S League this week (19 ~ 24 April )
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19 Apr 2005
Albirex VS SAF
21 Apr 2005
Y Lions VS P Lebar
22 Apr 2005
Sinchi VS Geylang
24 Apr 2005
Balestier VS Tampines
Home VS Woodlands -
Competition: Albirex Niigata FC (S) vs Singapore Armed Forces FC
Date & Time: 19 April 2005 7:30:00 PM
Venue: Jurong East
It is the better of times. It is the worse of times. The first match of Round Seven of the 2005 NTUC Income – Yeo’s S-League pits together two clubs in contrasting fortunes: Singapore Armed Forces FC and Albirex Niigata.
Jurong East has seen better days. After a glowing report card from their pre-season performances, the White Swans are languishing in eighth place in the 10-team league. Last week, against a still recovering Woodlands Wellington side, Albirex turned in arguably their ugliest performance of the season thus far in the 2-1 loss.
The SwansÂ’ reputed midfield was completely overrun, and their much-feared strike force was suffocated, firing blanks and wasting the few chances they had. To add insult, it took Hiroyuki Yamamoto, a defender, to remind them how to score with a superb first-time volley for AlbirexÂ’s solitary reply.
How ironic, considering just the week before, the Swans gave their adoring fans hope by demolishing perennial powerhouse Home United 4-0.
Choa Chu Kang, on the other hand, has much to be optimistic about. Though last weekÂ’s match against surprise package Balestier at the Barracks ended in a 1-1 impasse, the Warriors are right up there amongst the table toppers, lying third and with the second best goal difference in the league.
SAFÂ’s front tandem of Noor Ali and Aleksandar Duric are wreaking havoc across the island. Noor Ali in particular, is finding a new lease of life playing under new coach Kim Poulsen, and last seasonÂ’s disappointing average looks a distant memory. Poulsen himself is proving to be a bearer of joy and anticipation amongst the Warrior army, who wish to bring the title back to the northern giants after a two year dearth.
And in Therdsak Chaiman, SAF possess a midfield general capable of producing sheer inspirational moments to lift his side and propel them to drive forward with will alone.
Albirex though, have their own gem in Hidetoshi Wakui. Not enough can be said about this rough diamond: arguably one of the most complete midfielders to grace any S-League team in the history of the competition. A classic contest of zestful youth versus composed experience awaits this 21-year-old when he squares up against Therdsak in the middle of the park.
In addition, if heartbreak kid Issey Farran Nakajima reproduces his exploits in the SwansÂ’ last home fixture, club and city will make much mirth once the final whistle is blown.
Defensively, this match-up will be a question of “who cracks first?” Despite their lowly position, Albirex have the third best rearguard in the league, conceding only one less than their northern neighbours.
If both teams continue their impressive defensive displays, a draw looks like a safe bet. But rest assured both sets of dramatis personae will shoot off the blocks guns a blazing, and fans of both teams can be guaranteed a pulse-racing encounter at the Jurong East Stadium come Tuesday. -
Probable Team Line-Up
Albirex Niigata FC (S)
Jersey No. Name Position
3 Kenji Arai DF
4 Takeru Arai DF
6 Shoji Yamada MF
7 Yasuhiro Nomoto MF
8 Akihiro Kurihara MF
9 Issey Farran Nakajima FW
11 Norikazu Murakami FW
16 Hiroyuki Yamamoto DF
21 Takafumi Goto GK
22 Arata Izumi MF
24 Hidetoshi Wakui MF
Singapore Armed Forces FC
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Adi Saleh GK
5 Seric Vladan DF
7 Razif Mahamud DF
8 Ishak Zainol MF
9 Aleksandar Duric FW
10 Therdsak Chaiman MF
12 Farizal Basri FW
17 Ali Imran Lomri MF
18 Noor Ali FW
20 V Selvaraj DF
22 Shaiful Esah DF -
ok,so ppl do talk abt ASS-League...
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why not?Originally posted by Takumi2eLimit:ok,so ppl do talk abt ASS-League... -
FT Albirex 2-3 SAF
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Competition: Young Lions vs Paya Lebar Punggol FC
Date & Time: 21 April 2005 7:30:00 PM
Venue: Yishun
One is on a slide while the other has never known what it's like to get off the ground. When the Young Lions meet cellar-dwellers Paya Lebar Punggol this Thursday, expect a see-sawing battle as both teams bid to reverse their fortunes.
The Young Lions have slid down the table after getting just a point out of their last nine following losses to Geylang United (0-1), Woodlands Wellington (2-3) and a draw with SAFFC (2-2).
Last weekÂ’s loss at the hands, or rather claws, of the Geylang Eagles, condemned the Cubs to their 3rd loss in 6 games - hardly championship material as compared to the frontrunners of this seasonÂ’s campaign.
