BoLASEPaKO.com - A Blog on Singapore Football

Tampines will now play in AFC Cup instead Should the verdict on Tampines Rovers for this season based on what you guys saw in their last evening's Asian Champions League (ACL) playoff against South China AA of Hong Kong? Some quarters may argue that the Caroliners are having the advantage over the hosting Stags, for they are in the midst of their domestic season and just claimed their 31st Senior Shield win weeks earlier and therefore being the much conditioned and prepared side of the two. Whereas, Tampines Rovers are still in their pre-season preparation for the upcoming S.League season and playing their first competitive match of the year. Imran Sahib (no 11) received his marching order for 2nd yellow Although, some may opt for a more telescopic opinion on their assessment on the Stags for having a bulk of the team not being a greenhorn at the continental level, and would have more or less expecting what are in store for them with things aren't exactly at their

Salim Moin taking charge of Stags this season Just barely a week before their first competitive game of the season - against South China AA of Hong Kong in the continent's elite club tournament - Asian Champions League (ACL) playoff on the 2nd of February, the preparation of the reigning S.League champions Tampines Rovers is far from impressive. Except for the clean sheet they maintained in their recent Cambodian trip that saw them notched two wins over their opponents in Phnom Penh, the Stags found themselves struggling to pull their act together on the home soil where they succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Geylang International in a friendly played this afternoon at Bedok Stadium. Miljan Mrdakovic (10) - new Stags signing Roberto Gamarra (19) in action for Stags Inside the box action in the second half This defeat is the third out of the five friendlies Tampines played so far (following their 7-1 loss to Johor Darul Ta’zim and 2-0 defeat to Felda United ), such

(This entry is formulated based on the media release issued by the Football Association of Singapore) It can't be more bizarre than this when a media release (dated 11th of January 2014) issued by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced the Courts Young Lions (CYL) will embark on a Turkish pre-season tour for their S.League preparation. Led by coach Aide Iskandar, who led the Cubs to a SEA Games bronze medal last December , the contingent will be taking on opponents, including Azerbaijan Under-21s, Denmark Under-21s and Czech Republic side Slavia Prague in Antalya. El-Masri (no32) re-signed for CYL The said release also confirmed the re-signing of one-time Canadian U23 international Sherif El-Masri and recruitment of Jordan Webb (from Home United) to the developmental squad with both of them, reported to be on the radar of the Foreign Talent Scheme (FTS) , joining the month long tour. “Such a training camp matches the FAS Strategic Plan’s objective to expo

On the 19th of November 2013 , I wrote on the blog's Facebook Page that Doing well or winning medal of any colours in the upcoming SEA Games Football tournament in Myanmar DOESN'T MEAN our football is on the right track. In fact, the gap between SEA and rest of Asia is widening when we are witnessing the possibility of not having representation from the Asean pac in the gathering Down Under. (for the Asian Cup) The sad thing is this "prioritized grooming" that only concentrated those in National Football Academy (NFA), Young Lions, and Lions XII for the case of this group of Cubs in the recent SEA Games, actually meant that we are constraining our talent pool by neglecting those in the eligible players in S.League and Prime League. NFA pit against a club side (Everton) in the match  So much so of kept telling us "best available players will play for the national team" when only selected are enjoying the privilege of "grooming the right way".

I do hope you guys had fun counting down last night till this morning with the ushering of 2014. Nothing major in the scene other than having a few clubs already kick off their pre-season preparation for the upcoming S.League season ( scheduled to kick off on 19th Feb - subject to change ). It's also a time when we see players moving around the island after being released from their original clubs or having a few who decided to hang up their boots to venture into a more stabling career path. Sometimes, we shouldn't feel that bit of pity if any player made up their mind to curtain their pro football career, rather we should be happy to see them manage to secure a livelihood, especially in a totally different industry. Benoit (center) and Lionel (right) retired in 2012 The past years saw the likes of former national custodian Lionel Lewis and ex-Tampines Rovers defender Benoit Croissant retire from the game and seemingly adapt well to their new environment. As w