Latest news with #GeylangInternational
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Geylang's Tomoyuki Doi up for top honours at SPL Awards Night after record-breaking season
Geylang International striker Tomoyuki Doi (second from right) scored a record-breaking 44 goals in 32 games this season. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE SINGAPORE – Geylang International striker Tomoyuki Doi will have the chance to round off a sensational season at the Singapore Premier League (SPL) Awards Night, after being named among the nominees for several honours on May 27. The Japanese star will receive the SPL Golden Boot and a special recognition award after scoring a league-record 44 goals in 31 appearances, surpassing former Singapore Armed Forces FC forward Mirko Grabovac's previous mark of 38 goals in a 33-game campaign in 2001. His attacking exploits have also earned him a spot on the shortlist for the AIA SPL Player of the Year, alongside Lion City Sailors' defender Bailey Wright and forward Shawal Anuar, who played key roles in their club's title victory. Doi, 27, said: 'I'm honoured to be nominated for the two awards. I really am grateful for everyone's support, especially those who supported me in the last 1½ years when I joined Geylang. The key to being where I am is that I have always believed in myself and kept the focus on getting better. It's as simple as that, nothing special.' Due to be held at the Orchard Hotel on June 1, the event will see the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) celebrate standout performances from the SPL and the SPL Under-21 League, with accolades to be presented across 13 categories. The Eagles had more reason to celebrate, with coach Noor Ali nominated for the Polar Mineral Water Coach of the Year award after leading Geylang to a third-placed finish – their best since 2003, when they were runners-up. Also up for the award are the Sailors' title-winning coach Aleksandar Rankovic, a first-time nominee, and BG Tampines Rovers' Gavin Lee. With the Sailors in the running for several top awards, their sporting director Badri Ghent hailed this as a team effort by everyone in the club. In addition to claiming their second SPL title, the Sailors also impressed on the continental stage with a historic run to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two final, where they lost 2-1 to the United Arab Emirates' Sharjah FC. Ghent said: 'It's a proud moment for everyone at Lion City Sailors and we're humbled to be up for such awards. 'They reflect not just the performances on the pitch, but the countless hours of hard work behind the scenes – from the players and coaches to the support staff and entire backroom team.' He hopes the club can continue their progress after an exceptional season, adding: 'To bag these honours will be a befitting end to what has been a long and memorable season. We'd also like to thank FAS for recognising our efforts in the AFC Champions League Two. 'As a club, we continually challenge ourselves to be even better each season. We will continue to build on the momentum that has been laid this season and, hopefully, represent Singapore football with pride and dignity on the continental stage in the coming years.' The AIA Young Player of the Year category features familiar talent and fresh faces. Seia Kunori is back in the running, this time as a Tampines player, having clinched the award in 2023 while playing for then-champions Albirex Niigata. The attacker is joined by Hougang United winger Farhan Zulkifli and first-time nominee Shingo Nakano, who plies his trade as a forward for Albirex. Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Tomoyuki Doi named Player of the Year at Singapore Premier League awards night
Geylang International's Tomoyuki Doi wins the AIA Player of the Year gong, Golden Boot and a special award at the SPL Awards Night held at Orchard Hotel on June 1, 2025. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO SINGAPORE – Fresh off a stunning season in which Tomoyuki Doi plundered a league-record 44 goals in 31 Singapore Premier League (SPL) appearances, the Geylang International striker was crowned the AIA Player of the Year for a second time on June 1. The Japanese striker's hands were full after the 2024-25 SPL Awards Night at Orchard Hotel, as he also won the Golden Boot and a special award for surpassing former Singapore Armed Forces FC forward Mirko Grabovac's record of 38 goals in a 33-game campaign in 2001. 