Ant - Usually, when we go to the circus, we will see clowns, puppets, etc performing, and entertaining most of the spectators. However, in the case of Singapore, there was always a show which was going on, but most of the spectators didn’t know what it was all about or rather, refuse to accept what it is all about.
Singapore National Football team was disbanded by Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) president, Zainudin Nordin following the team’s dismal displays at the 2010 Suzuki Cup in Vietnam which saw the Lions bow out of the group stage. It is also the first time to my knowledge that a team was disbanded due to poor performance in an International tournament; instead of removing the head coach of the team as he did not produced the result.
A few problems off the pitch also surfaced during the Lions’ short stint at the tournament. Players were accused to have shown disciplinary problems during the Lions’ stay in Vietnam and news leaked from inside that there was a rift between some players and the management of the team.
A further check with some sources confirmed the rift between players and officials and it was basically “double standards” practices which was the main reason behind the rift. In a professional organization, when someone commits a punishable act, all that the officials need to do is to take necessary actions, instead of trying to abuse his authorities in a drunkard state, mouth reeking of alcohol, trying to advise the players in this topic, on what to do, or what not in the team hotel.
The National team was not involved in any form of exercise after the Suzuki Cup and all that the fans could rely on was the 16th season of our very own S-League. Early evening kick offs were implemented for a team in the S-League and at 5pm kickoffs, the target was to bring back the fans to the stadium. Although it started off in spectacular fashion when 2534 spectators were present in the season’s opener on a Saturday afternoon at Jalan Besar Stadium.
It was rumored that a seven digit figure was paid for the use of the marketing agency to try wooing back the crowd. Despite the positive start, figures fell in spectacular fashion. Figures in the low hundreds were reported at one stage and despite efforts to try create awareness among the fans, I’d have to say what was promised doesn’t tally with what was eventually delivered.
Football greats Cobi Jones, Eric Cantona and Pele were then brought in to entice fans but all that was needed to spoil the day’s show was a moment of foolishness by Singapore’s Technical Director Slobodan Pavkovic, who got involved in a touchline melee which saw the Serb sent to the stands. In addition to that, Slobodan was punished with a touchline ban for the entire season, as well as a hefty SGD$10,000 fine in response to something, which FAS announced that it takes very seriously.
My honest opinion of the “joke of the year” is this. As a professional, should the man be involved in the melee be a local, the local lad would have been sent packing from the buildings of Jalan Besar Stadium, without any further consideration.
Next up was the infamous “Hougang brawl” which eventually became the talking point of the year until it finally died off slowly and steadily. I wasn’t there at the point of the incident to witness the happening therefore it will not be fair for me to judge, Unlike some members from a famous print publication, who was so desperate for the story. I overheard the journalist saying this,
“hey bro, did you see what happened? Shit man, I was late, and missed the entire thing. By the time I walk in, everything had already ended.”
I am pretty confident that only the players on the pitch knew what had happened on the day of the brawl, but we see so many stories surfacing without any truths. Whatever it may be, “justice” had been served and everyone had moved on.
Referees are usually part of the controversies if any, and on 19 May 2011, the game between Hougang United and Tampines Rovers created another talking point. When a player goes off the field for treatment to his injury, he needs permission from the officials before he could be allowed back on the pitch again. The fourth official on the night allowed a Hougang player back on to the pitch but to everyone’s horror surprise, the match official flashed the yellow card at the player for not getting permission to re-enter the pitch. That has got to be the acts of the best referee in the league, I supposed. There wasn’t any form of communication between officials, so why bother having so many officials in a football match?
The Lion City Cup concluded in spectacular fashion when Singapore A and B teams finished second and third respectively behind Brazilian side CR Flamengo. This age group tournament wasn’t short of controversy as well. The match officials caused Juventus U16 head coach to speak about the standards of refereeing in Singapore not once but on two separate occasions. For the penalty decision which he spoke about it is understandable, but for a referee to send off the WRONG player on the pitch, whether or not the referee is fit to officiate an “international aged group tournament” fixture really makes me wonder.
The Singapore National Football team was named for the first time in half a year, and so much so for the disbandment, more than 50% of the squad came from the last one – which Mr Zainudin disbanded. Talks of dropping the non performers and bringing in new players went on and on and on. But what everyone failed to see is, no matter which player is brought in, they are simply there just for the sake of playing training games during training.
Head coach Radojko Avramovic always had his first 14 players. The others in the team are just there for the sake of being there. In other countries, Whenever the National team plays a friendly game, even their fans couldn’t recognize some of the players playing on the pitch. That’s because the head coaches of most countries will try new blood during such games to try and figure out who is ready to step up to the next level and can be called upon should the need arises. In Singapore, it’s isn’t the case.
Matches against Maldives, Chinese Taipei, Courts Young Lions, Thailand, Philippines, Etoile FC and Albirex Niigata (S) (Yes, you didn’t get this wrong, its Courts Young Lions, Etoile and Albirex) were the practices that the Lions had before and during the World Cup Qualifying campaign. A 6-4 win over our fiercest rivals Malaysia became the talking point of the year, sadly. Even Mr Zainudin Nordin was quoted as saying the following.
"(Malaysia) didn't beat us at all. they didn't get to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers. Malaysia went to Slovakia ... Indonesia sent their team to Uruguay for a year, but did they perform better than us? I don't think so," he told TODAY newspaper
I chuckled a bit when Mr Zainudin compared our football with the football in Malaysia and Indonesia. Yes, Malaysia didn’t beat us. But is that all that you can talk about sir? It’s FIVE LOSSES out of five games in the qualifiers. Can you say something nicer or more realistic sir? Nobody says that we’re in a soft group but please do remember, we have beaten teams in our current group before, so why can’t we now? If one were to say that teams make advancements throughout the past couple of years, then can I be right for once that Singapore football have taken a step or rather many steps backwards?
I’d always say that “Malaysia and Indonesia are doing things the right way. Look at their development system. There’s a reason why they are up there in the respective aged groups competitions.” At times, its about learning how to eat humble pie, and also learn from the respective neighbors, instead of taking “Malaysia didn’t beat us as your mere consolation”
The 16th edition of the S-League is by far the most interesting of all years when five teams were in contention for the title with a few round of games left to be played. Fans didn’t bother to turn up when it mattered. They feel that the S-League is a dying league and nothing else matters more than the Malaysia League and Cup tournaments. A league which is poor in support doesn’t mean poor standards and quality in the league. Avid followers who turn up regularly for S-League games would know why. Eventually, the title was secured on the last day by Tampines Rovers, who were on the back foot over the last few rounds of the league. So who says the S-League is boring? Just because of the fact that fans refused to watch it, doesn’t mean that it is lousy.
Social network media became a hit in Singapore in the year of 2011. A page by FAS can gather thousands of likes and the organization seemed to be happy with what they are doing. Instead of encouraging fans to head down to the stadiums to fill up the stands, gathering more likes on Facebook seemed to be their ultimate aim, when they clearly conveyed that, “social media should be the last resort”. Well, things have to start somewhere, and yes, I do agree that it is a good start, its only about time that the authorities get started on plans to attract fans back to the stadiums to fill up the seats.
Should the authorities feel that fans will “automatically” turn up in numbers for the Malaysia League and Cup games, I am afraid that they have had the wrong mentality. Do remember, Singaporeans live in their own comfort zones, and over the years, it has shown. I personally watched the Malaysia Cup back in 1991 to 1994 and at that period of time, there wasn’t any social media neither was there the widespread of internet access to get news on the teams, therefore, the only way to get myself educated is to head down to Kallang and Jalan Besar, to keep myself up to date with all the necessary information.
There were more dramas in the domestic scene which many weren’t aware. One club in Singapore, forces its players out in the cold, asking the players to “stay at home and wait for your monthly salary. You don’t have to attend training anymore.” While the editor of a certain publication strongly insist that the doing of this specific club is right, I feel that it’s just too much to do that to the players. The happenings didn’t happen once or twice. News surfaced that in 2010, this coach, who is trying to inculcate his believes into the players have already started doing that.
“When a coach needs you, he talk sweets out of you. When a coach doesn’t need you, he makes shit out of you”
The above statement was something which comes out from my mouth to everyone who knew me in person. The players go through pre season with you, work hard, and do as you say, but when you feel like it, you ask them to stay home and not come for training, telling them, “The club signed you, not me”.
Ever tried putting yourself in a position like this? I hope that the editor of this certain publication will get the same treatment one fine day. May his boss order him to stay home and not report for work again and once his contract his up, he will no longer be needed in the company again.
Football match previews usually tells the fans, the people who are interested whosoever on how the teams will play, their specific strategies, injuries, suspensions and other details which will allow the fans to know better. There was a preview by yours truly, which caused unhappiness in one specific team manager in the north east. Well, I have nothing to hide, as I’ve been doing the same to every single team, predicting how they would line up for the games. The team manager of the team which emerged victory on the night then headed to the editor of the publication which I wrote for after the game, and tell him, “Can you ask him not to write how we play?”
This editor from this publication then told me, “You can write all you want but whether I can edit or not, is not up for you to decide.”
Boom! That’s it. Another politically right person with the “Yes man” mentality. Should I say more?
In Singapore, whether or not reporters write about your team, do not be naïve and think that your opponents do not know about your teams, how you play, etc. Should you have the mentality that “I am the manager/ editor, I do what I want”, I am terribly sorry to tell you that, there are blogs, social media network and humans spreading the word on how big a joker you are in this scene. Get it?
Lastly, the signing of the MOU between Singapore and Malaysia sending teams to each other’s league for the sake of development. Judging by the way that our counterparts Malaysia are doing things, they seemed headed for the right direction. Whether or not Singapore is doing the same thing, I am not really sure. Is there an age group which is called the “Under 28”? Not to my knowledge at least.
I have to use Negeri Sembilan’s head coach’s quote for once.
“The jokers can leave the scene, but the circus will go on”
Good luck and all the best to everybody, for a “better 2012”.
Singapore National Football team was disbanded by Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) president, Zainudin Nordin following the team’s dismal displays at the 2010 Suzuki Cup in Vietnam which saw the Lions bow out of the group stage. It is also the first time to my knowledge that a team was disbanded due to poor performance in an International tournament; instead of removing the head coach of the team as he did not produced the result.
A few problems off the pitch also surfaced during the Lions’ short stint at the tournament. Players were accused to have shown disciplinary problems during the Lions’ stay in Vietnam and news leaked from inside that there was a rift between some players and the management of the team.
A further check with some sources confirmed the rift between players and officials and it was basically “double standards” practices which was the main reason behind the rift. In a professional organization, when someone commits a punishable act, all that the officials need to do is to take necessary actions, instead of trying to abuse his authorities in a drunkard state, mouth reeking of alcohol, trying to advise the players in this topic, on what to do, or what not in the team hotel.
The National team was not involved in any form of exercise after the Suzuki Cup and all that the fans could rely on was the 16th season of our very own S-League. Early evening kick offs were implemented for a team in the S-League and at 5pm kickoffs, the target was to bring back the fans to the stadium. Although it started off in spectacular fashion when 2534 spectators were present in the season’s opener on a Saturday afternoon at Jalan Besar Stadium.
It was rumored that a seven digit figure was paid for the use of the marketing agency to try wooing back the crowd. Despite the positive start, figures fell in spectacular fashion. Figures in the low hundreds were reported at one stage and despite efforts to try create awareness among the fans, I’d have to say what was promised doesn’t tally with what was eventually delivered.
Football greats Cobi Jones, Eric Cantona and Pele were then brought in to entice fans but all that was needed to spoil the day’s show was a moment of foolishness by Singapore’s Technical Director Slobodan Pavkovic, who got involved in a touchline melee which saw the Serb sent to the stands. In addition to that, Slobodan was punished with a touchline ban for the entire season, as well as a hefty SGD$10,000 fine in response to something, which FAS announced that it takes very seriously.
