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Sailors hit Tanjong Pagar for seven to go three-points clear, taking big step towards retaining SPL title with seven league games to play PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Singapore, 20 August 2022 - Under new management, the Lion City Sailors followed up on an impressive 10-1 win over Young Lions last weekend by dismantling AFC Cup contenders Tanjong Pagar United 7-0 on Saturday evening in what was largely a one-sided affair in the AIA Singapore Premier League. At the Jalan Besar Stadium, Sailors interim manager Luka Lalic maintained his 100% winning record which saw his side move three points clear of title rivals Albirex Niigata (S) at the top of the SPL table; whilst maintaining a superior goal differential (10) over the Japanese youth outfit. Tanjong Pagar missed the chance to gain ground on their competitors in the race for AFC Cup qualification but remain in third place – one point clear of both Tampines Rovers, who have a game in hand, and Hougang United. Both sides rotated heavily for this clash. Coach Luka Lalic brought veteran midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman back into the lineup for the Sailors, relegating Singapore international Song Ui-Young to the bench. The home side set-up in their usual 4-2-3-1 shape with Saifullah Akbar used at left-back. Tanjong Pagar were without Australian midfielder Blake Ricciuto to suspension and first-choice goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad to an adductor injury; Faizal Raffi and Fashah Iskandar started in their places respectively. With coach Hasrin Jailani banned from the touchline, assistant Herman Zailani oversaw the Jaguars starting off in an ultra-defensive 5-4-1 shape. A dominant start from the home side was rewarded after just 10 minutes when a delightful exchange between foreign midfielders Diego Lopes and Maxime Lestienne allowed the latter to slot past an outstretched Fashah Iskandar into the side-netting. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Despite withstanding waves after waves of Sailors attacking plays, Tanjong Pagar could only kick themselves for conceding again right before the half-time whistle. Midfielder Adam Swandi who was having a terrific match started the move by playing a forward pass into 1.96m-tall forward Kim Shin-Wook’s feet. The Korean held off his marker before releasing Hafiz Nor – on the underlap – with a deft touch, allowing the latter to score his fourth goal of the season. The statistics at half-time made for grim reading. The Sailors had 13 shots on goal to the Jaguars solitary attempt on goal – an early free-kick from forward Reo Nishiguchi straight into the palms of goalkeeper Hassan Sunny. Dark clouds loomed and rain poured over the Jalan Besar stadium, foreshadowing Tanjong Pagar’s impending doom as the second half began. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE It took just eight minutes for the Sailors to get their third of the evening, as Kim Shin-Wook picked up his second assist – laying off for midfielder Gabriel Quak taking advantage of the wet surface to fire a left-footed grounder into the bottom corner of the net. The fourth came just before the hour mark. Kim Shin-Wook secured his 17th league goal of the season, prodding home a rebound after Fashah Iskandar pulled off a smart reaction save from his far-post header courtesy of a looping cross from Lestienne. A penalty was awarded to the reigning champions in the 66th minute when goalkeeper Fashah Iskandar clumsily clattered into substitute Faris Ramli jumping to punch a chipped through ball clear. Diego Lopes tucked away the spot-kick to give the Sailors an unassailable 5-0 advantage. The downtrodden Jaguars had their misery compounded when a thwarted attack led to the Sailors launching a counter-attack of their own. Diego Lopes released Faris Ramli down the left flank, whose first-time whipped cross across the box was turned into goal for six by substitute Song Ui-Young. PHOTO: AIA SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE Brazilian midfielder maestro Diego Lopes cemented his claim for man-of-the-match, completing his brace with four minutes to play with a finesse shot into the top corner of the net from the edge of the penalty box. The scoreboard read “Lion City Sailors 7-0 Tanjong Pagar United” as referee Taufik Thana blew the final whistle to end the Jaguars’ suffering. Sailors interim manager Luka Lalic said: “The only thing I am focusing on is how we can improve further. After one week, we are starting to create a style of play hopefully people will start to recognize in the future and hopefully by the end of the season the Sailors will have the identity of an attacking football team.” When asked about the one thing that defines his team, coach Lalic added: “For me the number one thing is the intensity of play and that is something that is going to take time for us to reach the level I want us to be at.” AIA Singapore Premier League 2022 Other Match Week 19 Results Albirex Niigata 4-2 Tampines Rovers Fri, 19 August 2022, Jurong East Stadium Hougang United 5-1 Young Lions Sat, 20 August 2022, Hougang Stadium Geylang International vs Balestier Khalsa Sunday, 21 August 2022, Our Tampines Hub #SportPlusSG #Football #SingaporePremierLeague #SingaporeFootball

Title sponsor Prudential Singapore will hold complimentary cycling clinics as part of its Prudential Seeker’s Society, and public sign-ups announced for the two-day cycling spectacular PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 24 August 2022 - The official schedule for the first ever Tour De France Prudential Singapore Criterium, to take place at The Float @ Marina Bay for one weekend only – Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October, has been unveiled. Tour de France 2022 winner Jonas Vingegaard has also confirmed his participation at the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium. He’s the latest cyclist to confirm his participation of the event alongside decorated British rider Mark Cavendish, who holds the joint record for the most Tour de France stage wins (34). Cycling and event fans in Singapore and from around the world will also have the chance to be a part of sporting history at the inaugural Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium, with race formats catering to all levels of the cycling community here. In addition to the professional criterium race featuring 32 of the world’s top cyclists, there will also be a selection of rides that the public can sign up to be a part of through the various event partners. All races will take place on a specially-designed street circuit in the heart of the city. Singapore will be represented in the pro race, with Team SCF (Singapore Cycling Federation). National cyclist Yeo Boon Kiak, who most recently won the bronze medal at this year’s SEA Games Criterium, will be part of the team. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Yeo said: "It’s an honour to race among the world’s best. The Tour de France is the pinnacle of our sport and being part of this incredible event promises to be an amazing experience which I will never forget. We’ve cycled through the city countless times, but this will probably be our most challenging and exciting ride yet." "We’re looking forward to seeing how our race strategy and familiarity with the street circuit measures up against the skills of the best cyclists in the world – we’re sure it will be an amazing experience." Dr Hing Siong Chen, President of the Singapore Cycling Federation commented: "The Singapore Cycling Federation is proud to support the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium. An event like this not only gives those in Singapore the chance to watch a thrilling professional criterium race up close, but also presents many opportunities for greater engagement and awareness." "We know the cycling community in Singapore is an enthusiastic one, and those who want to be a part of the races can join the SCF TDFSG Amateur Championship. Beyond the competitive races, recreational cyclists can also participate in the community rides and enjoy the other fun fringe activities that are on during the event weekend. We hope that everyone, whether or not they are cyclists, enjoys their outing at the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium." PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Public sign-ups and programme Two amateur races will be organised in partnership with the Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) – the Men’s Open and Men’s Masters criterium. The public can also be a part of the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium by signing up for rides organised by Brompton and title sponsor Prudential. Prudential Seeker’s Society Leading life insurer and title sponsor Prudential has launched the Prudential Seeker’s Society to help cyclists become better riders, and to build a community of like-minded individuals. Seeker’s Society members will enjoy access to a series of complimentary cycling clinics, designed and held in partnership with SCF. These clinics are led by professional coaches and athletes from SCF to help cyclists improve as athletes, and be race-ready for a criterium format. Besides access to coaching, members will receive exclusive club merchandise and an opportunity to be selected to race in a special Prudential Criterium during the race weekend. To encourage more people to get active, Prudential has also launched Challenge Your Pulse on the Pulse by Prudential app with exciting rewards up for grabs. Users can check in at various pit stops around Singapore using their Pulse app to earn points, which can be redeemed for prizes and vouchers. To find out more, visit https://www.prudential.com.sg/campaigns/tdfsg-criterium. Prudential Singapore’s Chief Customer Officer, Goh Theng Kiat, said: "We are elated to be the title sponsor of Tour de France’s very first criterium event in Southeast Asia. Both Tour de France and Prudential are well-known brands with over a hundred years of history, and we wanted to partner Tour de France to encourage Singaporeans to lead active lifestyles." "We look forward to welcoming families and friends at the inaugural Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium, where they can come together to stay active, have fun and bond with one another. Prudential Seeker’s Society’s cycling clinics and Challenge Your Pulse are great examples of how Prudential is helping Singaporeans lead healthier lifestyles and get the most out of life through sports and wellness." PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Brompton World Championships Brompton, the London-based manufacturer of the iconic folding bicycle, is bringing its well-loved Brompton World Championship (“BWC”) to Singapore for the first time. BWC will start at The Float @ Marina Bay and loop around some of the most Singapore’s most iconic streets and sights. The race will have a total capacity of 450 participants across 3 categories of Male, Female and Veteran. BWC will also include a Community Ride with a capacity of 400 participants. Race participants stand the chance to win medals in each category of the races. BWC tickets will be available on a ballot basis. Interested participants should register their interest online. Following balloting, successful participants will informed via email with a link to the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium ticketing platform for registration. Registration format applies to both the category races and community ride. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Entertainment Fans can select from a variety of two-day grandstand offerings and hospitality packages that will enable them to experience the exciting race action and off-track entertainment from different parts of the Circuit Park over the race weekend. Children 12 and under will have be able to attend the event for free. Tickets and hospitality packages will go on sale next Wednesday on 31 August via Ticketek Singapore. Attendees to the two-day cycling spectacular can also look forward to a unique collaboration with Absolute Cycle Singapore. The team at Absolute will be bringing its signature rhythm cycling classes to The Float@Marina Bay on Saturday. More than 100 spin bikes will be available for attendees keen for a full music festival-esque workout experience against an iconic outdoor setting. In addition to the themed rides, participants can enjoy cycling challenges at Absolute Cycle’s booth and walk away with attractive prizes. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Strong support from sponsors and partners The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium is supported by SCF and the Singapore Tourism Board, and is promoted by TEG Sport in conjunction with Evoke EXP. In addition to title sponsor Prudential, DHL and Singapore Airlines and OUE have also come on board as the event’s main sponsors. DHL is also the official logistics partner. The other event partners are; 100PLUS; Mandarin Oriental, Singapore; ŠKODA; Brompton; Absolute Cycle; Shimano; Mediacorp; and Sport Singapore. Brendon Bainbridge, Managing Director TEG Asia, said: “Part of the fun of putting together a world-class sport and lifestyle event like this is getting everyone in the community involved, so that we can all celebrate the making of sporting history on our doorstep. Team SCF’s presence in the pro criterium race is definitely one of the highlights, and we’ve also planned and designed the activities so that they can be be accessible to as many people as possible. The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium will have something for everyone to enjoy, and we’re so pleased to be working together with like-minded partners and supporters to bring this spectacular event to life.” The Tour de France is the pinnacle of professional cycling – watched by over a billion viewers annually. Elite cyclists compete in a gruelling test as they cover an average of 3,500 kilometres over three weeks in their quest for sporting glory. In contrast, the Criterium is a shorter race on a closed circuit, which makes the format more suited to Singapore streets. The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium race weekend, comprising races for both professionals and amateurs, is expected to reach millions of viewers through a variety of international broadcasters. Visit www.singaporecriterium.com for more details and update about the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium. Register your interest at Ticketek Singapore. #SportPlusSG #TourDeFrance #PrudentialSingaporeCriterium