'At the start of the season, of course I couldn't imagine that I will end it with these goals and awards. I am thankful for all my teammates who have helped me to achieve such a special season and night,' said the 27-year-old. Just as he did in 2021, when he won the Player of the Year award and Golden Boot with Hougang United before returning home to play in the Japan third tier with Fujieda MYFC, Doi confirmed that he will leave the SPL again. ST understands that he has sealed a move to Thai giants BG Pathum United. While Doi declined to confirm his destination, he added: 'I am going for a new challenge and a new experience which I'm really excited about. I will miss my teammates and coaches and I'm really sad to leave Singapore.' Revealing that he had received several offers from the region before deciding on the move, Doi added that he had been 'stressed' while weighing up his options. Brunei DPMM, who will be playing in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) next season, had publicly indicated their interest in SPL's top hitman, while reports in Malaysia also linked him with MSL runners-up Selangor FC. 'Ultimately, I felt positive about what (the new club) thought about me, how much they expressed they wanted me, what kind of players they have and the project they are building,' he added without naming the club. Doi, whose goals helped Geylang finish third in the nine-team league – their highest placing since finishing second in 2003 – was also named in the SPL Team of the Year. He also became only the second player to win the SPL Player of the Year award more than once, joining former Lions forward Aleksandar Duric, who claimed the prestigious honour in 2007, 2008, and 2012. Another Japanese talisman leaving the SPL following an award-winning season is Seia Kunori. The BG Tampines Rovers attacker made it back-to-back campaigns of being named the Young Player of the Year. It is understood that the 24-year-old will be joining Thai top-tier side Bangkok United after two seasons here. Like Doi, Kunori declined to confirm the move, but said he was looking to improve as a player. Kunori, who racked up 17 goals and 12 assists in 32 SPL games, added: 'Every year, I keep wanting to be a better player. Wherever I go, I want to be champion and that is what I will try to achieve.' Meanwhile, the Sailors' domestic clean sweep – winning the SPL and the Singapore Cup – saw Aleksandar Rankovic bagging the Coach of the Year accolade. The Sailors also made a historic journey to the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) final, where they lost 2-1 to Emirati giants Sharjah FC. The 46-year-old Serb, who was appointed Sailors coach in June 2023, said: 'Winning everything domestically, getting to the ACL2 final was a dream. It's an honour to win this award but it belongs to my staff and players because without them, I won't get it.' The Sailors were represented by their Player of the Year nominees Bailey Wright and Shawal Anuar, as well as Toni Datkovic, Maxime Lestienne, Bart Ramselaar and Lennart Thy in the Team of the Year. Rankovic and his players will now be heading overseas for a break with their respective families before the next season kicks off in August. ST understands that among the changes mooted for the new season are an increase in the foreign player quota. The latest campaign saw each club registering up to nine foreigners, including three Under-21 players, with clubs having to field at least five local players on each matchday. Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics, combat sports and policy-related news. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
20-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Commentary: A parent was hit with a chair at my son's game. This isn't what sport's about, says former national swimmer Joscelin Yeo
SINGAPORE: A Singapore Youth League (SYL) football match made the news last week. Not for a spectacular goal or a breakout young talent. Instead, the headlines came after one parent allegedly assaulted another after an Under-14 game between Geylang International and Albirex Singapore Football Academy on May 11. According to Albirex, the victim was struck with a metal chair. Photos circulated online show the victim with a streak of blood down his left cheek. The incident had reportedly escalated from verbal taunting to physical aggression, all within view of the children. Let that sink in. Grown adults, attending a youth football match to support their children, ended up engaging in behaviour more suited to a wrestling ring than a community sports field. CULTURAL ROT For full disclosure, my son was one of the players in the game. He was subbed off after the first 60 minutes and did not witness the incident. I too did not witness the altercation, but I've seen enough over the years to know that this is not an isolated incident. We see it in professional leagues - players talking smack, fans hurling insults. But now, it's bleeding into the sidelines of youth matches. I get it. Believe me, I've been there. I've clenched my fists when a bad call went against my child's team. I've muttered frustrations at the referee under my breath. I've cheered loudly, maybe too loudly, when we scored. But what happened at the Geylang vs Albirex match was something else. It crossed a line. And it made me reflect - deeply - on the example we're setting. Sport inspires emotion. We justify it by calling it 'competitive spirit' or 'part of the game'. But when insults are hurled at a child, or a parent is mocked from the sidelines, that's not passion, that's vitriol. I've seen situations where parents treat football like a personal war. Like they're defending territory. Like their child's performance on the field is tied to their own worth. I've watched in disbelief as a coach at a local match shouted to his players, 'Kill them! Kill them!' Are such violent words appropriate at a youth match, or any game for that matter? Children pick up on such hostility. They start sneering at their opponents, refusing to shake hands after a match. When things get that personal, the game stops being about learning and starts becoming about ego. The idea of sportsmanship becomes secondary to the pursuit of victory. The SYL, an elite youth football competition under the Unleash The Roar! national project jointly run by SportSG and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), will likely hold over 4,000 games this year. This will involve over 6,000 young footballers, across 12 age groups. Meanwhile, the JSSL league, Singapore's premier youth football league, will hold over 1,600 games. With multiple matches played every weekend on public fields, incidents of aggressive and inappropriate spectator behaviour are disturbingly common. Match organisers and officials have reported having to deal with fights, racial abuse and threats. There have also been reports of xenophobic remarks directed at players, coaches or fellow spectators. Sport is meant to teach discipline, teamwork, perseverance and the value of healthy competition - resilience in the face of defeat and grace and empathy in victory. When the adults lose control, what kind of lessons are we teaching? A LONG, HARD LOOK AT OURSELVES But, I've also seen what happens when we get it right. I've seen teams support each other after tough losses. I've seen parents from opposing sides shake hands, laugh and talk about how their kids are growing. That's what sport should be. We can't rely on police officers or referees to fix this. The real change has to come from us - the community that surrounds the game. If we want to see respect on the field, we need to model it off the field. That means showing up with the right mindset - supportive, not aggressive. It means holding ourselves accountable when we cross a line. It means talking to our kids about sportsmanship just as much as we talk about winning. And it means supporting programmes that encourage positive behaviour, not just punishing bad ones. The FAS launched the 'Respect' programme in 2019 with a strong message: 'Respect is earned, not given.' It's a good message. And its goals - to promote respect and improve behaviour amongst players, officials, spectators and match officials; to reduce abuse of match officials, and to create awareness that everyone has a part to play - are absolutely needed. But slogans aren't enough. The truth is, we need to take a long, hard look at ourselves and the culture we've built around youth sports. We often talk about educating players. We spend hours on drills, tactics and development pathways. But how often do we talk about educating the parents? When I say educating parents, it's not the kind that lectures or scolds. We need honest conversations with parents. We need workshops or pre-season talks that help us understand the emotional side of sport - why we react the way we do, and what our reactions teach our kids. We should aim to help parents understand the long-term psychological impact their behaviour can have on children and the overall sporting environment. Using real-world scenarios, like the recent U14 match, could help parents reflect on their own actions. It's time we normalised emotional intelligence as a key part of football culture just as much as stamina or strategy. This is our wake-up call. Accountability must be shared. Clubs, coaches, match officials and footballing bodies must consistently uphold standards not just for players, but for the entire ecosystem, including fans and family members. Codes of conduct must be enforced not as threats, but as commitments to a better game for everyone. I don't want to see another match end in violence. I don't want my children to think it's normal for adults to shout obscenities across a pitch or throw chairs when things get heated. I want them to look back on their football days and remember the joy, the teamwork, and yes, even the losses. Because those lessons last a lifetime. So let's do better. Let's be better. Not just for us - but for them. Because if we can't show respect, how can we ever expect our kids to learn it? Former national swimmer Joscelin Yeo is a four-time Olympian who also won 40 gold medals in the SEA Games during her 17-year swimming career. Yeo, a former Nominated Member of Parliament, is now the co-founder of Into The Wild, which organises wilderness camps for children.
