Subramani leaving Home Utd
Home United's S-League title aspirations took a knock when they fell 4-0 to Albirex Niigata last Saturday.
The Protectors must now brace for an even bigger hit come the end of the month, when assistant coach S. Subramani parts ways with the Bishan-based club.
"I have to do this now because an opportunity in the education sector has come along and if I don't take this career-development chance now, it may not come again," he told TODAY.
Mani, as he is affectionately known in the fraternity, moved to Home after winning the S-League Player of the Year title in 1998 with Tanjong Pagar United, and has stayed loyal to the club for the rest of his playing career that he called to a close in 2009.
He has won two S-League titles and four Singapore Cups with the club he has served as assistant coach since his retirement.
"This was not an easy decision to make, football has been my life all this while, but I could not pass up on this opportunity, and I won't rule out coming back to football in the future," added the 39-year-old Mani who has 115 caps for Singapore and a degree in Sport Management.
Said Home goalkeeper Lionel Lewis: "He's an extraordinary example of a footballer, a great captain and coach who's willing to help any one of us. That's something we'll definitely miss.
"But we know what we must do (in the league), there are nine games to go, and we have to focus."
Home general manager S. Mahalingam revealed that the club will not bring in a replacement until next season, with former Korean international Kim Dae Eui taking over Mani's duties.
~News courtesy of Today~
2011年9月14日星期三
2011年8月30日星期二
2011年8月1日星期一
Lions up against it in China
Lions up against it in China
The Lions' first match of the group stage of the Asian Zone World Cup qualifiers will be in China on September 2, and Radojko Avramovic's men have already been put on the back foot.
Singapore will open their Group A campaign against the Chinese in the south-western city of Kunming, which is located 1,900m above sea level.
Not only will they have to struggle in the thin air, they could go into the game without midfield inspiration Hariss Harun and central defender Safuwan Baharudin, who were both outstanding in the 1-1 draw with Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur last Thursday.
Hariss, 20, is set to begin his National Service (NS) on August 10 with the Singapore Police Force, while 19-year-old Safuwan is midway through his stint with the men in blue and has yet to be given the green light to play.
TODAY understands that three players who were on the bench in KL - defender Afiq Yunos and midfielders Zulfahmi Arifin and Nazrul Nazari - are also expected to be called up for NS within the month.
To compound matters, the Lions will go into the game three days after the fasting month of Ramadan ends.
Besides China, the other teams in Group A are Iraq and Jordan.
China have arranged for all their home fixtures to be played in the high altitude of Kunming and Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Zainudin Nordin said on Monday there are no grounds to appeal to FIFA.
Said Zainudin: "Any country can host a match in any city within their territory. They may want to take such an important match to people in cities that have never had the opportunity to see their national team play in a stadium.
"We are doing all we can to make sure our boys are well prepared to face the conditions in Kunming.
"How much time we can get to help them acclimatise will depend on everyone's schedules, time off from S-League clubs and other employers."
The Lions' second game in the group will be against Iraq at the Jalan Besar Stadium on September 6 and the FAS are trying to see if at least Hariss and Safuwan can be included in the squad.
Said team manager Eugene Loo: "We are talking to both players and their parents, and are making enquiries with the Police if this is possible. We hope to be able to get an answer from the authorities very soon."
"Oxygen levels are lower at that altitude and you need two to three weeks to get acclimatised to the environment," said Dr Kelvin Chew, consultant physician at the Changi General Hospital's sports medicine centre.
"In that period they will gain more red blood cells to carry more oxygen for the body."
Former Singapore striker Fandi Ahmad has not played in any matches at high altitude. Yet he feels professional footballers have to be ready to play in any conditions.
"We can't be good in one condition and then say we don't want to play in another kind of environment. This is football and the game is supposed to be played anywhere," said the former star striker.
