Hard Tackle

A Game Of Two Halves: Hailing football's one-club men and fencing's Singaporean starlet Amita Berthier

Time: 14:22 mins

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

Liverpool lost their place at the top of the English Premier League after a goalless draw with Everton over the weekend, but it is not the Merseyside Derby, or even Manchester United's drama-filled 3-2 win over Southampton that caught ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath's attention.

Instead, he tells host Sazali Abdul Aziz why he found another occasion special instead. It was when almost 60,000 supporters rose to their feet at London Stadium in celebration of West Ham United legend Billy Bonds, as the East Stand was renamed in the icon’s honour ahead of their weekend game with Newcastle.

Sazali and Rohit also talk about Roger Federer's 100th ATP title win, yet another feather in the cap of promising Singaporean fencer Amita Berthier, and inspiring stories from the HSBC Women's World Championship that took place at the Sentosa Golf Club last weekend.

The two also discuss why - to borrow a quote from Mark Twain - reports of Albirex Niigata's demise in the Singapore Premier League this season, might be greatly exaggerated.

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz and Ernest Luis

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: Hailing football's one-club men and fencing's Singaporean starlet Amita Berthier

Time: 14:22 mins

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

Liverpool lost their place at the top of the English Premier League after a goalless draw with Everton over the weekend, but it is not the Merseyside Derby, or even Manchester United's drama-filled 3-2 win over Southampton that caught ST assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath's attention.

Instead, he tells host Sazali Abdul Aziz why he found another occasion special instead. It was when almost 60,000 supporters rose to their feet at London Stadium in celebration of West Ham United legend Billy Bonds, as the East Stand was renamed in the icon’s honour ahead of their weekend game with Newcastle.

Sazali and Rohit also talk about Roger Federer's 100th ATP title win, yet another feather in the cap of promising Singaporean fencer Amita Berthier, and inspiring stories from the HSBC Women's World Championship that took place at the Sentosa Golf Club last weekend.

The two also discuss why - to borrow a quote from Mark Twain - reports of Albirex Niigata's demise in the Singapore Premier League this season, might be greatly exaggerated.

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz and Ernest LuisSubscribe, 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: Dissecting 'keeper Kepa's crazy defiance

Time: 13:44 mins

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

Manchester City won the League Cup on Sunday, but all the headlines revolved around Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's incredible refusal to be substituted at the end of extra time.

ST's Sazali Abdul Aziz and Wang Meng Meng discuss if it was a case of simple miscommunication - as Blues coach Maurizio Sarri and his shot-stopper later claimed - or blatant mutiny.

Another big match in England over the weekend saw Premier League leaders Liverpool scrape a point against a Manchester United team that appeared to have half its first XI on crutches. Why has Juergen Klopp's previously irresistible side sputtered, and is Mo Salah's form against the Top Six a cause for concern?

Sazali and Wang also discuss basketball, triathlon, athletics and the mixed martial arts action that took place in Singapore over the weekend, as well as the new local domestic football season, which kicked off last weekend with Albirex Niigata amazingly not winning the silverware that was on offer.

The White Swans had won 13 of the previous 15 trophies on offer since 2015, but are much-changed from last year's squad that made a clean sweep and won the Singapore Premier League without suffering a defeat. Does this mean their fortunes could take a turn for the worse this year?

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz, Wang Meng Meng and Ernest Luis

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: Dissecting 'keeper Kepa's crazy defiance

Time: 13:44 mins

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

Manchester City won the League Cup on Sunday, but all the headlines revolved around Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's incredible refusal to be substituted at the end of extra time.

ST's Sazali Abdul Aziz and Wang Meng Meng discuss if it was a case of simple miscommunication - as Blues coach Maurizio Sarri and his shot-stopper later claimed - or blatant mutiny.

Another big match in England over the weekend saw Premier League leaders Liverpool scrape a point against a Manchester United team that appeared to have half its first XI on crutches. Why has Juergen Klopp's previously irresistible side sputtered, and is Mo Salah's form against the Top Six a cause for concern?

Sazali and Wang also discuss basketball, triathlon, athletics and the mixed martial arts action that took place in Singapore over the weekend, as well as the new local domestic football season, which kicked off last weekend with Albirex Niigata amazingly not winning the silverware that was on offer.

The White Swans had won 13 of the previous 15 trophies on offer since 2015, but are much-changed from last year's squad that made a clean sweep and won the Singapore Premier League without suffering a defeat. Does this mean their fortunes could take a turn for the worse this year?

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz, Wang Meng Meng and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam AzleeSubscribe, 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.

David Lee hosts his ST sports colleague Sazali Abdul Aziz in this episode.   Where does Benjamin Davis' future lie after the Fulham Under-18 midfielder was labelled a defaulter by Mindef for failing to return to Singapore to report for National Service?

Why is Chelsea's dead man walking Maurizio Sarri refusing to give young striker Callum Hudson-Odoi a chance to shine despite a clear lack of cutting edge in their 2-0 FA Cup defeat by Manchester United?

Is Pep Guardiola getting it right at Manchester City with Phil Foden scoring twice in their 4-1 win over Newport?   Which English team is bucking the trend and blooding youngsters? Hint: They are coming to Singapore in July.  

Produced by: David Lee, Sazali Abdul Aziz and 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.

David Lee hosts his ST sports colleague Sazali Abdul Aziz in this episode.   Where does Benjamin Davis' future lie after the Fulham Under-18 midfielder was labelled a defaulter by Mindef for failing to return to Singapore to report for National Service?

Why is Chelsea's dead man walking Maurizio Sarri refusing to give young striker Callum Hudson-Odoi a chance to shine despite a clear lack of cutting edge in their 2-0 FA Cup defeat by Manchester United?

Is Pep Guardiola getting it right at Manchester City with Phil Foden scoring twice in their 4-1 win over Newport?   Which English team is bucking the trend and blooding youngsters? Hint: They are coming to Singapore in July.  

Produced by: David Lee, Sazali Abdul Aziz and 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.

In a special episode as Sazali Abdul Aziz talks with national bowler Muhammad Jaris Goh, the freshly crowned Straits Times Athlete of the Year 2019.

The award capped a hat-trick of awards. The week before the ST gong, Goh was named Singapore Bowling Federation's Bowler of the Year and became one of four Singapore Sports School alumni to receive the Moo Soon Chong Outstanding Student-Athlete Award.

But even with the incredible success, Goh is humble to a fault. 

"It hasn't sunk in," said Goh, when he sat down with ST about an hour later. "When my name was announced, I thought, 'No way!'. After I got back to my seat, SBF president Jessie Phua even came up to me and said, 'Yes Jaris, this is real'."

Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz, 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.

In a special episode as Sazali Abdul Aziz talks with national bowler Muhammad Jaris Goh, the freshly crowned Straits Times Athlete of the Year 2019.

The award capped a hat-trick of awards. The week before the ST gong, Goh was named Singapore Bowling Federation's Bowler of the Year and became one of four Singapore Sports School alumni to receive the Moo Soon Chong Outstanding Student-Athlete Award.

But even with the incredible success, Goh is humble to a fault. 

"It hasn't sunk in," said Goh, when he sat down with ST about an hour later. "When my name was announced, I thought, 'No way!'. After I got back to my seat, SBF president Jessie Phua even came up to me and said, 'Yes Jaris, this is real'."Produced by: Sazali Abdul Aziz, 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: Chelsea's boss Maurizio Sarri under fire and the impact of young football coaches in Singapore   Time: 15:16   Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday.   In this episode, David Lee and Sazali Abdul Aziz discuss if Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is on his way out of Stamford Bridge after that 6-0 hammering by Manchester City last weekend.   Is City's Sergio Aguero the best English Premier League striker ever after chalking up his 11th English Premier League hat-trick in that same game to tie Alan Shearer's all-time record?   In local football, what impact will Balestier Khalsa's appointment of the youngest-ever Singapore Premier League head coach in Khidhir Khamis have on the local football ecosytem?   Starting their own sports academies: Is this a viable career path for local sportsmen after their days as athletes are over?   Produced by: David Lee and Ernest Luis   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: Chelsea's boss Maurizio Sarri under fire and the impact of young football coaches in Singapore Time: 15:16 Synopsis: A Game of Two Halves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday. In this episode, David Lee and Sazali Abdul Aziz discuss if Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is on his way out of Stamford Bridge after that 6-0 hammering by Manchester City last weekend. Is City's Sergio Aguero the best English Premier League striker ever after chalking up his 11th English Premier League hat-trick in that same game to tie Alan Shearer's all-time record? In local football, what impact will Balestier Khalsa's appointment of the youngest-ever Singapore Premier League head coach in Khidhir Khamis have on the local football ecosytem? Starting their own sports academies: Is this a viable career path for local sportsmen after their days as athletes are over? Produced by: David Lee and Ernest Luis 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.