"Anything Can Happen" is indeed the ideal slogan for Tiger Cup 2004 that summed up the the recently concluded preliminary group stages which ended in some shocking fashion. Co-host Vietnam was shown the door, together with defending and three-time champion Thailand. It is the first time in the tournament history that a host nation fails to advance to the next round of Tiger Cup. Underdog Myanmar, the team that the Lions beat them 1-0 in their warm-up match before the prestigious regional tournament, was the surprise of the tournament by inflicting an unexpected 1-0 victory over co-host Malaysia and topping the group played in Kuala Lumpur.
Following the Lions on their performances in Vietnam, we move another step closer to another grand final since the 1998 triumph. Shopping, sight-seeing and following the team around for trainings and matches, the atmosphere surrounding the team and the trip on the whole were fantastic. From Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi to Haiphong, the only regret could have been not notching the maximum points from Vietnam and Indonesia matches. However, qualifying for the semis was a gigantic step forward to showing fans back home (and in Vietnam) that the Lions are serious contenders for being the best in ASEAN region.
With perennial giant Thailand and disappointing Vietnam missing out for the rest of the tournament, I don't see why coach Raddy and his boys will miss the Final. Indonesia seems to be the biggest stumbling block having seen them running at defences with their awesome attacking tactics. However, having said that, anything can happen...and we hope the Lions continue their superb form starting from 29 December as they face resilient Myanmarese and their strong vocal fans at Cheras Stadium, Kuala Lumpur in the first leg of the Semi-Final. I will be there to lend my support to the Lions. Will you be there too?
See the links below for complete stories and reports on the Tiger Cup 2004.
http://www.tigercup.org/en/
http://sg.tigercup.com/main/index.asp
Some Pictures of Tiger Cup - from tigercup.com
Opening Ceremony & Lions taking on host nation Vietnam (1-1) Thong Nhat Stadium (HCM)





Singapore vs Indonesia (0-0) Thong Nhat Stadium (HCM)

Singapore vs Laos (6-2) My Dinh Stadium (Hanoi)


Singapore vs Cambodia (3-0) Lach Tray Stadium (Haiphong)

 Current Mood:  cheerful
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Since the inception of Tiger Cup in 1996, the bi-annual most prestigous tournament has become a symbol of football prowess in South East Asia. Singapore became the first host in 1996 and won the championship in 1998. Get some historical facts of the tournament which will be played in Vietnam and Malaysia, as the first co-host nations.
From tigercup.org http://www.tigercup.org/en/event/history.asp?sec=108&ssec=289Current Mood:  content
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 Noh 'Ah-Long' Shah
The sight of world-class Saitama Stadium took the family and son off Ah Long's (Noh Alam Shah) mind as he stands confident going into this evening's match against Japan.
Factfile on Noh Alam Shah (S.league.com) http://www.fas.org.sg/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=1299
S.League.com - Saitama sight banished Raya blues http://www.fas.org.sg/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=1332&pgID=1159Current Mood:  optimistic
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| » Japan vs Singapore = International Friendly??? |
According to Channel I on their trailer on the PRE-WORLD CUP QUALIFYING MATCH between Japan and Singapore, they have displayed, much to my horror, an 'INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY' which is unbelievable (and unforgivable) for a national tv. We are playing Japan in a World Cup match, and NOT a friendly.
I hope that Channel I's gesture for telecasting this match is for Singapore fans and not the minority of Japanese fans. Gotta find a cosy place to watch this match with some Lions fans, bring all way from cool Saitama on Wednesday, 17 Nov at 6.15pm.
Nov. 14th, 2004 @ 06:16 pm
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| » Revamped FAS website |
Visit the revamped FAS website at www.fas.org.sg for more photos and stories on local football. Photo courtesy of the FAS official website - The First XI vs Malaysia Selection.

Nov. 12th, 2004 @ 04:00 pm
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| » Stunners Did It Again! |
 The Dressing Room
 FA Stunners
 From the Bench
 The 'Dazzler'
 Sundram & Ben
 Azlan 'flying' past two SRC players
 Adriano battles for the ball
 Eric executing his telling pass
 Lester loaned from Leicester City
 Deputy CEO, S.League How Seen Yong showing how to deal with the ball
 King Fook misses a penalty in the match
Unbeaten for almost two years, the FA Stunners pulled off yet again another narrow 2-1 victory over Singapore Recreation Club (SRC) at Jalan Besar with former Malaysia Cup hero V Sundram Moorthy notching the crucial match-winning goal in the 70th minute.
The Stunners opened the account through striker Winston Lee in the 24th minute. We had a glorious chance to increase the lead as SRC defender was caught handling the ball in the penalty box by Referee George Lee. Chan King Fook missed the spot-kick by hitting straight to the SRC goalkeeper. (1-0 at halftime)
After the break, SRC managed to pull one back. We looked strong on paper, but never really managed to break through the stubborn yet steady SRC defence. However, in the 70th minute, right-back Darren Lim broke free on the right and managed to send a pass to Sundram, the 'Dazzler' turned around his marker before slotting past the goalkeeper with a cruel left-foot stiff grounder.
Goalscorers: Winston Lee (24th), V Sundram Moorthy (70th) (Match was played at 40 minutes per half)
First XI 3-5-2 Ridhuan (GK) Adrian Chan (CDF) Raj (CDF) Tan Kah Chua (CDF) Chan King Fook (CMF) Toni Teo (LMF) Lester Lim (RMF) Lee Keng Whatt (CMF) How Seen Yong (CMF) V Sundram Moorthy (FW) Winston Lee (FW)
2nd Half Ridhuan (GK) Adrian Chan (CDF) - Eric Ong (LMF) Raj (CDF) Darren Lim (CDF) Alvin Chua (DMF) - Kah Chua (DMF) Azlan Kames (LMF) Zainuddin (RMF) Lee Keng Whatt (CMF) How Seen Yong (CMF) V Sundram Moorthy (FW) Winston Lee (FW) - Ben Tan (CMF)
Referee: George Lee
Nov. 11th, 2004 @ 02:38 pm
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| » (No Subject) |

