Week 17
12 Jul 2005
Albirex VS P Lebar
13 Jul 2005
Geylang VS SAF
14 Jul 2005
Woodlands VS Balestier
Sinchi VS Y Lions
15 Jul 2005
Home VS Tampines
Competition: Albirex Niigata FC (S) vs Paya Lebar Punggol FC
Date & Time: 12 July 2005 7:30:00 PM
Venue: Jurong East
Paya Lebar hungry for more
On paper, it seemed that the match up between Albirex Niigata and Paya Lebar Punggol is one of no-contest.
In one corner sits Albirex, whose parent team currently plays in the J-league, made up entirely of professionals from Japan. Most of team is made up of young and energetic players, eager to impress in order to gain entry to their parent team back in Japan.
On the other sits table dwellers Paya Lebar Punggol, a club playing their first ever season in the S-league, formed hastily on a low budget.
Furthermore, the team has already broken the record of most number of consecutive defeats in the leagueÂ’s short history and seen the departure of their team manager and head coach even before the season reached its halfway mark.
However, performances recently have suggested otherwise.
After chalking up remarkable performances under new coach Qi Yubo, the Seahorses finally secured their first ever point in the league last week with a 2-2 against the Young Lions.
“Morale at the club is at an all time high,” said Steven Lee, currently holding the post of Vice-Chairman cum club manager with Paya Lebar Punggol.
“We are taking one match at a time now, but we are definitely looking forward to the next game.”
Steven has also attributed their recent revival to the overhaul of the team during the transfer window.
“The new coach (Qi Yubo) has brought in a differently coaching style altogether. The players are able to adapt to this new system better.”
Meanwhile, Albirex team manager Bogdan Brasoveanu has dismissed suggestions that it is currently a ‘bad’ time to play the rejuvenated Seahorses.
“With all due respect, they had lost five of their last six games, while over the same period, we have only lost one.”
“If we obtain three points against Paya Lebar on Tuesday, we would move to fifth spot, just behind Balestier.”
Eyes will once again be on Kosei Nakamura, AlbirexÂ’s signing over the transfer window.
Described as a “very good signing” by Brasoveanu, Nakamura is also said to have “provided something extra to the team with his experience”.
The 24-year-old will likely be paired with the clubÂ’s current top scorer, Issey Nakajima, up front as the White Swans attempt to end a 180-minute goal scoring drought.
Paya Lebar Punggol may be hungry for more action, but whether they possess the mettle and ability to break down the resilience of Albirex remain to be seen.
League S.LEAGUE
Match ALBIREX vs PAYA LEBAR
Match No. 0101
Sales Close ^ 12/07/05 7:25PM
1X2
Home Draw Away
1.32 4.50 6.70
<1.32> <4.50> <6.70>
1/2 GOAL
Home Away
ALBIREX (-1½) 1.95 PAYA LEBAR (+1½) 1.70
<1.95> <1.70>
TOTAL GOALS
No. of Goals
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9+
15.00 7.00 4.20 3.90 4.20 6.20 9.40 19.00 40.00 45.00
<15.00> <7.00> <4.20> <3.90> <4.20> <6.20> <9.40> <19.00> <40.00> <45.00>
HALF / FULL TIME DOUBLE
Selection
H-H H-D H-A D-H D-D D-A A-H A-D A-A
1.85 15.00 26.00 4.60 8.20 13.00 18.00 17.00 12.00
<1.85> <15.00> <26.00> <4.60> <8.20> <13.00> <18.00> <17.00> <12.00>
League S.LEAGUE
Match GEYLANG vs SAF FC
Match No. 0102
Sales Close ^ 13/07/05 7:25PM
1X2
Home <4.30>
Draw <3.80>
Away <1.58>
1/2 GOAL
Home GEYLANG (+1½) <1.43>
Away SAF FC (-1½) <2.50>
TOTAL GOALS
No. of Goals
0 <14.00>
1 <6.80>
2 <4.50>
3 <3.70>
4 <4.00>
5 <6.20>
6 <9.90>
7 <22.00>
8 <48.00>
9+ <50.00>
HALF / FULL TIME DOUBLE
Selection
H-H <8.50>
H-D <15.00>
H-A <18.00>
