An abstract from our newspaper "Today" on Fri, June 27, 2003:
Singapore Loses out as Real opts for Malaysia
Once again, a world-class football event has slipped through Singapore's grasp and into the hands of its neighbour across the causeway.
Local football fans will be disappointed to learn that yesterday, nine-time European champion Real Madrid decided to ditch Singapore for a friendly match in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 10 instead.
According to sources, the Football Association of SIngapore (FAS) plans to soften the blow by lining up Argentine giant Boca Juniors for a friendly match on Aug 17.
On Monday, Hongkong daily "The Sun" claimed that Hongkong and Singapore were both pitching a bid to the newly crowned Spanish champion.
Then on Wednesday, Spanish sports daily "Marca" confirmed that Real Madrid would come to Singapore on Aug 11 as part of its Asian Tour.
Yesterday, though, hopes of Real playing at Kallang National Stadium were dashed when the FAS confirmed taht the Spaniards would not visit Singapore.
"The FAS was not in talks with Real Madrid," said a FAS spokesman yesterday. "But we are constantly looking at possibilities to host world-class teams."
But with foreign media reporting otherwise, surely there couldn't have been smoke without fire?
According to sources, there were discussions between Real and Singapore but the move hit a snag due to three factors: proce, date and venue.
"The US$3.5 million asking price of Real Madrid is just too much for Singapore to pay," said a source.
"The proposed date of Aug 11 is not ideal as it would be just 2 days after the national day parade which is held at the National Stadium this year.
"There is also not enough time to dismantle all the NDP fixtures and get the pitch ready for a world-class team like Real Madrid."
This is the third world-class football event that Malaysia has pipped Singapore to over the past year.
Last May, Brazil had picked Kuala Lumpur over Singapore to set up its training camp in preparation for the 2002 World Cup finals.
Then this year, Singapore lost the hosting rights of both the World 5s Futsal Championship and the FA Premiere League Asia Cup featuring Newcastla United, Chelsea and Birmingham, to Malaysia.
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Oh man, there goes my chance of actually seeing Real play live in my country :down::down::down:
*DJ don't laugh*
I may be thinking of going to KL to watch this. DJ, do you know any info about the ticketing, place, etc....Pls let me know
-S-
Singapore Loses out as Real opts for Malaysia
Once again, a world-class football event has slipped through Singapore's grasp and into the hands of its neighbour across the causeway.
Local football fans will be disappointed to learn that yesterday, nine-time European champion Real Madrid decided to ditch Singapore for a friendly match in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 10 instead.
According to sources, the Football Association of SIngapore (FAS) plans to soften the blow by lining up Argentine giant Boca Juniors for a friendly match on Aug 17.
On Monday, Hongkong daily "The Sun" claimed that Hongkong and Singapore were both pitching a bid to the newly crowned Spanish champion.
Then on Wednesday, Spanish sports daily "Marca" confirmed that Real Madrid would come to Singapore on Aug 11 as part of its Asian Tour.
Yesterday, though, hopes of Real playing at Kallang National Stadium were dashed when the FAS confirmed taht the Spaniards would not visit Singapore.
"The FAS was not in talks with Real Madrid," said a FAS spokesman yesterday. "But we are constantly looking at possibilities to host world-class teams."
But with foreign media reporting otherwise, surely there couldn't have been smoke without fire?
According to sources, there were discussions between Real and Singapore but the move hit a snag due to three factors: proce, date and venue.
"The US$3.5 million asking price of Real Madrid is just too much for Singapore to pay," said a source.
"The proposed date of Aug 11 is not ideal as it would be just 2 days after the national day parade which is held at the National Stadium this year.
"There is also not enough time to dismantle all the NDP fixtures and get the pitch ready for a world-class team like Real Madrid."
This is the third world-class football event that Malaysia has pipped Singapore to over the past year.
Last May, Brazil had picked Kuala Lumpur over Singapore to set up its training camp in preparation for the 2002 World Cup finals.
Then this year, Singapore lost the hosting rights of both the World 5s Futsal Championship and the FA Premiere League Asia Cup featuring Newcastla United, Chelsea and Birmingham, to Malaysia.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh man, there goes my chance of actually seeing Real play live in my country :down::down::down:
*DJ don't laugh*
I may be thinking of going to KL to watch this. DJ, do you know any info about the ticketing, place, etc....Pls let me know
-S-
