The 2020 Singapore Premier League (also known as the AIA Singapore Premier League due to sponsorship reasons) was the 3rd season of the Singapore Premier League, the top-flight Singaporean professional league for association football clubs, since its rebranding in 2018.[1] The champions of the 2020 Singapore Premier League qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage automatically.
Season | 2020 |
---|---|
Dates | 29 February – 5 December |
AFC Champions League | Tampines Rovers |
AFC Cup | Lion City Sailors Geylang International |
Matches played | 56 |
Goals scored | 185 (3.3 per match) |
Biggest home win | Lion City Sailors 5-0 Young Lions (1 November 2020) Lion City Sailors 6-1 Tanjong Pagar United (13 November 2020) |
Biggest away win | Balestier Khalsa 1-7 Lion City Sailors (7 November 2020) |
Highest scoring | Balestier Khalsa 1-7 Lion City Sailors (7 November 2020) |
Highest attendance | 2,723 (Tanjong Pagar 1-1 Sailors 6 March 2020) |
Lowest attendance | 574 (Balestier 2-2 Albirex (S) 7 March 2020) |
← 2019 2021 → |
DPMM FC were the defending champions, but withdrew from the league prior to the season re-starting in October 2020. The league was won by Albirex Nigata (S) on the last matchday after beating Hougang United 1-0. Tampines Rovers qualified for the AFC Champions League as the highest ranked local team while Lion City Sailors and Geylang International qualified for the AFC Cup.
Format
editThe following key changes were made to the rules for the 2020 season:[2]
- Singapore Premier League clubs can sign a maximum of four foreign players in the 2020 season, up from three as compared to 2019.[3]
- From 2019, only four stadiums host regular matches. The 8 teams (excluding DPMM) will host the matches in the following stadiums: Our Tampines Hub (Tampines Rovers and Geylang International), Jalan Besar Stadium (Young Lions and Hougang United), Bishan Stadium (Home United and Balestier Khalsa) and Jurong East Stadium (Albirex Niigata and Warriors FC).[4]
- For 2019, Albirex is allowed to sign as many locals as their budget allows. However, the club are only allowed one Singaporean over the age of 23. Also, Albirex must have two Singaporeans in their starting lineup for each game.[5]
- Each team is now able to register up to 28 players in their squad, an increase of 3 players as compared to 2018.
- FAS had instructed Warriors FC to sit out the 2020 Singapore Premier League season due to their financial issue.[6]
- Tanjong Pagar United to replace Warriors FC in Singapore Premier League 2020.[7]
- Young Lions to play their home games at Jurong West Stadium, while Hougang United will move back to their previous home at Hougang Stadium. Tanjong Pagar United will take over Warriors and played in Jurong East Stadium.[8]
- Home United changed its name to Lion City Sailors Football Club ahead of the new season after being taken over by SEA Group. It is the 1st club in the SPL to be privatized.[9]
- Local SPL clubs are required to have a minimum of six U-23 players for a squad size of 19 to 25 players; this increases to seven (squad size 26), eight (27) and nine (28).
- Players in the League shall be allocated jersey numbers 1 to 50. Jersey numbers that have been registered shall not be reused during the same season.[10]
Disruptions due to COVID-19
editDue to the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore and more generally in Southeast Asia, the season was halted from 27 March.
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth approved the season recommencement on 17 October.[11] Competition rule changes included the provision for two water breaks during a match, and clubs will be able to use up to five substitutions (in defined windows after half-time).[12]
On 26 October 2020, DPMM FC withdrew from the league due to travel restrictions.[13]
Teams
editA total of 8 teams competed in the league. Albirex Niigata (S) from Japan is the only foreign team invited.
