'Rusty' Hornets Sting Rhino at the Warriors' Arena

If a team is judged by how well it plays on the field, and not the results of the game, then perhaps, Brunei DPMM would had already won the S-League in just its second outing, first in Singapore soil, for season 2012 (better known as Version 2.0).

On a night where more than 1,300 fans turned up on the eve of a new working week at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, the Warriors found themselves stung by the Hornets and seemingly unable to get a rhythm against the 2009 League Cup Champions. The Warriors started with Hassan Sunny in goal and the defensive pairing of Daniel Bennett (who returned from an injury) and Bah Mahmadou. The Japanese Trio of Sakurada, Inui and Sato were tasked to boss the midfield room. Last season golden boot scorer Karolgan and local striker Fazrul were given the burden to score the goals. The visitors meanwhile, pin their attacking hopes on Rodrigo Grahl and Basiru Osman. The defense, in the meanwhile, was laid on for Tales Dos Santos to control.

The Hornets found themselves in the lead midway through the 1st half after Sunny parried a header from a corner kick and Basiru slotted the loose ball home. However, while the Hornets continue to boss possession on the field, a free-kick awarded in the 2nd half saw Inui scoring his first ever goal for a Singapore side. Most in the stadium thought that the goal would mark a Warrior comeback, but despite shouts from their cheerleaders, a freekick taken saw Shah Razen burying the loose ball into the net.

Watching the game from the stand, one cannot help but recall that Simunic had claimed that his team were not playing competitively for 2 years after the Stags game, which ended 2-2. Their performance at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium last night (19 February 2012) suggested that if there was any rustiness, the Warriors looked more like a team not playing competitive football for more than 2 years.

Etoile FC player to play in the 2012 Asian Champions League.

Breaking news!!!

Maxime Belouet has signed with the 2011 Indian Champion Salgaocar Sports Club yesterday.

The talented midfielder, who was already shortlisted by several Thai clubs last year, will be playing the ACL and will gain tremendous experience as a result.

Maxime Belouet scored 7 goals in the 2011 Sleague championship and his left foot was feared by all goalkeepers.

With this signing, Etoile FC clearly shows they have been bringing talented players over the past 2 years and the club has made a strong footprint in South East Asian football.

Congratulations Maxime!

Forza Etoile! ULTRAS forever!

Join the Etoile FC Football Academy

The Etoile FC pro team is sitting out of the 2012 Sleague but that does not mean the club is not involved into local football.

Started last year, the Football Academy has now reached its full strength is recruiting/looking for local talents to join their U8/U10/U12/U14/U16 and U18 teams.

The trainings are taking place at the Bukit Timah pitch which is located near the Swiss club (not at Queenstown stadium).

(photo courtesy of Ko Po Hui)

The ULTRAS would like to congratulate the following players:
Serge Souchon joining Tanjong Pagar (Sleague),
Franklin Anzite joining Home UTD (Sleague),
Jonathan Toto joining Young Lions (Sleague),
Sirina Camara joining Young Lions (Sleague),
Kevin Lefranc joining Gravelines (France CFA2).


Forza Etoile! ULTRAS forever!

Etoile FC to Sit Out of 2012 Season

Following the official decision by Etoile FC to sit out of the 2012 S-League season, the Etoile Ultras Committee unanimously agree with the decisions made by the management of Etoile FC. While Mr Johan Gouttefangeas' appointment as Deputy CEO is a contributing factor towards the sitting out, other factors that are primarily linked to the same person also meant Etoile FC would find it hard to remain competitive for the 2012 season.

It is worth noting that the Etoile Youth Academy will still be running its course and the Etoile Ultras have pledged to give their continuous support to the Youths of Etoile FC.

Also in the pipeline, to show our continuous support to the local footballing scene, Etoile Ultras are in the midst of discussion to 'adopt' a team to support in the absence of Etoile FC. However, Etoile FC Youth Teeam would still be the priority in every instance.

