Since 2015, no local team have won the Singapore Premier League (previously known as the S-League), and no team have broken the Albirex Niigata monopoly since 2016.
But a trio of regular contenders and dark horses have emerged in a bid to end the Japanese team's dominance this season.
Five-time champions Tampines Rovers and two-time winners Home United have already beaten the White Swans this year, and kept the bulk of their respective squads.
With chairman Desmond Ong handing out multi-year contracts since coming on board in 2017, the Stags are benefiting from stability and continuity as their players show understanding of their roles and responsibilities on the pitch.
The young and talented - such as 19-year-old Singaporean Joel Chew and 20-year-old Serb Zehrudin Mehmedovic - are complemented by seasoned campaigners such as Canadian Jordan Webb, 30, and 41-year-old centre-back Daniel Bennett, into his 21st season.
"Having kept the bulk of players from last season definitely helps in terms of chemistry," said Webb, who has 79 goals in 208 league games over nine seasons. "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."
His coach Gavin Lee added: "We want to be effective in and out of pre-season. If we can win and entertain with attractive football, that would be the ideal scenario."
The Protectors were the best local side last season, finishing as SPL runners-up and winning the AFC Cup Asean zonal final.
Like Tampines, they have retained 17 of 24 players, including South Korean linchpin Song Ui-young and the evergreen Shahril Ishak, who combined for 40 goals in all competitions last term.
They boast the impressive Under-23 trio of forward Adam Swandi, central midfielder Hami Syahin and central defender Taufiq Muqminin.
With their last major trophy coming in the Singapore Cup in 2013 and their last league title in 2003, Home coach Saswadimata Dasuki said it is time to end the drought.
"We want to build on our successes last season and go one better," said Saswadimata, whose side beat Albirex on penalties in the season-opening Community Shield last Saturday.
"It should be one of the most open seasons in recent years, but we won't write them off. They can only get better training full-time, without national service or school commitments (like local clubs).
Meanwhile, the dark horses in the nine-team SPL appear to be Hougang United, who added considerable firepower to a team who 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 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. Instead, they have shored up their defence with South Korean centre-back Kong Ho-won.
Teo said: "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. He will give us a different dimension with his ability to take on players.
"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 underachieving."
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.
"We now have quality attackers and a great team, so we got to be more adventurous and clinical than before to fight for our targets."
Shop Overstock.com and find the best online deals on everything for your home. We work every day to bring you discounts on new products across our entire store. Whether you're looking for memorable gifts or everyday essentials, you can buy them here for less.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic on MVP chants: There's better
sportslifetale.com/nba/nuggets-star-nikola-jokic-on-mvp-chants-theres-better-players-in-the-nba-than-me/
'Stringent' system in place to safeguard jackpot funds, say SPL clubs with fruit machines Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi is highly rated by his manager and peers and doesn't deserve so much criticism
Casino Watch - International News 1/11/09 To 1/17/09
Cardiff City City chairman Mehmet Dalman said on Tuesday the club will pay the fee for striker Emiliano Sala if they are contractually required to do so.. Sala had signed for the Premier League side and was flying to his new team from his old club Nantes in France when his plane went missing over the Channel on January 21.
Cardiff to pay Sala transfer fee to Nantes 'if obliged', says
The Goalkeeping Mindset. The role of the goalkeeper is never well understood by most, except by other goalkeepers. Goalkeepers are lonely specialists, put in a position that is mostly a setup for failure. They do not touch the ball, as often as field players and when they do it they have the entire spotlight.
Are West Coast GK gloves good : GoalKeepers - reddit
'Massive' victory gives Pochettino renewed belief. The Spurs manager admitted it was vital for his team to start the new year with a bang and record a "massive" victory at Cardiff that
Latest TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR | The Straits Times
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA Cup The Argentina international, who is the Premier League's top scorer with 19 goals, missed City's 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Cardiff City on Wednesday and was a doubt for Saturday's semi-final at Wembley.
Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA Cup | Sports
Football: Bayern forward Sandro Wagner moves to China's Tianjin Teda after 'very attractive offer' "He had a very attractive offer from China and we met his request."
Bayern forward, Wagner, makes China move after 'very
Solskjaer lavishes praise on De Gea after United maintain winning run. It extended caretaker boss Solskjaer's winning start to a club-record sixth successive match in all competitions, but
Man City's title hopes dented, Solskjaer's winning run ends
He established himself as an integral part of the Manchester City squad and was regarded as one of the bargain buys of the revolutionised City era, blossoming into one of the Premier League's best centre-backs. Kompany was included in the Premier League Team of the Year for two years in a row in 2011 and 2012 as well as being included in the
Nazri, 48, who was recently appointed assistant to new national coach Tatsuma Yoshida, said: "They responded to me very well and I always try to win the players' trust, that's the most important thing and it showed during the AirMarine Cup. "I hope they can continue the momentum and that's where I come in also to motivate the players.
HK racer legend in making - theworldnews.net
Solskjaer needs to be held accountable for Man United's slide (2:09) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was praised for his early success at Man United, but the FC crew say he also deserves criticism for
As Solskjær soars, how many extra points does a manager
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup Description: Carlos Queiroz, who has been Iran coach for eight rollercoaster years, insisted that he remains committed to bringing Asian football's biggest prize back to the country for the first time in more than 40 years.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian
Cardiff 'shocked' by Sala pilot report. By. Cardiff claim they are shocked by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night.
Cardiff 'shocked' amid reports Sala's pilot was not qualified
It's finally here. It's Champions League final day, and the team sheets have been announced. Firmino starts for Liverpool, as expected. James Milner starts on the bench, but look for him to
Milner: Spectre of Kiev is driving Liverpool towards glory
Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery. Liverpool v Arsenal: Reds can be Invincible says Unai Emery | Goal.com
Liverpool can match Arsenal's Invincibles, says Unai Emery
0 comments:
Post a Comment