Singapore Lions’ Goal 2010 Dream Lives On

Fabius Chen|fabiuschen@nus.edu.sg
the ridge News
A NUSSU Publication

March 21, 2008

Story Highlights:

• World Cup qualifying campaign to follow successful Youth Olympic Games bid
• The Lions’ journey thus far and the road ahead
• Despite being scrapped, Goal 2010 vision could be realised after all
• Marking the dawn of a new era for the national team
• A peek into the future of Singapore football

The year 2010 could prove historical for Singapore in more ways than one.

In 1998, a decade before Singapore 2010 fever took hold, there was Goal 2010 – a Football Association of Singapore (FAS) initiative that targeted qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

The World Cup dream is still alive and kicking, despite the scrapping of the project in 2004.

As the nation continues to revel in its successful bid to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010, the national football team has its eyes set firmly on another prize - qualifying for the FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa that same year.

Nicknamed “The Lions”, the national team has reached Round Three of the Asian qualifiers for the first time in history.

After seeing off Palestine and Tajikistan in Rounds One and Two respectively, the Lions were drawn into a round-robin group also consisting of Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Lebanon. The top two teams will qualify for the next stage.

What appears, on paper, to be the toughest challenge for Singapore in this round is already done and dusted, as the Lions suffered a 0-2 reverse to Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on Feb. 6.

The Lions’ next test comes on March 26, as they host Lebanon at the National Stadium.

For Eric Ong, the FAS’ Marketing and Communications Manager, there is cause for optimism despite the opening game defeat.

“The most difficult match is now out of the way. We will take things one game at a time from here,” Ong said.

He continued, “Obviously we could have gotten a worse draw but there are no easy games at this level, especially with the standard of Asian football going up in the last decade. We are just proud to be one of the top 20 teams in Asia.”

The remaining matches will take place in June, making it the most important month in Singapore football history.

This year also marks the dawn of a new era for the Lions.

In 2007, long-serving defender S. Subramani and team captain Aide Iskandar announced their retirements from international football.

Their departures mean that the most experienced Lions on the road to South Africa are Indra Sahdan Daud, 29, and Daniel Bennett, 30.

The recently naturalised John Wilkinson and Aleksandar Duric will also serve as important role models for their younger colleagues.

While it is a very young team that has been named for the Lebanon match, Ong emphasised that experience and youth are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

“Players like Lionel (Lewis), Baihakki (Khaizan) and Khairul (Amri) have played more than 50 times for the Lions and they are all still under the age of 26,” he said.

“We have a young squad, putting us in a healthy position as they can stay together for many years,” Ong said, highlighting the importance of having a team filled with youngsters.

Indeed, the future of Singapore football looks bright, with the constant discovery of new talents.

A Centre of Excellence jointly managed by FAS and the 12 S-League clubs, together with various grassroots activities, ensure that every aspiring footballer is given a chance to shine.

Citing the example of 18-year-old Hariss Harun, a full-time student in addition to being in the national team, Ong stressed that it is crucial to balance both books and boots at the same time.

“While we strive to show that it is possible to have a viable career as a professional footballer, it should not overshadow the importance of education, as it gives the player something to fall back on at the end of his career.”

Slingers Mauled by Wildcats in Thrilling Contest

Dennis Phua|dennisphua@gmail.com
the ridge Sports
A NUSSU Publication

In their first International NBL Hummer Championship game of 2008, the Singapore Slingers suffered an 87-124 beating by the Perth Wildcats at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Jan. 3, 2008.

The Wildcats practicing their shots

(Photo by Dennis Phua)

With the play-offs closing in, the Wildcats were looking for a win in their second trip to Singapore this season to improve their overall league standing. The Slingers, on the other hand, held an unenviable 4-19 record, and were eager to avoid a 20th defeat in front of their adoring home supporters.

The high-octane game started badly for the Slingers, which quickly fell behind against the sharp shooting of the visitors. As the deficit threatened to widen to twenty points, Macedonian power forward Blagoj Janev, hit a couple of three-pointers and a lay-up for the Slingers, keeping the first-quarter score-line respectable at 24-36.

