January 16 - 22, 2006 

January 21

Note 1 – Agu promised to return at end of month

The Agu Casmr saga took a further twist as the player contacted Singapore team manager Eugene Loo with a SMS message he is in Russia and will be back in Singapore at the end of the month.

Attempts by FAS after that to contact Agu Casmir remain futile.

FAS warned Agu Casmir he is a National player and he has to realise the implication of his actions.

But the trouble over him is far from over as Persija Jakarta have filed their complaint to FIFA and apart from getting back their US$20000 and a refund of all cost incurred, is also looking at a worldwide ban of 6 months on Agu.

Persija Jakarta state the Indonesia transfer window closed yesterday and at a result of Agu actions they are now short of firepower upfront.

Note 2 – Denmark confirm final squad for Singapore and Carlsberg Cup

The squad list for Denmark have been finalized

http://www.dbu.dk/page.aspx?id=1770

Note 3 – Iraq set up more friendly games

Apart from the Thailand game in Bangkok, Iraq have announced more games for their National Team ahead of the Asian Cup qualifiers.

Iraq will play Lebanon and Oman in two more friendlies on February 8 and 13.

January 20

Note 1 – Agu in Russia?

The case of the missing player Agu Casmir and the missing US$20000 got stranger.

Agu Casmir has not reappeared but he had finally contacted Persija Jakarta and the message he has for the club and his coach was not music to the ears of those who heard it.

Persija coach, Rachmad Darmawan, was furious that Agu had told him that he is no longer interested in playing for the club anymore and want to play in Russia instead.

When asked about the sign-on fee, Agu response was that he would return it in future.

The coach admitted to being stumped at that moment by Agu words.

But he added Agu was naive if he believed Persija was going to let him off that easily having treated him fairly with the player non-appearance and the signing-on fee.

He said the ITC was with the club and they will now file a report to FIFA over Agu behavior to ensure he does not play for another club anywhere.

Agu agent, Jules Denis Onana, a former Cameroon international footballer was equally disappointed with the player stating he would give the player 1 more day to think it over before filing a police report in Singapore as he is responsible for the US$20000 if Agu do not return it to the Indonesian club.

The Cameroon added he does not understand the action of Agu but having signed a contract he cannot just walked out on it.

However the indication is Agu Casmir is not set to return anytime soon to Singapore or the region having vacated his apartment he shared with Dickson and returned the keys to the landlord.

Note 2 – Fever could knock down Aide ahead of Denmark game

Singapore skipper and defender Aide Iskandar who is 1 international cap short of a century is down with fever.

This could well mean the player miss the game against Denmark at the National Stadium.

Although showing dengue symptoms, it was shown not to be the case and the fever have since subsided but the worrying problem was that fitness could be a factor with the game less than a week away.

The player, who is 30, is set to be Singapore youngest player to collect a century of international caps as the other players who have received the honour were all well into their 30s before they got their century

Even then this would not be the only record to be broken by Aide as after that he will be within range of Malek Awab 108 international caps.  

Note 3 – Iraq set up Thailand friendly 

Iraq has arranged a friendly with Thailand on February 16 in Bangkok.

Announcing the friendly match-up, Iraqi Football Association President Hussain Saeed said the encounter would help the team prepare for the AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers as the match will be part of their training camp in Bangkok.

January 19

Note 1 – Agu go missing on Persija Jakarta 

Singapore striker Agu Casmir who had signed to play for Indonesian club Persija Jakarta had gone missing.

It is a shocked to the Indonesian club as they had paid the player a sign-on fee of US$20000.

The money was wired to his bank account in Singapore after he signed the contract last week.

Contacts to his home in Singapore and his Cameroonian agent Jules Denis Onana failed to result in finding the player as even his agent admit not knowing where the player is.

Persija Jakarta is ready to file a report to FIFA on this incident as they are not taking any chances this would be a fraud case even as they are hoping it is a miscommunication between the club and player.

But the biggest shock for club and coach were that they were totally unaware Agu Casmir was dropped by Singapore for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers.

The coach stated he was not aware of it and were under the impression that he was still Singapore's top striker.

FAS had also expressed their concern over the matter with FAS general secretary John Koh stating he was "worried" about Casmir.

He said: "He did not inform us that he wanted to leave Singapore but when we got a request from his Indonesian club to release his ITC, we did because he was a free agent and has reached an agreement with his new club. I hope that everything is sorted out amicably and that it is just a miscommunication of sorts."

Note 2 – Sporting Afrique appoint coach

R Balasubramaniam has been appointed as Sporting Afrique first ever coach

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) have approved new boys Sporting Afrique's application for Bala to be appointed coach of the club.

The 33-year-old spent the last 3 years as a Centre of Excellence coach with Balestier Khalsa and Gombak United, before completing his Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 'A' licence coaching course in Vietnam in December.

Initially, Sporting Afrique feared Bala would be rejected as his certification papers had yet to arrive from the AFC, although the coach had been told he had passed the test. But the fears proved unfounded.

Note 3 – Young Lions drawn against Shahzan Muda in Malaysian FA Cup

The first round of the Malaysian FA Cup will see Young Lions against Shahzan Muda.

The Young Lions face the Malaysian Premier League side at the Stadium Darulmakmur in Pahang on 12 February, before the second leg in Singapore a week later

Shahzan currently lie fifth in the eight-team Group B of the Malaysian Premier League, after being promoted from the FAM Cup competition last year.

January 18

Note 1 – Tigers filled up foreign signings

Balestier Khalsa filled up their foreign quotas after Nigerian striker Osagie Ederaro re-signed for the club in a surprise move a month after leaving.

The Tigers withdrew from talks last month citing the player "excessive" wage demands but now it seems the player had back away from those demands.

Therefore Osagie will once again link up with Cameroonian forward Kengne Ludovick in a deadly partnership upfront as both combined to score a total of 33 goals last season.

Osagie was pleased with the outcome stating he enjoyed himself at the club having fun together with the other players and fans.

He added after people heard he was released, they called him and wrote letters asking him not to leave and everyone was so nice so he was happy to know where he belonged and he just had to stay.

Balestier vice-chairman S Thavaneson was also pleased with the outcome as he welcome the Nigerian back into the fold saying, “I am very happy as it was always the club’s intention to sign him, I guess Osagie was not aware of the differences in the local transfer market, and that may have caused the earlier breakdown. But the club has been open and understanding throughout the whole negotiations process. We are aware other clubs had also expressed interest in the boy. But after holding two meetings with him last week, we have worked out a good package that is satisfactory for both parties.”

The other 3 foreign signings are Japanese captain Akihiro Nakamura and Cameroonian Ludovick, who have also been retained, and new signing Norikazu Murakami from Albirex Niigata.

Note 2 – AFC reject PFF request

AFC response to PFF request was swift and it proved disappointing for PFF president Ahmed Al Afifi

AFC have turned down the PFF request to play their upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers on home soil in Gaza City as AFC was not ready to allow matches to be played in either Palestine and Iraq due to continuing security concerns in both countries.

Palestine are now likely to play their scheduled home matches in the Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers in either Qatar or Jordan. They take on Singapore on March 1, Iraq on August 16 and China on October 11.

January 17

Note 1 – Singapore vs Denmark ticketing details

The S-league and FAS website have released the ticketing details on the upcoming Singapore vs Denmark game at the National Stadium

http://www.sleague.com/new0101.asp?ID=1287

Note 2 – Palestine request AFC for Gazza as homeground

The PFF have made public their desire to host Group E matches against Singapore, Iraq and China in Gaza, following the end of 38 years of Israeli occupation.

Since joining the AFC in 1998, Palestine have had to arrange all of their international matches outside of their borders with all of their ‘home’ games in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers taking place in Doha, Qatar.

PFF president Ahmed Al Afifi is hopeful that the national side can finally get to play in front of a home crowd at the 15,000-seat football stadium in Gaza City and if accepted Singapore would be the first-ever team to play a competitive game on Palestinian soil.

January 16

Note 1 – Eagles capture ex-Radiant defender

Geylang United make their second foreign signing for the 2006 season with the capture of Bulgarian defender Boyko Kamenov Simeonov.

The 30-year-old, who can also play in midfield, had helped Maldivian side New Radiant to the AFC Cup semi-finals last year.

Eagles coach Atthaphol Puspakom was delighted with the player stating Boyko shows good skills and is aggressive and he will be a useful player as he is versatile.

This could be a priceless capture by the Eagles who had already endured 2 disappointing seasons and could well be the first step towards the return of the glory days for the 2-times S-league champions.

Note 2 – Sengkang Punggol signed ex-Motherwell defender

Sengkang Punggol have signed ex-Motherwell defender Steve McDonald.

The Scottish-born Australian star for Western Australian Premier League side Sorrento and impressed Motherwell manager Terry Butcher enough for the former England captain to offer him a short-term contract last August.

Unfortunately the Scottish-born Australian failed to hit it off at Motherwell and was released after just five months.

As soon as Sengkang Punggol's Trevor Morgan learnt of his availability, the coach wasted no time in bringing the defender to Singapore.

The 26-year-old stands 2m tall which could make McDonald the tallest player to ever play in the S-League.

Note 3 – Champions confirmed Choketawee return

After much speculation, the champions have finally confirmed the return of Thai defender Choketawee Promrut

Choketawee had left the Stags last year to play in the V-league for Hoang Anh Gia Lai, playing along side other Thai like Tawan Sripan, Kattisuk Senamaung and Dusit Chaleamsang, but with Hoang Anh Gia Lai failure to recapture the V-league crown thus meaning no ACL, the club had to reduce their number of foreigners to 3.

Therefore Choketawee was released and the defender has chosen to return to his former club, 2004 and 2005 S-league champions Tampines Rovers.

Note 4 – Latiff scored but Johor fall further behind

Ahmad Latiff scored his second goal for Johor in the Malaysian Premier League as his club grabbed a comeback 2-2 draw against Kelantan.

Kelantan had taken a first-half 2 goal lead against home team Johor before Ahamd Latiff goal launched a fightback from Johor. 

However the hard-fought point was not enough for Johor as the club have fallen further behind the race to win promotion to the Malaysian Super League as they dropped down to fifth place and 5 points behind leader Sarawak.

Note 5 – Maidin Shamsul is only non-CAF referee in ANC 2006

Singapore referee Shamsul, who won AFC referee of the Year, was nominated by AFC after CAF requested an Asian referee for the upcoming ANC to be hosted in Egypt.

Maidin Shamsul is also part of the 44 short-listed referees list for the WC in Germany and have refereed in last year ACL Final between Al-Ithattid and Al Ain.

No details yet on the matches he will be officiating.