BoLASEPaKO.com - A Blog on Singapore Football

“This is the national team, and this is a qualifying match in which we still have a chance to make the Asian Cup finals,” “There is no reason for experimentation, we have to go out and make a result.” - Bernd Stange prior to the match against Syria at Tehran on ( TODAY, 15th November 2013 ) "We have to be realistic, as now we don't have the strength to qualify for the Asian Cup in Australia at this present moment and I'm still on the lookout for younger players to play the kind of football I want to, like I said before it takes time and it's a long process." - Bernd Stange after 2-1 win over Syria on 15th October 2013 Barely a month apart and contrasting thoughts from the Singapore national team coach must have a few guys scratching their heads on the actual priority of the German coach. It was the same man quick to douse the flame after the 2-1 win over Syria at home in October to quash any fantasizing thoughts of heading Down Under next year for the

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

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

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