Group A third round fixtures:
Sept 2: China vs Singapore (away)
Sept 6: Singapore vs Iraq (home)
Oct 11: Singapore vs Jordan (home)
Nov 11: Jordan vs Singapore (away)
Nov 15: Singapore vs China (home)
Feb 29: Iraq vs Singapore (away)
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The Lions' first match of the group stage of the Asian Zone World Cup qualifiers will be in China on September 2, and Radojko Avramovic's men have already been put on the back foot.
Singapore will open their Group A campaign against the Chinese in the south-western city of Kunming, which is located 1,900m above sea level.
Not only will they have to struggle in the thin air, they could go into the game without midfield inspiration Hariss Harun and central defender Safuwan Baharudin, who were both outstanding in the 1-1 draw with Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur last Thursday.
Hariss, 20, is set to begin his National Service (NS) on August 10 with the Singapore Police Force, while 19-year-old Safuwan is midway through his stint with the men in blue and has yet to be given the green light to play.
TODAY understands that three players who were on the bench in KL - defender Afiq Yunos and midfielders Zulfahmi Arifin and Nazrul Nazari - are also expected to be called up for NS within the month.
To compound matters, the Lions will go into the game three days after the fasting month of Ramadan ends.
Besides China, the other teams in Group A are Iraq and Jordan.
China have arranged for all their home fixtures to be played in the high altitude of Kunming and Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Zainudin Nordin said on Monday there are no grounds to appeal to FIFA.
Said Zainudin: "Any country can host a match in any city within their territory. They may want to take such an important match to people in cities that have never had the opportunity to see their national team play in a stadium.
"We are doing all we can to make sure our boys are well prepared to face the conditions in Kunming.
"How much time we can get to help them acclimatise will depend on everyone's schedules, time off from S-League clubs and other employers."
The Lions' second game in the group will be against Iraq at the Jalan Besar Stadium on September 6 and the FAS are trying to see if at least Hariss and Safuwan can be included in the squad.
Said team manager Eugene Loo: "We are talking to both players and their parents, and are making enquiries with the Police if this is possible. We hope to be able to get an answer from the authorities very soon."
"Oxygen levels are lower at that altitude and you need two to three weeks to get acclimatised to the environment," said Dr Kelvin Chew, consultant physician at the Changi General Hospital's sports medicine centre.
"In that period they will gain more red blood cells to carry more oxygen for the body."
Former Singapore striker Fandi Ahmad has not played in any matches at high altitude. Yet he feels professional footballers have to be ready to play in any conditions.
"We can't be good in one condition and then say we don't want to play in another kind of environment. This is football and the game is supposed to be played anywhere," said the former star striker.
Group A third round fixtures:
Sept 2: China vs Singapore (away)
Sept 6: Singapore vs Iraq (home)
Oct 11: Singapore vs Jordan (home)
Nov 11: Jordan vs Singapore (away)
Nov 15: Singapore vs China (home)
Feb 29: Iraq vs Singapore (away)
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
2011年7月18日星期一
S'pore-Malaysia World Cup qualifier live on Ch5
Football: S'pore-Malaysia World Cup qualifier live on Ch5
The tickets are sold out but not to worry.
MediaCorp TV's Channel 5 will telecast 'live' the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Singapore and Malaysia.
It has acquired the 'live' rights for both the home and away matches.
The home match, to be played at Jalan Besar Stadium, will be shown 'live' on Channel 5 on Saturday, July 23 at 7:25pm.
The return leg, to be played at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, will be shown 'live' on Thursday, July 28 at 8:40pm.
News 5 Tonight on Thursday July 28 will broadcast after the match.
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said all 4,000 tickets to the July 23 match were snapped up on the first day of sales on Saturday.
Having been a supporter since young, a 64-year-old elderly fan said: "Everybody is disappointed. I couldn't get tickets. What can I do. But no matter how, I'll find my way."
But another is "happy they are showing on TV. I can watch it 'live'. It's clear on TV."
Also looking forward to watching the match on Channel 5 is another fan, who said: "Jalan Besar is not a big stadium. More viewers can watch from the TV. It's a consolation, but the atmosphere will definitely be different."
A boy added: "Singapore, Malaysia will always be the most special game because of the rivalry (on the football field) that we have between the two countries."
