SINGAPORE - Since 2015, no local team have won the Singapore Premier League (previously known as S-League), and no team could break the Albirex Niigata title monopoly since 2016.
But a trio of regular contenders and dark horses have emerged in a bid to end the Japanese team's dominance in the 2019 season.
Five-time champions Tampines Rovers proved their mettle early on with a 4-0 pre-season win over the White Swans and will be keen to show they are way better than their fourth-placed finish last season.
With chairman Desmond Ong handing out multi-year contracts since coming on board in 2017, the Stags are benefiting from the stability and continuity as their players are showing a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities on the pitch.
Even as 19-year-old Singaporean Joel Chew and 20-year-old Serb Zehrudin Mehmedovic look set to be a revelation in midfield with their intelligent play, Tampines are also banking on those at the other end of the experience spectrum to make a difference.
Canadian Jordan Webb, 30, is entering his 10th SPL season and for a winger, has an outstanding record of 79 goals in 208 league games, while 41-year-old centre-back Daniel Bennett is into his 21st SPL season.
Possibly the longest-serving import in the local professional game, Webb has thrilled fans with his ability to take on and beat defenders. He said: "Time moves so fast. I want to play for a few more years and win some silverware.
Â
Â
Â
Â
"Having kept the bulk of players from last season definitely helps in terms of chemistry. I would be selling us short if I say we are not going for all the trophies. We have good atmosphere, good ideas and the energy levels are high."
Tampines coach Gavin Lee added: "Many are raving about Joel's talent and potential but we need to be careful with expectations and give him every chance to succeed.
"As for Daniel and Jordan, it is not about age. They are as good as any player in their positions in the local game and we wouldn't sign them if we didn't think they can contribute. Besides their abilities, they are great leaders to those learning the ropes.
"We want to be effective in and out of pre-season. It is not just the results, but the performance that defines who we are. If we can win and entertain with attractive football, that would be the ideal scenario."
Two-time winners Home United are also another local side to have gotten one over Albirex this season, when they beat the defending champions on penalties for the Community Shield last Saturday.
The Protectors were the best local side last season, finishing league runners-up and winning the AFC Cup Asean zonal final. Like Tampines, they have retained 17 of 24 players, including South Korean lynchpin Song Ui-young and the evergreen Shahril Ishak who combined for 40 goals in all competitions last term.
They also boast of arguably the league's best local Under-23 trio in forward Adam Swandi, central midfielder Hami Syahin and central defender Taufiq Muqminin.
With their last major trophy coming in the form of the 2013 Singapore Cup and their last league title in 2003, Home coach Saswadimata Dasuki said it is time to end the drought.
He added: "We want to build on our successes last season and go one better. Fifteen years without a league title is too long and we will have to work hard and keep our concentration even with our AFC Cup commitments to end that wait.
"Beating Albirex on penalties is good for our confidence and it should one of the most open seasons in recent years but we won't write them off as they can only get better training full time without National Service or school commitments.
"They played with five at the back against us and we couldn't score, so it is up to us to find ways to adapt and penetrate against such teams in the future."
Meanwhile, the dark horses in the nine-team SPL have to be Hougang United, who added considerable firepower to a team that scored a league-low of just 22 goals in 24 games last season.
While they have never finished in the top half or won any major titles, the Cheetahs are gunning for history, with coach Clement Teo declaring that "third would be an underachievement".
Retaining forwards Iqbal Hussain, Shahfiq Ghani and Fazrul Nawaz, they have since signed Faris Ramli and welcomed back Croat Stipe Plazibat and captain Zulfahmi Arifin.
They initially secured the services of 2015 and 2016 top scorer Rafael Ramazotti, only for the Brazilian to go missing and sign for Mexican club FC Juarez.
Teo was positive and saw this development as a blessing in disguise as it allowed him to shore up his defence with South Korean centre-back Kong Howon.
He said: "We wanted two foreign strikers to give us more firepower, but it was also true that Afiq Yunos was our only natural centre-back.
"The Ramazotti incident allowed us to sign Kong and it was a bonus we picked up Faris, and he will give us a different dimension with his ability to take on players. Yes, we have many attackers, but this also means there is a good and healthy competition to start a game.
"With the team we assembled, we feel we need to be in the title race. Among our players, the mindset is even a draw is an underachievement."
Zulfahmi, who has returned after one season with Thailand's Chonburi, added: "Any team can win the league this season and Albirex are beatable. It depends on who are the most consistent across 24 games.
"Thanks to our chairman Bill Ng and the management, we now have quality attackers and a great team, so we got to be more adventurous and clinical than before to fight for the targets we want to achieve."
Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane is making a "fantastic" recovery and could be back in action ahead of schedule following the ankle injury he suffered last month against Manchester United. Kane was initially ruled out until March, but Spurs boss Pochettino said the England captain could feature in his side's Premier League match at
Kane making 'fantastic' recovery, says Spurs boss Pochettino
Football: Solskjaer praises buccaneering Man United players after stylish win Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates after the match with Jesse Lingard. PHOTO: REUTERS
Solskjaer Praises Buccaneering Man United Players After
Jun 02, 2019 · Brazilian football star Neymar accused of raping woman in Paris hotel according to a police document in Brazil. "All evidence of attempted extortion and non-rape will be submitted to the
Liverpool result at Bayern won't affect Premier League bid
Proper Gapping Instructions If it is necessary to widen the gap, do so with a tool that only pulls back on the ground electrode without touching the center electrode or the porcelain. To close the gap on a plug, gently tap the plug, electrode first on a hard surface.
Football: Gabriel Jesus fires as Manchester City snatch top spot from Liverpool LONDON (AFP) - Manchester City laid down the gauntlet to Liverpool by leapfrogging their title rivals back to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Everton at the Etihad on Saturday (Dec 15).
Gabriel Jesus fires twice as Manchester City snatch top spot
Hazard paid tribute to departing Chelsea teammate Fabregas (Action Images via Reuters) Hudson-Odoi is eager for further opportunities and knows he could be given them due to Chelsea's injury
Hazard's kind words for departing Fabregas - futaa.com
Neymar to Miss Man Utd Tie After Being Ruled Out for 10 Weeks However, Neymar will not undergo an operation, with PSG saying the Brazilian had instead agreed on "a conservative treatment" that could see him return in time for the Champions League quarter-finals in April should they qualify.
Neymar to miss Man Utd tie after being ruled out for 10 weeks
By Leonardo Benassatto and Gabriel Stargardter. SAO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A woman has accused Brazil soccer player Neymar of raping her in Paris, according to a Sao Paulo police report
Neymar accused of committing rape in Paris, says police
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Crystal Palace - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - April 21, 2019 Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette in action with Crystal Palace's Scott Dann Action Ima
Palace punish sloppy Arsenal in 3-2 win at the Emirates
ABERDEEN, Scotland (AP) — A joint World Cup bid by North and South Korea is being talked up by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "I have been hearing for the Women's World Cup in 2023, the two Koreas," Infantino said.
Joint Korean bid for 2023 Women's World Cup floated by FIFA
"We knew one position where we needed to add depth was wide receiver, so we looked at players who could come in and make plays," Fox said. "We also knew we needed to add to our pass rush and our kicking game. The incoming class is comprised of good football players who will push our returning players by providing competition on a daily basis.
Sissoko could miss two weeks - Pochettino | FOX Sports Asia
Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Chelsea v Manchester United - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - February 18, 2019 Manchester United's Ander Herrera scores their first goal Action Images via
Soccer: United dump holders Chelsea out of Cup to pile
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists the Premier League title race is something to get excited about rather than stressed about despite seeing his side overhauled by Manchester City in the past
Klopp excited by Premier League title fight - worldfootball.net
LONDON - Premier League leaders Manchester City recovered from two goals down to beat Championship side Swansea City 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen