S. League
Introduction to S. League
S. League is a professional Singaporean football league which constitutes of various football clubs. This league sits at the highest level among all domestic football leagues taking place in Singapore. 10 clubs are allowed to contest in this league and there are 3 rounds designed for the operation of the S. League. While earlier this league was limited to only football clubs belonging to Singapore, later its participation was extended to clubs in France, Korea, Japan, Brunei and China in order to enhance the profile of this league as well as for increased participation.
The operations and activities of this league are looked after by the Football Association of Singapore. This league is currently sponsored by YEO’s and Great Eastern Life, which gives this league its official name “Great Eastern YEO’s S. League).
Clubs
Since its establishment in the year 1996, a total of 25 clubs have played in the S. League. A total of 10 clubs are allowed to contest under it and the current football clubs contesting in the 2015 football season are:
Albirex:
Albirex Niigata FC is a popular football club which participates in the S. League. All players of this team come from Japan and it is basically a satellite team of Japan’s Albirex Niigata. Joining S. League in the year 2004, this club managed to win over the Japanese expatriates in Singapore. Its professionalism also gets praised hugely by media.
Balestier:
Also known as the Balestier Khalsa FC Football club, this is a participant in the S. League football association in Singapore. This club came into being as a result of the merger of the Balestier Central Football Club and the Clementi Khalsa Football Club. It is a popular football club among the Sikh community residing in Singapore.
Brunei DPMM:
Also known as Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Football Club, it is a football club based in Brunei’s Bandar Seri Begawan region. During early 2000s, this club used to participate in the Brunei Premier League, where it won the league title in 2002 as well as 2004. After joining the Malaysian Premier League for a short span, Brunei DPMM joined S. League in the year 2009.
Courts Young Lions:
This is an under- 23 football team from Singapore. This is one of the few football teams which come under the direct supervision of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). Since the year 2003, Young Lions have been playing in the S. League as a football club. This step was taken by FAS to introduce young players with the game internationally.
Geylang:
Previously known as Geylang United during 1996- 2012, it is a professional football club originating from Bedok in Singapore. It holds the record of winning the most number of matches under FAS Premier League and during the 1970s and 1980s; it used to be the most successful club playing in the S. League.
Harimau Muda B:
A name given to the Malaysian National Under- 21 football team, it is managed by the Football Association of Malaysia. All players of this league are between 18- 21 years. The creation of this club is intended towards promoting the game of football among Malaysian youth and thus no foreign players are recruited in this squad.
Home UTD:
Home United football club is one of the clubs that participate in the S. League. It is the only club taking part in S. League that owns as well as operates its very own football academy. At the time of formation of S. League in 1996, Home United used to be known as the Police football Club.
Hougang:
Hougang United Football Club is a professional football club taking part in the S. League. The main sponsor of this club is SPEED Institute and their kit sponsor is Macron. In November 2014, it was announced that the Woodlands Wellington as well as Hougang United football clubs will form a merger for the upcoming 2015 football season.
Warriors:
Warriors FC is Singapore- based football club that plays in S. League’s top tier. This club was previously known as the Singapore Armed Forces Football Club (SAFFC) until its name was changes to Warriors FC in January 2013. There are no restrictions on the ethnicity of the players and a number of foreign players have played in this football club.
Tampines:
Tampines Rovers FC, also known as the Stags, is a professional football club based in Singapore’s Tampines and is an active participant in the S. League. This team has won various major trophies on behalf of Singapore Football in the S. League as well as the Singapore Cup. It is also one of the richest clubs that participate in Singapore football.
Top sports betting sites for S. League
Top 5 players of S. League
Hassan Sunny:
A member of the Warrior FC, Hassan is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Singapore National Football team. Hassan Sunny holds the record of being the first goalkeeper to win the “S. League Player of the Year Award” in 2014.
Lee Kwan- Woo:
Lee plays for the Home United club in S. League and he is a Korean player who plays as a Playmaker as well as Midfielder. He joined Home United FC in 2013 as their Club Marquee Player.
Aleksandar Duric:
He is a member of Tampines Rovers and is a formal international Singapore footballer having Serbian roots. Currently working as the fitness coach of S. League’s Tampines Rovers club, Aleksandar played as an exceptional striker who always made his presence felt on the field.
Mislav Karoglan:
Mislav plays for the Singapore Armed Forces FC and he is Croatia- born. Mislav is a Bosnian footballer who plays as a Midfielder in the S. League.
Shahril Ishak:
Shahril plays for Home United FC in the S. League and is a popular Singaporean footballer. He is the captain of the Singapore National Football team. Having leaded his team to various historic victories, Shahril is a natural centre Midfielder, who also plays as a Striker/ Winger.
Competition format
All contesting clubs are invited by the Football Association of Singapore to participate in the S. League. For each win, the winning team receives 3 points and both teams receive 1 point each in case of a draw. There are no points for a loss and the champion team is declared at the end of the tournament. The participating teams are given scores on the basis of goals scored, total points, goal difference and the number of wins.
Awards 2014
- Top Scorer Award: Rodrigo Tosi from Brunei DPMM (24 goals)
- Player of the Year Award: Hassan Sunny from Warriors FC
- Young Player of the Year Award: Nicolas Velez from Warriors FC
- Coach of the Year Award: Marko Kraljevic from Balestier Khalsa
- Fair Play Award: Geylang International
- People’s Choice Award: Mamadou M. Diallo from Hougang United
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