Their new home ground - the Yishun Stadium - has not been a happy hunting ground as compared to their previous den, Jalan Besar. There, the Young Lions were near-invincible last year but at Yishun, they have yet to win.
What better chance than this Thursday, against the league's still point-less team Paya Lebar?
The departure of defensive backs Shaiful Esah and Farizal Basri, along with pacy winger Mustaqim Manzur, might explain the current quandary that the team has led themselves into.
However, this seasonÂ’s reinforcements arenÂ’t exactly shabby. Former SAF hitman Ashrin Shariff has been a wonderful replacement for the injured Agu Casmir, scoring four goals to be the CubsÂ’ leading scorer.
Imran Sahib may have made a defensive error that cost his side 3 points against the Eagles last week, but the former Home United midfielder, who came to the fore last season with the Protectors, is undoubtedly a gifted player.
He may not have the pace of his colleagues, Itimi Dickson or Greg Nwokolo, down the flanks – but he more than makes up for it with his sublime touches and passing, if given the chance.
Hence, it is perhaps only a matter of time before Fandi AhmadÂ’s side can get a good run of results consistently to challenge for some silverware this season.
In order to start doing that, the Cubs will have to overcome a determined Paya Lebar side that wants to break their 6-game losing streak.
The SeahorsesÂ’ previous game against Tampines Rovers may have at least shown that the side has matured defensively, but their attacking verve leaves much to be desired.
Forward Protais Bessala’s over-the-top argument with referee Abas Daud regarding Tampines’ goal led to his expulsion in the game – but even if he was to stay on the field, it didn’t look as though he could change the Seahorses’ fortunes up front.
Now that Protais is suspended for this game, the SeahorsesÂ’ hopes lie squarely on the shoulders of two of their best attacking hopes, Serbian Kenan Ragipovic and Chinese Li Jisheng.
KenanÂ’s deep runs from midfield, coupled with LiÂ’s sweet left foot, could provide the key to unlocking a stable Young LionsÂ’ defence.
Custodian Zulkifli ZainolabidinÂ’s man-of-the-match performance is also one of the positives that the Seahorses can take with them when they travel to the Yishun Stadium.
Had it not been for the 25-year-oldÂ’s heroics at the Tampines Stadium, the Stags could have easily ran riot with a much bigger scoreline than the 2-0 result that they got in the end.
The Young Lions will be his next big test and it will probably take a Herculean effort on Zulkifli's part, along with the rest of his team mates, to get something out of this game.
If he can pull off another five-star performance, Paya Lebar could finally get their first point in S-League history and hopefully soon, their butts off the ground. -
League S.LEAGUE
Match YOUNG LIONS vs PAYA LEBAR
Match No. 0102
Sales Close ^ 21/04/05 7:15PM
1X2
Home Draw Away
1.10 7.70 11.00
<1.10> <7.70> <11.00>
1/2 GOAL
Home Away
YOUNG LIONS (-2½) 2.15 PAYA LEBAR (+2½) 1.58
<2.15> <1.58>
TOTAL GOALS
No. of Goals
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9+
28.00 13.00 6.00 4.30 4.40 5.40 7.00 9.20 15.00 15.00
<28.00> <13.00> <6.00> <4.30> <4.40> <5.40> <7.00> <9.20> <15.00> <15.00>
HALF / FULL TIME DOUBLE
Selection
H-H H-D H-A D-H D-D D-A A-H A-D A-A
1.32 20.00 50.00 5.20 14.00 25.00 23.00 23.00 24.00
<1.32> <20.00> <50.00> <5.20> <14.00> <25.00> <23.00> <23.00> <24.00> -
Probable Team Line-Up
Young Lions
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Hassan Sunny GK
3 Nor Azli Yusoff DF
4 Juma'at Jantan DF
7 Shi Jia Yi MF
9 Ashrin Shariff FW
11 Baihakki Khaizan DF
13 Shahril Alias DF
15 Tengku Mushadad MF
16 Imran Sahib MF
20 Precious Emuejeraye DF
21 Itimi Dickson FW
Paya Lebar Punggol FC
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Zulkifli Zainolabidin GK
6 Faizal Jumaat DF
7 Asnol As'at MF
8 Brian Ravi MF
9 Kenan Ragipovic MF
10 P Sugunan FW
13 Moudourou Moise DF
16 Norazmi Kasmani DF
17 S Senthilan FW
19 Nasir Bidin MF
20 Li Jisheng MF -
Sinchi vs Geylang
Jurong stadium
7pm
Live on Channel Newsasia -
Kelong pick: Geylang win / give
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Sunday 24-4-05
Home Utd vs Woodlands
Balestier vs Tampines -
HT Home Utd 2-0 Woodlands
HT Balestier 2-0 Tampines