D-H <9.00>
D-D <6.80>
D-A <4.60>
A-H <21.00>
A-D <14.00>
A-A <2.35>
Last five matches (Geylang Utd)
31-05-2005 Tuesday
Tampines Rovers FC 7 - 0 Geylang United FC
15-06-2005 Wednesday
Geylang United FC 0 - 2 Woodlands Wellington FC
21-06-2005 Tuesday
Geylang United FC 0 - 1 Balestier Khalsa FC
29-06-2005 Wednesday
Young Lions 0 - 1 Geylang United FC
08-07-2005 Friday
Geylang United FC 3 - 1 Sinchi FC
Last five matches (SAF FC)
26-05-2005 Thursday
Woodlands Wellington FC 2 - 0 Singapore Armed Forces FC
14-06-2005 Tuesday
Singapore Armed Forces FC 1 - 1 Young Lions
23-06-2005 Thursday
Singapore Armed Forces FC 3 - 2 Paya Lebar Punggol FC
01-07-2005 Friday
Balestier Khalsa FC 1 - 1 Singapore Armed Forces FC
05-07-2005 Tuesday
Singapore Armed Forces FC 1 - 0 Albirex Niigata FC
Last five matches (Paya Lebar Punggol)
27-05-2005 Friday
Sinchi FC 2 - 1 Paya Lebar Punggol FC
16-06-2005 Thursday
Paya Lebar Punggol FC 2 - 3 Home United FC
23-06-2005 Thursday
Singapore Armed Forces FC 3 - 2 Paya Lebar Punggol FC
29-06-2005 Wednesday
Paya Lebar Punggol FC 0 - 5 Tampines Rovers FC
06-07-2005 Wednesday
Paya Lebar Punggol FC 2 - 2 Young Lions
Last five matches (Albirex Niigata)
26-05-2005 Thursday
Young Lions 0 - 0 Albirex Niigata FC
17-06-2005 Friday
Albirex Niigata FC 2 - 2 Tampines Rovers FC
22-06-2005 Wednesday
Home United FC 0 - 3 Albirex Niigata FC
28-06-2005 Tuesday
Albirex Niigata FC 0 - 0 Woodlands Wellington FC
05-07-2005 Tuesday
Singapore Armed Forces FC 1 - 0 Albirex Niigata FC
League S.LEAGUE
Match SINCHI vs YOUNG LIONS
Match No. 0104
Sales Close ^ 14/07/05 7:25PM
1X2
Home <2.05>
Draw <3.50>
Away <2.82>
1/2 GOAL
Home SINCHI (-1½) <3.60>
Away YOUNG LIONS (+1½) <1.22>
TOTAL GOALS
No. of Goals
0 <16.00>
1 <7.20>
2 <4.10>
3 <3.90>
4 <4.20>
5 <6.40>
6 <9.30>
7 <18.00>
8 <39.00>
9+ <40.00>
HALF / FULL TIME DOUBLE
Selection
H-H <3.45>
H-D <13.00>
H-A <22.00>
D-H <5.00>
D-D <6.40>
D-A <5.80>
A-H <19.00>
A-D <13.00>
A-A <5.30>
Last five matches (Sinchi)
27-05-2005 Friday
Sinchi FC 2 - 1 Paya Lebar Punggol FC
16-06-2005 Thursday
Balestier Khalsa FC 1 - 2 Sinchi FC
23-06-2005 Thursday
Tampines Rovers FC 4 - 1 Sinchi FC
30-06-2005 Thursday
Sinchi FC 2 - 0 Home United FC
08-07-2005 Friday
Geylang United FC 3 - 1 Sinchi FC
Last five matches (Young Lions)
26-05-2005 Thursday
Young Lions 0 - 0 Albirex Niigata FC
14-06-2005 Tuesday
Singapore Armed Forces FC 1 - 1 Young Lions
24-06-2005 Friday
Woodlands Wellington FC 2 - 2 Young Lions
29-06-2005 Wednesday
Young Lions 0 - 1 Geylang United FC
06-07-2005 Wednesday
Paya Lebar Punggol FC 2 - 2 Young Lions
Last five matches (Young Lions)
26-05-2005 Thursday
Young Lions 0 - 0 Albirex Niigata FC
14-06-2005 Tuesday
Singapore Armed Forces FC 1 - 1 Young Lions
24-06-2005 Friday
Woodlands Wellington FC 2 - 2 Young Lions
29-06-2005 Wednesday
Young Lions 0 - 1 Geylang United FC
06-07-2005 Wednesday
Paya Lebar Punggol FC 2 - 2 Young Lions
League S.LEAGUE
Match WOODLANDS vs BAL KHALSA
Match No. 0103
Sales Close ^ 14/07/05 7:25PM
1X2
Home <1.48>
Draw <3.85>
Away <5.15>
1/2 GOAL
Home WOODLANDS (-1½) <2.35>
Away BAL KHALSA (+1½) <1.48>
TOTAL GOALS
No. of Goals
0 <13.00>
1 <6.50>
2 <4.30>
3 <3.80>
4 <4.00>
5 <6.70>
6 <10.00>
7 <23.00>
8 <48.00>
9+ <50.00>
HALF / FULL TIME DOUBLE
Selection
H-H <2.20>
H-D <14.00>
H-A <23.00>
D-H <4.60>
D-D <6.90>
D-A <10.00>
A-H <18.00>
A-D <15.00>
A-A <9.50>
Last five matches (Woodlands)
26-05-2005 Thursday
Woodlands Wellington FC 2 - 0 Singapore Armed Forces FC
15-06-2005 Wednesday
Geylang United FC 0 - 2 Woodlands Wellington FC
24-06-2005 Friday
Woodlands Wellington FC 2 - 2 Young Lions
28-06-2005 Tuesday
Albirex Niigata FC 0 - 0 Woodlands Wellington FC
