Jakarta Casual
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Top 5 Rams?
Victory tonight for Woodlands Wellington could see nosebleeds all round as the Rams would reach the heady heights of 5th after four straight wins.
I tend not to write too much about Nenad Bacin's men but while attention, such as it is in Singapore, has been on the unbeaten runs of SAF and Tampines Rovers Woodlands have been quietly winning at challengers Gombak United and brushing aside Home United and Balestier Khalsa to set up tonight's clash with Geylang United and the prospect of a fourth straight win.
Three consecutive 2-1 wns suggest a hard working, tenacious side, perhaps short on flair but getting enough of the basics right to cause a problem for the big boys and they have done that with away wins at SAF as well as the Bulls more recently.
I've caught Woodlands three times this season. The first was a Friday night affair at Jalan Besar when a Daniel Hammond penalty was enough to secure the three points in a game that saw a tedious first half send me to sleep and a feisty second half high on niggles but low on skill.
Second game was a crushing 4-1 home defeat by SAF, getting sweet revenge for that 3-2 earlier in the season. First half they posed some threat through Jamil Ali but second half he had run himself outta puff and they offered very little. Another pen by Hammond was the only time they troubled the visiting keeper.
Perhaps no surprise then that the English central defender, who last season played for Young Lions, is their top scorer with five goals.
Last time I saw them was that surprise win over Gombak United when they came from a goal down, had a player sent off and took the spoils in a mental last 10 minutes or so that had the Woodlands fans singing all the way back oop north.
Can they make it four in a row tonight against Geylang United at Bedok Stadium? Can they raise their games on their travels against the lesser teams as they have managed against the big boys?
Buggered if I know!
I tend not to write too much about Nenad Bacin's men but while attention, such as it is in Singapore, has been on the unbeaten runs of SAF and Tampines Rovers Woodlands have been quietly winning at challengers Gombak United and brushing aside Home United and Balestier Khalsa to set up tonight's clash with Geylang United and the prospect of a fourth straight win.
Three consecutive 2-1 wns suggest a hard working, tenacious side, perhaps short on flair but getting enough of the basics right to cause a problem for the big boys and they have done that with away wins at SAF as well as the Bulls more recently.
I've caught Woodlands three times this season. The first was a Friday night affair at Jalan Besar when a Daniel Hammond penalty was enough to secure the three points in a game that saw a tedious first half send me to sleep and a feisty second half high on niggles but low on skill.
Second game was a crushing 4-1 home defeat by SAF, getting sweet revenge for that 3-2 earlier in the season. First half they posed some threat through Jamil Ali but second half he had run himself outta puff and they offered very little. Another pen by Hammond was the only time they troubled the visiting keeper.
Perhaps no surprise then that the English central defender, who last season played for Young Lions, is their top scorer with five goals.
Last time I saw them was that surprise win over Gombak United when they came from a goal down, had a player sent off and took the spoils in a mental last 10 minutes or so that had the Woodlands fans singing all the way back oop north.
Can they make it four in a row tonight against Geylang United at Bedok Stadium? Can they raise their games on their travels against the lesser teams as they have managed against the big boys?
Buggered if I know!
Only Indonesia!
Most pre seasons tend to concentrate on transfer gossip and while there is plenty of that here there are also headlines that add a unique local twist to the game The following 'rumours' come from a variety of sources and I make no apology for any glaring contradictions.
Persija are being courted by an investor.
Persitara maybe sold.
Deltras and Pelita Jaya are considering a merger
Arema may be put up for sale
Persija and Persitara may merge
Sriwijaya are interested in Nwokolo, Bambang Pamungkus, Ponaryo Astaman, Ismed Sofyan, Agu Casmir
Christian Gonzales is wanted by Persiba and Persisam
Persisam want Nwokolo but he says it's to far from Singapore
The town of Batu in East Java maybe interested in buying Arema
Pro Duta in IPL may move to Sleman for their home games
Persib are interested in Greg Nwokolo
Malaysian clubs are interested in Elie Aiboy and Bambang Pamungkas
Greg Nwokolo is being tracked by Manchester City
Erol Iba is wanted by an A League side as well as Sriwijaya
Elie Aiboy wants to go to PSM
There may be a pre season competition called Inter Island Cup
The new ISL season will begin in October...
