The Cambodian Elephants Charge On: A Chat with ISI Dangkor Senchey’s Jean Botioba
Jean Botioba is a symbol for many. The Cameroonian is the face of Phnom Penh-based outfit ISI Dangkor Senchey (ISI) and has been a hero for its fans. The Cameroonian had an interesting playing career that saw him play in Southeast Asia, including the V.League. Turning only 38 this year, he hung up his boots…
Back to Scandinavia For A Different Adventure: Oriol Mohedano Signs With Raufoss IL
After spending more than 6 years (cumulatively) in the Khmer Kingdom, Oriol Mohedano is someone that fans of the Cambodian top flight are all too familiar with. The Spaniard crafted his legacy at Angkor Tiger, where he managed 100 games across 5 seasons with the Siem Reap-based outfit before being appointed as Assistant Coach at…
The Engine Never Stops: Mustafa Zazai’s Tale From Afghan Refugee to Afghan International
Mustafa Zazai is well-known for being a true midfield engine in Cambodia and he possesses one of the highest work rates for a midfielder in the Southeast Asian region. The German-Afghan player has come a long way since his humble beginnings and I had the pleasure of helping with some aspects of his past. This…
Against All Odds: How Oleg Starysnki Turned The Tides With Phnom Penh Crown
The 2022 Cambodian Premier League’s Ultimate Comeback Story At the end of Round 1 of the 2022 Cambodian Premier League (CPL) Campaign, many were shocked to see reigning champions Phnom Penh Crown struggling in 6th place. While the reduction in the number of teams in the CPL meant that the level of competition was going…
Feeling At Home In Singapore : A Chat with Talismanic Tadanari Lee
This article is part of a two-part series collab action between Junpiter Futbol and us. If you haven’t read the first portion where I dive into Tadanari’s incredible career before gracing the Singapore Premier League this season, do click here to access it. In this article, we look at Tadanari’s reasons for playing in the…
Goals Galore: “Lionheart” Timothy Okereke & His Imminent Return
Timothy Okereke is a familiar name for many in the Cambodian football fraternity. The Nigerian is known for his pace, strength and natural finishing instincts – qualities that many managers desire in a forward and Timothy has proven himself across various Cambodian outfits during the Metfone C-League era. After all, he managed to slot in…
“ASEAN Football Is More Exciting” – Ultra-Nippon Leader Asahi Ueda Targets Southeast Asia
If you haven’t already, do catch Part 1 of this two-part series on Junpiter Futbol. In that article, I discuss Ueda’s beginning as an Ultra and Japanese football’s development in the 1980s and 1990s through his lens. The Decline of Japanese Football Enthusiasm When Japan finally reached the World Cup in 1998, it was a…
The Path Less Taken : Mukundan Maran’s Journey To The Singapore National Team
When the Singapore National Team squad for the Hung Thinh International Football Tournament was announced, many quickly noticed a new custodian among the goalkeeping contingent. Mukundan Maran’s name surprised many at first, but after thinking about it, it was the right call by Takayuki Nishigaya. The Hougang United keeper has put in some solid performances…
Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable: Matthew Orr’s Story
It is often said that in order to achieve excellence, one must push themselves beyond their limits. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. Matthew Orr (安永佳) embodies just that. In his tumultuous journey to becoming Kitchee SC and Hong Kong’s talisman, he’s encountered many setbacks. However, he never once let them deter him from what he always…
The Next Lion Up: Glenn Kweh
Donning the Singapore jersey brings something special out of Glenn Kweh. With three goals in nine games for the U23s, he’s the next Young Lion’s player to have been called up to the senior team and deservedly so. He dazzled fans at the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam as well as last year’s…
Leading the Line, What it Means to be A Number 9
The number nine, a number synonymous with goals, excitement and above all responsibility. Vasileios Chua, better known as Zikos or Bill to the Singaporean football community, is a dying breed, a traditional number nine with proper striker instincts. To Zikos, ‘leading the line’ is something that he’s had to grow into in his young career.…
