January 23 - 29, 2006

January 29

Note 1 – SAFFC Malaysian tour (Results)

Warriors have wrapped up their Malaysian tour with 1 win 1 draw 1 lose

Jan 24 vs Selangor, 0-3

Jan 26 vs KL, 0-0

Jan27 vs PKNS, 3-2, Ashrin Shariff (2) and Aleksandar Duric

Note 2 – Palestine set up Syria game

Until now Palestine have only been able to set up games against Jordanian clubs but after much work Palestine have set up an international game against Syria on February 7.

January 28

Note 1 – Dickson get 6 months ban

The Football Association of Singapore has slapped a six-month suspension on errant footballer Itimi Dickson for missing national team duty.

The FAS convened an inquiry on Friday morning to hear from Itimi his reasons for not reporting for national team duty in early January 2006, when he was made aware that he was selected for centralised training in preparation for the Asian Cup 2007 Qualifiers.

Having then heard his reasons for his absence, FAS decided that they was not acceptable.

The decision was made then to suspend the player from national team selection and duty for a six-month period to 30 June 2006.

Note 2 – Dickson expressed remorse

22-year-old midfielder Itimi Dickson has expressed remorse for his indiscretion, and has apologised unreservedly to the FAS management, national coach Radojko Avramovic, as well as to his Lions teammates.

Itimi said, “I take full responsibility for my actions and I apologise for any inconveniences I have caused. I accept my punishment and I am looking forward to redeem myself and earn my place back in the National Team after my suspension.

The apologise was issued by Itimi after the inquiry rejected his reasons for his absence from National Team training.  

Note 3 – Singapore to play Hong Kong

With the cancellation of the Qatar game, Singapore have additional space for an international friendly and the Republic have lined up a game against Hong Kong on February 15

The game will be held in Hong Kong as Singapore return from their West Asia tour. 

January 27

Note 1 – Raddy see positives in defeat

Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic had cause for optimism despite a 2-1 defeat to Denmark

The Serbo-Montenegrin reflected on an "excellent" first half showing from Singapore at the National Stadium, as he said” In the first half we functioned well as a team. We were excellent for the first half, but perhaps a bit naïve for the second half. But I am happy that all the players tried hard to win the game. If there is anything to criticise, I think we must maintain more possession of the ball when we go on the attack. In the second half we gave it away a little too much. “

Singapore got their only goal from Home United striker Indra Sahdan as he timed his run perfectly to meet Alam Shah's delicate through ball, and dinked his shot past Christiansen to cap his customary 'one shot, one kill' performance

Note 2 – Denmark  coach Potren Olsen admit tough fight

Denmark coach Morten Olsen believed Singapore gave a good account of themselves against his team as they were outfought in the first half.

His second half substitute Bech was to prove the savior tapping home after being left unmarked by the Lions' backline pushing forward in anticipation of an offside call that never came and later punished Singapore in similar fashion, latching onto a cross from the right and steering the ball past Lionel without having to evade a defender.

The Dane forecast a bright future for the Lions ahead of February's Asian Cup qualifier against Iraq if Singapore keep up their performance.

The veteran Olsen said “Singapore played very good football tonight, and so did my players, I thought both sides created many chances for the viewing pleasure of the public. Singapore had more of the good chances in the first half, and tried to play good combination football. The players have the right technical skills to hold their own against a team like ours, as we have all seen tonight. If these players perform to their full capacity consistently, they can surely do very well.”

Note 3 – Raddy disappointed at crowd for top level oppositions

On a night Singapore perform brilliantly despite a defeat, Raddy still has causes to be upset and it was the turnout of the crowd for the international friendly.

The Serbo-Montenegrin said, “I am not happy with the number of fans that turned up, I was expecting many more fans to turn up for this match, especially since it featured one of Europe’s top team.”

Last night turnout for the Denmark game was 10000 plus with 3800 who received complimentary tickets

January 26

Note 1 – Singapore 1-2 Denmark

Singapore Scorer : Indra Sahdan

Singapore : Lionel Lewis(GK); Isa Halim (S Subramani 90'), Baihakki Khaizan (Precious Emuejeraya 79'), Aide Iskandar (capt), Daniel Bennett; Shahril Ishak (Fazrul Nawaz 70'), Fahrudin Mustafic (Aidil Sharin 79'), Goh Tat Chuan (Tengku Mushadad 64'), Khairul Amri (Hafizat Jauharmi 79' ); Noh Alam Shah, Indra Sahdan Daud

Note 2 – Iraq and Palestine decide on ‘home’

With both Iraq and Palestine unable to play in their own countries due to turmoil, the 2 West Asian countries have been looking elsewhere to set up their base for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers.

The decisions have been make as Iraq is playing their ‘home’ matches at UAE while Palestine is playing their ‘home’ matches in Jordan.

January 25

Note 1 – Aide set for history

Singapore skipper and defender Aide Iskandar is ready to make history in the friendly match against Denmark.

The 30 year-old have recovered fully from his fever and will be the youngest ever Singapore player to collect 100 international caps when he take to the field against the former European champions.

He is delighted as he acknowleged the significant of the achievement and is hoping for a full house at National Stadium to share the moment with him as well as aid Singapore in the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers.

He will also stand to receive a Testimonial match and S$10000 cash reward from FAS.

Note 2 – Qatar game cancelled

Out of the 3 games Singapore have lined up for the West Asia training tour, it is now reported the international friendly against Qatar have been cancelled.

No reason have been given by FAS for the cancellation but it appeared Qatar have lined up against Tajikistan instead.

January 24

Note 1 – Iraq announced 23 man squad for Singapore and China games

Iraq 23-man squad for the Asian Cup 2007 Qualifiers

Goalkeepers
Noor Sabri (Students)
Wissam Kasid (Air Force)
Uday Talib (Al Zawra)

Defenders
Bassim Abbas (Students)
Samal Saeed (Police Club)
Yassir Raad (Al Zawra)
Haider Abdul-Razzaq (Ittihad, Syria)
Ahmed Kadhim (Pas, Iran)
Haider Abdul-Amir (Al Zawra)
Ali Hussain Rahima (Air Force)

Midfielders
Khalid Musher (Duhok)
Hawar Mullah Mohammed (Al-Ansar, Lebanon)
Salih Sadir (Al-Ansar, Lebanon)
Nashat Akram (Al-Shabab, Saudi Arabia)
Qusay Munir (Al-Hazim, Saudi Arabia)
Haitham Kadhim (Al Zawra)
Mahdi Karim (Apollon, Cyprus)
Jassim Swadi (Apollon, Cyprus)

Forwards
Younis Mahmoud (Al-Khor, Qatar)
Emad Mohammed (Foolad, Iran)
Louai Salah (Al-Khor, Qatar)
Razzaq Farhan (West Riffa, Bahrain)
Mohammed Nassir (Apollon, Cyprus)

Note 2 – Latiff doubled tally for Johor

Singapore midfielder Ahmad Latiff doubled his goal tally to 4 goals as he scored a double for Johor against Perak UPB in a 4-0 thrashing.

The midfielder struck both goals in a 10 minutes period in the second half with Johor taking the lead in the first half.

The victory though failed to improve Johor chances of capturing the top spot which guarantee promotion to the Malaysian Super League as Johor are still 5 points behind new leader Kedah who had defeated previous leader Sarawak 3-2.

January 23

Note 1 – SAFFC pre-season Malaysia training tour

The Warriors are embarking on a training tour in Malaysia tomorrow as they prepared for the upcoming 2006 S-league season.

The Western-based club would be station in Kuala Lumpur during the entire training tour and will be up against 3 Malaysian clubs – Selangor, KL, and PKNS.

The date of the matches – Jan 24 vs Selangor, Jan 26 vs KL, Jan27 vs PKNS.

Note 2 – Persija Jakarta give Agu final chance

Indonesian club Persija Jakarta have decided not to report Singapore forward Agu Casmir to FIFA  until the end of the month so as to give the player his final chance to resolve the US$20000 sign-on fee with the club

Agu Casmir had promised to return to the region at the end of the month to return the money and explain matters to them during a phone call to the club last week.

The Indonesian club have decided it would be the ‘best’ outcome of a bad situation they find themselves trap in despite the former National player not having contacted the Indonesian club since that phone call.

Note 3 – Indonesian media blast Agu Casmir

The football career of Agu Casmir in Indonesia looked dead and buried.

Agu Casmir has come under heavy fire from the Indonesian media over the weekend as news of his AWOL spread.

Most newspapers carried reports on Agu's disappearance and contractual problems with Persija Jakarta, after the forward had gone missing from his new employers without a trace.

They blasted him saying his actions were unbecoming of a professional footballer and the Jawa Post was perhaps the most critical, lambasting Agu's actions as "unethical" and "unprofessional".

All papers called on the All-Indonesia Football Federation (PSSI) to take stern action against the Singaporean player for his actions.

Even the director of competitions of the BLI, Djoko Driyono believed no Indonesian clubs would now employ Agu as he said: "I don't think any other club in Indonesia are going to be stupid enough to sign Agu Casmir after this episode."

On the punishment to be dealt to Agu, he declined to comment but he stated they are still waiting for the club to inform us officially before decide what steps to take.

But till then, Agu International Transfer Certificate will be with the PSSI so he cannot go anywhere else to play until he sorts this out.