Hard Tackle

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 118: Are profiteers targeting sports-starved Singaporeans?

14:06 mins

Synopsis:  #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

This week sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan explore an ST news report that revealed bookings for public sports facilities are being resold - at a higher rate - on platforms like Facebook, Meetup and Telegram.

The two also chat about the Lion City Sailors’ new $2.9m man Diego Lopes - signed after some some ex-EPL players were said to be considered by the club - and what the Brazilian’s arrival could mean for the Singapore Premier League (SPL), with the new season set to kickoff in about a month’s time.

They discuss the following:

1. Is the practice of reselling sports facility bookings widespread, even during pre-Covid days? (2:08)
2. When The Straits Times confronted an alleged profiteer (4:26)
3. Lopes’ quality over big names in the SPL a prudent choice? (8:28)
4. What to keep an eye on in the 2021 SPL season (10:38)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected])

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SazaliAbdulAziz

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 117: NMP Mark Chay on plans to help local sport survive beyond Covid-19

19:23 mins

Synopsis:  #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

This week ST Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz hosts former national swimmer Mark Chay, who was among the nine new Nominated Members of Parliament selected to serve a two-and-a-half year term. Olympian Chay, 38, talks about why he decided to step forward, what his priorities will be, and how he is preparing to take on the role.

Sazali also chats with ST sports reporter Kimberly Kwek, who reports on-site on a surreal experience at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M2 World Championship at the Shangri-La Hotel.

They discuss the following:

1. Why Chay decided to serve as an NMP (2:08)
2. The issues he aims to raise in Parliament (3:29)
3. How he plans to be an effective voice (8:28)
4. How e-sports has coped with positive Covid tests (13:09)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected])

Edited by: Penelope Lee

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 116: Indra Sahdan on how to groom Singapore's next goal machine

14:54 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week ST Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz hosts former national captain and Lions marksman Indra Sahdan, who is offering commercial specialised striker coaching sessions called The Finishing Touch, to budding talents, as he hopes to give back and hopefully help groom a future generation of Singaporean goalscorers.

The big-game player - who scored against Manchester United, Japan, Denmark and Uruguay - also shares his thoughts on the modern striker’s role, how he honed his own skills and which of his over 200 strikes he cherishes most (Hint: It’s not one of the above).

They discuss the following:

1. Why he decided to offer such classes (1:28)

2. Goalscoring instinct: God-given or honed? (4:58)

3. The dearth of top Singaporean strikers (10:03)

4. Indra’s own personal favourite strike (12:07)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Muhammad Firmann & Penelope Lee

Edited by: Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 115: What to look forward to in sport in 2021

16:34 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

ST Sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz hosts ST’s sports editor Lee Yulin and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath, as they share what they hope for from both local and international sports and athletes in the new year.

Sazali, Yulin and Rohit also give their takes on the biggest changes Covid-19 has made on the Singapore sporting landscape.

They discuss the following:

1. Why seeing Federer at Wimbledon is top of Rohit’s wishlist (1:16)

2. Wanted: More admiration for, and fewer shackles on, local athletes (3:35)

3. Excitement or apprehension ahead of the Tokyo Olympics? (8:29)

4. The biggest impact of Covid on Singapore sport (10:35)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]), Ernest Luis & Muhammad Firmann

Edited by: Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 114: Breaking at the Olympics and the Singapore scene; EPL wrap

19:29 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee, and sports broadcaster Shehzad Haque, as they talk about North London clubs Spurs and Arsenal slipping up again, while Manchester United and Liverpool celebrate high-scoring wins.

Abraham, Sazali and Lee also talk about breaking, or breakdancing as known to some, which was given a huge boost when the International Olympic Committee included it, alongside surfing, skateboarding and sports climbing, as events to be included at the Olympics in Paris 2024.

They discuss the following:

1. Where has it gone wrong for Arsenal and Spurs? (1:18)

2. Why Man United’s title bid could be a “mirage” (6:06)

3. The Red Devils’ underrated straight shooter (8:58)

4. The breaking scene in Singapore (12:26)

5. Should breaking be considered a sport? (14:44)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Adrian Abraham ([email protected])

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep.113: Singapore athletes fight back against body shaming, mistreatment

17:30 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz about local athletes speaking out against a culture of abuse - both physically and mentally - which they have been victim to for years.

They are later joined by ST content producer Zia-ul Raushan to recap the weekend’s talking points in European football as an odd season continues. In the English Premier League, the top teams all drop points, while in the La Liga, Real beat Atletico in the Madrid derby which means a fairytale season continues for Real Sociedad at the top of the table.

They discuss the following:

1. Mostly good, some ugly, reactions to stories of athlete abuse (1:23)

2. Some examples of what some local athletes have had to endure (2:58)

3. Is there anything manager Mikel Arteta can do to salvage Arsenal’s season - and his job? (6:45)

4. In an odd EPL season, the Saints of Southampton shine bright (10:00)

5. David Silva, Adnan Januzaj powering a dream Sociedad season (15:48)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Adrian Abraham ([email protected])

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 112: What to make of foreign dominance in the SPL?

19:54 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

Albirex Niigata were crowned Singapore Premier League champions for the fourth time in five seasons on Dec 5. Their win also ensured that the wait for a local club to lift the league title continues into 2021.

Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee on whether Albirex winning the title again should jolt local football, and whether having foreign teams in the SPL is good for the game here.

The three are joined by ST content producer Zia-ul Raushan to recap the weekend’s talking points in European football. Tottenham Hotspur reclaim top spot in the English Premier League and Arsenal slip to their worst start in 45 years, Manchester United pull off another comeback, the Kop power Liverpool to a big win over Wolves, and Chelsea avoid a banana peel by seeing off Leeds.

They discuss the following:

1. A wake up call for local SPL teams and players? (0:54)

2. Do Albirex and Brunei DPMM benefit S’pore football? (4:14)

3. A Mourinho masterclass - in tactics and acting (10:26)

4. A worldie by Paul Pogba, but little else (13:23)

5. Which sides are shaping up as contenders to the EPL? (15:49)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Adrian Abraham ([email protected])

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 111: Squeaky bum time in the Singapore Premier League

22:12 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

It’s squeaky bum time in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) with a new league champion set to be crowned on Saturday (Dec 5) so this week, Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and sports broadcaster Shehzad Haque about whether Tampines Rovers can hang on to the top spot they climbed to last weekend, and win their first league title since 2013.

The three also discuss the legacy that Diego Maradona left on the footballing world, as well as talk about all the latest English Premier League action - whether Tottenham Hotspur are legitimate title contenders, Man United’s match-winner Edinson Cavani in hot soup over a social media post, and Arsenal’s bizarre bluntness in attack.

They discuss the following:
1. Can Tampines hold on to top spot for two more games? (1:38)

2. A lack of women coaches in Singapore sport (6:00)

3. What Maradona meant to football (8:52)

4. A discussion on the weekend’s EPL action (14:10)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Adrian Abraham ([email protected])

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 110: Quah Ting Wen on competing in Int'l Swimming League

13:59 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week, Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and ST content producer Zia-ul Raushan and they discuss the English Premier League which returned after football’s international break. They agree Liverpool’s victory over Leicester City underlined the Reds’ class, but disagree over whether Tottenham Hotspur have what it takes to mount a serious title challenge after their 2-0 win over Manchester City.

They are joined in the second half of the show by national swimmer Quah Ting Wen, who shares her experience competing at the International Swimming League (ISL) in Budapest this past month. The 28-year-old multiple SEA Games gold medallist wrote four columns for ST charting her journey in Hungary, and talks about how swimming among the world’s best has helped her as she works toward her goal of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

They discuss the following:

1. Liverpool crisis talk premature (1:08)

2. Are Spurs the real deal? (2:44)

3. Quah Ting Wen talks about her ISL experience (6:42)

4. Is swimming as a career viable? (9:13)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Adrian Abraham ([email protected])

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 109: Is Hamilton F1’s G.O.A.T? Should international friendlies be scrapped?

15:47 mins

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times tackles the biggest sports talking points.

This week, Money FM's Adrian Abraham talks to ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and ST content producer Zia-ul Raushan, who discuss history-making milestones: Lewis Hamilton’s record-equalling championship win at the Turkish Grand Prix, and golfer Dustin Johnson’s Masters tournament win - in style - at Augusta National.

Adrian and Sazali are also joined by sports broadcaster Shehzad Haque, and they talk about whether international football friendlies should be scrapped with the coronavirus pandemic still not under control.

They discuss the following:

1. Is Hamilton Formula One’s G.O.A.T? (0:50)

2. An acid test for an Singapore Premier League title contender (7:37)

3. International friendlies: Pointless? (9:57)

4. England: Man United in disguise? (12:28)

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz ([email protected]) & Adrian Abraham ([email protected])

Edited by: Adrian Abraham and Muhammad Firmann

Subscribe to #GameOfTwoHalves podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWRE

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRa

Spotify: https://str.sg/JW6N

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/JX88 

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Follow Sazali Abdul Aziz on Twitter: https://str.sg/JbxS

Read his stories: https://str.sg/Jbxq

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.