... or November
Sriwijaya fancy Ahmad Kurniwan as back up for national team keeper Ferry Rotinsulu
Persela are interested in former PSMS playmaker Leanardo Zada Martins
Sriwijaya DO NOT want Adebayor
OK, a couple of them stories are shite but hey! It's what the real media does innit?!
Persija are being courted by an investor.
Persitara maybe sold.
Deltras and Pelita Jaya are considering a merger
Arema may be put up for sale
Persija and Persitara may merge
Sriwijaya are interested in Nwokolo, Bambang Pamungkus, Ponaryo Astaman, Ismed Sofyan, Agu Casmir
Christian Gonzales is wanted by Persiba and Persisam
Persisam want Nwokolo but he says it's to far from Singapore
The town of Batu in East Java maybe interested in buying Arema
Pro Duta in IPL may move to Sleman for their home games
Persib are interested in Greg Nwokolo
Malaysian clubs are interested in Elie Aiboy and Bambang Pamungkas
Greg Nwokolo is being tracked by Manchester City
Erol Iba is wanted by an A League side as well as Sriwijaya
Elie Aiboy wants to go to PSM
There may be a pre season competition called Inter Island Cup
The new ISL season will begin in October...
... or November
Sriwijaya fancy Ahmad Kurniwan as back up for national team keeper Ferry Rotinsulu
Persela are interested in former PSMS playmaker Leanardo Zada Martins
Sriwijaya DO NOT want Adebayor
OK, a couple of them stories are shite but hey! It's what the real media does innit?!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tampines win again
Young Lions v Tampines Rovers 0-3 (Riduan Muhamed 2, Qiu Li) 1,393
The Stags now sit 8 points behind leaders SAF after the same number of games. As for the Young Lions, in SEA Games year, while the ocaching staff there may not be overly concerned at seeing their side second bottom they must be worried about just 13 goals scored in 19 games...and their top scorer is Obadin Aikhena with just four.
The Stags now sit 8 points behind leaders SAF after the same number of games. As for the Young Lions, in SEA Games year, while the ocaching staff there may not be overly concerned at seeing their side second bottom they must be worried about just 13 goals scored in 19 games...and their top scorer is Obadin Aikhena with just four.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Oh dear, Malaysia
Just when I'm thinking it would be nice to write something noce about Malaysia they go and drop yet more bollocks in the sporting world.
They stopped their athletes travelling to Singapore for the Asian Youth Games for fear of them contracting H1N1. They cancelled their own Merdeka Cup for the same reason while at the same time allowing Manchester United's high profile photo op to go ahead.
They then organised a couple of friendlies against Liberia but then withdrew the invitation when they felt they weren't sending the full squad.
So they goes and invite Zimbabwe at short notice...and then some Zimbabwean club side called Monomotapa no showed for a domestic league game at the weekend only to show up in KL and getting thumped 4-0 by the Malaysians.
I nearly choked on me Frosties...
They stopped their athletes travelling to Singapore for the Asian Youth Games for fear of them contracting H1N1. They cancelled their own Merdeka Cup for the same reason while at the same time allowing Manchester United's high profile photo op to go ahead.
They then organised a couple of friendlies against Liberia but then withdrew the invitation when they felt they weren't sending the full squad.
So they goes and invite Zimbabwe at short notice...and then some Zimbabwean club side called Monomotapa no showed for a domestic league game at the weekend only to show up in KL and getting thumped 4-0 by the Malaysians.
I nearly choked on me Frosties...
Weekend results
SLeague
Albirex Niigata v Super Reds 1-1 (Kenji Adichihara; Chang Jo Yoon)
Home United v Geylang United 2-1 (Kengne Ludovic 2; Hafiz Rahim)
SAF v Sengkang Punggol 2-0 (Duric 2)
Woodlands Wellington v Balestier Khalsa 2-1 (Precious, Hammond; Oh In Kyun)
SAF go 10 points clear at the top after 19 games with a current run of five straight wins.
MSL
Johor v Kedah 5-1
International Friendly
Malaysia v Zimbabwe 4-0 (Shafiq Rahim, Indraputra Mahayuddin, Farderin Kadir, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha)
Albirex Niigata v Super Reds 1-1 (Kenji Adichihara; Chang Jo Yoon)
Home United v Geylang United 2-1 (Kengne Ludovic 2; Hafiz Rahim)
SAF v Sengkang Punggol 2-0 (Duric 2)
Woodlands Wellington v Balestier Khalsa 2-1 (Precious, Hammond; Oh In Kyun)
SAF go 10 points clear at the top after 19 games with a current run of five straight wins.
MSL
Johor v Kedah 5-1
International Friendly
Malaysia v Zimbabwe 4-0 (Shafiq Rahim, Indraputra Mahayuddin, Farderin Kadir, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A Casual Podcast
A few weeks back I was up in Thailand where I met up with Dale Farrington, an English expat who has been calling Thailand home for a dozen years now. On the supporter's coach to Bangkok, on our way to see Thai Port take on Chonburi, we discussed the first half of the Thai Premier League and he gave his expectations for the second half.
An interview with Dale
An interview with Dale
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Malaysia announce new friendlies
12/07 v Zimbabwe (KL Football Stadium)
14/07 v Zimbabwe (Shah Alam Stadium)
14/07 v Zimbabwe (Shah Alam Stadium)
Pelita Jaya stay in West Java?
A local tabloid reports today that Pelita Jaya will play their home games next season in Karawang, just west of Jakarta. Last season of course they played in Soreang, south of Bandung and the year before it was Purwakarta midway between Jakarta and Bandung.
North Sulawesi, shorn of a top class side since the ISL started, had hoped the team would move there where they could have been assured healthy crowds. Certainly in days of yore Persimin pulled in good numbers but I guess the distance may have been a factor.
The stadium in Karawang, whose name temporarily escapes me, saw Persitara take on Persebaya in the Copa Indonesia, a game memorable for a bloody large puddle that wouldn't go away.
North Sulawesi, shorn of a top class side since the ISL started, had hoped the team would move there where they could have been assured healthy crowds. Certainly in days of yore Persimin pulled in good numbers but I guess the distance may have been a factor.
The stadium in Karawang, whose name temporarily escapes me, saw Persitara take on Persebaya in the Copa Indonesia, a game memorable for a bloody large puddle that wouldn't go away.
Malang United?
Some local reports suggest Persema and Arema Malang could be considering a merger for next season. Arema of course are owned by a tobacco company while Persema rely on government hand outs.
I don't know how far along negotiations are, or even if there have been formal talks.
There have been mergers before in Indonesian football, most notably between Persegres and Petrokimia who became Gresik United a few years back.
I don't know how far along negotiations are, or even if there have been formal talks.
There have been mergers before in Indonesian football, most notably between Persegres and Petrokimia who became Gresik United a few years back.
Tampines move second
Tampines Rovers v DPMM 2-1 (Noh Alam Shah 2; Shahrazen Said) 2,441
Two goals from Singaporean international striker Noh Alam Shah, his 10th and 11th this season continued the Stags recent fine form which has seen them win five and draw one of their last six games.
DPMM continue their Jekyll and Hyde form this season which has seen them boast a 100% home record (including games in Brunei and at Jalan Besar Stadium) but away games are another story with just one win on their travels back in March at Balestier Khalsa.
They have now lost four of their last five away games and will not look forward to their next two. Gombak United and Singapore Armed Forces.
Two goals from Singaporean international striker Noh Alam Shah, his 10th and 11th this season continued the Stags recent fine form which has seen them win five and draw one of their last six games.
DPMM continue their Jekyll and Hyde form this season which has seen them boast a 100% home record (including games in Brunei and at Jalan Besar Stadium) but away games are another story with just one win on their travels back in March at Balestier Khalsa.
They have now lost four of their last five away games and will not look forward to their next two. Gombak United and Singapore Armed Forces.
2007 - A Year in the life of Indonesian Football
Early last year I had it in mind to self produce a book about the just finished season in Indonesia. The best laid plans of mice and men and all that the project forever got pushed to the side until it ended up nearly forgotten.
