again... The seven goals conceded by the Filipino powerhouses Global FC to S . League table toppers, DPMM FC in last evening's RHB Singapore Cup totalled up to 15 goals, in which eight were let in two other invited sides days earlier (i.e.: five by Nagacorp to Home Utd on Friday , three were scored by Albirex Niigata (S) against Svay Rieng on Wednesday ). Not a pretty statistics to justify their presence in the tournament after another shutout on one of these guest sides playing in local premier Cup competition and somehow made a mockery out of one of those comments to have them in the first place. "The RHB Singapore Cup has grown to be a big regional tournament. I am very pleased to have the top clubs from the region to participate annually in the RHB Singapore Cup and every year the level of competition is being raised. ..." as mentioned in one of those words (extracted from the FAS media release issued on 23/5/14). However, results don't

(This entry is formulated based on the media release issued by the Football Association of Singapore ) Home Utd are the reigning Cup holders (file) Despite their heart breaking exit from the AFC Cup tournament weeks ago, Home United found on a new battleground surrounded by another legion of foreign teams. As the reigning Cup holders, the Protectors will now have to fight their way out of the Pool B of this season's RHB Singapore Cup tournament to be assured of another chance to represent the island republic in the continental front. In a draw that was held this morning at the Jalan Besar Stadium, the Bishan-based club were drawn into the group that features fellow S . League sides like Albirex Niigata (Singapore) FC and Brunei DPMM with the returning of Filipino sides Global FC and Loyola Meralco Sparks. The remaining three slots in Pool B went to the newcomers of the tournament - Nagacorp FC and Svay Rieng FC of Cambodia with Laotian side Champasak filling up the

(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 - Home Utd 3-1 Albirex Niigata (S) 4/11/13 Runners-up medals at presentation The outcome of the match determined the positionings behind Tampines Rovers Football Club - the champions and saw Home United Football Club outmuscled Albirex Niigata FC Singapore 3-1 to claim the second and third spot respectively with a stunner by Sirina Camara. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE MATCH PICTURES Singapore Cup Final - Home Utd 4-1 Tanjong Pagar Utd 8/11/13 Off to Asia again for the Protectors Home United Football Club claimed the other ticket to Asia with an emphatic 4-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United at the JBS. Clearly for all to see the tough fitness regime imposed by Korean coach Lee Lim Saeng paid off that saw the Protectors overcame

Off to Asia again with this Cup win by Home United Should we say the emphasis on match fitness by Home United coach Lee Lim Saeng paid off with that emphatic display that shredded Tanjong Pagar United apart in the RHB Singapore Cup final? Just days ago a friend of mine suggested that the Protectors are the fittest side among the S. League clubs with the tough regime imposed by the former Korean international since his arrival at the Bishan-based club three years ago. All it took was two quick set-pieces goals in the early stages of the first half to inflict the damage on their opponents to set the momentum right for Home United to wrap up their second Cup win under Coach Lee with a convincing 4-1 scoreline. Shahril Jantan won the Cup two-on-a-roll Seemingly agreeing with the opening notion, Home United's 'keeper Shahril Jantan offered his thoughts to this blogger after the match. Said the decorated custodian: "I think that this team is fitter as compared to

(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

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

I would like to apologize for not being able to load up the July compilation and decided to merge together with those taken in August, regret any inconvenience caused. 2013 Singapore Cup - Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Hougang Utd (26/7/13) Balestier Khalsa are on route to a possible Cup double glories Balestier Khalsa overcame a two-goal deficit to level the game on aggregate and forced the game to extra time before triggering the penalty decider to knock Hougang Utd out of the Cup to clinch the first berth of the "Final Four". The outcome of this series also gave birth to a nickname for any match featuring both - the "Pinball Derby". Thank goodness that the  Tigers were in the  white outfits to allow shots at ISO3200. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE MATCH PICTURES Singapore Cup - Home United 3-2 Geylang Int'l 29/7/2013 Guess whose head was hidden The 2011 Cup holders filled up the last slot of the "Final Four" with a 5

BALESTIER CLAIMED FIRST BERTH OF CUP 'FINAL FOUR' "Football is so unpredictable and never to speak too soon" said Balestier Khalsa assistant coach Kevin Wee who was delegated to speak to the media after the comeback win that saw Balestier Khalsa clinched the first berth of the Singapore Cup "Final Four". Kim Minho's (center) goal levelled to force extra time Indeed, the Tigers came back from a two-goal deficit to draw level in the second half of the returning fixture at home and triggered a PK decider to knock Hougang Utd out of the tournament. Credit to the hosts for a spirited second half display taking advantage after Cheetahs lost their shape following a Qiu Li strike to make it 2-1 on aggregate before Kim Minho levelled the scores moments later. Balestier Khalsa 2-2 Hougang United on aggregate (Balestier beat Hougang 4-1 on penalties) DPMM OUT OF THE CUP IN THE END... I do hope it wasn't a scrappy affair like the first leg when I

What would be your first impression? In an attempt to draw awareness to the RHB Singapore Cup tournament, that will be entering to its Quarter-Final phrase this coming week, the organizers staged a "Flash Mob" gimmick outside Chervon House (pictured above) in the Central Business District (CBD). I am not quite certain if such an act should qualify it as a "Flash Mob" with a group engaged themselves in a kick-about follow a swift dance routine. From the video clip itself (below), we can see the gimmick did draw curious looks from the passing crowds, although it was uncertain if those members of the public were aware this being a promotional gimmick for a football tournament OR for some sort of financial products for a bank? This afternoon's initiative came on top of those recent marketing moves by the league authority to entice crowds to S.League matches (i.e.: the to-be-released S.League clubs themed teddy bears and the lucky draw with a car as the

(This entry is formulated based on the media release by the Football Association of Singapore) Due to the ongoing haze looming over the island, the league authority released a statement this afternoon (20/6/13) pertaining the semi-final matches that were supposed to play during the last two days. "Due to the weather conditions caused by the haze and in consultation with StarHub, the title sponsors, both the StarHub League Cup 2013 semi-final matches which were scheduled for tonight, 20th June will be postponed. As a result of the postponement of tonight’s semi-final matches, the finals scheduled on Sunday, 23rd June will also need to be rescheduled. The semi-final and final matches will now be rescheduled to the period between 2nd and 15th September 2013." (Abovementioned paragraph extracted from the FAS media release issued on the 20th of June) RHB Singapore Cup 2013 Quarter-Finals Fixtures TEAMS (HOME) TEAMS (AWAY) VENUE DATE TIME

Happier Times for Benett last year (File Picture) 37.5% - that is the percentage NOW of seeing the RHB Singapore Cup being retained within the boundary of the Republic. Following the completion of the first round, Tanjong Pagar United is the sole local representative in Pool B beside Global FC from the Philippines who will be joined by fellow countrymen Loyola Meralco Sparks (defeated Harimau Muda) and Brunei DPMM (thrashed Lao Police FC 4-0). Meanwhile, the likes of local sides Home United, Geylang International, Hougang United and Balestier Khalsa make up the Pool B. I am not sure how much has the landscape changed with last year's finalists being knocked out by their respective opponents. Defending Cup winners Warriors (won the honour as SAFFC last year) were knocked out of the way by Global FC last weekend on a 2-0 scoreline, while Tay Peng Kee's return to the Tampines Rovers' hot seat was marred by the defeat in the hands of Hougang United days earlier.