The channel's vice-president for network acquisitions, Joy Olby-Tan, said: "Football matches between Singapore and our neighbour Malaysia have always evoked intense emotion amongst the fans.
"Let's all come together and support our Singapore Lions with all our hearts."
Fans can also catch the matches 'live' online at xinmsn.com/wcqlive and on Catch-Up TV on xinmsn.com/catchup the next working day.
The match between Singapore and Malaysia on July 23 is a second-round 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier for Asia.
Singapore was given a 'bye' in the first round while Malaysia overcame Taiwan on away goals to make it to the second round.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
The tickets are sold out but not to worry.
MediaCorp TV's Channel 5 will telecast 'live' the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Singapore and Malaysia.
It has acquired the 'live' rights for both the home and away matches.
The home match, to be played at Jalan Besar Stadium, will be shown 'live' on Channel 5 on Saturday, July 23 at 7:25pm.
The return leg, to be played at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, will be shown 'live' on Thursday, July 28 at 8:40pm.
News 5 Tonight on Thursday July 28 will broadcast after the match.
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said all 4,000 tickets to the July 23 match were snapped up on the first day of sales on Saturday.
Having been a supporter since young, a 64-year-old elderly fan said: "Everybody is disappointed. I couldn't get tickets. What can I do. But no matter how, I'll find my way."
But another is "happy they are showing on TV. I can watch it 'live'. It's clear on TV."
Also looking forward to watching the match on Channel 5 is another fan, who said: "Jalan Besar is not a big stadium. More viewers can watch from the TV. It's a consolation, but the atmosphere will definitely be different."
A boy added: "Singapore, Malaysia will always be the most special game because of the rivalry (on the football field) that we have between the two countries."
The channel's vice-president for network acquisitions, Joy Olby-Tan, said: "Football matches between Singapore and our neighbour Malaysia have always evoked intense emotion amongst the fans.
"Let's all come together and support our Singapore Lions with all our hearts."
Fans can also catch the matches 'live' online at xinmsn.com/wcqlive and on Catch-Up TV on xinmsn.com/catchup the next working day.
The match between Singapore and Malaysia on July 23 is a second-round 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier for Asia.
Singapore was given a 'bye' in the first round while Malaysia overcame Taiwan on away goals to make it to the second round.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
周六新马世界杯外围赛 黄牛票1500元引球迷不满
周六新马世界杯外围赛 黄牛票1500元引球迷不满
新马对垒的2014年巴西世界杯亚洲区外围赛，一对原价30元的门票，在网上竟被人炒高到1500大元。
这场将在本周六（7月23日）举行的比赛，门票在上星期六开始在惹兰勿刹体育场公开发售。
据知，早在上星期五晚上10时30分，就有人开始摸黑去排队。
到了星期六下午2时20分，全部4000张门票，在短短六个小时被抢购一空。
几个小时后，网上便开始有人叫卖黄牛票，原价15元一张的门票，竟被人炒卖到上百倍。
据《新报》报道，一些人几乎是一买到门票就立刻准备脱手，最高的叫价是一对门票要卖400多元。
高价炒黄牛票，引起球迷不满；声称漏夜排队，因此标价$400。
《新明日报》
新马对垒的2014年巴西世界杯亚洲区外围赛，一对原价30元的门票，在网上竟被人炒高到1500大元。
这场将在本周六（7月23日）举行的比赛，门票在上星期六开始在惹兰勿刹体育场公开发售。
据知，早在上星期五晚上10时30分，就有人开始摸黑去排队。
到了星期六下午2时20分，全部4000张门票，在短短六个小时被抢购一空。
几个小时后，网上便开始有人叫卖黄牛票，原价15元一张的门票，竟被人炒卖到上百倍。
据《新报》报道，一些人几乎是一买到门票就立刻准备脱手，最高的叫价是一对门票要卖400多元。
高价炒黄牛票，引起球迷不满；声称漏夜排队，因此标价$400。
《新明日报》
2011年7月15日星期五
Singapore to return to Malaysia Cup from 2012
Football: Singapore to return to Malaysia Cup from 2012
Singapore and Malaysia marked another historical milestone in relations on Tuesday.
After nearly two decades, a Singapore football team will make its return in the Malaysia Cup from next year.
This came after the football associations of the two countries inked a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop the sport and forge closer ties.
Under the MOU, a Singapore Lions under-23 team will play in the Malaysian Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup from 2012 to 2015.
And for the first time, a Malaysian Tigers under-23 team will also play in the S-League, League Cup and Singapore Cup.
Both teams will be made up of Under-23 players, five senior players, and the option of utilising foreign players, based on the rules of the respective leagues.
A new competition - the annual FAS-FAM series - will also take place.
It will see the S-League champions face Malaysian Super League champions, while the Singapore Cup winners will face the Malaysia Cup winners. Both games will be played on a home-and-away basis.
The collaboration will also see an increase in the number of international friendlies between the two countries from the youth levels, through to the senior national teams.
The move is expected to raise the quality of the game in both countries.
"Football is a wonderful platform to bring people together and I think it has always been a tradition for Singapore and Malaysia, for some friendly rivalry and at the same time, the fervour of supporters from Singapore and Malaysia now can be translated into real competition that both associations and countries can be proud of," said Zainudin Nordin, President of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
Both associations also hope the agreement will open up more collaboration in future.
Welcoming the partnership, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Deputy President Tengku Abdullah said: "We welcome this move. It certainly gives a positive impact to Malaysia, especially amongst our youth players. It is a big opportunity for our players to gain exposure in the S-League and at the same time, the Singapore Lions will have the same opportunities in our Malaysian Super League. With this agreement, we hope that this will open the door for many more collaborations in future."
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Singapore and Malaysia marked another historical milestone in relations on Tuesday.
After nearly two decades, a Singapore football team will make its return in the Malaysia Cup from next year.
This came after the football associations of the two countries inked a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop the sport and forge closer ties.
Under the MOU, a Singapore Lions under-23 team will play in the Malaysian Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup from 2012 to 2015.
And for the first time, a Malaysian Tigers under-23 team will also play in the S-League, League Cup and Singapore Cup.
Both teams will be made up of Under-23 players, five senior players, and the option of utilising foreign players, based on the rules of the respective leagues.
A new competition - the annual FAS-FAM series - will also take place.
It will see the S-League champions face Malaysian Super League champions, while the Singapore Cup winners will face the Malaysia Cup winners. Both games will be played on a home-and-away basis.
The collaboration will also see an increase in the number of international friendlies between the two countries from the youth levels, through to the senior national teams.
The move is expected to raise the quality of the game in both countries.
"Football is a wonderful platform to bring people together and I think it has always been a tradition for Singapore and Malaysia, for some friendly rivalry and at the same time, the fervour of supporters from Singapore and Malaysia now can be translated into real competition that both associations and countries can be proud of," said Zainudin Nordin, President of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
Both associations also hope the agreement will open up more collaboration in future.
Welcoming the partnership, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Deputy President Tengku Abdullah said: "We welcome this move. It certainly gives a positive impact to Malaysia, especially amongst our youth players. It is a big opportunity for our players to gain exposure in the S-League and at the same time, the Singapore Lions will have the same opportunities in our Malaysian Super League. With this agreement, we hope that this will open the door for many more collaborations in future."
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Malaysia, Singapore super league?
Football: Malaysia, Singapore super league?
A day after the announcement of Singapore's return to the Malaysia Cup next year, Today newspaper has learnt that the sport's authorities on both sides of the Causeway are working towards a far more ambitious project: Forming a super league by merging their respective domestic leagues.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source familiar with the negotiations told Today: "The FAS and FAM are convinced that, with a total population of almost 40 million and the traditional rivalry between our teams and fans, the interest levels can be tapped to drive football even higher."
On Tuesday, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) inked a four-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) that, among other things, will see each country field a team in its counterpart's domestic league and cup competitions.
The source added that both sides are "exploring the possibility" of launching the super league before the MOU expires in 2015.
Issues such as the number of teams from each country, the possibility of relegation and finances will have to be addressed.
Tampines Rovers, one of the more successful clubs in the S-League, will join the super league if it comes into fruition, said its club chairman Teo Hock Seng.
Mr Teo wondered if a regional league was possible: "An ASEAN League has been suggested for the later part of this decade, and a multilateral agreement that will include countries like Laos and Cambodia, instead of a bilateral one, will serve football a lot more."
Gombak United chairman John Yap said a super league could even challenge the popularity of the English Premier League, which draws many fans in the region away from their domestic leagues.
Said Mr Yap: "If managed well and with proper governance, the combined league has a fairly good chance of becoming the best in Asia. Football fans in Singapore and Malaysia are one of the craziest in the world, and their support of such a league will lure sponsors, which is one of our major problems now."
Courts chief executive Terry O'Connor, whose company sponsors the Courts Young Lions in the S-League, hailed the possibility of a super league.
"This is a great idea that will galvanise fans to support football in both countries. The potential to attract more commercial interest in football is tremendous," he said.
The S-League, which currently features 12 teams, has created nearly 1,000 jobs and boasts an average annual turnover of around S$200 million. The spin-off from television rights for a super league will add to teams' coffers, Mr Yap noted.
Apart from stadiums with bigger capacity, some logistical adjustments have to be made, said Geylang chairman Patrick Ang.
Mr Ang pointed out that some S-League clubs will have to consolidate their resources to compete in a super league.
"Malaysian clubs are accustomed to travelling cross-country for their matches ... Big clubs like SAFFC and Home United (in the S-League) may have the means but those like mine will have to consider merger with other teams," Mr Ang said.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
A day after the announcement of Singapore's return to the Malaysia Cup next year, Today newspaper has learnt that the sport's authorities on both sides of the Causeway are working towards a far more ambitious project: Forming a super league by merging their respective domestic leagues.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source familiar with the negotiations told Today: "The FAS and FAM are convinced that, with a total population of almost 40 million and the traditional rivalry between our teams and fans, the interest levels can be tapped to drive football even higher."
On Tuesday, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) inked a four-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) that, among other things, will see each country field a team in its counterpart's domestic league and cup competitions.
The source added that both sides are "exploring the possibility" of launching the super league before the MOU expires in 2015.
Issues such as the number of teams from each country, the possibility of relegation and finances will have to be addressed.
Tampines Rovers, one of the more successful clubs in the S-League, will join the super league if it comes into fruition, said its club chairman Teo Hock Seng.
Mr Teo wondered if a regional league was possible: "An ASEAN League has been suggested for the later part of this decade, and a multilateral agreement that will include countries like Laos and Cambodia, instead of a bilateral one, will serve football a lot more."
Gombak United chairman John Yap said a super league could even challenge the popularity of the English Premier League, which draws many fans in the region away from their domestic leagues.
Said Mr Yap: "If managed well and with proper governance, the combined league has a fairly good chance of becoming the best in Asia. Football fans in Singapore and Malaysia are one of the craziest in the world, and their support of such a league will lure sponsors, which is one of our major problems now."
Courts chief executive Terry O'Connor, whose company sponsors the Courts Young Lions in the S-League, hailed the possibility of a super league.
"This is a great idea that will galvanise fans to support football in both countries. The potential to attract more commercial interest in football is tremendous," he said.
The S-League, which currently features 12 teams, has created nearly 1,000 jobs and boasts an average annual turnover of around S$200 million. The spin-off from television rights for a super league will add to teams' coffers, Mr Yap noted.
Apart from stadiums with bigger capacity, some logistical adjustments have to be made, said Geylang chairman Patrick Ang.
Mr Ang pointed out that some S-League clubs will have to consolidate their resources to compete in a super league.
"Malaysian clubs are accustomed to travelling cross-country for their matches ... Big clubs like SAFFC and Home United (in the S-League) may have the means but those like mine will have to consider merger with other teams," Mr Ang said.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
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