Any old hows I have decided just to load it as a .pdf file, warts n all so if you're interested in Persik's ACL season in 2207 or fancy knowing who Charles Uchenna is, or was, then have a gander...
Friday, July 10, 2009
Final part of Bung Ferry interview...
Jakarta Casual TV
In this 3rd part he talks about Persija's dismal end to a season that had started brightly.
In this 3rd part he talks about Persija's dismal end to a season that had started brightly.
Ismed Sofyan
With his dead ball ability Ismed is Indonesia's very own David Beckham. Without the endorsements.
And now the defender who don't defend too much appears to be in demand. This story has him already with Sriwijaya while another one has him on newly promoted Persema's wish list.
When I spoke with Persija assistant manager Ferry the other day he said that Ismed would be staying in the capital
And now the defender who don't defend too much appears to be in demand. This story has him already with Sriwijaya while another one has him on newly promoted Persema's wish list.
When I spoke with Persija assistant manager Ferry the other day he said that Ismed would be staying in the capital
Liberia cancelled
Malaysia have cancelled their two friendlies against Liberia and in a surprise move they are not blaming H1N1. Oh no. They are cancelling the warm ups because they feel the players Liberia were sending were not their first choice.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Ferry Interview Part 2
In the 2nd part of my chat with Bung Ferry I ask him if the Jakmania are just a bunch of hooligans as is feared by much of Jakarta. See the interview on Jakarta Casual TV...
Greg Nwokolo (again)
Forget the John Terry, Carlos Tevez sagas, it's Greg Nwokolo who is making waves in Indonesia. On Tuesday I was told by Persija management that he would be staying with the Jakarta club after weeks of tales linking the Nigerian with Sriwijaya.
Now comes this story, alluded to yesterday by one commentator on this site, that he is off to Germany to try his luck there. If that fails then there is still a chance that he will join Sriwijaya. Or even stay at Persija.
In today's sports tabloid is a story that Sriwijaya have re-signed Anoure Obiora. If that is true, and if they have also kept Zah Rahan and Keith Kayamba Gumbs that means the Copa winners have their alloted three foreigners meaning the door to Nwokolo is closed.
This tale has more twists and turns than a plate of spaghetti!
Now comes this story, alluded to yesterday by one commentator on this site, that he is off to Germany to try his luck there. If that fails then there is still a chance that he will join Sriwijaya. Or even stay at Persija.
In today's sports tabloid is a story that Sriwijaya have re-signed Anoure Obiora. If that is true, and if they have also kept Zah Rahan and Keith Kayamba Gumbs that means the Copa winners have their alloted three foreigners meaning the door to Nwokolo is closed.
This tale has more twists and turns than a plate of spaghetti!
Marketing, marketing, marketing
I have mentioned I think before about how the Thais are getting the marketing of the game just right through their club shops, web sites et all. Now this. This poster is advertising a meaningless mid season break friendly between a lower tier side, Khon Kaen, and glamour TPL side Chonburi shorn of many of their internationals.And check out the number of sponsors at the bottom. And don't tell me the Indonesians, with their larger fan bases can't do something similar...
Thailand friendlies
Thai League Football is reporting a couple of friendlies against Pakistan coming soon
14/07 v Pakistan
18/07 v Pakistan
14/07 v Pakistan
18/07 v Pakistan
Indonesia friendlies
05/08 Indonesia v Malaysia (Bung Karno Stadium)
08/08 Indonesia v Malaysia (Bung Karno Stadium)
The grass is pretty knackered after recent presedential election rallies which is bound to have Manchester United when they come here next weekend
08/08 Indonesia v Malaysia (Bung Karno Stadium)
The grass is pretty knackered after recent presedential election rallies which is bound to have Manchester United when they come here next weekend
SLeague
Young Lions v Albirex Niigata 0-1 (Shinya Yamagishi) 1,331
Super Reds v Geylang United 1-2 (Seo Su Jong; Kim Jae Hong, Noor Ali) 969
Super Reds v Geylang United 1-2 (Seo Su Jong; Kim Jae Hong, Noor Ali) 969
