2020 Singapore Premier League

The 2020 Singapore Premier League (also known as the AIA Singapore Premier League due to sponsorship reasons) was the 3rd season of the Singapore Premier League, the top-flight Singaporean professional league for association football clubs, since its rebranding in 2018.[1] The champions of the 2020 Singapore Premier League will qualify for the AFC Champions League group stage automatically.

Singapore Premier League
Season2020
Matches played6
Goals scored18 (3 per match)
Biggest home winAlbirex Niigata 4-0 Geylang International, 29 February 2020
Biggest away winYoung Lions 1-4 Hougang United, 1 March 2020
Highest attendance2,723 (Tanjong Pagar 1-1 Lion City Sailors, 6 March 2020)
Lowest attendance574 (Balestier Khalsa 2-2 Albirex Niigata, 7 March 2020)
← 2019
2021 →

Rules

The following key changes were made to the rules for the 2020 season:[2]

  1. Singapore Premier League clubs can sign a maximum of four foreign players in the 2020 season, up from three as compared to 2019. [3]
  2. From 2019, only four stadiums host regular matches. The 8 teams (excluding DPMM) will host the matches in the following stadiums: Our Tampines Hub (Tampines Rovers and Geylang International), Jalan Besar Stadium (Young Lions and Hougang United), Bishan Stadium (Home United and Balestier Khalsa) and Jurong East Stadium (Albirex Niigata and Warriors FC).[4]
  3. For 2019, Albirex is allowed to sign as many locals as their budget allows. However, the club are only allowed one Singaporean over the age of 23. Also, Albirex must have two Singaporeans in their starting lineup for each game. [5]
  4. Each team is now able to register up to 28 players in their squad, an increase of 3 players as compared to 2018.
  5. It was reported at the start of the year that FAS had instructed Warriors FC to sit out the 2020 Singapore Premier League season due to their financial issue. However, the chairman is appealing to-date. [6]
  6. Tanjong Pagar United to replace Warriors FC in Singapore Premier League 2020. [7]
  7. Young Lions to play their home games at Jurong West Stadium, while Hougang United will move back to their previous home at Hougang Stadium. Tanjong Pagar United will take over Warriors and played in Jurong East Stadium. [8]
  8. Home United changed its name to Lion City Sailors Football Club ahead of the new season after being taken over by SEA Group. It is the 1st club in the SPL to be privatized. [9]
  9. Local SPL clubs are required to have a minimum of six U-23 players for a squad size of 19 to 25 players; this increases to seven (squad size 26), eight (27) and nine (28).
  10. Players in the League shall be allocated jersey numbers 1 to 50. Jersey numbers that have been registered shall not be reused during the same season. [10]

Teams

A total of 9 teams competed in the league. Albirex Niigata (S) and DPMM FC are invited foreign clubs from Japan and Brunei respectively. Despite large criticism and discussion against the Young Lions project, the Young Lions will continue to compete till 2019 for the purposes of training and preparing for the 2019 SEA Games. [11] The criticism mainly focused on the poor performances every season by the largely youth team made up of Singapore Football's brightest prospects. Season-long consecutive losses against the rest of the more mature teams inflicts serious long-term consequences on the morale of the players, considering that most of these players are in the developmental ages of their footballing career. The new age restrictions imposed on the rest of the Singapore Premier League clubs could be seen as giving the Young Lions a better advantage in terms of seniority, but most critics and fans of Singapore football are still wanting the FAS to abolish the FAS-managed Young Lions and have them developed under the guidance of genuine local clubs.

