Two events in recent days prompted me to jot this note - the
Singapore Cup and
Tampines Rovers failed to qualify for the
AFC Cup.
The premier knockout tournament will see the nine teams from the
Singapore Premier League (SPL) split into two groups with 5 teams in Group A and the rest in Group B.
STAGS FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR A SPOT IN THE AFC CUP
In the meantime, Tampines Rovers found themselves being denied a spot in the continental tournament which they would easily qualify to the knock-out stages in the past when
they were beaten 3-2 by Phnom Penh Crown of Cambodia in the qualifying play-off.
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| Stags' coach Gavin Lee faced criticism after failing to qualify for the AFC Cup |
Ironically, Phnom Penh Crown was one of the many regional invitees in the past to play in the Singapore Cup competition.
The above-mentioned tournament, at one point, was dubbed the "Asean Friendship Invitational" because of the participation of club sides from the neighbouring countries.
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| Singapore Cup helped to foster bilateral ties |
While at that point, Cambodia sides like Phnom Penh Crown had yet to muster up to pose a threat to challenge for the Singapore Cup, things seem to have changed in recent years.
The came-from-behind victory by the Red Singha over the Stags days ago at Jalan Besar Stadium had further cemented the fact things had changed.
Something, we, Singapore fans, are numb to it already.