07-07-2005 Thursday
Woodlands Wellington FC 0 - 0 Home United FC
Last five matches (Balestier)
31-05-2005 Tuesday
Home United FC 3 - 3 Balestier Khalsa FC
16-06-2005 Thursday
Balestier Khalsa FC 1 - 2 Sinchi FC
21-06-2005 Tuesday
Geylang United FC 0 - 1 Balestier Khalsa FC
01-07-2005 Friday
Balestier Khalsa FC 1 - 1 Singapore Armed Forces FC
06-07-2005 Wednesday
Tampines Rovers FC 3 - 0 Balestier Khalsa FC
Probable Team Line-Up
Geylang United FC
Jersey No. Name Position
2 Noh Rahman DF
6 Mark Williams DF
8 Jerry Bartholomeusz DF
9 Pitipong Kuldilog FW
10 John Wilkinson MF
13 Razaleigh Khalik DF
14 Fazrul Nawaz FW
15 Rudy Khairon MF
16 Shahril Jantan GK
17 Haris Sumri FW
19 Christian Cevenini MF
Singapore Armed Forces FC
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Adi Saleh GK
2 Hafiz Osman DF
6 Keita Boubacar MF
8 Ishak Zainol MF
9 Aleksandar Duric FW
10 Therdsak Chaiman MF
14 Greg Nwokolo FW
17 Ali Imran Lomri MF
18 Noor Ali FW
20 V Selvaraj DF
22 Shaiful Esah D
Competition: Woodlands Wellington FC vs Balestier Khalsa FC
Date & Time: 14 July 2005 7:30:00 PM
Venue: Woodlands
Bencherifa confident of team's chances
The leagueÂ’s third and fourth placed sides meet at the Woodlands Stadium on Thursday night, attempting to get back to winning ways and gain some ground on league leaders Tampines Rovers.
While Balestier and Woodlands are suitably placed to give themselves some hope in the title race, their recent results have left a lot to be desired. The Tigers have only won once in their last five games, and their level of inconsistency has not allowed any kind of momentum to be generated.
Indeed, a D-L-W-D-L record hardly depicts the form of a team chasing for top honours, and many critics may swoop in proclaiming that the Balestier bubble has burst for good. Still, coach Abdul Karim may garner hopes of inspiring his team to reclaim their earlier form, which had kept them well in touch of the leaders early in the season.
Woodlands coach Karim Bencherifa is not taking anything for granted, recognising that Balestier is still a force to be reckoned with.
“Balestier is a threat to any team. Their big advantage is that they work very hard as a team, from the first minute to the last,” said Bencherifa. “They have strikers who can score well, plus a very good defence and it will not be easy for us.”
The Rams go into this game on the back of an eight match unbeaten run, but the two goalless draws prior to Thursday nightÂ’s clash highlight the lack of firepower in the Woodlands attack.
The main factor in this drying up of goals looks to be the absence of striker Jonathon Angelucci through suspension. The target man will again sit out this game, serving out the last of his two match ban.
“We will definitely miss him, as Anglelucci is our main striker. Still I have confidence that the rest of the players will make up for it,” noted the Rams coach. “We missed Masrezwan and Angelucci in our match (against Home) and that made it difficult for us. But Masrezwan is back for this game, and I am sure he will do well.”
Bencherifa also reflected on his teamÂ’s title chances for this season, with his charges currently trailing leaders Tampines by eight points.
“We have to be confident! At the moment Tampines are definitely favourites, especially with the way they are playing. We have to focus on our own game, and get the results we need, and wait to see what happens in the other matches with the league leaders,” said Bencherifa.
Woodlands fans will be hoping that BencherifaÂ’s confidence and optimism rubs off on his players, and that he will be able to inspire his team to gain more ground on the league leaders.
While the Rams have lost a bit of steam upfront in recent games, their defence is looking increasingly unbeatable, and one feels that the key to this match is whether Bencherifa finds the key to unlocking the Balestier defence.
Armed with the fact that they are playing on home soil, Woodlands will be quietly confident of their chances against the Tigers, and home fans will definitely be hoping for a repeat of the 3-1 away win back in April at the Toa Payoh Stadium.
Still the unpredictable Tigers may have something to say about that, and it remains to be seen which side of them shows up on the night. It all points to an exciting clash, and the pressure is on both teams not to be the next team to bow out of the title race.
Probable Team Line-Up
Woodlands Wellington FC
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Yazid Yasin GK
4 Azmi Mahamud DF
6 Lucian Dronca DF
7 Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin MF
8 Goh Tat Chuan MF
10 Daniel Bennett DF
11 Essa Basile MF
14 Sazali Salleh MF
16 Jaslee Hatta DF
17 Masrezwan Masturi FW
18 Park Tae Won FW
Balestier Khalsa FC
Jersey No. Name Position
3 Brian Ravi DF
6 J Kalaiselvan MF
8 Bah Mamadou DF
9 Azhar Jamil FW
10 Akihiro Nakamura MF
11 S Rajendran DF
12 Tan Sio Beng DF
13 Rizal Rahman GK
16 Ibrahim Dawood MF
18 Kengne Ludovick FW
20 Osagie Ederaro FW
Competition: Sinchi FC vs Young Lions
Date & Time: 14 July 2005 7:30:00 PM
Venue: Jurong
Loo backs FandiÂ’s fledglings to triumph in Jurong
Young Lions team administrator Eugene Loo says that while his new-look team has taken time to gel, the desire to do well after dropping much needed points in recent matches is going to give them the edge against Sinchi on Thursday.
After credible draws away to title-chasing SAFFC and Woodlands Wellington in as many weeks, Loo saw his side fall to then-down-in-the-dumps Geylang United at Yishun before creating a bit of unwanted history by becoming the first team to drop points to Paya Lebar a week later.
Nevertheless the contributions of new faces Rosman Sulaiman, Kamarul Ariffin Karim and Ruhaizad Ismail should give the Young Lions faithful something to cheer about, according to Loo, even if the results arenÂ’t necessarily going their way.
Meanwhile, SinchiÂ’s own mini-revival came to a crashing halt at the Bedok Stadium last Friday. A 3-1 loss to a John Wilkinson inspired Geylang hurt even more considering the Qilins looked good value to pick up at least a point after controlling most of the possession.
Wins against Balestier Khalsa and Home United have shown that Sinchi can turn it on when they want to.
Case in point the first meeting between the two teams: a classic case of the irresistible force (i.e. Young Lions) camping in the half of the immovable object (i.e. Sinchi) throughout the entire match.
The memorable thing about that particular match on April 27 was that Sinchi didnÂ’t so much move as budge as inch towards Lionel LewisÂ’s goal, which made the on-field action about as exciting as watching paint dry and about as bearable as a visit to the dentist.
A contentious penalty awarded midway through the second half was duly dispatched by former Sinchi man Shi Jia Yi to hand the Young Lions all three points.
In more positive-sounding news however, both clubs are expected to field their strongest lineups for the showdown at the Jurong Stadium with no suspension worries for either side.
Long-term injury casualty Ashrin Shariff - who is the Young Lions leading scorer with six goals despite not featuring for almost two months – is still out but fellow forward Agu Casmir should feature at some point after coming on as a second-half substitute against Paya Lebar Punggol last Wednesday week.
“Both Rosman and Ariff have done well despite not featuring much for Home previously,” said Loo. “They appeared to struggle initially which was to be expected but everyone is very pleased with the progress that they’ve made since.”
“Unfortunately Ruhaizad suffered a pretty bad injury in his first match back and as a result, he has not been as effective from the flanks as we had hoped. But he’ll get back to his best soon enough I’m sure.”
The Young Lions have also had help from a few familiar faces returning to the fold after completing their National Service basic training requirements.
Shahril IshakÂ’s inventive guile and Ridhuan MuhammadÂ’s hard running have been sorely missed and Loo himself is hopeful of better things from the duo - who not surprisingly - have shown a bit of ring rustiness after almost three months out.
“As far as Shahril and Ridhuan are concerned, they are still working to get back to the level they were last season. They do look a bit rusty after missing the last several months out and all the traveling to and from camp isn’t helping.”
