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Fresh off a historic treble-winning campaign, Lion City Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic joins us for the SPL Preview.

Reflecting on last season's remarkable success, Rankovic surprisingly describes their SPL title, Singapore Cup triumph, and ACL2 final appearance as "unexpected" - a refreshing dose of humility from the leader of the league's wealthiest club. "Knowing as a coach, and definitely as a former player, that's never easy," he explains, especially following Albirex Niigata's period of domestic dominance.

The Serbian tactician offers fascinating insights into his transfer strategy, emphasizing character alongside quality when building his squad. New signings Anderson (former J-League top scorer), midfielder Tsiy Ndenge, and 2.03m goalkeeper Ivan Susak have all been brought in to raise standards, while returning Singapore international Safuwan adds vital experience after 12-13 years abroad. Rankovic particularly praises Hariss Harun as "one of the best players in Singapore" for his versatility and tactical intelligence.

Squad depth remains a pressing concern as the Sailors prepare to navigate a congested fixture list across multiple competitions. "We have to watch from game to game," Rankovic admits, explaining the challenges of managing his roster with foreign player limitations. His brutally honest take on player management might surprise some: "It's not my job to make them happy. The player is only happy when he plays, so he has to show every time that he wants to play."

Looking ahead to their ACL2 campaign, Rankovic views their group as evenly matched without a clear favorite - a different challenge from last season's continental run. His targets remain ambitious: defend the SPL title, challenge for cups, and advance from continental group stages.

The recent Community Shield defeat provided an early reality check, but Rankovic was encouraged by the packed stadium: "This is the first time since I'm here that I saw full stands for a local game - that means something good is happening." Join us for this revealing conversation with one of Singapore football's most successful coaches as he prepares to write the next chapter in Lion City Sailors' story.

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How do you replace a striker who scored 44 goals and broke multiple league records? That's the challenge facing Geylang International head coach Noor Ali as he enters his tenth season with the Eagles.

Following an impressive third-place finish last campaign, Geylang must now navigate life without Tomoyuki Doi, the Japanese sensation who netted an astonishing 44 goals including nine hat-tricks. Rather than seeking a like-for-like replacement, Noor Ali reveals his strategy to build a more balanced team that can "defend together and attack together" - acknowledging that last season's 97-goal tally simply won't be replicated.

The conversation offers fascinating insights into player recruitment philosophy, with Noor Ali preferring familiar faces over unknown quantities. This approach has led to strategic signings like veteran playmaker Shahdan Sulaiman, whose class and leadership are already making an impact in training. Meanwhile, Serbian defender Nikola Ignjatovic brings much-needed aggression as a "warrior" in defense, while young Korean midfielder Ko Jaehyun impresses with his technical ability and game intelligence.

Most revealing is Noor Ali's perspective on Singapore football's broader challenges: "We have to look at ourselves and realize we have not been good enough for the last five or ten years." With seven foreign player slots now available to all clubs, the contributions of local players will be crucial in determining success in what promises to be an incredibly competitive SPL season.

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When Firdaus Kassim left his comfortable position at Lion City Sailors to take charge of Young Lions, he knew exactly what he was stepping into. "I wouldn't call it a risk," he reveals in this fascinating conversation about his vision for Singapore's development squad. "We had long conversations to ensure clarity about the project and direction."

That direction is now taking shape with a revamped Young Lions setup featuring two distinct teams - YLA competing in SPL1 and YLB in SPL2. This creates a natural progression pathway for younger talents while preventing them from being thrown unprepared into Singapore's top league. "This is a very good platform for young players to start," Firdaus explains, highlighting how several promising talents have already moved up through this system.

The most intriguing aspect of this season's Young Lions is their strategic foreign signings forming the team's spine. Slovenian goalkeeper Benjamin Zerak brings composure between the posts, while Brazilian defenders Enrico Silviera and Joilson Lucas add leadership and defensive solidity. In midfield, Lucas Agueiro provides the bridge between local and foreign players, while Brazilian winger Abner Vinicius emerges as the most exciting prospect: "There are things he does in training that make me think - wow, this is going to be a very special player."

Firdaus doesn't shy away from addressing the perennial debate around the Young Lions - development versus results. His solution? Creating a winning mentality through defensive organization that keeps matches competitive deep into the second half. "We're pushing them beyond boundaries," he says of his training methods, "stretching them beyond their limits."

With pre-season showing promising signs, including competitive performances against top sides, Firdaus has set a realistic but ambitious target of finishing in the top half of the eight-team league. After years of bottom-two finishes, this would represent significant progress for a team that's always been about developing tomorrow's stars rather than winning today's trophies.

Listen now to discover how Firdaus plans to transform the Young Lions while addressing wider concerns like Singapore's goalkeeper development crisis and the challenge of balancing foreign talent with local player progression.

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Coach Noh Alam Shah transforms adversity into opportunity as he rebuilds Tanjong Pagar United following a challenging season. Fresh from his Pro Diploma coaching course in Laos, Alam Shah brings renewed wisdom and determination to a club that finished ninth last season with just three wins while conceding a staggering 103 goals.