Nov. 11th, 2004 @ 02:33 pm
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| » Foreign Talent for Vietnam? |
Vietnam national team are looking to improve the level of their national team in international and regional tournaments through the nationalisation of foreign-born players of Vietnamese descent......
Read more here http://www.asian-football.com/en/comps/tigercup/index.asp?id=37378&cid=1162&mth=11&yr=2004
Nov. 8th, 2004 @ 02:29 pm
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| » Zico Not Calling Japan Veterans |
Zico has finally withdrew his initial idea of recalling three Japanese veterans to face our Lions. However, his plan received negative responses from fellow club coaches and AFC. Using youngster will be a better option.
http://www.asian-football.com/en/comps/worldcup/index.asp?id=37368&sec=0&ssec=0&cid=992&mth=11&yr=2004
Nov. 7th, 2004 @ 01:09 am
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| » NTUC Income Stunned! |
FA Stunners continue their 100% winning streak at home ground Jalan Besar as they overcome NTUC Income 2-1 in a evenly-matched encounter. CEO S.League How Seen Yong showed his support in a second-half appearance while CEO NTUC Income Tan Kin Lian showed it off the field.
Goalscorers: Winston Lee, Adrian Chan
First XI Ho Kwang Hock (GK) Eddie Tan (Left-back) Tan Kah Chua (Right-back) Lee Keng Whatt (Centre-back) - pushed up to midfield Robert Lim (Centre-back) Eric Ong (Left-midfield) Kalai (Right-midfield) Azlan Kames (Centre-midfield) Lester Lim (Centre-midfield) Winston Lee (Forward) Toni Teo (Foward)
2nd Half Kalai (GK) Alvin Chua (Left-back) - Eric Ong Jeffrey Beh (Right-back) - Toni Teo Quah Kim Song (Centre-back) Abi (Centre-back) Ben Tan (Left-midfield) - Ho Kwang Hock Norie (Right-midfield) - Eric Ong How Seen Yong (Centre-midfield) Adrian Chan (Centre-midfield) Winston Lee (Foward) Lee Keng Whatt (Forward) - Zainuddin Nordin
Nov. 6th, 2004 @ 01:43 pm
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| » Saitama Stadium - Home of Urawa Reds |
Got some photos of Saitama Stadium, the possible venue for Lions against the Japanese.
http://www.wldcup.com/Asia/stadia/saitama.html
Nov. 4th, 2004 @ 05:19 pm
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| » JAL 710 to Korea |
The Lions left for South Korea via JAL 710 (11pm flight) from Terminal One. Should arrive in Korea by Thursday afternoon after a three-hour stopover at Narita Airport in Japan. Will be back on 18 November.
Nov. 3rd, 2004 @ 11:38 pm
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| » Japan Going Ahead with Veterans |
It seems like Japanese coach Zico has insisted in going ahead with his call-up of the veteran trio of 37-year-old Kazuyoshi Miura from Vissel Kobe, Masahi Nakayama (37) from Jubilo Iwata and Yutaka Akita (34) from Nagoya Grampus Eight despite some criticism from some J-League chiefs. They will face Raddy's Lions, who seem unaffected by the legendary Brazilian's plan for his side to face Singapore.
Nov. 3rd, 2004 @ 11:04 am
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| » Lions Defeat to Arch Rivals |
Starting XI 30 - Hassan Sunny (Goalkeeper) 13 - Noh Rahman (Left back) 5 - Aide Iskandar (Centre back/Captain) 16 - Daniel Bennett (Centre back) 6 - Baihakki Khaizan (Right back) 22 - Itimi Dickson (Left midfield) 7 - Goh Tat Chuan (Centre midfield) 17 - Shahril Ishak (Centre midfield) 2 - Muhammad Ridhuan (Right midfield) 12 - Masrezwan Masturi (Forward) 8 - Noh Alam Shah (Forward)
Singapore fell to arch rivals Malaysia after having 1-0 lead thruough Dickson's goal in the 21st minute. But the Malaysians came back after the break and overcome the Lions, the latter losing it all by conceding a disastrous second goal in the dying minutes.
View this link for match statistics http://www.sleague.com/new0101.asp?ID=810
View this link for match report http://www.sleague.com/new0101.asp?ID=811
Nov. 2nd, 2004 @ 01:03 am
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| » Football Update |
Dear friends....as a supporter of the Singapore Lions and local football, I would like to share the following news with you....
Tiger Beer International Series Tiger Beer Challenge Trophy presents:
SINGAPORE Selection VS MALAYSIA Selection
Monday, 1 November 2004 Jalan Besar Stadium 8.30pm
Come and support the Lions as the Singapore Selection takes on Malaysia Selection in the traditional rivalry between both countries as they prepare their best possible squad for the prestigious Tiger Cup starting on 7th December.
http://www.sleague.com/new0101.asp?ID=806
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TIGER CUP SCHEDULE
The stage is set as the Lions play its first opening match on Tuesday, 7 December against co-host nation Vietnam at Ho Chi Minh City. The other teams in the same group (Group A) of Lions consist of Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam.
The full schedule of Tiger Cup:
http://www.tigercup.org/shared/data/42/Tigercup2004-schedule.pdf
b e n j a m i n t a n
Oct. 30th, 2004 @ 02:34 pm
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| » My First Blog |
Thanks to Weiling who helped me to start my first blogging (checking my trustworthy Oxford dictionary...). No such word "blog" actually. If this word does exists, it will fall between 'blockhead' (a stupid person) and bloke (a man). Anyway, its nice to get this started after hesitation and procrastination, so now got no more excuse....Thank you Weiling....
Oct. 12th, 2004 @ 04:11 pm
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