Stadiums and locations
editTeam | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|
Albirex Niigata (S) | Jurong East Stadium | 2,700 |
Balestier Khalsa | Bishan Stadium | 3,500 |
Geylang International | Our Tampines Hub | 5,000 |
Hougang United | Hougang Stadium | 3,800 |
Lion City Sailors | Bishan Stadium | 3,500 |
Tampines Rovers | Our Tampines Hub | 5,000 |
Tanjong Pagar United | Jurong East Stadium | 2,700 |
Young Lions | Jurong West Stadium | 3,200 |
Personnel and sponsors
editNote: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Team | Head coach | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Main Shirt sponsor | Other shirt sponsors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albirex Niigata (S) | Mizuno[14] | Canon | Kirin EnglishCentral Lensmode Kubota Reeracoen Gain City Nippon Medical Care Fitogether | ||
Balestier Khalsa | Adidas[17] | Jeep[18] | Weston Corporation Project Vaults StarBalm | ||
Geylang International | FBT[21] | Epson | Heng Motor Chiang Kong Broadway D2D Sports SoundTech | ||
Hougang United | Warrix[23] | SportCenter by Zup Polar Water | |||
Lion City Sailors | Puma | SEA | Shopee | ||
Tampines Rovers | Mizuno[27] | Hyundai Avante[28] | ANA Courier Express StarBalm | ||
Tanjong Pagar United | Thorb | ||||
Young Lions | Nike | Catapult |
Coaching changes
editTeam | Outgoing Head Coach | Manner of Departure | Date of Vacancy | Position in table | Incoming Head Coach | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Young Lions | Contract End | 31 December 2019 [29] | Pre-Season | 1 January 2020 [29] | ||
Lion City Sailors | End of Caretaker | 31 December 2019 [30] | Pre-Season | [24] | ||
Tanjong Pagar United | NA | NA | NA | Pre-Season | 1 January 2020 | |
Tanjong Pagar United | Resigned | 14 October 2020 [31] | 7th | 14 October 2020 |
Foreigners
editSingapore Premier League clubs can sign a maximum of four foreign players in the 2020 season, up from three as compared to 2019.[32] However, one of them has to be 21 years old or younger on 1 January 2020.
Albirex Niigata can sign up unlimited number of Singaporean players for the new season. Only 1 local player above 23 years old is allowed.[33]
Players name in bold indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window.
Club | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | U21 Player 1 | SG U-23 Player 1 | SG U-23 Player 2 | SG U-23 Player 3 | Former Players |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albirex Niigata (S) | ||||||||
Balestier Khalsa | ||||||||
Geylang International | ||||||||
Hougang United | ||||||||
Lion City Sailors | ||||||||
Tampines Rovers | ||||||||
Tanjong Pagar United |
Note 1: Albirex is allowed to sign as many locals as their budget allows. However, the club are only allowed one Singaporean over the age of 23.
Note 2: Hougang United releases Charlie Machell and Zac Anderson before the season end as their contracts ended 30 November 2020 were not extended.
League table
edit
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Albirex Niigata (S)[a] (C) | 14 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 32 | 14 | +18 | 32 | |
2 | Tampines Rovers | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 27 | 11 | +16 | 29 | Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage |
3 | Lion City Sailors | 14 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 44 | 18 | +26 | 27 | Qualification for AFC Cup group stage |
4 | Geylang International | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 22 | −4 | 20 | |
5 | Balestier Khalsa | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 22 | 28 | −6 | 19 | |
6 | Hougang United | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 19 | 24 | −5 | 15 | |
7 | Young Lions[a] | 14 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 12 | 38 | −26 | 9 | |
8 | Tanjong Pagar United | 14 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 33 | −19 | 5 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of wins
(C) Champions
Notes:
- ^ a b The foreign club – Albirex Niigata (S) – as well as the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) under-21 team, Young Lions, are ineligible for any AFC competition spots.