Rather than running from this difficult past, Alam Shah embraces it: "It's not a season to forget but to be remembered." This refreshing perspective reveals his growth mindset and commitment to learning from mistakes. He candidly identifies previous recruitment errors, explaining how emotional decisions undermined team quality and performance.

The coach's rebuild begins with a foundation of hard work and discipline. Players unwilling to push beyond their comfort zones have been released, while those demonstrating the right attitude were retained. New signings reflect this philosophy, particularly in defence where Australian Aaron Evans and Korean Rie Kwan Kim arrive to shore up a previously vulnerable backline. The goalkeeping department receives special attention with Zaiful joining Matt to provide stability and leadership from the back.

In attack, Alam Shah has cleverly assembled what he calls "the cartel" – a Portuguese and Spanish-speaking attacking unit designed to improve communication and creativity. This strategic recruitment demonstrates his attention to both technical ability and team chemistry. When discussing playing style, he emphasizes finding balance between direct attacking football and possession-based play, addressing last season's predictability while maintaining an aggressive pressing system.

Despite management setting a mid-table target, Alam Shah boldly aims for a top-two finish. This ambitious goal speaks volumes about his confidence in the rebuilt squad and his refusal to accept mediocrity. His message to fans acknowledges their loyalty through difficult times while promising better days ahead: "Being up there in the top 3 will be the best consolation gift of going forward to a bright future for Tanjong Pagar United Football Club."

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Fresh off a challenging season that saw them finish outside the top three for the first time in five years, Albirex Niigata is rebuilding with purpose. Assistant coach Jaswinder Singh joins us to reveal how the club plans to reclaim its position among Singapore's football elite.

Jas offers a candid assessment of last season's struggles, explaining how an extended four-month pre-season led to player burnout before competitive matches even began. The transition to a more localised squad required significant tactical adjustments, contributing to their disappointing sixth-place finish after losing eight of their first ten matches.

What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is Jas' insights into Albirex's recruitment strategy. For what appears to be the first time in club history, they've supplemented their traditional Japanese contingent with Korean players. Centre-backs Cho Eunsu (described as a "physical beast") and Kim Taeuk bring defensive solidity, while forward Lee Dong Yeol has impressed in pre-season physical testing. The standout potential star? Japanese playmaker Takumi Yokohata, a 22-year-old number 10 who "sees passes others don't see."

Tactically, Albirex is evolving while maintaining their signature possession-based style. Jas hints at a new team shape that improves transitions both offensively and defensively, addressing last season's defensive frailties. The psychological approach is equally interesting – there's "pressure off" this season since they're no longer defending champions, allowing them to play with more freedom.

Want to know if Albirex can challenge for silverware again? Jas diplomatically sets a top-four finish as the realistic target but tellingly notes this squad has "the same feels as our previous championship teams." For Albirex fans and neutrals alike, this promises to be a fascinating season watching this blend of Japanese technique, Korean physicality, and local talent take shape.

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The homecoming of Marko Kraljevic to Balestier Khalsa FC sets the stage for an enthralling new chapter in Singapore Premier League football. After seven years at the helm between 2014-2020 and a subsequent stint at Hougang United, the Croatian tactician returns to the club where his Singapore football journey began as both player and coach.

Taking the reins from Peter De Roo, who guided the Tigers to consecutive fourth-place finishes, Kraljevic faces the delicate balance of building on recent successes while implementing his own vision. "I mean he finished fourth two seasons in a row is a really good achievement," Kraljevic acknowledges. "For us it's to build up on this one and try to put in our target is better than that - finish top three, maybe win the cup and qualify for AFC."

The most fascinating aspect of Balestier's transformation lies in their defensive rebuild. Despite scoring an impressive 88 goals last season, they conceded 80 - a vulnerability Kraljevic immediately identified. His strategic recruitment of Croatian goalkeeper Mario Mustapic and left-footed center-back Mario Subaric directly addresses this concern, while his tactical focus on set-piece defense and "rest defense" (positioning after losing possession) reveals a methodical approach to solving last year's weaknesses.

Kraljevic's Croatian connections have influenced his recruitment strategy, bringing in five compatriots alongside Serbian defensive midfielder Lazar Vujanic. Yet beyond the communication benefits, Kraljevic emphasizes character assessment as paramount: "Make sure is good attitude, good character of the players." The retention of local core players like Madhu Mohana and Darren Teh (appointed co-captains) provides essential continuity, while the return of Daniel Goh from Albirex adds local talent with national team aspirations.

What truly distinguishes Kraljevic's approach is his integrated training philosophy, where promising SPL2 players train alongside the first team. "If you don't train with us, how you're going to move up?" he questions rhetorically, establishing clear pathways for youth development while pursuing immediate competitive goals. His message to fans encapsulates this balanced vision: "We want to play attacking football, we want to keep possession, we want to win the games."

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Robert Eziakor, head coach of Hougang United FC, pulls back the curtain on his journey from player to coach and the ambitious plans he's implementing for the upcoming Singapore Premier League season.

Eziakor's fascinating story begins in 2006 when he arrived in Singapore as a player for Sporting Afrique, eventually finding his way to H0ugang United where he's been since 2013. Now at the helm as head coach, he speaks candidly about the challenges of competing with bigger-budget clubs and the difficult decisions that come with rebuilding a squad.

"You can't keep doing the same thing and expect different results," Eziakor explains, discussing the major overhaul that saw numerous experienced players depart and fresh faces arrive. His recruitment strategy reveals a clear focus on defensive solidity—addressing last season's 76 goals conceded—while maintaining attacking flair through players like Japanese midfielder trio and Spanish winger Victor Blasco.

Perhaps most compelling is Eziakor's faith in local talent Farhan Zulkifli, whom he believes has the pace and dribbling ability to become Singapore's next standout player. "The boy has everything," Eziakor says, setting high expectations for the young attacker to finally fulfill his potential.

The conversation shifts to tactical philosophy, with Eziakor emphasizing a more fearless, high-pressing approach for the upcoming season. His target? Third place—an ambitious but measured goal after several seasons of declining league positions. With refreshing honesty, he shares his message to the passionate "Hougang Hools" supporters: "We will give them what they want this season. We will fight every game."

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BG Tampines Rovers FC is under new yet familiar leadership as Akbar Nawas returns to BG Tampines after nearly a decade away. His mission? Build upon the excellent foundation laid by Gavin Lee while steering the Stags through a period of significant transition.

Akbar speaks candidly about the challenges of rebuilding a squad that's lost key players Kyoga Nakamura, Seia Kunori and Milos Zlatkovic. Yet there's palpable excitement as he reveals his plans for integrating an intriguing mix of new foreign talent with the club's established local stars. Malta international Trent Buhagiar brings pace and A-League experience, while Japanese signings Seiga Sumi, Koya Kazama, and Hide Higashikawa offer tactical flexibility across the pitch. The imminent return of Jacob Mahler from long-term injury provides another boost to their prospects.

What stands out most is Akbar's commitment to preserving the attacking football identity that's become synonymous with BG Tampines while implementing his own tactical vision. "The identity is something that we don't want to lose," he affirms, highlighting the philosophical similarities between himself and his predecessor. With competitions across the SPL, Shopee Cup and ACL2 looming, his focus remains squarely on building collective strength rather than relying on individual brilliance.

Can BG Tampines challenge the financial might of Lion City Sailors? Akbar refuses to lower expectations despite acknowledging the gap in resources. His message to fans speaks volumes about his approach: take one training session at a time, aim to win every match, and build something special together. The Community Shield match against the Sailors will be our first glimpse of Akbar's vision taking shape.

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Lee Young-Pyo, one of Korea's greatest ever players with 127 international caps and three World Cup appearances, sits down with me for a chat.

Lee takes us behind the scenes of Korea's miraculous 2002 World Cup campaign, where they reached the semi-finals against all odds. "We trained together for 200 days," he reveals, explaining how Guus Hiddink's leadership and their intense preparation helped them defeat football powerhouses Portugal, Italy, and Spain. He shares a fascinating tactical secret - wearing the number 10 shirt as a defender to confuse opponents who didn't know Korean players.

The conversation explores the cultural differences between leagues, with Dutch football emphasizing possession, English football valuing directness, and German football offering passionate fan experiences. As a right-footed left-back, Lee explains how this unusual positioning became his advantage throughout his career in Europe.

For young Asian players with European dreams, Lee offers invaluable advice about development pathways and the critical "golden age" between 8-14 years. He assesses today's Korean stars including Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Kang-in, providing insight into what makes them successful on the world stage.

With characteristic humility, Lee concludes with powerful wisdom that defined his career: "There is no shortcut. Talent is something we cannot control, but effort we can control." His journey proves that discipline, attitude, and perseverance can overcome any limitation in football and in life.

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What does it take for a 15-year-old Singaporean footballer to leave everything behind and chase his dreams in Portugal? Krishav Ram opens up about his journey from local academies to signing with Portuguese club Boavista FC.

The young central midfielder shares how his football journey began at age five with JSSL before progressing through LFA (now LCS Academy), where coaches recognized his potential and pushed him to play with older teams. With a Liverpool-loving father as his first coach and a supportive family network behind him, Krishav developed technical skills that would eventually catch the eye of European clubs.

After several training stints abroad, including sessions with Feyenoord and Sporting Braga, Krishav and his family made the life-changing decision to relocate to Portugal. The transition wasn't easy – from navigating language barriers and adapting to a more physical style of play to missing Singaporean chicken rice and maintaining friendships across time zones. Perhaps most touching is how his father transformed from someone who "couldn't even make tea" to cooking chicken curry for his son.

Krishav offers fascinating insights into the differences between Singaporean and Portuguese youth football, particularly the emphasis on quick, two-touch play through the middle and tactical flexibility that sees players regularly switching positions. While he admits the physical aspects of European football initially challenged him, he's adapted by playing smarter and embarking on strength training.

His perseverance has paid off with a recent signing at Boavista FC, where he'll soon compete against older players. Despite the challenges, Krishav remains grateful for the opportunity and encourages other talented young Singaporeans to consider similar paths if they're truly dedicated.