American small forward Rod Grizzard, was however, limited to one point and uncharacteristic turnovers for the Slingers. Midway through the second quarter, he threw his headband to the floor in disgust before being briefly substituted.

As point guard Shane McDonald lost possession in mid-court, the Perth team blazed down to the other end to stretch their lead to 32-58 with 4:10 minutes left on the clock.

McDonald made amendments shortly after with three points; and a rejuvenated Grizzard nailed two long-range shots, pulling the Slingers back on fighting terms at 48-64 just before the halftime interval.

As the Wildcats returned to the court for the third quarter, they were in no mood to take their foot off the pedal. Rebounds were snatched, blocks were flying, and precision play was their order of the day. Aided by lacklustre defence by the Slingers, Perth’s forward Shawn Redhage dominated the scoring.

With four minutes remaining in the third period, Perth forward Alex Loughton, who finished the game tied with Redhage at 20 points, launched a block-and-pass towards his Australian team-mate Peter Crawford. The Singapore team thus fell an insurmountable 36 points behind.

Janev nets a free throw for the Slingers

(Photo by Dennis Phua)

With the Slingers chasing a lost cause, head coach Gordon McLeod gave Singaporeans Koh Meng Koon and Michael Wong their run-outs, much to the delight of the crowd.

With Wong notching some points and Grizzard stepping up his playmaking in terms of steals and assists, the Slingers hung on admirably and limited their opponents to 21 points in the final quarter.

The Perth Wildcats finished the game with seven players on double-figures and comfortably outscoring the Slingers in every quarter, having ripped the home defence apart with their big and mobile front line.

The remaining Slingers home schedule (2007/2008 season): Wollongong Hawks (13 January), Cairns Taipans (20 January), South Dragons (30 January), and Adelaide 36ers (13 February).

Local Bands Rock Out to Usher in 2008

Wong Pei Yee|long_jump@hotmail.com
the ridge Transmedia
A NUSSU Publication

Head down to the Esplanade this New Year’s Eve and rock out with local bands Allura, Bismuth and PeepShow. As part of the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown held at the Esplanade Waterfront, the three bands promise a night of revelry and local music.

In an email interview with Stev.e (bass, vocals and guitar) from the 3-man band Bismuth and Inch (vocals) from Allura, both local bands have forgone covers to play their own original music.

Local band Bismuth is named after an element from the periodic table and consists of Flint, Chris and Stev.e.
Picture: Courtesy of The Esplanade Co Ltd

“We’ll be playing our originals and bringing some local music to the masses, it’s the best way to start a new year,” said Inch.

However, Bismuth speaks of an exception to the rule, “We might do a rendition of Auld Lang Syne.”

The cheeky Stev.e who describes Bismuth’s music as “intelligent yet melodically harmonious compositions (or at least we would like to think so)” like Allura ultimately believe that their music is stuff that refuses categorization. “Fresh and melodic maybe?” ventures Inch.

Whatever it is, both local bands intend to continue with what they’ve been doing. When asked what their New Year Resolutions were, Stev.e replied: “As a band we intend to stick together (‘cause doing that is not as easy as it seems), start work on a full-length release and continue reaching out.”

Allura is a 5-piece band consisting of Inch Chua (vocals), Aaron Wong (rhythm guitars), Mark John (lead guitars), Matthew Yap (bass) and Low Han Quan (drums).
Picture credit: http://www.myspace.com/allurarock

Allura, on the other hand, has slightly higher hopes: “We really hope to travel together, belt down more experience, spread more of our music and most importantly, grow together as people.”

Thinking as one, both Inch’s and Stev.e’s wishes for the local music scene echoed the other’s.

“We believe it’s important that locals gradually abolish the mentality that locally produced music isn’t on par with foreign music, ‘cause it’s simply not true,” states Inch.

Apart from the music, the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown promises to be a grand event with the sight of wishing spheres bobbing in the Singapore River, a stunning visual arts display and fireworks that are expected to wow the crowds with a little something extra.

See you at the Esplanade Waterfront tomorrow.

the ridge wishes all readers a happy and fulfilling 2008.