Two new teams to join S.League next season
By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 22 December 2006 1813 hrs
SINGAPORE : Two new teams will join the S.League next season.
But African Team Sporting Afrique is sitting out, after making a debut this year.
Korean Super Red FC and China's Liaoning Guangyuan FC will be the new kids on the block.
The Korean outfit is led by Chairman Hong In Woong, the former coach of Sporting Afrique.
Liaoning is associated with its namesake in the Chinese Super League.
The clubs are expected to finish in the top half of the 12-team league next season.
And despite the problems with other foreign teams like Sinchi and Sporting Afrique, FAS is confident of the newcomers.
Winston Lee, CEO, S.League, said, "The foreign teams have contributed... if you look at Albirex they have done well, on and off the pitch. Even in terms of Sinchi, they have contributed in other aspects of football. Well, for the two foreign teams that are participating in the 2007 season, I think a lot has been done, a lot of work have been put into it.
"We have look at them from the management perspective, from the footballing perspective as well as the financial perspective, and we are confident that they will do well next season."
Meanwhile, at an event organised by S.League, FAS President Ho Peng Kee stressed the sport must be supported, despite the lack of results at the international level.
This is because it plays an important role in community bonding amongst the different races in Singapore. - CNA/ms
It is sad Sporting Afrique is out.
They played attacking football throughout the season 2006/07. But their best striker left halfway through the season.
From Sinchi, Young Lions got a good striker QiuLi. I don't know whether he is playing coming season.
since that liaoning is associated with shandong liaoning, hope to see some good chinese players
Quite good. even up to 12 teams.
They always hype up the foreign teams. Sinchi and Sporting Afrique flopped. Alberix is inconsistent. So, I don't expect much from these two new teams. I guess the local climate is a huge factor for these foreign teams bah, who are used to the hot weather.
Either that, or Singapore football has really improved leaps and bounds.
