Written By: Kenneth Ho

The draw for the first round of the RHB Singapore Cup 2014 was made at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday morning.

The current top-six teams in the league avoided each other and Tampines Rovers had arguably the easiest draw after they drew against cellar-dwellers Harimau Muda.

While Warriors FC will face Balestier Khalsa and Hougang United will take on Tanjong Pagar United, the other top-six teams will face invited foreign club in the first round.

Five foreign teams comprising Svay Rieng FC, Nagacorp FC, Global FC, Loyola Meralco Sparks FC and SHB Champasak FC were invited to participate in the tournament.

Current cup-holders Home United will commence their cup defence against Cambodian side Nagacorp while last year’s semi-finalists Global will look to repeat their fine run in the tournament by taking on the star-studded Brunei DPMM.

Woodlands Wellington will take on the eastern-based Geylang International, and coach Jorg Steinebrunner said he was looking forward to taking on the club he was previously in charge of and had taken to two semi-finals and one RHB Singapore Cup final.

”Any draw in the Cup would be difficult and we need to show respect to Woodlands. It is a difficult draw, but we want to go there and win the game,” Steinebrunner added.

Tanjong Pagar coach Patrick Vallee echoed Steinebrunner’s view, and added: ”If you want to reach the final you must play against anyone.”

Prior to the draw, RHB Bank Berhad announced it has extended its partnership with the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League for another three years.

This was the tenth year that RHB had partnered with the S.League, and Football Association of Singapore President Mr Zainudin Nordin thanked RHB country head Mr Jason Wong for his company’s continuous support over the years.

”I cannot over-emphasise the importance of having strong corporate support and presence in the building and development of a robust footballing culture in Singapore,”Mr Zainudin said.

”Their support will boost our continuous efforts  to raise footballing standards, while further enabling us to expand and enhance our community and outreach initiatives, aimed at using sports as a strategy for nation building efforts.”

The day also saw 998 participants setting a record for the longest football dribbling chain in the Singapore Book of Records.

Zainudin as well as S. League Chief Executive Officer Lim Chin and FAS General Secretary Winston Lee participated in the record too, as participants simultaneously dribbled the ball in a uniform manner for three minutes before an official verified and authenticated their efforts.

As part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, RHB Bank Berhad is working closely with the S.League to enhance and strengthen ongoing efforts to make the RHB Singapore Cup even more exciting and also to venture out to the region to promote this tournament.

The Football-Donation campaign in Cambodia will take place with the donation of 500 footballs to the needy children in Cambodia.

The day was also graced by the attendance of representatives from the foreign clubs’ country.

High commissioner of Brunei Mr Haji Awang Saifulbahri, counsellor of the High Commission of Malaysia Mr Syed Faizal Syed Mohd Dardin, Cambodia ambassador Mr Cheth Naren, Laos deputy chief of mission Ms Siriphone Khouhathep and Mr Oliver C.Delfin from the Philippine Embassy were present to witness the events and draw lots for their represented clubs in the first round.

The RHB Singapore Cup 2014 Preliminary Round Draw is shown below. Please note that the details of the schedules of matches will be released at a later time.

Pool A

Harimau Muda vs Tampines Rovers FC

Woodlands Wellington FC vs Geylang International FC

Tanjong Pagar United FC vs Hougang United FC

Warriors FC vs Balestier Khalsa FC

Pool B

Svay Rieng FC vs Albirex Niigata (S) FC

Home United FC vs Nagacorp FC

Global FC vs Brunei DPMM FC

Loyola Meralco Sparks FC vs SHB Champasak FC