Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup (TSSC) will return to Singapore where it will be held at the National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub on 6 May 2017 (Saturday),

 

Welcoming the news was former international Samad Allapitchay, who expressed his delight at the Cup returning to local shores.

In previous years, the annual event was hosted in Shah Alam, Selangor and this will be the first time since 2009 that it is being held in the city state.

Samad, 67, enthused: “We are happy that this tournament is coming back to Singapore,”

Widely remembered as a hard tackling no-nonsense defender during his playing days, Samad is hoping to see Singaporeans come down in numbers to support players from the past, present and future.

“Selangor have about hundred buses coming down for this match,” he shared.

“We hope the Singapore fans can come down to the National Stadium to show their support: not just for the Singapore Veterans, but the Under-16 boys and the Singapore Selection as well.”

Although this may be a ‘friendship cup’ as Steven Tan would put it, he believes the Veterans will still give their all and insists there will no lack of competitiveness when the teams take to the pitch.

Said the 46-year-old: “It’s always nice when you play Selangor, the rivalry is always there.
“Everyone wants to win, we don’t like to lose and we have this winning mentality. I believe the same goes for the Selangor side.”

“It’s great to play at home and let the younger generations see what our rivalry with Selangor is all about.”

In a first in the competition’s history, there will be a new Singapore-Selangor Schools Challenge Cup between the Under-16 boys of the Singapore Sports School and a Selangor Combined Schools team.

And Tan, whose son Marc Ryan Tan will be involved in that match, says that it is a good initiative.

“This game allows the younger generation to feel what it’s like to play against our Malaysian counterparts,” the former national striker said.

“The Singapore-Selangor rivalry is just like the El Clasico or the Manchester Derby. It’s a good chance for the boys to have that feeling and a chance to play in an atmosphere like this.”

Meanwhile, there will be a new face in the Veterans side this year with Aide Iskandar set to make his TSSC debut.
The 41-year-old, who amassed a total of 121 caps over twelve years playing for the Lions, is raring to go.

“I truly miss playing,” he admitted.

“It always feels great to be back with my former national teammates such as Steven Tan and Fandi Ahmad and getting a chance to play with veterans like Robert Sim and Ahmad Sayuti.

“It’s very refreshing and we are looking forward to a good game.”

This being his first, Aide is keen to play in the editions that will follow.

“It’s definitely a privilege to be able to play against the Selangor Selection,” he said.

“Because this is my first time, I do hope I can contribute for many years to come. I look forward to playing for the Singapore Veterans and I hope that the Singapore fans will come down to the National Stadium and roar us to victory.”

The Singapore Veterans will look to avenge for their defeat to the Selangor Veterans last year, in a match they lost 2-0 at the Shah Alam Stadium.