2018 Singapore Premier League Explained
The 2018 Singapore Premier League (also known as the Great Eastern Hyundai Singapore Premier League due to sponsorship reasons) was the inaugural season of the Singapore Premier League, the top-flight Singaporean professional league for association football clubs. The season began on 31 March 2018,[1] and concluded on 3 October 2018. Albirex Niigata (S) won the league and successfully defended their title.
Each team will receive $888,200 if they meet key performance indicators that will be made known to them before the 31 March kick-off. This represents a "19 per cent reduction from the 2017 season", but funding for the league has been secured for the next five years.[2]
It is the league's first season after rebranding from the S.League to the Singapore Premier League. A major overhaul from the new FAS management is being made from this season onwards to improve the standard of Singapore football.[3]
An emphasis on youth development from the ground up is underway.
Rules
The following key changes are being made to the rules for the 2018 season:[4]
- It is compulsory for each of the SPL's six local clubs to recruit at least six Under-23 footballers for their squad, with a minimum of three Under-23 players to feature in the starting 11 for each match. The first U-23 player must be replaced by another, if the substitution occurs in the 1st half. Beyond this, any U-23 players can be replaced by any other players.
- Depending on the squad size, each team is to sign at least eight local players aged 24 to 30. A 25-man squad will need to have nine local U-23 players and 10 local players aged 24 to 30.[5]
- Introduction of age quotas, with teams allowed to sign only two to six players above the age of 30, depending on squad size. For example, for squad between 19 and 22 players, there must be minimum of six under-23 players and 8 under-30 players. This will apply to all club except Young Lions and Albirex Niigata (S).
- Young Lions can sign a maximum of 33 players for the season.
- The foreign player quota for clubs will be reduced from three to two with no age restriction placed on them.
- Albirex Niigata (S) has age restrictions imposed by the FAS for the new season. The squad will be made up of 50% of U23 players, 50% of U21 players and one player of any age. This is excluding 2 Singapore U-23 players which they can choose to sign.[6] [7]
- The Singapore Premier League lineup for 2018 will remain the same as Young Lions are set to compete in 2018.
- The Prime League will be scrapped with the National Football League (NFL) set to be installed as the second-tier competition.
- Yo-yo test will replace the current mandatory 2.4 km test, and players will be tested three times a year in the pre-season, midseason and off-season.
- All matches will be played during weekends at 5:30 p.m.
Teams
A total of 9 teams compete in the league. Albirex Niigata (S) and DPMM FC are invited foreign clubs from Japan and Brunei respectively. Despite large criticism and discussion against the Young Lions project, the Young Lions will continue to compete till 2019 for the purposes of training and preparing for the 2019 SEA Games.[8] The criticism mainly focused on the poor performances every season by the largely youth team made up of Singapore Football's brightest prospects. Season-long consecutive losses against the rest of the more mature teams inflicts serious long-term consequences on the morale of the players, considering that most of these players are in the developmental ages of their footballing career. The new age restrictions imposed on the rest of the Singapore Premier League clubs could be seen as giving the Young Lions a better advantage in terms of seniority, but most critics and fans of Singapore football are still wanting the FAS to abolish the FAS-managed Young Lions and have them developed under the guidance of genuine local clubs.
Stadiums and locations
Personnel and sponsors
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: 1) ANA Courier Express is Tampines Rovers's Singapore Cup jersey sponsor only2) Hougang United had a partnership with Assisi Hospice via its donation drive. Assisi Hospice will be published on the jersey
Coaching changes
Foreigners
The foreign player quota for clubs was reduced from three to two.[4]
In addition, Albirex was reported to have declared their intention to have Singapore players in their squad for 2018 and is understood that a proposal is being put together for Albirex to take in local players and they will be allowed to sign two Singaporean U-23 players.[28] [6] Only DPMM are allowed to sign up to three foreigners.[29]
Players name in bold indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window.
League table
Statistics
Top scorers
As of 3 October 2018.
Clean Sheets
As of 3 October 2018.
Hat-tricks
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date | Reference |
|---|
| | | | 5–0 | | |
| | | | 3–2 | | |
| | | | 5–2 | | |
| | | | 4–1 | | |
| | | | 3–1 | | |
| | | | 4–3 | | |
|
Singapore Premier League Awards night winners
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Football: FAS unveils youth development plans to revive ailing local scene. Lester. Wong. 16 November 2017. The Straits Times.
- Web site: Football: FAS president Lim Kia Tong calls for change of mindset to improve S-League. David LeeSports. Correspondent. 18 December 2017. The Straits Times.
- http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-goodbye-s-league-welcome-singapore-premier-league Football: Goodbye S-League, welcome Singapore Premier League
- Web site: Young footballers to take centrestage in revamped 2018 S-League. TODAY.
- Web site: Football: Some FAS proposals like emphasis on youth and fitness lauded but not all parties are convinced. David LeeSports. Correspondent. 13 December 2017. The Straits Times.
- Web site: Football: Albirex hit with age restrictions too but Koh's calm. Shamir. OsmanCorrespondent. 15 December 2017. The Straits Times.
- Web site: Announcement of 2018 Season's Players Regulation Issued by Football Association of Singapore. Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- Web site: Young Lions to escape axe, will continue until 2019 SEA Games at least.
- Web site: Introduction of 2018 Albirex Captain and Vice Captain. Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- Web site: Hummel to sponsor White Swan from 2016 to 2018.
- Web site: Football: Balestier Khalsa embark on Singapore Premier League journey with Jeep. Shamir. OsmanCorrespondent. 29 March 2018. The Straits Times.
- Web site: New Captain Appointed for the new season.
- Web site: Geylang International FC - The wait is over! Pre-order your GIFC 2018 Jersey or even better, get the Ultimate Fan Pack. Please email andrew@gifc.org.sg your pre-orders stating size, home/away, name/number printing (additional costs if required). Jerseys expected to be available for collection in the last week of March. Kids' sizes available too! 6-12 years old | Facebook. www.facebook.com.
- Web site: Log in or sign up to view. www.facebook.com.
- Web site: Aw gets 2nd year with Cheetah..
- Web site: Tampines signal faith in Raab with three-year deal. TODAY.
- Web site: Football: Tampines Rovers chairman Desmond Ong assures S-League club's operations won't be affected despite him being involved in court case. Wang Meng. Meng. 27 January 2018. The Straits Times.
- Web site: Steve Kean agrees to leave Brunei DPMM. 5 November 2017. ESPN.com.
- Web site: DPMM release Kean and imports, Latest Singapore Football News - The New Paper. www.tnp.sg.
- Web site: Football: Fandi Ahmad takes charge of Young Lions as FAS releases SEA Games coach Richard Tardy. Wang Meng. Meng. 14 December 2017. The Straits Times.
- Web site: Subramaniam names FAS coaching instructor, Latest Singapore Football News - The New Paper. www.tnp.sg.
- Web site: Fandi to take charge of the Young Lions. 14 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171214183157/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/fandi-take-charge-young-lions-fas. 14 December 2017. dead.
- Web site: Football: Warriors legend Mirko Grabovac to return to the club as head coach. David LeeSports. Correspondent. 3 January 2018. The Straits Times.
- Web site: Football: Mirko Grabovac permitted to begin coaching Warriors. Sazali Abdul. AzizCorrespondent. 16 March 2018. The Straits Times.
- Web site: Two more local football coaches venture abroad, Latest Football News - The New Paper. Shamir. Osman. www.tnp.sg.
- Web site: Noor Ali head to Japan for attachment.
- Web site: [Media Release] – Hougang United Football Club]. 10 June 2018.
- Web site: Albirex Niigata set the standard, Latest Singapore Football News - The New Paper. Shamir. Osman. www.tnp.sg.
- Web site: DPMM participation for 2018 season. 13 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114020500/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/brunei-dpmm-participate-2018-sleague-fas. 14 January 2018. dead.
- Web site: Shahul Rayyan (SAFSA) joins White Swans for 2018 season. Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- Web site: Adam bin SWANDI (Home United FC) joins White Swans for 2018 season. Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- Web site: Balestier Khalsa Football Club - New Signing | Balestier Khalsa is delighted to announce the new signing of Vedran Mesec from NK Aluminij of Slovenia . 2️⃣2️⃣ The 30-year-old attacking midfielder from Croatia just managed to complete his registration papers in time to feature in Balestier’s Singapore Premier League opener against Home United FC at Bishan Stadium on Wednesday (4 April). . . #halatigers #2018players #NewSigning | Facebook. www.facebook.com.