CNA
13-05-2025
- CNA
Man arrested for allegedly attacking a parent after youth match between Albirex and Geylang
SINGAPORE: A 46-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly attacking a parent after a Singapore Youth League match between Albirex Niigata and Geylang International on Sunday (May 11). The Singapore Youth League said in a Facebook post that the incident happened after the Under-14 match at Sengkang Secondary School as the teams were making their way out of the venue. According to Albirex, the victim was "assaulted with a foldable metal chair" after the match. He suffered severe bruising and cuts near his left eye socket. The 51-year-old victim, who is a parent of a youth footballer, was taken to hospital and discharged the same night. "We are in close contact with the parent. He is recovering and his vision is improving. The parent has also made a police report immediately after the assault," said Albirex in a statement on Facebook. The 46-year-old man was arrested after the police received a call for assistance at the school at about 7.15pm. Police investigations are ongoing. Geylang beat Albirex 8-0 on the night. Albirex said: "The club strongly condemns any aggressive actions against our players, coaches, parents and our supporters, and is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all." It said it would continue to support the affected parent, adding that it would not be making further comments as the matter is with the police. Geylang said it is conducting a "thorough internal review" and cooperating with the Singapore Youth League committee and authorities. "While we understand there were heightened emotions and tensions during the match, we do not condone any form of violence or inappropriate behaviour – on or off the field.
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Malay Mail
In Singapore, parents brawl after 8-0 youth win; post-match scuffle leaves one hurt, one arrested
SINGAPORE, May 13 — A 46-year-old man has been arrested for a 'rash act causing hurt' after a confrontation broke out following a youth football match, leaving a parent injured. According to The Straits Times (ST), the incident took place on the evening of May 11 outside Sengkang Secondary School, shortly after an Under-14 Singapore Youth League (SYL) match between Geylang International and Albirex Singapore Football Academy. Geylang won the game 8-0. Police said they received a call for assistance at 10 Compassvale Lane around 7.15pm. 'A 51-year-old man was conveyed conscious to the hospital. A 46-year-old man was arrested for rash act causing hurt. Police investigations are ongoing,' they added. The alleged victim, Daniel Tay, is the father of an Albirex player. He told ST that he was struck with a metal foldable chair after intervening in a verbal altercation between parents following the match. According to Tay, tensions rose after an Albirex parent approached the Geylang coach to say she had been insulted by players during the game. The coach apologised, but Tay said the woman was then taunted by some Geylang parents. He said he stepped in 'to be a good social citizen', but things escalated and he was later attacked outside the school. Tay sustained injuries to his left eye and cheekbone and sought treatment at Sengkang General Hospital. He lodged a police report after the incident. In a Facebook post, Albirex said: 'The club strongly condemns any aggressive actions against our players, coaches, parents and our supporters, and is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all... we will continue to support the affected parent, but will not be making further comments.' The SYL, in its statement, confirmed it had been 'alerted to an altercation between supporters' and said it is in contact with both clubs. 'We remind players and supporters to respect league rules and to abstain from unruly behaviour. Violence will not be tolerated... Disciplinary action will also be taken against such errant behaviour,' it said. Geylang International also responded. U-14 coach Dawood Anuar said both teams' players had exchanged insults during the match, which led to tensions off the pitch. 'I apologised to the Albirex parent but told her that my players also said they were insulted with some words about their mothers... Minutes later, I saw a commotion and an Albirex parent with a cut,' he was quoted as saying. Launched in 2024 under the Unleash The Roar! initiative, the SYL involves over 300 teams and aims to develop young footballers. Reflecting on the incident, Tay said, 'It just takes one or two bad apples to spoil the whole thing... But neither do I want to see them ban parents, because parents are the backbone of the SYL.' Under Singapore law, causing hurt through a rash act can lead to a jail term of up to a year and/or a fine of up to S$5,000 (RM16,600).
