Those were the days

The below was my posting on a local football forum some years back. The topic of the thread was THOSE WERE THE DAYS..with reference to the Malaysia Cup football days where the National stadium used to be packed with 60,000 fans screaming their heart out for the Lions. Decide to keep it in my blog and spice it up with some video clips.

Just discover this thread. Wow...sure bring back those great memories.

I was glad to know many remembered the late Borhan Abu Samah. He was my fav Singapore player...his well-timed fearless tackles are always on my mind. 1 of the best moment I remember of him was during the 1989 SEA Games Final against Malaysia. Though he has scored an own goal earlier, Malaysia has a low fierce shot that was heading towards the Singapore goal...but Borhan dived in low on the right to clear the ball with his head (the goalpost just cms away)...A brave clearance. Became his fan since then. Always live in my memory as great Singapore defender.

Beside Borhan, there are some lesser known players that one may recall about those days. For example, we've a promising striker that is very good at shielding though he didn't make it big later on. He is D. Devaraj.

Prior to Steven Tan emergence as a supersub in later seasons, his supersub predecessor was Abdullah Noor, who can score quite a few goals...In fact, in 1991 SEA Games Semi-final against Indonesia, he has a good goal being disallowed.

Malaysia Cup days are also remembered for bad refereeing and foul play. Worst team to play has to be Kelantan..very dirty. Remember Singapore team has 8-9 players injured by them in one game at Kuantan back in 1989. In an earlier match at National Stadium, they also get involved in a mass brawl on the pitch that needed intervention from police.

Was also glad to have witness 2 of Singapore best ever players in Fandi and Sundram. Their telepathic understanding shown in some of the great games against Pahang and in a qualifier against Qatar in the 90s. Memorable.



Sundramoorthy magic on display on last match of the 93 semi-pro season. Singapore was in Division Two back then.



Sundram and Fandi combination against Pahang - The best strikeforce for Singapore National Team

Best match witness will be Singapore Vs Myanmar in the 93 semi-final. Damn exciting and when Steven Tan score the equaliser, can hear the whole HDB block rocks with relief. Myanmar team was good though...very pacy with great players. Witness the final vs Thailand, 4-3 scoreline with a young fresh Kiatisuk Senamuang scoring the winner with a backheader at National
Stadium. His nickname is Zico and he went on to become a Thai football legend. There's a video clip on this great SEA striker. My favorite Thai player was Vitoon, great thai midfield general of the 80s & 90s Thai team. He scored the winner against South Korea, which was Asian football powerhouse in a memorable 1-0 victory for Thailand.



Those were the days that I can be really enthusiatic about Singapore football and talk all day. Not now anymore.

Treasures of Singapore

Singapore Reservoirs & Nature Reserves

Till date, Singapore has 15 reservoirs all over the island. These reservoirs are water catchment areas with thick green forestry that are a big attraction for those who loves nature. And I'm one such fan. For me, these reservoirs are the treasures of Singapore, not only for our water needs but the most beautiful scenic place in Singapore for relaxation and staying fit.

Visited MacRitchie Reservior today. It is the oldest reservior in Singapore and I think the most popular one too. Here are photos taken with my 3 year old Panasonic Lumix FX10 dsc.

Admiring the scenic view of MacRitchie Reservoir.

Almost all Singapore students come here for their school X-country competition and training. I remember I came in last during Sec 1 race (Damn paiseh) but improve in Sec 2 when I won a team trophy.

The old open space carpark area has been replaced by a building with gallery, canteen, washroom, a mini-garden area and drop-off point. Free parking at nearby multi-storey carpark.

Scenic View

Extension to Mini-hut accessible to public


The Snack House is no longer operating on the hill-top


Here's where it has shifted to.


Picnic at Reservoir

The Zig-zag bridge

A good place for family outing

Classic Wedding Photo taken on the bridge

Better obey for your own safety & yr pocket safety

Rules of the Nature Reserves

Macho guy with his weapon

No to dogs and bicycles but yes for baby strollers

The forest jogging or hiking trail

This was taken in my previous trip. These two green pigeons are having a disgreement.

Caring family members

Monitor Lizards : Regular sights in the forest

Can you see where am I?

Hey, I need to go for a swim

One passerby told me that she saw the monitor lizard eating a tortoise. Must be pretty desperate, didn't know the tortoise can be a prey for such reptile.

Green is good for eyes.

The Jelutong Tower - taken during a previous trip

View on top of the Jelutong Tower

Greenery all around

360 degree view which includes the reservior

Spotted a group of Soldiers - from previous trip

Men or boys in green.

The jogging or walking pavement along the banks of the reservoir.

Seats are available for the nature show

Canoeing lanes on the reservoirs. Sadly, one of my ex-NPCC NCOs drowned at this place in May this year. He was the canoe instructor. May he get a good rebirth.