Singapore Cycling Federation’s inaugural Cycle For Hope fund-raising campaign attracts over 1,400 participants with more than S$250,000 raised for the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) and SCF’s Children Academy PHOTO: JOSEPH WONG, SINGAPORE CYCLING FEDERATION 21 August 2022, Singapore - The Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) officially launched the Cycle For Hope campaign on 9 July 2022 to raise funds for the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) and SCF’s Children Academy. This is the first time SCF is embarking on a fund-raising campaign for both the SCS and SCF’s own Children Academy. 70% of all funds raised through donations would be channelled to the SCS while 30% would go towards developing SCF’s Children Academy and developmental programmes including the construction of a much-awaited new BMX track. The Cycle For Hope fund-raising campaign commenced with a Cycling Challenge Event (100km, 300km or 500km to be completed indoors and/or outdoors) over a six-week period, between 9 July and 20 August 2022 to create cancer awareness and to raise funds for both its beneficiaries. PHOTO: JOSEPH WONG, SINGAPORE CYCLING FEDERATION Over the course of six weeks, 1438 participants took part in the Cycling Challenge, covering almost 70,000km with more than S$250,000 raised for its beneficiaries. Corporate Sponsors and Corporate Donors also demonstrated their generous support for the Cycle for Hope fund-raising campaign, contributing over S$94,000 in total. Corporate Sponsors: Novartis Singapore Pte Ltd Singapore Sports Hub Pte Ltd (Venue Partner) Oakley Sports Marketing (Luxottica SEA Pte Ltd) Garmin Singapore Pte Ltd Corporate Donors: Goldplus Universal Pte Ltd Curie Oncology Pinnacle Joint and Sports Centre Pte Ltd Parsh Marine (S) Pte Ltd Adult and Child Eye (ACE) Clinic Pte Ltd LOKKA Pte Ltd Parkway Cancer Society Oncocare Novena Cancer Society Dr D.Y.H. Poon and Associates Medical Oncology Clinic Fong Shen Maintenance and Engineering Pte Ltd PHOTO: JOSEPH WONG, SINGAPORE CYCLING FEDERATION The Cycling Challenge Event culminated in a Cycling Road Criterium with 101 participants and a Kids’ Race with 85 participants held today at the Singapore Sports Hub. Prior to the Criterium and Kids’ Race, guest-of-honour, Mr Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Transport (MOT), together with Dr Hing Siong Chen, President of SCF and other VIPs, participated in the Cycle For Hope exhibition ride. Dr Hing also presented a cheque to the main beneficiary of Cycle For Hope, the Singapore Cancer Society, represented by CEO, Mr Albert Ching. “The Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) has had a long-standing status as an IPC and Charity. This year, we finally embarked on our first ever fund-raising event, “Cycle For Hope 2022”, in collaboration with the Singapore Cancer Society as our main beneficiary. PHOTO: JOSEPH WONG, SINGAPORE CYCLING FEDERATION Today, we are proud to announce that over the past 6 weeks, we have raised over S$250,000 and more than 1,400 participants and 4 corporate sponsors and 11 corporate donors have joined us in this worthy community campaign. On behalf of SCF, we would like to thank everyone for their generous support and pledge that SCF will remain committed to developing & delivering sporting excellence and will endeavour to organise more initiatives that would benefit our cycling community,” said Dr Hing Siong Chen, President of SCF. Novartis Singapore Country President, Ms. Poh Hwee Tee, said, “Individuals and corporations have all played a part in making this fund-raising campaign a success. This is truly a meaningful collaboration with SCF while enabling us to play a role in supporting SCS. Such partnerships underscore our commitment to supporting community welfare in Singapore.” PHOTO: JOSEPH WONG, SINGAPORE CYCLING FEDERATION “Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) has been actively serving the community for more than 58 years, with the mission of minimising cancer, maximising lives. As a community-based Charity, SCS is dependent on community resources in our work to support the cancer community and our efforts to fight cancer, with the desired outcomes of reduced cancer incidences, improved cancer survival rates and quality of lives of those impacted by cancer. To reduce cancer incidences, SCS advocates healthy lifestyle and events such as “Cycle for Hope” encourages Singaporeans to do their part to support the cancer community, while staying active. The funds raised will be channeled towards SCS programmes and services, including subsidising cancer treatment cost for needy cancer patients. Many supporters are needed as SCS strive to “Serve more, Serve better” to ensure holistic support is rendered to help patients cope during their arduous cancer journey and we are thankful to Singapore Cycling Federation for stepping forward in the collective fight against cancer”, said Albert Ching, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Cancer Society. #SportPlusSG #CycleForHope #Cycling

Find out how you can avoid injuries while working out with useful tips from HAUS Athletics trainer Jo-Yee Tan in this article HAUS Athletics trainer Jo-Yee Tan presents 3 tips to avoid injuries during a workout. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Injury prevention is a critical aspect of one’s fitness journey, especially for those who keep to a consistent workout routine. Even so, sustaining injuries from workouts can be quite common and is definitely not unheard of. Some common injuries include muscle pulls, strains, or even bone fractures in more serious cases. Can these injuries be prevented? SportPlus SG recently paid a visit to HAUS Athletics, a Singapore-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) gym studio to try out these few easy curated exercises for beginners. Here are 3 important tips for you to avoid injuries during your workout by HAUS Athletics Trainer, Jo-Yee Tan! HAUS Athletics instructor, Samson demonstrating a barbell squat. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Tip 1: Go slow and build your confidence! HAUS Athletics instructor, Samson demonstrating a barbell squat. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Going slow allows you to build self-confidence especially if you’re a beginner. Confidence plays a huge role in performing well in your workout as it boosts your mood. Taking a breather while going slow allows you to focus better and clears your mind when you’re performing a rep. Think of it as meditating during your workout. Tip 2: Listen to your body Class participant, John Yeong resting between sets. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Listening to your body allows you to be in tune with your mind. This way, you’ll be attentive both physically and mentally, and your body will be in its best state to carry out the workouts. Tip 3: Get lots of rest! Class participant, Cheryl Tay catching a breather. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Getting lots of rest is not something only for beginners. Ensuring that you’re pacing your rest days and getting sufficiently recharged is just as important for non-beginners too. Resting and recharging are crucial when working out as it allows for full concentration, better mental health, a healthier immune system, reduced stress, an improved mood, and better metabolism. To find out more about HIIT or to pick up HIIT classes, visit HAUS Athletics at OUE Downtown Gallery Studio, #02-03, 6A Shenton Way, OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815, or Cross Street Exchange Studio, #B1-121, 18 Cross Street, Cross Street Exchange, Singapore 048423. ​​More details are available about the gym at their official website here. #SportPlusSG #HIIT #ReadySetGameOn #HAUSAthletics

Takayuki Nishigaya’s Lions will travel to Vietnam during September’s international window for a friendly series between the three teams PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 13 August 2022 – The Singapore men’s national team are set to play international ‘A’ friendly matches against Vietnam and India during the upcoming FIFA window in September. Takayuki Nishigaya’s charges will travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for the matches against Vietnam and India on 21 and 24 September respectively, which will both take place at Thong Nhat Stadium as part of a triangular tournament. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The Lions, ranked 159th in the world, last faced Vietnam (97th) in June 2016 in the friendly AYA Bank Cup tournament, which ended 0-0 at full-time while their last encounter with India (104th) was a 2-0 friendly victory in October 2012 that saw Khairul Amri and Fazrul Nawaz get on the scoresheet. Tests ahead of AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup Head Coach Nishigaya will use the matches as part of his preparations for the year-end ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 and said: “We are looking forward to the opportunity to play Vietnam and India, teams that are really strong and will give us the opportunity to further test ourselves as we start our preparations for the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup." PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG "At the recent Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2023 qualification campaign in June, while we did not get the results against Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, the performances from the boys were encouraging and they showed they can adapt to my style. We need to continue playing strong opponents in order to further improve and be better prepared, and hence this upcoming tournament in Ho Chi Minh is timely for us to be part of." The finalised traveling squad and other details will be announced closer to the start of the window, which will run from 19 to 27 September. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore Men’s National Team Fixtures for September 2022 Wednesday, 21 September 2022 Vietnam vs Singapore Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City Saturday, 24 September 2022 Singapore vs India Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City #SportPlusSG #Football #SingaporeFootball

Team Singapore netball shooter Charmaine Soh returns to the fold after giving birth Back row (L-R): Miki Ng, Yew Shu Ning, Jamie Lim, Lee Pei Shan, Sindhu Nair, Amandeep Kaur Chahal. Front row (L-R): Toh Kai Wei, Kimberly Lim, Angelina Lim, Tan Yi Jie, Khor Ting Fang. Not in picture: Charmaine Soh. PHOTO: NETBALL SINGAPORE Singapore, 10 August 2022 – The Singapore team at the Asian Netball Championships (ANC) 2022 next month will feature five players competing in a major international tournament for the first time, including co-captain Khor Ting Fang. The 26-year-old midfielder, whose international debut was in 2019 at the Singapore-Fiji Test Series, will lead the team with fellow co-captain Toh Kai Wei. The squad was finalised following a week-long training tour in Perth. The ANC will take place from 3-11 September at the OCBC Arena. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Among the 12 players, three – midfielder Tan Yi Jie, shooter Amandeep Kaur Chahal and defender Miki Ng – earned their first caps this year at the PacificAus Sports Netball Series in March, while defender Yew Shu Ning is set to make her international debut at the ANC 2022. The Singapore line-up will also feature familiar faces in shooter Charmaine Soh and wing attack Kimberly Lim, who have 122 and 94 caps respectively. Soh, whose international experience includes three SEA Games and the 2015 and 2019 Netball World Cups, is returning to competition after having her baby in June. Lim, who also played in the 2015 and 2019 Netball World Cups, is making an appearance in her first major international tournament after injury. The 28-year-old was sidelined for two years due to a torn Achilles tendon and started her comeback at the PacificAus Sports Netball Series in March. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Soh, 32, said: “It’s not often that we get to host major tournaments like the Asian Netball Championships. Experiences like these are so special, and this gave me the extra motivation to prepare as best as I could, so that I would be ready to compete at the championships." "I've missed practising with the team, so it’s been great to be back in training with them. Competing on home soil in front of your friends and family is an experience like no other, and I can’t wait to walk out on court again, this time with a new addition to my family in the audience. The team is ready and we’re really eager to compete." PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The squad list, with number of caps denoted in brackets, is as follows: Asian Netball Championships 2022 - Team Singapore Shooters 1. Toh Kai Wei – Co-captain (47) 2. Amandeep Kaur Chahal (4) 3. Lee Pei Shan (31) 4. Charmaine Soh (122) Midfielders 5. Khor Ting Fang – Co-captain (6) 6. Kimberly Lim (94) 7. Angelina Lim (8) 8. Tan Yi Jie (4) Defenders 9. Sindhu Nair (35) 10. Jamie Lim (11) 11. Miki Ng (4) 12. Yew Shu Ning (0) PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore head coach Annette Bishop said: “We’ve had some new faces join the Opens squad since the 2019 SEA Games, and for some players, this will be their first time competing in a major tournament of this scale. The team has been training hard, and we’ve spent the past few months finetuning our set plays and techniques while also continuing