My honest opinion of the “joke of the year” is this. As a professional, should the man be involved in the melee be a local, the local lad would have been sent packing from the buildings of Jalan Besar Stadium, without any further consideration.
Next up was the infamous “Hougang brawl” which eventually became the talking point of the year until it finally died off slowly and steadily. I wasn’t there at the point of the incident to witness the happening therefore it will not be fair for me to judge, Unlike some members from a famous print publication, who was so desperate for the story. I overheard the journalist saying this,
“hey bro, did you see what happened? Shit man, I was late, and missed the entire thing. By the time I walk in, everything had already ended.”
I am pretty confident that only the players on the pitch knew what had happened on the day of the brawl, but we see so many stories surfacing without any truths. Whatever it may be, “justice” had been served and everyone had moved on.
Referees are usually part of the controversies if any, and on 19 May 2011, the game between Hougang United and Tampines Rovers created another talking point. When a player goes off the field for treatment to his injury, he needs permission from the officials before he could be allowed back on the pitch again. The fourth official on the night allowed a Hougang player back on to the pitch but to everyone’s horror surprise, the match official flashed the yellow card at the player for not getting permission to re-enter the pitch. That has got to be the acts of the best referee in the league, I supposed. There wasn’t any form of communication between officials, so why bother having so many officials in a football match?
The Lion City Cup concluded in spectacular fashion when Singapore A and B teams finished second and third respectively behind Brazilian side CR Flamengo. This age group tournament wasn’t short of controversy as well. The match officials caused Juventus U16 head coach to speak about the standards of refereeing in Singapore not once but on two separate occasions. For the penalty decision which he spoke about it is understandable, but for a referee to send off the WRONG player on the pitch, whether or not the referee is fit to officiate an “international aged group tournament” fixture really makes me wonder.
The Singapore National Football team was named for the first time in half a year, and so much so for the disbandment, more than 50% of the squad came from the last one – which Mr Zainudin disbanded. Talks of dropping the non performers and bringing in new players went on and on and on. But what everyone failed to see is, no matter which player is brought in, they are simply there just for the sake of playing training games during training.
Head coach Radojko Avramovic always had his first 14 players. The others in the team are just there for the sake of being there. In other countries, Whenever the National team plays a friendly game, even their fans couldn’t recognize some of the players playing on the pitch. That’s because the head coaches of most countries will try new blood during such games to try and figure out who is ready to step up to the next level and can be called upon should the need arises. In Singapore, it’s isn’t the case.
Matches against Maldives, Chinese Taipei, Courts Young Lions, Thailand, Philippines, Etoile FC and Albirex Niigata (S) (Yes, you didn’t get this wrong, its Courts Young Lions, Etoile and Albirex) were the practices that the Lions had before and during the World Cup Qualifying campaign. A 6-4 win over our fiercest rivals Malaysia became the talking point of the year, sadly. Even Mr Zainudin Nordin was quoted as saying the following.
"(Malaysia) didn't beat us at all. they didn't get to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers. Malaysia went to Slovakia ... Indonesia sent their team to Uruguay for a year, but did they perform better than us? I don't think so," he told TODAY newspaper
I chuckled a bit when Mr Zainudin compared our football with the football in Malaysia and Indonesia. Yes, Malaysia didn’t beat us. But is that all that you can talk about sir? It’s FIVE LOSSES out of five games in the qualifiers. Can you say something nicer or more realistic sir? Nobody says that we’re in a soft group but please do remember, we have beaten teams in our current group before, so why can’t we now? If one were to say that teams make advancements throughout the past couple of years, then can I be right for once that Singapore football have taken a step or rather many steps backwards?
I’d always say that “Malaysia and Indonesia are doing things the right way. Look at their development system. There’s a reason why they are up there in the respective aged groups competitions.” At times, its about learning how to eat humble pie, and also learn from the respective neighbors, instead of taking “Malaysia didn’t beat us as your mere consolation”
The 16th edition of the S-League is by far the most interesting of all years when five teams were in contention for the title with a few round of games left to be played. Fans didn’t bother to turn up when it mattered. They feel that the S-League is a dying league and nothing else matters more than the Malaysia League and Cup tournaments. A league which is poor in support doesn’t mean poor standards and quality in the league. Avid followers who turn up regularly for S-League games would know why. Eventually, the title was secured on the last day by Tampines Rovers, who were on the back foot over the last few rounds of the league. So who says the S-League is boring? Just because of the fact that fans refused to watch it, doesn’t mean that it is lousy.
Social network media became a hit in Singapore in the year of 2011. A page by FAS can gather thousands of likes and the organization seemed to be happy with what they are doing. Instead of encouraging fans to head down to the stadiums to fill up the stands, gathering more likes on Facebook seemed to be their ultimate aim, when they clearly conveyed that, “social media should be the last resort”. Well, things have to start somewhere, and yes, I do agree that it is a good start, its only about time that the authorities get started on plans to attract fans back to the stadiums to fill up the seats.
Should the authorities feel that fans will “automatically” turn up in numbers for the Malaysia League and Cup games, I am afraid that they have had the wrong mentality. Do remember, Singaporeans live in their own comfort zones, and over the years, it has shown. I personally watched the Malaysia Cup back in 1991 to 1994 and at that period of time, there wasn’t any social media neither was there the widespread of internet access to get news on the teams, therefore, the only way to get myself educated is to head down to Kallang and Jalan Besar, to keep myself up to date with all the necessary information.
There were more dramas in the domestic scene which many weren’t aware. One club in Singapore, forces its players out in the cold, asking the players to “stay at home and wait for your monthly salary. You don’t have to attend training anymore.” While the editor of a certain publication strongly insist that the doing of this specific club is right, I feel that it’s just too much to do that to the players. The happenings didn’t happen once or twice. News surfaced that in 2010, this coach, who is trying to inculcate his believes into the players have already started doing that.
“When a coach needs you, he talk sweets out of you. When a coach doesn’t need you, he makes shit out of you”
The above statement was something which comes out from my mouth to everyone who knew me in person. The players go through pre season with you, work hard, and do as you say, but when you feel like it, you ask them to stay home and not come for training, telling them, “The club signed you, not me”.
Ever tried putting yourself in a position like this? I hope that the editor of this certain publication will get the same treatment one fine day. May his boss order him to stay home and not report for work again and once his contract his up, he will no longer be needed in the company again.
Football match previews usually tells the fans, the people who are interested whosoever on how the teams will play, their specific strategies, injuries, suspensions and other details which will allow the fans to know better. There was a preview by yours truly, which caused unhappiness in one specific team manager in the north east. Well, I have nothing to hide, as I’ve been doing the same to every single team, predicting how they would line up for the games. The team manager of the team which emerged victory on the night then headed to the editor of the publication which I wrote for after the game, and tell him, “Can you ask him not to write how we play?”
This editor from this publication then told me, “You can write all you want but whether I can edit or not, is not up for you to decide.”
Boom! That’s it. Another politically right person with the “Yes man” mentality. Should I say more?
In Singapore, whether or not reporters write about your team, do not be naïve and think that your opponents do not know about your teams, how you play, etc. Should you have the mentality that “I am the manager/ editor, I do what I want”, I am terribly sorry to tell you that, there are blogs, social media network and humans spreading the word on how big a joker you are in this scene. Get it?
Lastly, the signing of the MOU between Singapore and Malaysia sending teams to each other’s league for the sake of development. Judging by the way that our counterparts Malaysia are doing things, they seemed headed for the right direction. Whether or not Singapore is doing the same thing, I am not really sure. Is there an age group which is called the “Under 28”? Not to my knowledge at least.
I have to use Negeri Sembilan’s head coach’s quote for once.
“The jokers can leave the scene, but the circus will go on”
Good luck and all the best to everybody, for a “better 2012”.
Center : http://ligasingapura.blogspot.co
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