In contrast to the previous two seasons when Home United and SAFFC picked up the S.League title within a relative comfort zone, the 2004 edition looks to be on its way to a photo-finish when it draws to a conclusion in late September.
With six matches to go, the title chase is now a three-horse race between reigning champions Home United, the resurgent Young Lions and Tampines Rovers.
The Stags lead Home by 4 points with Home still having a game in hand, but Stags' fans are already rubbing their hands in anticipation of a first-ever league title.
However, coach Vorawan Chitavanich isn’t counting his chickens yet. "There is still a long way to go with six matches left to play, but what’s important is that we don’t have pick up any injuries or suspensions in the remaining games."
His team being tagged as ‘Dad’s Army’ at the start of the season and Tampines chairman Teo Hock Seng is raring for the gold to prove his doubters wrong.
"At the start of the season when we assembled a decent team packed with experienced players, few gave my team a chance for the title.
"While it’s true that we may not be the fittest team around, we have more than enough quality in the squad to make up for it," said Teo, known popularly as ‘the Godfather’.
Right behind the Stags in second place are Home United, who are still the bookmakers’ favourites to win the league.
Despite having one of the smallest squads in the league and initially struggling with injuries and suspensions, Home honcho Steve Darby’s side is still in with a shout in the three fronts of the S.League, Singapore Cup and AFC Cup.
Englishman Darby says the title race will go right down to the wire.
"I think the league this year is capable of throwing up many surprises, Balestier deservedly beat us and have just beaten Woodlands, while Sinchi, due to their many changes, are impossible to predict.
"The top seven teams are all capable of beating one other. There is a long way to go yet, 18 points to play for and many exciting games to watch."
Home United could have the toughest run-in of fixtures, leading to their final game away at Geylang United due to their cup commitments, something which fellow title challengers Young Lions do not have.
The Young Lions have been a revelation this season, largely due to the additions of foreigners as well as the best young local talents of the league from last season.
With the exception of two drubbings at the hands of Tampines, the Young Lions have proved to be more than a match for their more experienced opponents: their hat-trick of wins over Home bearing testimony to that achievement.
Rank outsiders for the title and seven points behind the Stags, with a game in hand, the Young Lions' management team is content to let the spotlight fall on their rivals.
Speaking at the end of their stunning 4-1 win over Home United, assistant coach Fandi Ahmad said: "The Young Lions will be happy to play the role of spoiler in this season’s title race."
Indeed, this season still has plenty of twists left in it and even SAFFC and Woodlands Wellington are still mathematically in with a shout for the title as both clubs still have to play the top three in the remaining games.
As ‘the Godfather’ Teo aptly summed up: "With six games to go, this is the final hurdle and it will be interesting to see which of us will stumble at the very end."
Extracted - sleague.com
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