Nothing like a derby to draw the S-League fans out

Source

by Shamir Osman
Apr 07, 2011 Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League 2011

SAFFC vs Home United

Choa Chu Kang Stadium (7.30pm)


SINGAPORE - The Choa Chu Kang Stadium is home to SAFFC, record eight-time winners of the S-League since the competition kicked off in 1996.

Tonight, the team from the armed forces will host arch-rivals Home United in a "uniform" derby that carries extra spice, with both clubs seemingly set to challenge for the 2011 Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League title.

Leaders Home are just two points ahead of SAFFC in fourth, and the Warriors are looking for a win to catapult them to the top.

Turnout for the derby will be watched closely, as the Football Association of Singapore strives to revive fan interest in the S-League after an alarming dip in attendance over the last couple of years.

"We have seen some empty stands this year but SAFFC had the biggest crowd at their last home match and there's every hope that it'll be the same on Thursday," said Home's assistant coach S Subramani yesterday, referring to the March 24 clash of the giants, when 3,008 fans turned up to see SAFFC go down 1-0 to visitors Tampines Rovers.

"There's always been an intense rivalry for a SAFFC-Home fixture, stretching back to the start of the S-League in 1996, and you can throw the form book out the window. I think it will be exciting for fans," added the former Singapore star and long-time Home United defensive lynchpin.

SAFFC have signed a partnership with Mel's Impex, a company that will be giving out samples of their coffee tonight, along with free ice-cream and popcorn, to draw fans to Choa Chu Kang.

But Warriors' general manager Kok Wai Leong believes it will still be the football that will be the main draw.

"Freebies are a by-the-way thing for fans, the most important is the action on the field. The quality of the opposition is the key factor determining crowd numbers," he said.

"A clash with Home - like games against Tampines - never fails to draw in fans and I'm confident we can surpass 3,008." Shamir Osman