Results
editStatistics
editTop scorers
edit- As at 5 December 2020
Top Assists
edit- As at 5 December 2020
Rank | Player | Club | Assists |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Lion City Sailors | 7 | |
2 | Lion City Sailors | 6 | |
3 | Hougang United/ Lion City Sailors | 5 (1 for Hougang, 4 for LCS) | |
3 | Tampines Rovers | 5 | |
3 | Balestier Khalsa | 5 | |
3 | Young Lions | 5 |
Clean Sheets
edit- As at 5 December 2020
Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Albirex Niigata (S) | 8 | |
2 | Tampines Rovers | 6 | |
3 | Lion City Sailors | 4 | |
4 | Balestier Khalsa | 3 | |
5 | Geylang International | 2 | |
6 | Geylang International | 1 | |
6 | Tanjong Pagar United | 1 | |
6 | Hougang United | 1 |
Hat-tricks
editPlayer | For | Against | Result | Date | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hougang United | Young Lions | 4–1 | 1 March 2020 | [66] | |
Lion City Sailors | Balestier Khalsa | 7–1 | 7 November 2020 | [66] | |
Tampines Rovers | Young Lions | 3–1 | 17 November 2020 | [66] |
Penalty missed
editPlayer | For | Against | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Balestier Khalsa | Tampines Rovers | 1 March 2020 |
Man of the Match
edit- As of 5 December 2020
Rank | Player | Club | Man of the Match |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Hougang United / Lion City Sailors | 4 (2 for Hougang & 2 for LCS) | |
1 | Tampines Rovers | 4 | |
2 | Lion City Sailors | 3 | |
2 | Albirex Niigata (S) | 3 | |
3 | Geylang International | 2 | |
3 | Geylang International | 2 | |
3 | Geylang International | 2 | |
3 | Albirex Niigata (S) | 2 | |
3 | Tanjong Pagar United | 2 | |
3 | Hougang United | 2 | |
3 | Tampines Rovers | 2 |
Discipline
editPlayer
edit- Most yellow cards: 7[67]
- Ahmad Syahir (Balestier Khalsa)
- Most red cards: 1[67]
- Adam Hakeem (Geylang International)
- Delwinder Singh (Tanjong Pagar United)
- Fadli Kamis (Balestier Khalsa)
- Firdaus Kasman (Geylang International)
- Khairul Nizam (Geylang International)
- Hami Syahin (Geylang International)
- Shahfiq Ghani (Hougang United)
- Shahrin Saberin (Geylang International)
- Zainol Gulam (Geylang International)
- Zulfadhmi Suzliman (Balestier Khalsa)
Awards
editMonthly awards
editMonth | Player of the Month | Young Player of the Month | Reference | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coach | Club | Player | Club | ||
April |
Singapore Premier League Awards night winners
editAwards | Winners | Club |
---|---|---|
Player of the Year | Lion City Sailors | |
Young Player of the Year | Lion City Sailors | |
Coach of the Year | Albirex Niigata (S) | |
Top Scorer Award | Lion City Sailors | |
Fair Play Award | Albirex Niigata (S) | |
Referee of the Year | — |
References
edit- ^ Football: Goodbye S-League, welcome Singapore Premier League Straits Times, 21 March 2018
- ^ "Young footballers to take centrestage in revamped 2018 S-League". TODAY.
- ^ "Singapore Premier League increases foreign player quota for 2020 season". Archived from the original on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- ^ OsmanCorrespondent, Mohamed Shamir Mohamed (2 December 2018). "Fans split on idea of shared premises" – via The Straits Times.
- ^ "Albirex new signing rules". Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ "FAS instructs Warriors FC to sit out 2020 SPL season, club asks for urgent meeting". Archived from the original on 3 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
- ^ "Tanjong Pagar apply to take part in Singapore Premier League, Latest Singapore Football News - The New Paper". www.tnp.sg.
- ^ "Football: AIA Community Shield to kick off 2020 SPL season on Feb 22". 24 January 2020 – via The Straits Times.
- ^ "Singapore tech firm Sea takes ownership of Home United; club changes name to Lion City Sailors FC". Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ "2020 SPL Handbook" (PDF).
- ^ "2020 SPL season to resume on 17 October - Football Association of Singapore". spl.sg.
- ^ Karnageran, Narendaren. "Strict protocols, new rules as Singapore Premier League returns, Latest Singapore Football News - The New Paper". www.tnp.sg.