Better Late Than Never: How Jared Gallagher Turned Pro for His Love Of The Game Part 2
Personally, I find it rather interesting that Jared wrote an article on unorthodox pathways to Singapore professional football. Perhaps, it’s a way to express his own story – one where he himself undertook an alternative route. In part 1, we looked at Jared’s footballing journey in Shanghai and Hong Kong, where he turned out for…
“I am Proud of My Boys” – Salvador Valero Garcia Defies Odds in AFF U-23 Championship
The Thailand national team showed their immense quality when featured in the 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup with a rather youthful side. If their recent exploits at the AFF U-23 championship are anything to go by, they certainly have a bright future ahead for the generations to come. To the outsider, the job that Salvador Valero…
“I Didn’t Have To Think Twice About It” : Karan Sobti Joins Tanjong Pagar United On Loan
Just when you thought Tanjong Pagar United have concluded their transfer business this window, it seems like they have a few more additions to make. One of these signings is the ever so talented Karan Sobti, who joins Tanjong Pagar on loan from Lion City Sailors. Still only 17, Karan has often been touted as…
Changing Stripes: A New Chapter Begins For Oriol Mohedano at Svay Rieng
When I last interviewed Oriol Mohedano, the Tiger Tactician was approaching his 100th game for Angkor Tiger and finished the 2021 campaign as a centurion. In the current global football landscape, it is indeed rare to witness football coaches reaching this pinnacle. However, after 5 seasons with the Tiger, Oriol crossed the 100-game mark, transforming…
Better Late Than Never: How Jared Gallagher Turned Pro for His Love Of The Game Part 1
Many Singaporeans would remember the wonder-strike by Nur Adam during the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualification fixture between the Singapore U-22s and the Korea U-22 teams. While Nur Adam’s goal was certainly memorable, it was another moment during the last few minutes that I would forever cherish. As the game was drawing to a…
The Fox in the Box: The Amy Recha Story Part 1
When Geylang International started their 2021 campaign, it seems like the Eagles were struck by lighting. A dark cloud seemed to loom over the club and setback after setback fell upon them. Of course, most eyes would have been on Lion City Sailors and their journey to the Singapore Premier League title, but if you’re…
Bob The Builder: Meet Bo Bae Park Who’s Laying The Building Blocks For Future Filipino Stalwarts
Suppose you ever find yourself at Far Eastern University in Manila. In that case, you may want to keep a lookout for a certain South Korean, Endearingly referred to as Bobby by those who know him, Bo Bae Park is the head coach of the University football team and is a man on a mission…
The Arctic Fox – Danny Kim
On the 1st of November 1983, Kim Pan-keun made history for the football-mad nation of South Korea by attaining a National Cap at the young age of 17 years and 241 days. The record still stands today. Nicknamed the ‘Ground Fox’, he won the K-League twice while racking up a reputation for being one of…
An Unrecognized Saviour Between The Sticks- Zainol Gulam Shares It All
Yep, that’s right. Zainol Gulam has left Geylang International, and it looks as if he’s going to embark on a new chapter in his career. When I found out about this, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer and sprung into action. Singapore, we have a goalkeeper crisis on our hands. Zainol’s departure from the…
Making Up For Lost Time – Jun Tan’s Untold Football Story Part 2
Do Read Part 1 If you have not already~ For younger and newer fans to the Singapore Premier League, Balestier Central merged with Clementi Khalsa at the end of 2002 to form Balestier Khalsa. Yes, that’s right Balestier Khalsa, existed as two separate teams nearly two decades ago. But enough of a lesson on the…
Making Up For Lost Time – Jun Tan’s Untold Football Story Part 1
If you’re a follower of the Singaporean football scene, Jun Tan is a name that should be familiar to you. If it isn’t, then his company Junpiter Futbol would indeed ring a bell. For the past decade or so, Jun has been photographing matches and interviewing players all around Asia. From meeting footballing icons like…
Setting Foot In Unchartered Territories – Razeen Khalid’s Unorthodox Career Part 3
Read Parts 1 & 2 if you have not already. After his stint in Thailand, England and Singapore would be his next destinations. What happens next? Read on to find out more. England & Singapore – Finally Signed But For How Long? Razeen’s family resided in Reading, and since he wanted to spend more time…
Setting Foot In Unchartered Territories – Razeen Khalid’s Unorthodox Career Part 2
Do read part 1 if you haven’t already! After A Hiatus, The Football Dream Continues For the next six years, Razeen Khalid would be working as an engineer for ExxonMobil but football would not be completely missing from his life. Playing regularly in the state league, Razeen did his best to fulfil his perpetual need…
Setting Foot In Unchartered Territories – Razeen Khalid’s Unorthodox Career Part 1
If the name Razeen Khalid rings a bell, you may remember him from my previous interview with Central African Republic international and former Home United stalwart Franklin Anzité. I briefly mentioned Razeen, who was his agent in Malaysia. Razeen was a central figure during Franklin’s footballing chapter in Malaysia. Yet, make no mistake. Razeen is…
Grooming Thailand’s Future Stars – Meet Thailand U-19 Head Coach Salva Valero Garcia
If you have never heard of Salva Valero Garcia, then you may want to start remembering his name. Only 28 years old, he’s the current Thailand National U-19 Team head coach, and he’s responsible for grooming some of Thailand’s most promising prospects. I had the pleasure to speak to Salva on his career thus far…
The S.E.A Farer – Franklin Anzité’s Southeast Asian Expedition Part 2
In part 1, I looked at Franklin’s time in Singapore and Thailand and in part 2, the Southeast Asian expedition continues as he describes about his time in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia before discussing his time with the Central African Republic National team. Venturing Into Vietnam Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC in the V.league 1…
The S.E.A Farer – Franklin Anzité’s Southeast Asian Expedition Part 1
Yes, I have a knack for finding former Étoile FC players. When the 2011 Étoile FC team first got announced, a few names caught my eye. These players had international caps for African nations before their stint with Singapore. Jonathan Justin had turned out for Mauritius. Mohamed Doumbouya clocked in an appearance with Mali in…
Electric Elijah! Meet Geylang International’s Spark in Midfield
If you had been watching Geylang International’s matches this season, you’d notice that for a good period of time, the club was in a state of chaos. The team was ravaged with injuries, and the ever-inspirational Barry Maguire was on the sidelines for a lengthy spell. Yet, there was a silver lining in that storm…
‘El Loco’ – The Continental Tale Of Blake Ricciuto
You can learn a lot from a football player by his goal celebration. Kylian Mbappé’s understated shoulder fold comes to mind, a shout-out to his brother’s celebration of choice after scoring a goal in FIFA.A larger-than-life athlete, however, deserves a more glorious trademark – which calls to mind Cristiano Ronaldo and his now iconic (and…
A Chat With The Mouth Of The North: R. Vengadasalam Part 2 – Stories to share and Thoughts on Football today
Do read Part 1 if you haven’t already! Launching The Woodlands Lions A private landscaper right now, he still contributes to the footballing scene with his most recent initiative, Woodlands Lions. Woodlands Lions was launched by Venga because he felt there was a need to establish a proper youth team. While the rest of the…
The Mouth Of The North: A Chat With R. Vengadasalam Part 1 – A Brief Overview
When it comes to controversy and immense passion for Singapore football, you don’t have to look much further than R. Vengadasalam. Endearingly called ‘Coach Venga’ by fans and players alike, he also goes by another moniker, ‘The Mouth Of The North.’ An apt name for the Woodlands Wellington icon who runs his mouth and isn’t…
Meet Oriol Mohedano: The Tiger Tactician
Football in Cambodia is less renowned than other leagues in Southeast Asia, but make no mistake, it is a sleeping giant about to wake from its long slumber. Cambodians are passionate about the sport, and as more funds are being invested into the football landscape, it will certainly grow expediently. Only 34 years old, don’t…