While we hope that the standard of local football would improve despite the absence of Etoile FC, we believe that the loss of the Stars this year would be bane to local footballing scene.

Etoile Ultras Committee

Reply from FAS with regards to the Letter Sent

We got a reply from Mr Nordin after a few days. Here goes....

Dear Mr Kong,

Thank you for the email dated 13 January 2012, and I appreciate your feedback on our appointments of S.League CEO and Deputy CEO.

I would like to assure our fans, including you, that the shortlisted candidates went through a rigorous selection process which included several rounds of interviews conducted by a panel comprising experienced personnel in the sporting fraternity, including A/P Ho Peng Kee, Ms Jessie Phua and Mr Lim Teck Yin.

In line with our longstanding practice, we subsequently performed due diligence on the prospective CEO and Deputy CEO candidates.

We eventually appointed Mr Lim Chin and Mr Johan Gouttefangeas as we are confident that they possess the required skill sets and abilities which will help us achieve our desired goals including the successful implementation of new initiatives in the upcoming season.

I am pleased to share with you that the club chairmen have also, in general, expressed their support and confidence in the new management team. Going forward, we are confident that Mr Lim Chin and Mr Johan Gouttefangeas will work closely and harmoniously with the respective clubs as we strive to build on the success of the S.League.

On behalf of the Football Association of Singapore and the S.League, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your support of the S.League. We hope that you will continue to do so, and let us work cohesively as a united family to bring Singapore football forward.

Thank You.

Yours Sincerely, 

 
Zainudin Nordin
President, Football Association of Singapore 

A Letter from a Member of Etoile Ultras to Mr Zainudin Nordin

Recently, news have surfaced over the footballing fraternity in Singapore over the appointment of a new S-League CEO and Deputy CEO. At the same time, there were news coming out from the media that our club, Etoile FC, is considering the prospect of withdrawing from the S-League Season 2012 in protest of the appointment of the new Deputy CEO.

The below letter is non-reflective of Etoile Ultras' stance, and is written on a personal basis by a member of the Etoile Ultras:

Dear Mr Zainudin Nordin,

First and foremost, I would like to send out my heartiest congratulations to the S-League for their appointment of Mr Lim Chin as the CEO of the S-League. However, the same cannot be said of the appointment of the Deputy CEO of the S-League on the same day, Mr Johan Gouttefangeas.

Mr Gouttefangeas was the founder and chairman of Etoile FC since 2010, but had since left the club in the middle of the 2011 season. Etoile FC was introduced into the S-League to bring "European flavours" into the League. The move had also stirred interest into many locals, who have otherwise expressed non-interest in the S-League. In fact, the youngest known Etoile FC fan is a primary school student who attends Etoile FC games on a frequent basis.


Having erected a strong foundation in the club's debut year, lifting the League Cup and S-League title in the same year, fans cannot be faulted for expecting the equivalent, or more, from the club in the following year. However, the fans were left to rue what was an uneventful season for the club in 2011, culminating with the departure of Mr Gouttefangeas, with Mr Hicham Moudden, taking over the helm.

Contrary to reports and claims that Mr Gouttefangeas was close to the fan club is without basis. Mr Gouttefangeas, had during his tenure, had minimal contact with the fan club. Materials that were used by the "Ultras" were all paid for by the fan club's members, and merchandises produced were at the fan club's own initiatives. The "Ultras" became the first club to produce a scarf and shirt specifically catered for Etoile's fan club as a result. The "Ultras" were also independent of the "Gouttefangeas Management".

In the 2011 season, Mr Gouttefangeas spoken to the Ultras' fanclub head and we were informed that season tickets were priced at S$99 each. However, each season ticket holders were entitled to 'perks' that were written clearly in the membership form. Not only did Mr Gouttefangeas not fulfill the terms & conditions of the season tickets, the 4 season pass holders had to make do with the membership registration form for the whole 2011 season as the 'season pass'. Apart from that, season pass holders had to face the agony of a decision by the new management, thereafter, that ticket prices would be lowered to $5.00. This meant that fans, loyal fans who followed the team thick and thin, were paying a higher price. But the season ticket holders kept quiet.

Apart from not honoring his promise to fans, Mr Gouttefangeas was also more famous for declaring in 2010, that he would be appointing David Ginola as the club ambassador. 1 year on, Mr Gouttefangeas indeed brought a "superstar" in the form of Sidney Govou to the shores of the sunny island. But that was after failing to land Laurent Robert to the team. Thus, the promises that Mr Gouttefangeas made to the league pertaining to European Club linkage would be as good as saying that Thierry Henry would be playing for a S-League club soon.

After assembling a winning combination in 2010, Mr Gouttefangeas then made wholesale changes to the team. Recruiting players who were virtually unknown, only the capture of Jonathan Toto was able to set pulses running. The team managed to do well, but owing to the "Curious Incident of the Cheetahs and the Stars", Etoile FC's league adventure were de-railed from its original path. The elections (General & Presidential) did not help the cause of the Stars, not forgetting the international call-ups (Serge Souchon and Frankin Anzite for the Central African Republic National Team). Currently, apart from Etoile FC, the only country to call up players from S-League team is the Singapore National Team.

It would not take a rocket scientist to figure out that after numerous attempts, Mr Gouttefangeas would probably not be able to deliver his promises that he made during his interview with the FAS-appointed committee and would probably be another case of "I tried but..." scenario. Further, this would make fans label S-League as a League that "promises", but never delivers.

For the better of the S-League, I would say, remove this man from his current position. The fact that Mr Gouttefangeas was not around in the signing of the sponsorship deal with Great Eastern augurs well for the League. We do not need a person who is driving a BMW, travelling to-and-fro Europe when the club was perceived to be in a financial turmoil to further destroy the league, which is already in a very uncompromising condition.

All this, and I have not touched on players whose wages were owed since 2010 or the fact that FAS had promised to certain officials that Mr Gouttefangeas would not be selected for any position in or within the FAS.

I urge the S-League Committee and yourself, Mr Zainudin, to reconsider the decision made. In the meantime, I can confirm that there are a group of fans (called the "Ultras") who would be agreeable and supportive of Etoile Fc wanting to sit out of the S-League season 2012, should the FAS and/or its committee persists with hiring a man who is not of utmost good reputation to within its rank.

This is not a selfish move, or allowing 'the tail to wag the dog'. I think, this is the consequences of appointing somebody with dubious character into an important position. As the saying goes: If you cannot even tidy your own house, you do not have the right to tidy other people's house. This is a very good statement to describe the man, the FAS had employed to be a Deputy CEO.


I am a Singaporean who had watched the S-League since the S-League All-Stars, fronted by Sundram and Fandi, played against the Thailand Team at the National Stadium in Kallang. However, this is the first time I had seen the S-League shot itself in the foot so badly, by appointing a person who is not deserving of the position of Deputy CEO.

Yours faithfully,

Joel, a true blue Singaporean, and a member of Etoile Ultras

S-League Awards - Not for Winners

S-League Champions Tampines Rovers woke up this morning realising that all their nominees for the S-League Awards 2011 did not end up with a single trophy, much like the Etoile team of 2010.

Steven Tan, winning the S-League on his debut season as head coach (just like Patrick Vallee), was deemed not good enough when compared with Koichi Sugiyama - the Japanese in his 2nd season with the Albirex Niigata (S) FC  and clinching the club's 1st trophy this year.

Aleksandar Duric, the only "Singaporean" nominated for the awards and constantly scoring against the top clubs, was deemed inferior to Miroslav Karolgan. For the record, Miroslav had not been banging in the goals against top clubs and most of his 33 goals hauled against teams from the wrong half of the table.

While the curtains have already been drawn down on a long and packed schedule for clubs, one thing is certain: There could be rallying cries to support 'our' league. But until and unless the management bucks up, I do not see why the S-League would be visibly happy with being the "Top 10 League in Asia".