- ^ Correspondent, David LeeSports (26 October 2020). "Football: SPL champs DPMM out for the season due to Covid-19 travel restrictions" – via The Straits Times.
- ^ "Apparel Partnership Contract with MIZUNO for 2019 Season". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "Marko Kraljević back at Balestier Khalsa | Goal.com Singapore". www.goal.com. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ OsmanCorrespondent, Shamir (29 March 2018). "Football: Balestier Khalsa embark on Singapore Premier League journey with Jeep" – via The Straits Times.
- ^ "Noor Ali returns to take charge of Geylang International | Goal.com Singapore". www.goal.com. 24 December 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Geylang International FC - The wait is over! Pre-order your GIFC 2018 Jersey or even better, get the Ultimate Fan Pack. Please email andrew@gifc.org.sg your pre-orders stating size, home/away, name/number printing (additional costs if required). Jerseys expected to be available for collection in the last week of March. Kids' sizes available too! 6-12 years old | Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ Ganesan, Deepanraj (17 January 2023). "Football: Former SPL Coach of the Year Clement Teo has a spring in his step these days. Here's why". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "Video". www.facebook.com.
- ^ a b c "Vidmar become dragon's tamer".
- ^ "Log in or sign up to view". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Tampines Rovers Football Club - Head Coach Announcement | We are pleased to announce that Gavin Lee has agreed to continue as head coach for 2020. Gavin has signed a two year contract and will be ably assisted by Mustafic Fahrudin and William Phang. The management and everyone at the club are behind them as we look to build upon what we have achieved recently. | Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Tampines Rovers x Mizuno | The club has inked a multi-year sponsorship deal from 2020 onwards, with Japanese sportswear giant Mizuno and its Singapore... | By Tampines Rovers Football Club | Facebook" – via www.facebook.com.
- ^ Correspondent, David LeeSports (28 December 2019). "Football: Tampines Rovers retain sponsor after delivering on 'informal promise' to win Cup" – via The Straits Times.
- ^ a b c AzizCorrespondent, Sazali Abdul (23 November 2019). "Football: FAS extends Fandi Ahmad's contract, with new role as head of elite youth" – via The Straits Times.
- ^ "Home United finally confirm Raddy Avramovic as new head coach". Archived from the original on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ "Hairi Su'ap leaves Tanjong Pagar, Hasrin Jailani to stand in as head coach - Football Association of Singapore". spl.sg.
- ^ "Singapore Premier League increases foreign player quota for 2020 season". Archived from the original on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
- ^ OsmanCorrespondent, Shamir (12 December 2018). "Football: Albirex Niigata could sign up to four Singaporean players in a boost for 2019 SEA Games" – via The Straits Times.
- ^ a b "Notice of Contract renewal for 2020 season". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "New signing with Fairoz for remaining 2020 season". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "Gareth Low (Young Lions) confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "Ong Yu En confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "Iman Hakim Ibrahim confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "Aizil confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "Kenji Austin introduction". Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
- ^ "Sharul Nizam (Young Lions) confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "Daniel Goh (Balestier Khalsa FC) confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season". Albirex Niigata Singapore Official website.
- ^ "Balestier Khalsa Football... - Balestier Khalsa Football Club". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Balestier Khalsa Football Club - BREAKING : Tiger 🐯 Šime Žužul to continue to terrorise opposition defence in 2020. . . #halatigers #JeepLifeSG #WestonSG #Starbalm #AIASingapore #SingaporePremierLeague #SPL2020 #2020Players | Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Balestier Khalsa Football Club - BREAKING : Extended deal for Kiki 🐯 . . #halatigers #JeepLifeSG #WestonSG #Starbalm #AIASingapore #SingaporePremierLeague #SPL2020 #2020Players | Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ Ganesan, Deepanraj. "New lease of life for Balestier Khalsa winger Zulfadhmi Suzliman, Latest Singapore Football News - The New Paper". www.tnp.sg.
- ^ "PHASE 2.1 ✅🦅 #UPWHEREWEBELONG #GEYLANGBOLEH | By Geylang International FC | Facebook" – via www.facebook.com.
- ^ "GUESS WHO'S BACK? | We have something to tell you.... 🤫 #UPWHEREWEBELONG #GEYLANGBOLEH | By Geylang International FC | Facebook" – via www.facebook.com.
- ^ "PHASE 4.1 ANNOUNCED | PHASE 4.1 ✅ We are pleased to announce the signing of Kyrgyz international Kamolidin Tashiev from FC Abdysh-Ata Kant! Strong in the air, the 1.80m-tall... | By Geylang International FC | Facebook" – via www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Sport Benfica e Castelo Branco striker joins Eagles for 2020".
- ^ "Κάτοικος Σιγκαπούρης ο Μεσολογγίτης Παναγιώτης Λινάρδος!". www.aixmi-news.gr.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Hougang United Football Club (HGFC)". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Log in or sign up to view". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Hougang United Football Club (HGFC) - [Contract Extension] Having featured 51 times and scored 25 goals in all competitions over 2 seasons, Stipe Plazibat will be staying with the Cheetahs for another season. On embarking another season with the club, Stipe: "I would like to thank the coach and management in trusting me and I will work even harder to put in a better performance next season." On the team's target next year, Stipe hopes to go even further with the club that he first joined in 2016. He added: "With the best supporters in the league behind our back, anything is possible." Stipe will be looking to improve on this year's performance as the team plays their maiden tournament in AFC Cup. The forward scored 10 goals in 10 games in the same competition for Home United in 2017. #HGFC #1H1H | Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Song Ui-young rejects Persija for Home stay, eyes Singapore colours". Archived from the original on 31 October 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ Lee, David (20 December 2019). "Home in safe & Sunny hands" – via The Straits Times.
- ^ "Hougang United Football Club (HGFC) - The Cheetahs has reached an agreement for an undisclosed fee with Lion City Sailors on the signing of Stipe Plazibat. The Club wishes him all the best in his new Club. | Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ Auto, Hermes (18 January 2022). "Football: Tampines midfielder Nakamura signs new 5-year deal, eyes S'pore citizenship | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "Tampines Rovers Football Club - #WEBBISBACK Look who's back! Jordan Webb joins the Stags for his second stint at the club, taking up our second foreign player slot. The 29-year-old winger has penned a 3-year contact with the club, where he had made 40 appearances in 2016. He was also the club's joint-top goalscorer in the league during that time. Head Coach, Jürgen Raab, was full of praise for Webb, describing him as "one of the best wingers in Singapore". Welcome back, Jordan! | Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Tampines Rovers Fan Club - The club has also confirmed the signing of Montenegrin striker, Boris Kopitovic, as featured in Home Kit poster. 📷 Tampines Rovers FC #TRFC #STAGS #TampinesRovers #Tampines #Rovers #GoStagsGo #Fans #FanClub #SPL #SingaporePremierLeague | Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "Tampines Rovers Football Club - ZEKO 2020 | We are pleased to announce that Zehrudin Mehmedovic has signed a new contract with the club for 2020. 'Zeko' has played for the Serbia U-17 national team and did well for the club in 2019, contributing a number of crucial goals and assists. The club management and technical team are of the belief that he will only get better in 2020. | Facebook". www.facebook.com.
- ^ "田中 貴大選手 タンジョン・パガー・ユナイテッドFCに移籍のお知らせ | レノファ山口FC". 21 January 2020.
- ^ a b Singh, Dilenjit. "Luiz Junior: From U-17 World Cup with Brazil to SPL with Jaguars, Latest Singapore Football News - The New Paper". www.tnp.sg.
- ^ "Tanjong Pagar United sanctioned for infringement of substitution regulations".
- ^ a b c "Fixtures - Football Association of Singapore". spl.sg.
- ^ a b "Statistics - Football Association of Singapore". spl.sg.
External links
edit- Football Association of Singapore website
- Singapore Premier League website Archived 13 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine