SINGAPORE - The Merlion Cup will be revived in the form of a mini South-east Asia Games football tournament as the under-22Â national teams from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines join hosts Singapore in a friendly quadrangular next month.
The June 7-9 competition will be held at the Jalan Besar Stadium and will serve as preparations for the four teams ahead of this year's SEA Games in the Philippines. The biennial Games is from Nov 30-Dec 11.
At the press conference on Wednesday (May 15), Young Lions coach Fandi Ahmad said: "Football needs to be revitalised in Singapore and the Merlion Cup will be a good opportunity to expose the young players to international football.
"All teams are equal and we won't fear any opponents. Hopefully, with good preparation and home support, we will play some good football like we did in the AFC U-23 qualifiers."
Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Lim Kia Tong said the tournament will be an annual affair, although it could toggle between a senior and age-group competition depending on their needs.
For this year's edition, Singapore will face the Philippines while the Thais take on the Indonesians in the other semi-final on June 7.
The third-placed play-off and final will be two days later.
Young Lions defender Lionel Tan said: "We are very excited and raring to go and do Singapore proud by putting up good performances. We will focus on our own strengths and abilities and play to our coaches' instructions."
The Merlion Cup had been held annually in Singapore from 1982 to 1986, and once in 1992, and was widely considered the Republic's premier invitational football tournament.
It featured countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, Iraq, China, South Korea and international club sides like Inter Milan and Lokomotiv Moscow.
It was last held in 2009 at the old National Stadium, when Singapore were beaten 5-0 by English giants Liverpool.
In 2015, there were talks of reviving the tournament after international sports media rights agency MP & Silva's $25-million deal with the FAS was announced in February that year.
The J-League's Yokohama Marinos, Chinese Super League's Shanghai Shenhua and Myanmar national team touted as likely participants but cost issues saw MP & Silva pull out of negotiations with the Singapore Sports Hub in December 2015 over the staging of the Merlion Cup in 2016.
The statement read: "All clubs unanimously agreed it is inappropriate for European football bodies to create plans that would alter the structures, calendar and competitiveness of the domestic game and will work together to protect the Premier League." The extra matches - from six to 14 - would require a radical shake-up of the club calendar.
More European clubs oppose plan to overhaul Champions League
It's all over for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United after his two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford came to a shuddering halt. There were highs and lows along the way with trophies, tantrums
Jose Mourinho's highs at Manchester United - Daily Trust
Benitez fumes says Prem 'don't understand the rules' after Wolves' dubious equaliser The Toon boss was furious Wolves' late leveller was not ruled out for a foul on Martin Dubravka to deny
How the media comes daily to the rescue of the referees
Despite recognising the fallen state of man and nature, Hopkins continued to believe in the salvation of Christ and the ultimate joy of being reunited with God. He succeeds in the end in recovering for himself a world like that of Eden before the Fall, an accomplishment which, despite all his protestations and efforts, Arnold never wholly achieves.
Gre in Literature Flashcards | Quizlet
United Spurs Juve And Inter Ready To Heat Up Icc Singapore. Singapore Spurs Tottenhamhotspur. Manchester United Supporters Club Singapore The Official.
Spurs, Man United, Juventus and Inter heading to Singapore
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 29, 2019, with the headline 'Barca stroll to their 26th LaLiga title'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Barca stroll to their 26th LaLiga title - theworldnews.net
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink names the two players he would 'love' Chelsea to sign Hasselbaink scored 88 goals for Chelsea during his time there (Picture: Getty) Maurizio Sarri's men have
José Mourinho | The Guardian Manchester United's Class of 92 coach, dies aged 81. "There are lots of poets in football," Mourinho said after winning the Europa League in 2017 in a
Football - app.timesofmalta.com
Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min told his South Korea team-mates "we're better than that" after they needed extra time to scrape past Bahrain's part-timers 2-1 in the Asian Cup last 16 on Tuesday. Kim Jin-su's diving header at the end of the first extra period was all that separated South Korea
Football: Son says South Korea need to be 'better' at Asian
The clock is ticking. The homeowners that live near the course were opposed to Visions Golf LLC's plan for the city to rezone the land for the construction of
Clock ticking for city to close $17.2M gap - Lowell Sun Online
BAKU: Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is a doubt for Wednesday's Europa League final against Arsenal because of a knee injury, with coach Maurizio Sarri rating the French star's chances of playing
Chelsea sweat on Kante fitness for Europa League final
Football: DC United's Wayne Rooney sees red for first time in
Allura sped out of the castle bay on her speeder with the five colorful lions close in pursuit.At first she had been worried if they would be able to keep up with the small and speedy machine, but that doubt was soon washed as the paladins ran by her sides.
Lions are on the hunt in Edwards, wildlife officials say
Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let's not be afraid to receive each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.
Theme Days Activity Ideas for Seniors & the Elderly
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen