Yishun Sentek Mariners FC explained

Clubname:Yishun Sentek Mariners
Fullname:Yishun Sentek Mariners Football Club
Nickname:The Sea Eagles
Ground:Yishun Stadium
Capacity:3,400
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Hairi Su'ap
League:Singapore Football League
Season:2022
Position:2022, 2nd of 8

The Yishun Sentek Mariners is a semi-professional football club based in Yishun, Singapore, that plays in the Singapore Football League (SFL) Division 1. Founded in 1975, the club have won the Singapore FA Cup, Singapore National Football League 1 and 2 titles once each.

The club is promoted to the NFL Division One after winning NFL Division Two in 2014.[1]

They are the only winners of NFL Challenge Cup after winning two consecutive finals in 2018 and 2019. NFL Challenge Cup has discontinued after 2019.[2]

History

In 2016, then Yakob Hashim, the coach of Yishun Sentek Mariners, had expressed his unhappiness at the lack of financial support the semi-professional leagues received.[3]

The 2017 season will be sponsored by Ajinomoto Pte Ltd, making it the 1st season which is to be sponsored by a Japanese Company.

National Football League tie descends into mass brawl

On 12 November 2017, a mass street-like brawl broke out during a their match against Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association (SAFSA). The incident happened in time added on in the second half when Zulfadhli Suzliman was sent off with SAFSA leading 3–2. The match was streamed “live” over the FAS social-media channel. The contentious free-for-all, which apparently started in the closing stages of the match, was shown to a regional audience, without viewer-censorship with SAFSA and Yishun Sentek players fighting with unstoppable punches and flying-kicks. Yishun Sentek coach, Yakob Hashim said to Straits Time that Zulfadhli told him that Nazirul Islam (from SAFSA) verbally abused his mother and he retaliated with a kick, which led to his red card. Coach Yakob also said that he was paying attention to the both of them when another scuffle involving the reserves broke out at another corner of the pitch. The three FAS match-officials were hapless as the skirmish went about uncontrollably for about 15 minutes as a former Security Branch police officer, immediately alerted the police.

The quick arrival of police lowered rising post-match tempers among players and team officials and eye-witnesses said the lawmen were still at the stadium at 11pm on Sunday night.

On 30 January 2018, the club have been fined S$5,000 and hit with a five-point penalty by the Football Association of Singapore. The club could also face further sanctions, an additional S$5,000 fine and five-point penalty if they get into any more disciplinary problems. Eight Yishun players were also handed fines of between S$300 to S$1,000, and suspensions ranging from 4 to 15 months. Of the three SAFSA players charged by the disciplinary committee, two were fined S$300 and suspended for four months, while one only received a warning.

Division One Title

On 6 December 2017, Yishun Sentek Mariners were crowned Singapore Football League Division One champions at Jalan Besar Stadium. They secure their title after the match against Katong FC, where a walkover was awarded to Yishun Sentek Mariners with a score of 3–0. Zul Fesha also finished up as the League top goalscorer.

Singapore FA Cup Champions

On 18 November 2018, Yishun Sentek Mariners beat Tiong Bahru FC 3–1 to clinch the 2018 Singapore FA Cup title in the process. 2018 Singapore Football League Division One top goalscorer, Zulkiffli Hassim added to his tally in the FA Cup to secure the win for his club and the distinction of being the joint-top scorer for the 2018 Singapore FA Cup.

Sponsors

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Head Coaches

Players

2024 Squad

2023 Squad

Honours

League

Cup

Current Season

See main article: 2024 Singapore Football League.

Singapore Football League 1 Table

Past Seasons

SeasonLeaguePos.PWDLGSGAPts
2017NFL DIV 11st22 20 0 2 85 22 60
2018NFL DIV 14th18 1314572640
2019NFL DIV 15th5 131446*
2022SFL DIV 12nd14572262022
2023SFL DIV 13rd14734331824

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Archived copy . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170427193528/http://www.fas.org.sg/sites/default/files/NFL%20%26%20IWL%20Final%20League%20Standings%202014.pdf . 27 April 2017 . 27 April 2017.
  2. Web site: Yishun Sentek Mariners win thriller to retain NFL Challenge Cup . Football Association of Singapore.
  3. Web site: Noah . Tan . FAS spending on grassroots competitions sparks outrage . Today . Singapore.
  4. Web site: Yakob Hashim (LinkedIn) . 23 Jan 2024.
  5. Web site: Yishun Sentek Mariners FC clinches 2018 FA Cup . Football Association of Singapore.