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."
Burnley boost their survival hopes by beating Wolves to end a run of four straight defeats and move five points clear of the relegation zone. by inspiring his side to a win over Wolves that
Burnley 2 - 0 Wolves - Match Report & Highlights
MUNICH (Germany): Bayern Munich won a record-extending seventh consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday after crushing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 to finish two points ahead of rivals Borussia
Bayern Munich win Bundesliga title for seventh successive
Gareth Bale is still "100 per cent" committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, the Wales star's agent insisted on Monday. Former Tottenham winger Bale has been linked with a
Gareth Bale is 100% committed to Real Madrid, insists agent
Lippi earns sympathy despite reign ending on gloomy note SHANGHAI • The search is now on for another big name to take on the poisoned chalice that is the Chinese national football coaching position, after a livid Marcello Lippi ended his reign following their humiliating exit at the Asian Cup.
Timon of Athens: This gloomy Greek earns little of our
Sometimes, it seems that everything goes wrong, despite our best efforts to make things right. We can do everything in our power to make something work, but life might have different plans. Many of us feel as though we have no control over our lives, and while that might hold some truth to some
Milan draw another blank in Frosinone stalemate AC Milan completed four Serie A games without scoring for the first time since 1984 when they were held 0-0 at next-to-bottom Frosinone on Wednesday. The result, and another lacklustre performance, against the team with Serie A's worst defensive record heaped more pressure on Milan's beleaguered
Frosinone Extend AC Milan Goal Drought in Scoreless Draw
Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions League final A police officer walking outside the Wanda Metropolitano stadium where the Champions League final will be held, on
Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English
Pele to have urinary tract surgery in Brazil: hospital By superliga On Apr 10, 2019 0 Sao Paulo (AFP) - Pele will have an operation to remove a 'ureteral stone,' his doctors said Wednesday, a day after the football great returned to Brazil following treatment in a Paris hospital for an infection.
Pele to have urinary tract surgery in Brazil: hospital
VIDEO Newcastle United 2 - 0 Huddersfield (Premier League) Highlights. February 23, 2019. Newcastle plunge 10-man Huddersfield closer to the drop. Highlights1.
Ramadan Sobhi shanks a great chance from ten yards, out for a throw. And then the league leaders go up the other end, Cahill making up for giving away a penalty by scoring what is surely the
You know, I think Barca will be fine | The Football Ramble
Ali's 'golden touch' floors Japan as Qatar lifts Asian Cup. Record-breaker Almoez Ali slots in a brilliant early goal as Qatar deals Japan its first loss in an Asian Cup final
Aussie horror show as Jordan stun Asian Cup champs | Free
Reds will 'attack as a team' Liverpool's Mohamed Salah can count on his defensive teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson to bomb forward against Barcelona in hope of chipping in
Reds will 'attack as a team' - theworldnews.net
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup. "There's no doubt that Colombia
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/01/18/iran-coach-queiroz-set-for-colombia-switch-after-asian-cup/
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup AFP January 18, 2019 AFP No Comments Abu Dhabi (AFP) - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup.
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
LIVERPOOL: Goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino earned Liverpool a 2-0 win over Porto on Tuesday to give Juergen Klopp's side the upper hand in their Champions League quarter-final tie
Keita and Firmino give Liverpool 2-0 win over Porto | Sports
0 comments:
Post a Comment