Singapore Expats

I'm relocating in June from the UK and I'm a big football fan and season ticket holder over here. I was thinking of supporting a team in Singapore - with Home United, the team I have looked into at the moment. (not for any reason)

What is the set up in S-League? How many teams are from Singapore? Or am I being stupid - are they all from Singapore (hence the 'S' in League)

Also how much is it to go to the games, etc?

Any feedback would be much appreciated

Thanks

reds4eva? are u a old trafford or anfield supporter? Anyway our local league comprises 12 teams. 9 local & 3 foreign teams. Albirex Nigatta (Japan), Liaoning (China) & Korean All-Reds. Home United is pretty strong this year. They are among the fav this year together with defending champ, SAF Warriors & Tampines Rovers. Home United home ground is Bishan Stadium and entry to SLeague matches cost only $5. Pls check out the SLeague website, www.sleague.com for more info. Btw I am a fan of Liverpool and also a fan of the sleague club Tampines Rovers!

I support Manchester United. I have a season ticket there - which I will be sad to have to give up when I come to Singapore.

I followed Home United for a couple of seasons and since moving out east have been to a few Tampines Rovers games.

The standard of football is very variable - some times reaching League 1 level (or Div 3 if you're an old sod like me) to below park football in England. To be fair, given the number of players to pick from and general parental influence in Singapore that sport isn't a "proper job", that's a pretty good effort.

Also don't mistake skill level with excitement. The games can be extremely exciting. The general weakness I observe is defenders who are uncomfortable on the ball or defensive midfielders who are too confident in possession. This can lead to some interesting scrambles in the final third.

Purists may say not pretty but although I have no facts to back this up, I am hard pressed to think of many boring goalless draws.

Btw Endurance - thanks for the link to the S-League site. I am hoping to take my 5 year old to a couple of games and the info you have connected me too will be very helpful indeed. If you are at Tampines Stadium and see a pair in Watford black away strips, that'll be us!

maybe you can cover the origin of singapore football names?
haha

Watford...that's John Barnes former club. Anyway, I'll most likely be going to watch The Stags next home game against the Korean All Reds on the 15 of April . Will u be going?

To be honest, i am not sure who to watch. I stumbled across Home United's website - which is why I mentioned them.

I'm open to ideas - if more expats watch certain team - I am fine to meet for beers before, etc!

endurance0201 wrote:Watford...that's John Barnes former club. Anyway, I'll most likely be going to watch The Stags next home game against the Korean All Reds on the 15 of April . Will u be going?

Yes, Liverpool have done pretty well out of Watford over the years - Barnesy as you mentioned, David James and more recently (and circuitously) Jermaine Pennant.

It's a bit early to say if I'll definitely be going on 15th April (depending on cricket world cup fixtures for a start) but its certainly in my plans.

Coincidental that my local teams Tampines (stag) and Watford (hart) have deer like creatures in their crests.

Reds4eva - generally you will be something of a curiosity at an S-League game - quite possibly the only ang moh (oh dear that term again!) in the ground. Perhaps 1 day I'll sit down and type out a long but hilarous story about how me and my mate wound up former Sengkang Marine coach Mike Lyons back in 1997.

15th April is approaching and all things being equal I intend taking my son to Tampines for the match against the Koreans. Anyone else going?