Part of a Forgotten Generation: The ‘Nice Guy’ Kenny Poh Yifeng Part 2
In Part 1, we looked at Kenny’s beginnings as a footballer, his time with Balestier Khalsa, and how he moved to Warriors FC. In this second part, we look at Kenny’s thoughts on the end of his career, his solitary national team cap, and what he has been up to today. For the next 4…
Part of a Forgotten Generation: The ‘Nice Guy’ Kenny Poh Yifeng Part 1
When I first started the Interview Series, there was a group of commenters who routinely called for Kenny Poh Yi Feng to be interviewed after each article was produced. Well, my friends, here you go. The Foreign Talent Sports Scheme may have helped usher in Singaporean football’s period of success in the 2000s and early…
From Japan, With Love – The Story Of Kyoga Nakamura
A group of scouts looked intently upon the football pitch in Japan’s Toyota Stadium, and they could all be seen jotting down notes, collectively seeking to unearth the next great footballing prospect to propel their clubs to dreams of silverware.But where they all contemplated the virtues of the different players, a smartly-dressed figure was among…
The Rory Winters Story Part 3: Shaping Minds and Careers
Read Part 1 and Part 2 if you haven’t already! In the second part of this three-part article, we shared how Rory experienced a revelation. Football may have been his first love, but coaching had been his calling in life. Guiding and nurturing others came naturally to Rory, who was extremely passionate about this new…
The Rory Winters Story Part 2: The Journeyman Phase
Released by Oldham and without another club at 18, Rory was faced with several tough decisions. Does he take a gamble and continue pursuing his footballing aspirations? Or, does he give up the footballing dream and concentrate on school? Rory had always believed journalism would be a viable alternative should the footballing dream ever fail…
The Rory Winters Story Part 1: The Beginnings
To many in Singapore, Rory Winters is a an unfamiliar name, but his footballing story may be relatable. Rory was part of the English footballing system since he was 7 years old and he played professionally until he was 23 years old. He played semi-professionally since then, and then retired from the game 3 years…
The Story of Victor Yanez: The Important Untold Story of Football
Many of us around the world may be unfamiliar with Victor Yanez. He seems like an ambitious Jesuit priest-in-training if you meet him without any context about his past. Yet, what if I told you he was supposed to be the next breakout star in North America? Yanez indeed had a pretty fantastic career as…
Breaking Barriers: A chat with Seut Baraing, one of Cambodia’s finest
Height has been a factor for some, if not many managers, when they select their players. Often, managers want tall, commandeering defenders who can win aerial battles and towering forwards who can easily head in goals. Thus, many shorter footballers often get overlooked because of their height. Take for example Angel Gomes at Manchester United.…
Captain Cambodia: The Thierry Bin Tale
If you are an ardent follower of Southeast Asian football or a Cambodian football fan, Thierry Chantha Bin is definitely not an unfamiliar name to you. The Cambodian superstar has been a talisman for both club and country over the years. National team captain on multiple occasions, Thierry is an icon in Cambodia. Yet, unlike…
Meet Geylang International FC Sensation Darren Teh Part 2: The Story Continues
In part 1, I looked at Darren Teh’s beginnings as a footballer and the professional journey he embarked on. Since signing with Geylang in 2017, Darren Teh has largely been a mainstay in the Eagles backline. In this second part, I will look at his professional career thus far, his national team call-up, and his…
An Inspiration to Aspiring Footballers: Varghese Jayan, The Self-made Man Part 2
In Part 1, I looked at Varghese’s initial beginnings into football and how he managed to earn a move to Singapore to further his education with Temasek Polytechnic. During his first 2 years in Singapore, Varghese had played for Eunos Crescent and Katong in the National Football League (NFL). He had also had a month-long…
Meet Taiichiro Saito, The Man Who Made Football His Life-long Career Part 2: Working with 40,000 Cambodian kids and The Ongoing Venture into Academy Management
In Part 1, I looked at Saito’s rarely spoken about playing career that saw him leave Japan and ply his trade in Singapore, Australia, Ghana, and Bolivia. However, at the age of 32, Saito decided it was time to draw his playing days to a close. Yet, it is always impossible for someone as passionate…
An Inspiration to Aspiring Footballers: Varghese Jayan, The Self-made Man Part 1
If Varghese Jayan is an unfamiliar to you now, it won’t be soon. A speedy left winger, he recently signed with NEROCA FC in October 2020. On paper, it doesn’t seem like much – an Indian national signing with an Indian club, but there is so much to this story. For the past 3 years,…
The Ludovic Casset Story Part 1: Making History in Vietnam
Ludovic “Ludo” Casset may be an unfamiliar name to many in Southeast Asia, but it is a name that many Vietnamese football fans are well aware of. The current Etoile FC Academy director in Singapore had a short but eventful professional playing career with Đà Nẵng F.C in the V.League 1. While some of his…
Meet Taiichiro Saito, The Man who made football his life-long career Part 1: The rarely spoken about playing career
To the grassroots football fraternity in Singapore, Taiichiro Saito is a familiar name. Saito was the founder of Global Football Academy (GFA) and is the current founder and managing director of two organizations – Soriya (in Cambodia) and Football For Everyone. While COVID-19 may have grounded him in Singapore for months, Saito would have been…
Meet Geylang International FC Sensation Darren Teh Part 1: The Story Before The Eagles
Darren Teh is no ordinary 24-year-old. Geylang International regular, National Team player, Financial Manager, Musician, Filial Son, Doting Husband, and Young Father are some of the many hats worn by the promising right back. At his age, Darren is an accomplished player who also, as the list above suggests, is riddled with commitments. Yet, despite…
The Longest Serving French Jaguar: A chat with Anthony Aymard Part 2
Be sure to check out part 1 of this article if you haven’t already Before I begin with part 2, let me share some of my thoughts about part 1 of this article. The one thing worth admiring about foreigners like Aymard who try their luck overseas is that they often have to risk everything…
The Longest Serving French Jaguar: A chat with Anthony Aymard Part 1
It would appear that I truly have a knack of tracking down former Étoile FC players… To ardent Tanjong Pagar United fans, Anthony Aymard is not an unfamiliar name. The French defender spent 3 seasons with the Jaguars between 2012 and 2015. I managed to track down Anthony Aymard recently and interview the player about…
Taking Youth Football to Another level – A chat with Habil Hakim
For Singapore footballing standards in Singapore to grow, we need to ensure that there are enough opportunities for youth players to develop. This is why football academies are essential. Given the limited number of professional Singapore Premier League clubs, and by extension, the limited number of Centre of Excellences (COEs), football academies play an instrumental…
Meet Gavin Lee, Singapore’s Brightest Coaching Prospect – Part 2: Takeaways thus far as Head Coach
In Part 1, I looked at Gavin’s journey to coaching in top flight football. In Part 2, I look at Gavin’s first full year as Tampines Rovers head coach and some of the things he has learned and experienced. Takeaways from His First Year There was a lot of buzz when Gavin got appointed as…
Meet Gavin Lee, Singapore’s Brightest Coaching Prospect – Part 1: The Journey to Topflight Football
Even though Singapore has a professional football league with seven local professional clubs, the pool of players is small. There are many reasons for this, and one of them is the fact that most parents discourage their children from pursuing a professional career in sports. While many parents may be supportive of their children taking…
The Jonathan Toto Exclusive Part 2 – Football Stardom in Singapore, A Greek Nightmare & Life after Football
In part 1, I examined Jonathan Toto’s career before playing in Singapore. From playing with Koulibaly and Pjanić in the FC Metz Academy to a stint with Hearts in Scotland, Toto had quite the eventful career by the time he was 21. It was this next chapter in Singapore where his footballing career really took…
Never Giving Up, The Fisherman Turned Footballer: An exclusive with Chennai City’s Jockson Dhas
