The Football Association of Singapore's Singapore Cup has been in existence since 1998 and RHB has been the title sponsor since 2005. The Singapore Cup has evolved in recent years to become one of the region’s top club knockout competitions. Teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia have all taken part in previous editions of the competition. This year South Melbourne FC of the Football Federation Victoria's Premier League competition has been invited to participate.

When the names were drawn out of the barrels during the RHB Singapore Cup 2010 draw, held at northern neighbourhood shopping centre, Bukit Panjang Plaza, on Saturday afternoon, the four foreign clubs invited into the prestigious tournament this year – Australia’s South Melbourne and Hong Kong’s Kitchee FC making their first appearance – were all segregated on one side of the draw and the Melbourne side drew the first ‘home’ match on that side.

Their opponents were not known until quite late as many other fixtures had already been decided and Gombak United was the team that came out and landed against the name of South Melbourne.

This is a game that should be of keen interest for Australian followers as Gombak United has had some success since former Australian international and Newcastle Breakers’ defender, Darren Stewart, took over the coaching two years ago.

Gombak are currently in sixth spot on the S.League ladder but remain in a strong position, and were the first team to lower the colours of the competition’s newest club, French side Etoile FC.

“I’ve played against South Melbourne many times in my NSL days with Newcastle,” Darren Stewart said. "They’ve always been a huge club and they still are, in many ways. I’ve also played against Vaughan (Coveny) many times too. He was a top player. Unfortunately, whenever I played against South Melbourne, we were usually on the receiving end,” he chuckled. “It’s great that we’re playing them, though, not just because they are an Australian side, but to have a very interesting opening match is something the players will certainly enjoy. “Even if it had been Bangkok Glass or one of the other foreign teams we’d have been delighted.

Stewart continued, “It’s a great challenge for our players and whether we play them here at our ground or at Jalan Besar it’s still a home game for us and they have to come to terms with that. “I don’t really know any of their current players, but I’ll be finding out as much as I can about them before we play them, you can be sure of that!” We’re all really looking forward to this game.”

South Melbourne may have failed in what many would say was a futile bid for the second A League licence in the Victorian capital but they are still ambitious and the invitation to play in the Singapore Cup will surely earn them enormous kudos.

According to their Singapore-based Commercial Development Officer, Daniel Malacchini, they have their eyes on the main prize.

"All our fan base is very excited about us taking part in this year’s RHB Singapore Cup. We are looking forward to embracing the competition for the first time and we definitely hope to win it!”

“We have the blessing of the Victorian Football Federation and we should be able to participate without detracting from our Victorian Premier League campaign, as the matches are spaced throughout the season.”

South Melbourne FC Chairman, Nick Galatas, told Singapore media, separately, that "South Melbourne FC is excited to be a part of this year's RHB Singapore Cup. It is a fantastic tournament with a growing reputation which includes some of the top clubs in the region. We look forward to our first match against Gombak United".

All four foreign clubs showed off their RHB Singapore Cup playing jerseys and the famous Royal Blue of South Melbourne was proudly shown to an eager audience.

If South Melbourne do manage to clear the first hurdle against Gombak in a game that may well be played on the artificial surface of Football Association of Singapore headquarters, Jalan Besar Stadium then there’s several more tough games to face before they can look at a Final appearance.

In the Quarter Final they would meet the winners of the SFFC-Bangkok Glass Preliminary Round match. SAFFC multiple S.League champions and past Singapore Cup winners and last year’s finalists, Bangkok Glass are both strong contenders themselves.

A step further and one of French team, Etoile FC, Cambodia’s Phnom Penh, Chinese S.League participants, Beijing Guo’an and Hong Kong’s Kitchee FC all stand in their way.

Souths would also need to cope with the change of climate.

The competition commences in late May and concludes in November when the S.League season finishes.

“We will have to overcome the humidity, of course, but it’s just another challenge for us,” Development Officer Daniel Malacchini said as he chatted amiably with members of the local media.

Holders Geylang United drew local rivals Balestier Khalsa while past winners, Home United, will need to beat Young Lions, Singapore’s Under-23 side that over the years has provided many of the best talents to progress to the Home United and indeed national team ranks.

SMFC Match fixture/s:

26 May 2010 - South Melbourne FC vs Gombak at Jalan Besar Stadium

Report by Corinthian 8 May 2010

Photos by Corinthian:

(The pre-draw entertainment included this acrobatic exhibition)


(RHB Singapore Country Head, Jason Wong, gives his opening remarks)


(Only one to come out on the right of the board – so let’s see who will play South Melbourne?!)


(And THAT concludes the draw for the Cup!)

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