Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

The 2014 StarHub League Cup Draw was held at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday evening as the participating teams learnt of their fate in the competition.

Into its eighth edition this year, it will also be the first time where there will be two representatives from the National Football League (NFL).

They are namely Police Sports Association and Singapore Recreation Club (SRC) who earned their spots by finishing as the top two clubs in last season’s NFL Division One competition and they will replace Harimau Muda and Courts Young Lions.

Police have been drawn in Group A alongside 2011 winners Albirex Niigata (S) as well as Tanjong Pagar United while SRC are in Group C with Home United and Woodlands Wellington.

SRC Chairman John Tan expressed their gratitude to the S.League for the invitation and vowed that his team would do their best.

“Honestly I came here without any expectations, any draw will do. What we are thankful for is that S.League has invited us for this prestigious competition,” said Tan, after the draw was concluded.

“We are here to prove to everybody that we will give our best no matter who we play. That’s all.”

In Group B, powerhouses Tampines Rovers and Warriors FC will vie for a spot in the last eight with the improving Geylang International who reached the final in 2012, only to lose out to eventual champions Brunei DPMM.

Rounding off the Draw, defending champions Balestier Khalsa have meanwhile been placed in Group D with league leaders DPMM and Hougang United.

Being pitted against the two finalists from the 2013 edition, Cheetahs’ team manager Nicholas Low said they are relishing the challenge but was comfortable with the underdog tag placed on them.

“We are definitely put up against very strong teams but I think we can show our mettle considering what we have done throughout the season so far so I think we can give a good fight and a good show at least. We definitely don’t want to go out limping out of this tournament,” he said.

“Definitely, Hougang is the ultimate underdog and we want that tag really. I don’t think we are favourites in any way.  The resources that any of this clubs have, we cannot match so we will definitely take the underdog tag.”

S.League CEO Lim Chin gave thanks to title sponsors Starhub and was ‘delighted’ with the extended participation of NFL Clubs.

“I believe they will add even more excitement to the competition. Like in every season, this is the first piece of silverware up for grabs for the S.League clubs, so all the clubs will be going all out to win it too,” he added.

StarHub’s Chief Marketing Office Jeannie Ong echoed Lim’s sentiments and was looking forward to the competition.

“We are proud to support our partner FAS with our sponsorship of the StarHub League Cup for another year. The tournament is known for being a thrilling showcase of entertaining football and we are confident that this year’s edition will be no different. We are also happy to see the continued participation of the NFL clubs, which reinforces the Cup’s strong ties to the community and the fans,” she said.

The competition will take place from the 7th to 25th of July 2014 with fixtures to be released in due course.

The full draw is as follows:

Group A

Albirex Niigata (S) FC

Tanjong Pagar United FC

Police Sports Association

Group B

Tampines Rovers FC

Geylang International FC

Warriors FC

Group C

Home United FC

Woodlands Wellington FC

Singapore Recreation Club

Group D

Balestier Khalsa FC

Hougang United FC

Brunei DPMM FC