Once again, I hope my Tamil Language teachers are proud of me. I did this interview entirely in Tamil. After interviewing Sriram, my curiosity in Tamil Nadu and I-league football piqued. In my quest to expand my coverage of Asian football, I decided to interview another Indian footballer. This is the story of Jockson Dhas,…
An Unforgettable Stint in France: The experience of 3 Singaporean teens at FC Nantes
Étoile FC has a special place in S.League history, mainly because of the many records and accolades they hold. Besides being the first club in Asia to be entirely comprised of European players, Étoile holds the distinction of being the first foreign club to win the S.League and the first club in Singapore to appoint…
The Jonathan Toto Exclusive Part 1- From Rubbing Shoulders with Pijanic and Koulibaly to an Unrealized Scottish Dream
Original Image Credits: Davy Allan, London Hearts & Singapore Premier League At one point in time, it appeared that Jonathan Toto was destined for footballing greatness. He played alongside Miralem Pjanić and Kalidou Koulibaly in the FC Metz Academy, but his career took on a different trajectory, partly due to the roles played by his…
Working Hard to Reach His Potential: An Interview with Ignatius “Iggy” Ang
To many ardent Singaporean football fans, Ignatius “Iggy” Ang is a familiar name. The midfielder has played for several local clubs and even signed for Lions XII in 2014. While he was a youth player, his coaches regarded him as a star for the future. However, he hasn’t been able to reach that potential. Throughout…
The Midfield Maverick Realizing his Footballing Dreams: An Exclusive with Chennai City FC’s Sriram
I spoke a mix of English and Tamil during this interview and I was happy that I still could string sentences together in a somewhat fluent manner. In Cricket Crazy India, there has been a recent surge in support for football. Don’t get me wrong, there have always been a dedicated minority in India that…
The Resilient Utility Player, A Rarity In The Modern Game: An Interview with Tajeli Salamat
I had the opportunity to talk to Tajeli the other day, and it felt good talking with the current Lion City Sailors FC centre-back. I knew Tajeli from his time at Warriors FC, my favourite Singaporean team that was unfortunately forced to sit out of the 2020 season due to financial issues. If Tajeli is…
The ‘Lion’ that got away: An exclusive with Sirina Camara Part 2
If you haven’t already done so, check out Part 1 of the article! The Unrealized Dream of Representing Singapore Camara wanted to give back to Singaporean football because the S.League and Home United not only gave him the chance to pursue a professional career, which was something he probably wouldn’t have in France but also…
The ‘Lion’ that got away: An exclusive with Sirina Camara Part 1
Sirina Camara is a familiar name to those that have been following Singaporean football closely in recent years. He arrived on our shores in 2011 with Étoile FC, a foreign team comprised entirely of players of French origin. Following the dissolution of the club in 2012, Camara and some other French players remained in Singapore.…
Taking Roads Less Traveled: The Anders Aplin Story
Anders Aplin’s footballing story is an interesting one. In 2018, he made headlines when he became the first Singaporean player to sign with a Japanese team. Even though it was a loan move to Matsumoto Yamaga F.C, the deal caught my attention primarily because Anders Aplin was not a household name. 2 years earlier, Singapore’s…
Bouncing Back: A Chat With Tampines Rovers No.1 Syazwan Buhari
In the past decade, two goalkeepers have dominated the national spotlight and have been used interchangeably. Don’t get me wrong, Izwan Mahbud and Hassan Sunny are great keepers. In fact, they are arguably Singapore’s greatest ever custodians in the past two decades. They have put in consistent performances for club and country over the years…
Unearthing an Unsung Hero: An Exclusive Interview with Delwinder “Del” Singh
The Singapore Premier League (SPL), and its predecessor the S.league, has seen many great defenders grace the competition. Aide Iskandar, Baihakki Khaizan, Daniel Bennett, S. Subramani are just some of the hallmark names that come to mind. Yet, there are many unsung heroes that have played in the league as well. Often, these underrated players…
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