When asked if he was expecting another ultra defensive showing by the Qilins, Loo replied: “I prefer to think about what we are going to do instead of worry what the other team is planning for us. We will just have to figure out ways to overcome the other team if we are to get the three points.”
Stats to ponder:
• At the start of Round 16, eight points separate sixth-placed Young Lions and Sinchi in ninth spot. Both teams have five wins from sixteen matches.
• Fandi will have to do without the services of his two leading scorers for the Sinchi match: the aforementioned Ashrin Shariff on six goals (injured) and Greg Nwokolo on four goals (now with SAFFC).
• The Qilins have been sharing the goalscoring burden around with ten Sinchi players already finding the net after sixteen rounds.
• Only bottom club Paya Lebar (with 13 at the start of Round 16) has scored fewer goals than Sinchi (who have scored 21) and the Young Lions (who have scored 20).
• Seven out of the eighteen Young Lions players who were named in the team list to play Sinchi on April 27 are no longer with the team.
Probable Team Line-Up
Sinchi FC
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Sun Minghan GK
2 Li Zheng DF
3 Chen Bo DF
5 Meng Lingzhong DF
6 Qiu Li FW
7 Tong Di MF
8 Zhang Jiang MF
13 Han Jianye FW
14 Yao Li FW
15 Luo Tong Liang FW
18 Jiang Feng MF
Young Lions
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Hassan Sunny GK
6 Rosman Sulaiman MF
7 Shi Jia Yi MF
11 Baihakki Khaizan DF
12 Khairul Amri FW
14 Kamarulariffin Abd Karim DF
15 Tengku Mushadad MF
17 Shahril Ishak MF
20 Precious Emuejeraye DF
21 Itimi Dickson FW
23 Ruhaizad Ismail MF
League S.LEAGUE
Match HOME UNITED vs TAMPINES
Match No. 0105
Sales Close ^ 15/07/05 6:55PM
1X2
Home <2.82>
Draw <3.65>
Away <2.00>
1/2 GOAL
Home HOME UNITED (+1½) <1.22>
Away TAMPINES (-1½) <3.60>
TOTAL GOALS
No. of Goals
0 <16.00>
1 <7.50>
2 <4.10>
3 <3.90>
4 <4.20>
5 <6.20>
6 <9.30>
7 <18.00>
8 <39.00>
9+ <39.00>
HALF / FULL TIME DOUBLE
Selection
H-H <5.30>
H-D <13.00>
H-A <19.00>
D-H <5.90>
D-D <6.50>
D-A <4.80>
A-H <21.00>
A-D <13.00>
A-A <3.50>
Last five matches (Home United)
DWLLD
31-05-2005 Tuesday
Home United FC 3 - 3 Balestier Khalsa FC
16-06-2005 Thursday
Paya Lebar Punggol FC 2 - 3 Home United FC
22-06-2005 Wednesday
Home United FC 0 - 3 Albirex Niigata FC
30-06-2005 Thursday
Sinchi FC 2 - 0 Home United FC
07-07-2005 Thursday
Woodlands Wellington FC 0 - 0 Home United FC
Last five matches (Tampines Rovers
WDWWW
31-05-2005 Tuesday
Tampines Rovers FC 7 - 0 Geylang United FC
17-06-2005 Friday
Albirex Niigata FC 2 - 2 Tampines Rovers FC
23-06-2005 Thursday
Tampines Rovers FC 4 - 1 Sinchi FC
29-06-2005 Wednesday
Paya Lebar Punggol FC 0 - 5 Tampines Rovers FC
06-07-2005 Wednesday
Tampines Rovers FC 3 - 0 Balestier Khalsa FC
League S.LEAGUE
Match SINCHI vs YOUNG LIONS
Match No. 0104
Sales Close ^ 14/07/05 7:25PM
1X2
Home Draw Away
2.10 3.45 2.75
<2.05> <3.50> <2.82>
1/2 GOAL
Home Away
SINCHI (-1½) 3.85 YOUNG LIONS (+1½) 1.19
<3.60> <1.22>
TOTAL GOALS
No. of Goals
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9+
14.00 6.90 4.00 3.90 4.30 6.50 9.70 19.00 45.00 45.00
<16.00> <7.20> <4.10> <3.90> <4.20> <6.40> <9.30> <18.00> <39.00> <40.00>
HALF / FULL TIME DOUBLE
Selection
H-H H-D H-A D-H D-D D-A A-H A-D A-A
3.55 13.00 19.00 5.40 6.00 5.90 18.00 14.00 5.00
<3.45> <13.00> <22.00> <5.00> <6.40> <5.80> <19.00> <13.00> <5.30>
