Hard Tackle

A Game Of Two Halves Ep 37: Glory for Portugal; Singapore's rising young footballers; Nadal's unrivalled class on clay

12:17 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz (left above) and David Lee (right), and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath (centre) talk about the power of youth - and how it powered a new-look Portugal side to the Nations League title just three years after an unlikely ageing squad won Euro 2016.

They also discuss Fandi Ahmad's Singapore Under-22 team that has lifted the spirits of local fans with their triumph in the Merlion Cup.

The trio also marvel at Rafael Nadal's mind-boggling 12th Roland Garros win, a feat Brijnath is certain will not happen again in his lifetime. But will the 33-year-old Spaniard be forever be remembered as the second-best tennis player of his generation, after a certain Roger Federer? Or is there still time for him to enhance his legacy?

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves on:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU

Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google Podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Game Of Two Halves Ep 37: Glory for Portugal; Singapore's rising young footballers; Nadal's unrivalled class on clay

12:17 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

In this episode, sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz (left above) and David Lee (right), and assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath (centre) talk about the power of youth - and how it powered a new-look Portugal side to the Nations League title just three years after an unlikely ageing squad won Euro 2016.

They also discuss Fandi Ahmad's Singapore Under-22 team that has lifted the spirits of local fans with their triumph in the Merlion Cup.

The trio also marvel at Rafael Nadal's mind-boggling 12th Roland Garros win, a feat Brijnath is certain will not happen again in his lifetime. But will the 33-year-old Spaniard be forever be remembered as the second-best tennis player of his generation, after a certain Roger Federer? Or is there still time for him to enhance his legacy?

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves on:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU

Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google Podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ST Podcast: What does Liverpool's Champions League triumph mean? How Roger Federer is still going the distance in Grand Slams at age 37, and the baptism of fire for the Lions' new Japanese coach Tatsuma Yoshida

Time: 17 victory-laden minutes

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Straits Times sports correspondent David Lee is joined by assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and EMTM video creative director Jonathan Roberts, as they talk about the effect of Liverpool's Champions League final victory, what Jurgen Klopp has brought to the Reds, and how does this compare with the win of 2005.

Roger Federer, all of 37 years old, is the oldest man in 28 years to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final since Jimmy Connors did so at the 1991 US Open at 39. The Swiss has sauntered into the last eight without dropping a set. Can the freshness help him beat Rafael Nadal to the French Open title?

And the Football Association of Singapore has just appointed a new national coach in Japanese Tatsuma Yoshida. But even before a ball has been kicked, he has already come under fire for what people perceive to be an underwhelming CV and poor command of English. Does a coach's CV and language ability determine how good of a coach he is?

Produced by: David Lee

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves:

On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU

On iTunes: http://str.sg/o8MK

On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ST Podcast: What does Liverpool's Champions League triumph mean? How Roger Federer is still going the distance in Grand Slams at age 37, and the baptism of fire for the Lions' new Japanese coach Tatsuma Yoshida

Time: 17 victory-laden minutes

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Straits Times sports correspondent David Lee is joined by assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and EMTM video creative director Jonathan Roberts, as they talk about the effect of Liverpool's Champions League final victory, what Jurgen Klopp has brought to the Reds, and how does this compare with the win of 2005.

Roger Federer, all of 37 years old, is the oldest man in 28 years to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final since Jimmy Connors did so at the 1991 US Open at 39. The Swiss has sauntered into the last eight without dropping a set. Can the freshness help him beat Rafael Nadal to the French Open title?

And the Football Association of Singapore has just appointed a new national coach in Japanese Tatsuma Yoshida. But even before a ball has been kicked, he has already come under fire for what people perceive to be an underwhelming CV and poor command of English. Does a coach's CV and language ability determine how good of a coach he is?

Produced by: David Lee

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves:

On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU

On iTunes: http://str.sg/o8MK

On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Game Of Two Halves Ep 35: Dream Team 94' players Lim Tong Hai and Lee Man Hon look ahead to the Spurs-Liverpool Champions League final

13:25 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur meet on Sunday morning (Singapore time) in one of the most intriguing Champions League finals in recent times.

Former national footballers Lim Tong Hai and Lee Man Hon - Reds and Spurs die-hards respectively - join ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz to preview the epic clash, discussing which was the most memorable game in their teams' runs to the final, the key men in Madrid, whether Harry Kane should start for Spurs, and why the London side's woeful record of one win in 14 past meetings with Liverpool, ought to be chucked out the window.

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves on:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU 

iTunes: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected] 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Game Of Two Halves Ep 35: Dream Team 94' players Lim Tong Hai and Lee Man Hon look ahead to the Spurs-Liverpool Champions League final

13:25 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur meet on Sunday morning (Singapore time) in one of the most intriguing Champions League finals in recent times.

Former national footballers Lim Tong Hai and Lee Man Hon - Reds and Spurs die-hards respectively - join ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz to preview the epic clash, discussing which was the most memorable game in their teams' runs to the final, the key men in Madrid, whether Harry Kane should start for Spurs, and why the London side's woeful record of one win in 14 past meetings with Liverpool, ought to be chucked out the window.

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves on:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU 

iTunes: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected] 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Game Of Two Halves Ep 34: Toronto Raptors' fairytale run to the NBA finals; Potential new Lions' head honcho

10:51 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee salute the underdogs who punched above their weight over the weekend - Toronto Raptors reached the NBA finals for the first time in their 24-year history, while 112-year-old Italian Serie A club Atalanta will make their first appearance in the group stage of next season's Champions League.

The two also discuss the imminent appointment of the new Lion tamer - rumoured to be Japanese coach Tatsuma Yoshida - to helm the men's national football team.

This will come ahead of the June international break with friendly matches against Solomon Islands and Myanmar, as well as other recent developments in local football.

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves on:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU 

iTunes: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected] 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Game Of Two Halves Ep 34: Toronto Raptors' fairytale run to the NBA finals; Potential new Lions' head honcho

10:51 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee salute the underdogs who punched above their weight over the weekend - Toronto Raptors reached the NBA finals for the first time in their 24-year history, while 112-year-old Italian Serie A club Atalanta will make their first appearance in the group stage of next season's Champions League.

The two also discuss the imminent appointment of the new Lion tamer - rumoured to be Japanese coach Tatsuma Yoshida - to helm the men's national football team.

This will come ahead of the June international break with friendly matches against Solomon Islands and Myanmar, as well as other recent developments in local football.

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves on:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU 

iTunes: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected] 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Game Of Two Halves Ep 33: Singapore taekwondo in governance mess; Rafael Nadal's Roland Garros promise

7:43 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Sports correspondent David Lee hosts his colleague Nicole Chia in this episode as they discuss Rafael Nadal's road to Roland Garros this year as the favourite to win his 12th French Open title.

Fresh off his Rome Masters triumph, what makes Nadal such a beast on clay?

In the second half of the episode, they look at the controversy surrounding the Singapore Taekwondo Federation and what it means for Singapore taekwondo.

And why Ikhsan Fandi scoring in Europe, such a big deal? 

Produced by: David Lee and Nicole Chia

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves on:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU 

iTunes: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected] 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Game Of Two Halves Ep 33: Singapore taekwondo in governance mess; Rafael Nadal's Roland Garros promise

7:43 mins

Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.

Sports correspondent David Lee hosts his colleague Nicole Chia in this episode as they discuss Rafael Nadal's road to Roland Garros this year as the favourite to win his 12th French Open title.

Fresh off his Rome Masters triumph, what makes Nadal such a beast on clay?

In the second half of the episode, they look at the controversy surrounding the Singapore Taekwondo Federation and what it means for Singapore taekwondo.

And why Ikhsan Fandi scoring in Europe, such a big deal? 

Produced by: David Lee and Nicole Chia

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Subscribe, like and rate A Game of Two Halves on:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU 

iTunes: http://str.sg/o8MK

Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected] 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.