The reservoir at evening

Family and friends enjoy a quiet evening with Nature

A place to keep fit

An avid photographer getting ready for sunset

Dusk approaching

Sunset - This was taken in previous trip

Beautiful Sunset at MacRitchie Reservoir

11 Wonders of my Dream Football Team

1) Roberto Baggio (Italy)

Roberto Baggio was a superb striker that can score and create opening against any opposition. First caught my attention playing for Fiorentina in Seria A, then scored a wonderful solo goal against Czechoslovakia in Italia 90 and single-handledly brought Italy to the 94 WC final. Throughout his career through many clubs, he has never fail to entertain the masses wherever he plays. He's a playmaker cum striker moulded in one. Ice cool legend. There's a nice vid about Baggio at the following link:






2) Marco Van Basten (AC Milan & Holland)

Simply the best striker that I've ever seen. Tall, elegant and strong finisher both on ground and in the air. A goal machine for AC Milan and though he didn't exactly score as many as I've seen in the Dutch National team, watch old videos of his scoring power in the 1988 European Cup where he completely destroyed England with his hat-trick. Not to mention that breathtaking volley in the final against the old USSR.


3) Chris Waddle (Tottenham & England)

On a fine Sunday morning in 1988, this dazzling winger playing for Spurs converted me into an English football fan. He was playing his best ever season for Spurs, scoring 16 goals including one that flew in directly from a corner kick against Norwich city. Sadly, that was his last season for Tottenham before departing to Marseille in a British record 4.5M deal. He was even more successful in Marseille, winning titles and became a Marseille legend. I follow him throughout his performances for England though. A delight to watch.



4) Brian Laudrup (Denmark)

Although his brother Michael is the more famous one,
I've always enjoy watching Brian Laudrup in action. First
caught my eye during Denmark amazing 92 European Cup triumph, Laudrup was superb in a team of unknown. This
Danish dynamite has amazing dribbling skills to trouble any defence. Ask Brazil during 1998 WC quarter-finals where Laudrup gave the then WC finalist a big scare.
An exciting winger who never fail to entertain.




5) Abbas Saad (Australia/Lebonon, Singapore)


Regardless of match fixing scandal, the Lebanon-born Australian footballer was the key reason why the Singapore Malaysia cup team was so exciting to watch. He can play in centre midfield or striker. Abbas energy and passion to win is unbelievable and can inspire his team-mates. The most popular Singapore player in the early 90s.

The match that I like Abbas the most was the semi-final against Johor in 1990. Nobody gave Singapore a chance, given the dismay away record but Abbas win it for Singapore with two goals in the Larkin Stadium and took Singapore to the cup final. And yes, who can forget his hat-trick in the 94 cup final against Pahang.



6) Fernando Redondo (Argentina)

Not many defensive midfielder caught my eye. But if I have to choose one, Fernando Redondo was the first name that pop up. Though I didn't get to watch him very much, been impressed by his good performances for Argentina in 94 World Cup. Will also remember him making a complete fool of the Man United defender and setting up Raul goal in the European Cup for Real Madrid. Defensive midfield dynamo.




7) Jorginho (Brazil)


Brazil wasn't one of the team I like during 94 World Cup but Jorginho caught my attention with his attacking flair despite being a rightback. Can defend as well, up and down the flanks and very discplined.







8) Borhan Abu Samah (Singapore)


My favourite Singapore player.

Can play leftback or centre defence. Prefer him to play leftback in my dream team. Fearless, committed and nickname "The Russian Tank". Always remembered his sliding tackles, so perfectly timed. A very humble and under-rated player. I best remembered him for his diving header goal line clearance in the 1989 SEA Games Cup final against Malaysia. May he be well and happy wherever he may be now.








9) Paolo Maldini (AC Milan & Italy)


The Italian legend will be retiring at the end of this 08/09 season and at the age of 40. Through his illustrious career, he is widely regarded as one of the world best ever defender. Consistent, great leader and ever reliable for both country and club. Milan will miss his loyal services. I would make him captain of the team and in central defence instead of his usual leftback position.




10) Des Walker (Nottingham Forest & England)



The outstanding England defender of Italia 90. Excellent man-marker and good pace. Did decent job for Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday as well though he had a rather forgettable season overseas at Sampdoria. Under-rated player but on his day, no strikers can get past him. Will put him at stopper.













11) Erik Thorstvedt (Tottenham & Norway)


Though I acknowledge Peter Schmeichel is the best goalkeeper that I've seen so far, I prefer to choose my favourite goalkeeper of all time, Erik "the Viking" Thorstvedt. He's the best Spurs goalie I've seen and very tall & agile. He did very well for Norway in World Cup 94 as well. Under-rated but very reliable.