- Web site: Balestier Khalsa Football Club - New Signing | Balestier Khalsa is delighted to announce the new signing of Keegan Cameron Linderboom from Waitakere United, New Zealand . The 29-year-old South African-born striker, who holds a New Zealand passport, completed his paperwork in time for his eligibility to play for Balestier in last night’s (4 April) opening Singapore Premier League fixture against Home United at Bishan Stadium. 2️⃣1️⃣ The 1.88m Linderboom marked his league debut for Balestier with a goal from the spot after brought down in the penalty area. . . #halatigers #2018players #NewSigning | Facebook. www.facebook.com.
- Web site: New blood may give Tigers fresh impetus. Sazali Abdul. AzizCorrespondent. 30 June 2018. The Straits Times.
- Web site: DPMM FC set to sign Iranian striker Mojtaba.
- Web site: McLean set for DPMM FC return. 26 February 2018. 14 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190414151239/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/mclean-set-for-dpmm-fc-return/. dead.
- Web site: Ukraine striker join DPMM for 2018 charge. 24 February 2018. 24 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180224152623/https://borneobulletin.com.bn/dpmm-fc-set-to-sign-ukrainian-forward-volodymyr/. dead.
- Web site: Geylang International FC - Welcome Yuki Ichikawa and Fumiya Kogure to the Eagles 2018 squad! Both players are no strangers to the S.League.. Yuki has been with us since joining from Albirex Niigata in 2014, while Fumiya played for Albirex in 2015 and signed for Hougang United in 2016 and 2017. We look forward to their contributions and wish them a successful journey with the club. #gifc2018 #yukiichikawa #fumiyakugore #geylangboleh | Facebook. www.facebook.com.
- Web site: Robbie Kruse and Ken Ilso got me to the Singapore League.
- Web site: Song Ui-Young Signs | Small in stature, Song Ui-young plays a physical, tough-tackling style of football. Song Ui-Young had shown good strength in tackle, using his low centre... | By Lion City Sailors Football Club | Facebook. www.facebook.com.
- Web site: SIRINA CAMARA SIGNS | Home United Football club manage to secure our final foreign signing of the season, Sirina Camara. A left-back who is strong defensively and good coming... | By Lion City Sailors Football Club | Facebook. www.facebook.com.
- Web site: Prime League foreign striker promoted.
- Web site: Hougang United sign Chang Jo Yoon .
- Web site: Adam Mitter the final foreigner in puzzle. 31 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180131201001/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/sleague-2018-transfer-round-whos-and-whos-out?page=0%2C4. 31 January 2018. dead.
- Web site: Adam Mitter out as Korean signed up .
- Web site: Tampines Rovers Football Club - #WEBBISBACK Look who's back! Jordan Webb joins the Stags for his second stint at the club, taking up our second foreign player slot. The 29-year-old winger has penned a 3-year contact with the club, where he had made 40 appearances in 2016. He was also the club's joint-top goalscorer in the league during that time. Head Coach, Jürgen Raab, was full of praise for Webb, describing him as "one of the best wingers in Singapore". Welcome back, Jordan! | Facebook. www.facebook.com.
- Web site: Tampines Rovers Football Club - #MeguStays Ryutaro Megumi extends his stay with the Stags! Despite having offers from abroad, including his homeland, Megumi has penned a 2-year deal as one of the club's foreign signings. The 24-year-old Japanese winger was the club's top scorer last season and one of the nominees for S-league's Player of the Year. We are delighted to have him with us and look forward to his electrifying pace on the pitch! | Facebook. www.facebook.com.
- Web site: Warriors Football Club - Béhé's back! We are delighted to announce the signing of Jonathan Béhé for the 2018 Season! #WelcomeBéhé | Facebook. www.facebook.com.
Kazuaki Yoshinaga
Renê Weber
Mirko Grabovac
Keegan Linderboom[33] 
Sanjin Vrebac[34] 
Volodymyr Pryyomov[37] 
Isaka Cernak[39] 
Song Ui-young[40] 
Sirina Camara[41] 
Antoine Viterale[42] 
Jordan Webb[46]