to improve our fitness." "The newer players have impressed with their hunger and dedication, while those who have a bit more experience have really stepped up both on and off the court to guide their team-mates. It’s all coming together quite nicely and we’re ready to put up a good show at the Asian Netball Championships.” PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Defender Yew Shu Ning, who is set to earn her first cap next month, said: “This will be my first - ever competition representing Singapore at the Opens level, and it’s such an honour to be in the team. I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere of competing in front of a home crowd. There will be some nerves for sure, but the seniors in the team have been sharing advice on how to handle that and they’ve also been very encouraging. We’ve put in the work over the last few months and we hope to do Singapore proud at the ANC 2022.” Co-captain Toh was the youngest member of the Singapore team at the 2017 SEA Games, making her international debut just two months before those Games. The 26-year-old shooter said: “I remember how it feels to be preparing for my first major international competition – I was nervous and excited, but I had good guidance and advice from my seniors at the time and they helped me so much in coping with those nerves. It feels surreal that I’m now in that position myself, and it’s a privilege to get to mentor the younger players and lead the team. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG We’re also very happy to have experienced players like Charmaine and Kimberly back. We’ve all been working hard together to improve our techniques and our communication on court, and we’ve seen good progress throughout our training tours and friendly matches. We’re all looking forward to playing at the OCBC Arena next month.” Singapore were runners-up at the last edition of the ANC in 2018. The other 10 teams competing in this year’s edition of the biennial event are defending champions Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Japan, India, the Philippines and Maldives. The top 2 finishers will attain automatic qualification to the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The 2020 ANC was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tickets can be purchased online via ticketmaster.sg, by phone, or by going to Ticketmaster’s outlets at Singpost or The Star Performing Arts Centre Box Office. Concession prices are available for students in Ministry of Education schools, as well as children aged between 5 to 12. #SportPlusSG #Netball #AsianNetballChampionships

Still Aerion's disallowed goal meant they were forced to settle on a draw against Hougang United, who earn their second point of the season. Hougang United defend a Still Aerion Corner in the 2nd half. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 7th August 2022 - Hougang United and Still Aerion were forced to share the spoils yesterday at Yishun Stadium in a 1-1 draw with goals scored by Dhaniyah Qasimah and Nurhannah Qistina. While Aerion were disappointed to not walk away with all three points in what was quite an end-to-end game, Hougang were relieved to steal a point and earn their second of the season. The first solid chance on goal fell for Still Aerion’s Nurhannah in the 8th minute. The attack led by Joie Teo was then laid off for Nurhannah by Carolyn Chan but the forward’s shot from inside the box flew over the bar. More photos from the match available in SportPlus.sg's photo gallery here. Hougang United's players celebrate Dhaniyah Qasimah's free-kick goal from range. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG In the 13th minute, Dhaniyah Qasimah found the back of the net to give Hougang United the lead through a well taken free kick from range. The 18-year-old forward stood over the ball out on the left flank before lofting it up and over the wall. Miscalculating the ball’s trajectory, it dipped just as Nur Faizah stepped forward to parry the ball away. Though she managed a palm on it, it was not enough to keep it out of the net. The lead was short-lived though, as Nurhannah, having missed the first chance found sweet redemption. The delivery from the corner flag found her waiting in the middle. Loose marking meant the forward was able to head it in easily to make it 1-1. Still Aerion players embrace Nurhannah Qistina after her equaliser. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Hougang seemed to lose their spark after the equaliser as they began playing themselves into trouble with sloppy back passes in their half, often finding the feet of an Aerion player instead of a white shirt. Gladys Cheng was the busier of the two keepers, but she had strong hands and was clear in her demands for the ball, albeit a couple of spills which were quickly recovered. The Cheetahs came out for the second half with a surge of energy as they began with an onslaught of attacks, sending Aerion’s defence to panic stations for the first time in the game. Dhaniyah, who had been Hougang’s best player was beating players in the middle before pivoting to either the left or right flanks. Nur Darwisyah flicks the ball away from her marker, Peh Chin Ee. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG As the game passed the hour mark, Still Aerion were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box but the fire only grew for Hougang when Cheng saved Nur Afiqah’s effort. Just a few minutes later, almost against the run of play, Farhanah Ruhaizat’s free kick from outside the box found its way in. However, as cerebrations died down, the goal was disallowed. Hougang however, seemed rattled from the switch of pace. Dhaniyah Qasimah makes her return to the WPL and leads her team in attack. PHOTO: HANA BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Aerion had another chance to take the lead when the ball was laid off for Pamela Kong. She took it on on a one-time shot and Cheng was unable to take it cleanly. Pink shirts were left with hands on their heads as the ball then rolled across the goal line and stayed out. It was an intense end to the game as both teams were fired up in the search for the elusive winner but the three added minutes were insufficient. Still Aerion have the weekend off in the next round and will be looking to work toward a win against 3rd place, Albirex Niigata. Meanwhile, Hougang are still in search for their first win of the season and will play a struggling Tiong Bahru next week. More photos from the match available in SportPlus.sg's photo gallery here. Deloitte Women's Premier League 2022 Other Match Week 8 Results Tanjong Pagar 1-2 Albirex Niigata Tiong Bahru 0-0 Balestier Khalsa Saturday, 6 August 2022, Yishun Stadium #SportPlusSG #Football #WomensPremierLeague #SingaporeFootball

Albirex miss chance to go top with pulsating 3-3 draw against superb Hougang, as Cheetahs dominate large periods of the game but were undone by two set-piece goals and a goalkeeping gaffe PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Singapore, 30 July 2022 - Albirex Niigata (S) missed a golden opportunity to go top of the AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) standings on Friday night after playing out a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hougang United. With the draw, Albirex Niigata closed the gap on league leaders Lion City Sailors to one point with ten games remaining. Hougang, still in fifth position, also lost ground in the race for an AFC Cup qualification spot – likely to be awarded to the third-placed team – trailing Tanjong Pagar United in third by four points having played a game more. It was a drastically different performance by Hougang – they dominated the title contenders from the start and kept up their intensity for 90 minutes – in comparison to their languid 5-0 defeat to Albirex just two months ago. More match photos available in our photo gallery here. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Cheetahs manager Clement Teo bemoaned his side’s poor set-piece defending which allowed Albirex to get back into the game twice but was pleased with his team’s performance. “How we set up against Albirex today shows the quality we have. For once, since 2019 – the last time we beat Albirex – we were going at them,” he said. “I told the boys, we were thrashed 5-0 before we left for Ho Chi Minh (to compete at the AFC Cup), do we really want this result again? Or do we want to take revenge? The boys tried and I’m pleasantly pleased with how things went. In terms of dominating the game, the number of shots taken. It’s been some time since the team has dominated Albirex,” added coach Clement Teo. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The big news from Hougang stadium an hour before kick-off was the absence of 10-goal Albirex striker Ilhan Fandi with illness from the matchday squad. Fellow Singaporean Zamani Zamri started in his place, as the free-scoring Kodai Tanaka was shifted from his usual position on the left flank – in a 4-2-3-1 system – into a central striker role. Hougang went with an aggressive, attack-oriented 4-1-4-1 set-up, as the attacking-minded Amy Recha started ahead of defensive midfielder Fabian Kwok, pushing Kaishu Yamazaki into a deeper midfield role. It was the only alteration head coach Clement Teo made from the eleven that defeated Tampines Rovers 4-2 just six days ago. An even start to proceedings quickly changed on the 12th minute mark, when a weak back pass from Hougang’s Lionel Tan was not cleared from danger by 17-year-old goalkeeper Aizil Yazid. Albirex winger Masahiro Sugita swooped in opportunistically and nipped the ball away, before tapping home into an empty net to give the away side an early lead. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Hougang responded with a flurry of attacks, as Brazilian forward Pedro Bortoluzo squandered a trio of half-chances; first dragging a right-footed strike wide of the post, then miscuing a half-volley over the bar when inside the six-yard box, before powering a free header from a similar position that was smartly saved by Albirex stopper Takahiro Koga. Despite striking the post twice right before the interval, Hougang struggled to find a breakthrough despite dominating the majority of the first half. Cheetahs manager Clement Teo brought on right-back Muhaimin Suhaimi for Jordan Vestering after the break, shifting to a 4-4-2 formation with Amy Recha wide and Shawal Anuar instructed to play alongside Bortoluzo upfront – presumably aiming to put pressure on Albirex’s defence in search of an equaliser. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The home side’s persistence would eventually pay off on the hour mark, as an out-swinging corner kick from winger Kristijian Kracjek was nodded into the net by Bortoluzo for his ninth goal of the season. With the scores level once more, Albirex manager Kazuaki Yoshinaga reacted by introducing talisman Tadanari Lee – returning from a lengthy injury lay-off – for Zamani Zamri. However, momentum was still with the home side, and after creating a constant supply of threatening attacking situations, coach Clement Teo’s side took a deserved lead in the 73rd minute. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG A long ball sent forward was deftly brought to ground by Shawal Anuar, before the Singapore international skillfully weaved through the Albirex defence to set up Bortoluzo. The 26-year-old composed himself, shifted the ball away from surrounding defenders before firing an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner of the net. The lead would last merely four minutes, as Albirex urgently upped their intensity and Hougang momentarily switched off while defending a set-piece. Substitute Tadanari Lee was quickest to react to a loose ball from a corner kick, lashing a half-volley past Aizil Yazid’s reach to restore parity. It was end-to-end action for the closing 10 minutes as defenders dove in for blocks, forwards jostled to be first to loose-balls, and coaches gesticulated wildly from the sidelines. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Then, on the 85th minute mark, Hougang’s Sahil Suhaimi received the ball in the middle of the pitch. The midfielder sent a superb lofted through ball onto Shawal Anuar’s path, and the latter skipped past onrushing goalkeeper Takahiro Koga to curl into the net a left-footed effort whilst off balance. Hougang had the advantage again, by the score of three goals to two. In a stunning twist of events, Albirex would still find time to draw level three minutes later. Set-piece specialist Masaya Idetsu lined-up a 30-yard free-kick from the centre of the pitch. The 23-year-old Japanese took a deep breath, set himself, before delivering a spectacular dipping effort into the top corner of the net. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG That was how the game would conclude as both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils after a thrilling finish to a match that left spectators gripping onto the edge of their seats. Albirex manager Yoshinaga, with the help of a translator, acknowledged the quality of Hougang and was pleased his side avoided defeat. “What’s more important is we are top of the table come the end of the season. We cannot control the ball as well as usual (due to the poor pitch conditions) but it was the same for our opponents,” he added. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG Speaking about the half-time tactical switch to a 4-4-2, Hougang manager Clement Teo said: “We wanted runners in behind (Albirex’s defence). Amy [Recha] did a few times, but Shawal [Anuar] was a lot more effective and we took a risk. Shawal did what we wanted him to do, we did not want him (Shawal) defending as he needed to stay up top to get the goals.” “We wanted to have five attacking players from the start to push Albirex to play long balls. When that happens it’s 50-50. Once we moved forward, we had players able to penetrate their defence. This was our plan. We can't just sit deep waiting for Albirex to attack us. If you give a team like Albirex time and space, they will definitely kill you,” coach Teo added. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG The 55-year-old veteran coach also commented on an allegation made by Straits Times journalist Deepanraj Ganesan on Thursday evening about Hougang assistant manager Firdaus Kassim resigning from his role. “There was a misunderstanding two months ago and we sorted things out in Vietnam. At that point of time he (Firdaus Kassim) was very upset, but we spoke about it and we settled it. Perhaps he told someone, but it’s funny this only comes up now.” “We had breakfast in the morning, and we were discussing how to play against Albirex, we talked about next season – what we were trying to do, who we were trying to bring in – and we were all wondering what rubbish this is,” said coach Teo. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG “I fully understand, Deepanraj (Ganesan) has his source, a very good source I believe, at the end of the day it is his personal twitter account. There is nothing we can do. I had a word with him and that’s the reason why he updated his (earlier) tweet. I was very honest and open with him that there was no issue. Let’s not make a big fuss out of this,” he added. Coach Teo paused for a moment before concluding: “It probably motivated our players a little more. Our tactical genius is still around.” More match photos available in our photo gallery here. AIA Singapore Premier League 2022 Other Match Week 19 Results Lion City Sailors vs Balestier Khalsa Sat, 6 August 2022, Jalan Besar Stadium Young Lions vs Tanjong Pagar United Sun, 7 August 2022, Jalan Besar Stadium Albirex Niigata vs Young Lions Wed, 10 August 2022, Jurong East Stadium #SportPlusSG #Football #SingaporePremierLeague #SingaporeFootball

From feigning heart problems to escape running, to becoming a running ambassador for Under Armour PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG He wasn't always a runner. In fact, back when he was in school, Sebastian Cheong used to feign heart issues or having "sharp pains in his chest" to get out of 2.4km running tests. So what made him do a complete U-turn to become such an avid runner today, and a running ambassador for Under Armour? "My journey into running started when I was challenged by an ex-colleague to sign up for a Full Marathon race," said the Superhero Runners co-founder. "I had no choice but to train for it, so that I won't suffer during race day. I decided to join a running club for my training, so that there would be better motivation for me to continue running." PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG What he did not count on, was that the more he ran, the more he got addicted to it. He admitted that the excitement of getting cool new running apparels was also a motivating factor. Although running remains a big part of Cheong's life, he has taken it down a notch, and while it used to be about chasing personal bests for different race categories: 5km, 10km or 42km, it's more about maintaining a certain level of fitness and running while he still can. And how did the Superhero Runners come about? Was it always a running club? Cheong shared, "It was founded together with 2 other friends who had a love for Superheroes and running. So we decided to do this together and call ourselves Superhero Runners." "It wasn't a run club initially when we first started, just three friends running together. We would suit up in our alter ego costumes and join races together," he recalled with a smile. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG "A few years later, we decided to use our Superhero identities to create awareness for people to keep a healthy lifestyle by running. Because who doesn't love Superheroes?" Known for hitting the trails at MacRitchie Reservoir quite regularly for his runs, Cheong finds it hard to choose between trail and road running but leans more toward the former. "I love both. But if I were to choose one, it would be Trail Running. It's more interesting than road runs. You have more things to see and the running intensity is lesser and you get to enjoy more. You get to experience running in the forest, jungle, and mountains etc." It didn't come as much of a surprise then, that his favourite running route in Singapore is the 20km loop from MacRitchie Reservoir to Dairy Farm and back. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG His favourite running memories comprise overseas runs, something that we can only dream of these days amidst the climate of the Coronavirus pandemic. "There was a race that I have joined in Malaysia called The Merapoh Mountain Trail, which is located at Pahang," he shared. "It's the most memorable race for me. Where we raced through caves, across the river and through slippery muddy terrain throughout a 70km route." What made the place even more exciting for Cheong was that it was believed to be haunted. And what of his future goals in running? Is there anything left he feels like he has yet to try? "I still have 100km and 100 miles Trail run yet to accomplish. I was supposed to accomplish that last year at Ultra Trail Australia, but due to Covid-19, the race was cancelled," he said with disappointment. "I suppose you can say completing the 100km and 100 miles Trail runs are my future goals," he concluded. We certainly wish him all the best with his running goals and ambitions! #SportPlusSG #Running #SebastianCheong #SuperheroRunners

Redesigning the futsal experience to connect both football and fitness fans PHOTO: THE FOOTBALL GYM A recent study conducted by the University of Bath and published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine shared there is an increased risk of injury for contact sports after prolonged training restrictions due to COVID-19. This means the launch of The Football Gym, Singapore's first fitness centre offering a fusion of football and gymwork, could not have been timed any better, as Singapore gradually eases its COVID measures and the sports and fitness scene reopens. PHOTO: THE FOOTBALL GYM Train like a Pro Started by founders of The Cage Singapore, a popular Singapore futsal venue operator, The Football Gym caters to both social footballers looking to level up their fitness with professional physical training, and fitness enthusiasts looking to add greater variety to their training with fun football drills. Combining football with fitness, The Football Gym's overall experience is enhanced even further with the help of data, helping participants get the most out of their workout with useful post workout summaries. PHOTO: THE FOOTBALL GYM Valuable Training Data With the aid of MyZone, a heart rate monitor that tracks each of your training sessions, The Football Gym is giving each aspiring and casual footballer a taste of what it's like to train like a pro. It also allows regular gym goers who are just in it to experience something fun, to have a more informative session, with useful data to track your progress and give valuable feedback on the areas for improvement. PHOTO: THE FOOTBALL GYM Class Types The Football Gym offers three class types: 1. Circuit Strength Training 50 minute workout focusing on strength and conditioning and no ball work 2. Football Conditioning 50 minute technical skills training, where classes incorporate football drills and fundamental mobility work used in football 3. Football Circuit 50 minutes high intensity football workout focusing on cardio work and high intensity interval training If you are not a fan of training in groups, customised training sessions with individual instructors are also possible. PHOTO: THE FOOTBALL GYM The Football Gym Packages Basic Package - Promo $158, Usual Price $437 4 x Fitness Session Credits Myzone Switch 1 free physiotherapy session from The Physio Circle for Muscle Evaluation Premium Package - Promo $236, Usual Price $515 10 x Fitness Session Credits Myzone Switch 1 free physiotherapy session from The Physio Circle for Muscle Evaluation The Football Gym Website http://www.thefootballgym.com/ Opening Hours Monday - Sunday 10:00am - 10:00pm Contact Details Phone: +65 6344 9345 Email: support@thefootballgym.com The Football Gym Address 38 Jalan Benaan Kapal Singapore 399635 #SPORTPlusSG #Football #Fitness #TheFootballGym #TheCageSG

Organised in support of Breast Cancer Awareness, Neue Fit's event at Singapore Sports Hub sold out within Days PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG 30 October 2021, Singapore - Some 30 women participated in Neue Fit's exclusive MuayHIIT event early this morning at the Singapore Sports Hub , to get a taste of an exciting fusion of Muay Thai and HIIT. Organised as part of a bigger effort to support Breast Cancer Awareness during Breast Cancer month, the ladies only event drew the crowds, within whatever was permissible from a safe management perspective with the current COVID-19 restrictions. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Women from all walks of life and fitness levels took to the 100 Plus Promenade and participated in a series of workouts from kettlebells to side kickthroughs and agility work. The event also saw breast cancer survivor Ng Wenya, 36, share her inspiring story about her battle with breast cancer. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Ng shared: "I'm really grateful and humbled by this opportunity to share my cancer journey with all these amazing and strong ladies. I hope I've inspired them and showing them that life after cancer can be normal, and you can be stronger and fitter than before." Wenya was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, at the age of 35. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG It shocked her because she never thought it would happen to her, especially when she was at the fittest of life and had completed training with the volunteer corps. She was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer, which is a more aggressive type of cancer. Besides losing her hair due to chemo, she also lost her sense of taste and McDonald's tasted like cardboard. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG When she first recovered, she struggled with exercise and even 20 jumping jacks was a tough feat for her. Now, she's slowly regaining strength and building back her fitness, and it was really heartening to see her working out with the entire group today. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Participants Preeti Mohan and Rebecca Hatten were excited to be attending their first outdoor workout event. "This is my first event since the pandemic and I've missed going to such events. It's great that I get to do this for a meaningful cause!" said Preeti. PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Rebecca added, "My husband trains Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at Neue Fit and he suggested I come for this event. I've been attending some yoga classes but it's been a while since I've worked out in a bigger group in a social environment. And it's always cool to try something new and different, like this MuayHIIT workout!" PHOTO: CHERYL TAY, SPORTPLUS.SG Neue Fit is a martial arts meets lifestyle studio. Participants who are interested can check out a good range of classes from combat and cardio based Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, to High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and yoga. They are located at Kallang Wave Mall, 1 Stadium Place, #02-07. #SportPlusSG #Fitness #Gyms #NeueFit

Kallang Wave Mall based lifestyle studio Neue Fit, which combines fitness with martial arts, celebrated crossing the 4-year mark amidst Covid-19 uncertainty PHOTO: NEUE FIT SG Finally, after two years, martial arts and fitness studio Neue Fit was able to hold an anniversary event. On Saturday, they celebrated their fourth anniversary with an exclusive members-only challenge. “After forfeiting two years of anniversary celebrations, I am grateful that we managed to organise a FourFit Challenge where we could get some of our members together," said Grace Huang, co-founder of Neue Fit. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG "There are still restrictions in place so we can only host a small number and not have a buffet like we used to, but at least we could do something.” 20 teams of two showed up early on Saturday to compete in a 7-station challenge. These 7 stations consist of a mix of Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing and HIIT – all of Neue Fit’s offerings. PHOTO: NEUE FIT SG The top four teams then advanced to the semi-finals for another workout, before the last two fought it out for the top spot for amazing prizes. The overall winning team wins a $500 voucher from New Balance, amid other prizes from Hyperfly Asia and Whiteknuckle Custom Fight Gear. It was an all-female final and gym buddies Khairiyah Kang and Natasha Hazirah emerged champion after edging Mavis Chia and Fong Xue Qi out by just 6 seconds. PHOTO: NEUE FIT SG “My partner Natasha and I met at a HIIT class in Neue Fit and we have been going for classes together. We are both pretty competitive, hence we signed up for this challenge. We didn’t think we would win because we have done classes with other competitors and thought it would be tough to match up to them,” said Khairiyah. “We are very surprised but ultimately, win or lose, it was an enjoyable event for everyone to celebrate Neue Fit’s anniversary and it brought everyone together.” Another all-girl team, Heeqmah Wahianuar and Peggy Teo, were the top female pair outside of the Top 3, snagging themselves a pair of New Balance shoes each. PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG Similarly, they met at a MuayHIIT class at Neue Fit and have been going for classes regularly. “We signed up for this because we thought we would do something different at the gym and also Peggy said she needed new shoes,” said Heeqmah. “We definitely didn't expect anything out of this because we know the female category has really awesome and fit individuals. We were just happy with our team name and would have settled for best team name prize!” #NeueFit #Gym #Fitness #MartialArts