Sports Minutes with Zia-ul Raushan

Newcastle end their 70-year wait for silverware - clinching the English League Cup at the expense of Liverpool, beating them 2-1 at Wembley. And on Sports Minutes, we check in with two jubilant Geordies - Sazali Abdul Aziz & Terrence Ong - and lifelong Liverpool fan - Deborah Rowe - to find out what it means for both camps.

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The Lion City Sailors' dream run in the ACL Two continues, as they defeated Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-1 on aggregate to book a spot in the last four. This is only the third time a team from Singapore have reached the semi-finals of a continental competition. So how did the Sailors, the only South-east Asian outfit left in Asia’s second-tier club competition, defy the odds to overcome their illustrious opponents? Deepanraj Ganesan speaks to Sports Minutes after a historic night at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/lion-city-sailors-eliminate-japanese-side-sanfrecce-hiroshima-to-seal-acl-two-semi-final-berth

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Did you know that amongst the NINE teams competing in the Singapore Women’s Premier League - there is ONLY ONE that does not have an active men’s team. And that team is Still Aerion Women’s Football Club. Dedicated to female footballers - the club have a roster that includes players who’ve featured in the Women’s World Cup, stars of the Singapore Lionesses past and present, and at the helm have a former S-league winner in Jeremy Chiang. So with all the ingredients in place, can they cook up a storm in 2025? Sports Minutes sits down with head coach Jeremy and new signing Lila Tan to find out.

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The Lion City Sailors take centre stage on this episode of Sports Minutes - and for obvious reasons, after the furore surrounding their ACL Two Quarter-final. With the first leg declared a walkover after Sanfrecce Hiroshima's error of fielding an ineligible player, can the Sailors get the job done to secure a historic spot in the Semis? And, could the return of the legendary Kadir Yahya as Unleash the Roar's Director of Football spark a revival for Singapore's footballing fortunes? Deepanraj Ganesan is in the hot seat to dissect and discuss it all!

READ MORE:
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/former-lion-kadir-yahaya-returns-as-unleash-the-roars-director-of-football

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/sanfrecce-hiroshima-stripped-of-victory-over-lion-city-sailors-after-fielding-suspended-player

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/can-womens-premier-league-in-spore-take-off-after-losing-title-sponsor-fas-upbeat-but-issues-remain

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This International Women’s Day on Sports Minutes, we talk to Nurhafizah Abu Sujad, Head Physiotherapist for the Singapore National Teams about her journey in a male-dominated field. Sticking true to the theme of IWD 2025 - Accelerating Action - the long-serving physio who is affectionately known as 'Kak Fizah' shares how motherhood has shaped her career, her work empowering athletes, and her mission to break barriers in sports.

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History beckons for the Lion City Sailors this week, as the Singaporean outfit travel to Japan to take on Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the ACL Two Quarter finals. As the ONLY south-east asian team representative left in the competition, how will they fare? What are the key battles and can the Sailors keep themselves alive heading into the second leg? Deepanraj Ganesan dives in to this and the weekend's Singapore Cup results on Sports Minutes.

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When you think of the Women’s Premier League in Singapore, the Lion City Sailors probably come to mind—and for good reason. As the 3-time reigning champions the Sailors often dominate the headlines, and their opposition. But in 2024, two standout individuals from Geylang International stole the spotlight at the WPL Awards. Ratna Suffian was named Coach of the Year, while Farah Nurzahirah picked up Young Player of the Year honours. So, how did they defy expectations? And will they be able to close the gap on reigning champions LCS in 2025? We’ve hear from the both of them on Sports Minutes!

READ MORE:
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/albirex-niigatas-manami-fukuzawa-named-womens-premier-league-player-of-the-year

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Manchester United legend and 13-time Premier League winner Ryan Giggs steps into the Sports Minutes hot seat - reflecting on his illustrious career, Sir Alex Ferguson’s enduring legacy, and the frustration of watching rivals Liverpool rise while his beloved Red Devils struggle to reclaim their former glory. But could Ruben Amorim be the man to turn things around at Old Trafford? Tune in to find out!

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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/even-alex-ferguson-would-struggle-at-manchester-united-now-ryan-giggs

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On a SIX-match winning streak in the league, with a SIX-point advantage at the top and a game in hand - the Lion City Sailors are gaining momentum in their pursuit of being crowned champions of the 24/25 Singapore Premier League season. But could the upcoming midweek clash against second-placed BG Tampines Rovers throw a spanner in the works? Deepanraj Ganesan weighs in, and reviews the rest of the action from MD26.

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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/lion-city-sailors-put-on-five-star-showing-for-third-victory-in-eight-days

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What would you sacrifice for a dream? For Singaporean boxer Danisha, the answer was everything — breaking a scholarship bond, leaving a stable healthcare career, and stepping into the unknown, all for the love of boxing. And she’s not just chasing medals — she’s fighting for the flag, and fighting to make history. As Singapore’s first boxer in decades to qualify for the Asian Games, Danisha Mathialagan now has her sights set on more. Tune in to hear her incredible journey of grit and glory.

READ MORE:
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/combat-sports/singapore-boxer-danisha-mathialagan-sacrifices-full-time-job-as-she-eyes-sea-games-medal-in-2025

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