Stadiums and locations
Location of 2018 Singapore Premier League teams
Albirex (S)
Tanjong Pagar
Balestier Khalsa
Lion City Sailors
Geylang International
Tampines Rovers
Hougang Utd
Locations of the 2018 Singapore Premier League teams from Singapore
Team Stadium Capacity
Albirex Niigata (S) Jurong East Stadium 2,700
Balestier Khalsa Bishan Stadium 3,500
DPMM FC Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium 28,000
Geylang International Our Tampines Hub 5,000
Hougang United Hougang Stadium 3,800
Lion City Sailors Bishan Stadium 3,500
Tampines Rovers Our Tampines Hub 5,000
Tanjong Pagar United Jurong East Stadium 2,700
Young Lions Jurong West Stadium 3,200

Personnel and sponsors

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Main Shirt sponsor Other shirt sponsors
Albirex Niigata (S) Keiji Shigetomi Kazuki Hashioka Mizuno [12] Canon Kirin
EnglishCentral
Lensmode
Kubota
Reeracoen
Gain City
Nippon Medical Care
Balestier Khalsa Marko Kraljević [13] Zaiful Nizam [14] Adidas [15] Jeep [16] Weston Corporation
Project Vaults
StarBalm
DPMM FC Adrian Pennock Wardun Yussof Lotto Mitsubishi Corporation
StarBalm
Brunei Shell Marketing
Datastream Digital
Royal Brunei Airlines
YOU.C1000
Geylang International Mohd Noor Ali [17] Yuki Ichikawa [18] FBT [19] Epson Heng Motor
Chiang Kong
Broadway
D2D Sports
SoundTech
Hougang United Clement Teo [20] Khairulhin Khalid Warrix [21] SportCenter by Zup
Polar Water
Lion City Sailors Aurelio Vidmar [22] Izzdin Shafiq [23] Puma SEA Shopee
Tampines Rovers Gavin Lee [24] Yasir Hanapi Mizuno [25] Hyundai Avante [26] ANA Courier Express
Tanjong Pagar United Hairi Su'ap Faritz Abdul Hameed Thorb
Young Lions Nazri Nasir [27] Jacob Mahler Nike Catapult

Coaching changes
Team Outgoing Head Coach Manner of Departure Date of Vacancy Position in table Incoming Head Coach Date of appointment
Young Lions Fandi Ahmad Contract End 31 December 2019 [28] Pre-Season Nazri Nasir 1 January 2020 [29]
Lion City Sailors Noh Rahman (Interim) End of Caretaker 31 December 2019 [30] Pre-Season Aurelio Vidmar [31]
Tanjong Pagar United NA NA NA Pre-Season Hairi Su'ap 1 January 2020

Foreigners

Singapore Premier League clubs can sign a maximum of four foreign players in the 2020 season, up from three as compared to 2019. [32] However, one of them has to be 21 years old or younger on 1 January 2020.

Albirex Niigata can sign up unlimited number of Singaporean players for the new season. Only 1 local player above 23 years old is allowed. [33]

Players name in bold indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window.

Club Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 U21 Player 1 SG U-23 Player 1 SG U-23 Player 2 SG U-23 Player 3 SG U-23 Player 4 Former Players
Albirex Niigata (S) Hyrulnizam Juma'at [34] Noor Akid Nordin Gareth Low [35] Ong Yu En [36] Iman Hakim [37] Aizil Yazid [38] Sharul Nizam [39]
Zamani Zamri [40]
Daniel Goh [41]
Balestier Khalsa Shuhei Hoshino [42] Šime Žužul [43] Kristijan Krajcek [44] Ensar Brunčević [45]
DPMM FC Charlie Clough [46] Andrey Varankow [47] Emerson [48]
Geylang International Yuki Ichikawa [49] Barry Maguire [50] Kamolidin Tashiev [51] Gilson Varela [52]
Panagiotis Linardos [53]
Hougang United Stipe Plazibat [54] Charlie Machell [55] Zachary Anderson [56] Maksat Dzhakybaliev [57]
Lion City Sailors Song Ui-young [58] Kaishu Yamazaki [59] Andy Pengelly [60]
Tampines Rovers Kyoga Nakamura [61] Jordan Webb [62] Dhia Azrai Naim Rosman [63] Zehrudin Mehmedović [64]
Tanjong Pagar United Takahiro Tanaka [65] Shodai Nishikawa [66] Luiz Júnior [67] Yann Motta

Note 1: Albirex is allowed to sign as many locals as their budget allows. However, the club are only allowed one Singaporean over the age of 23.

Abandonment

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore and Southeast Asia, the season ended unexpectedly early, as safe distancing measures kicked in from 27 Mar and would likely continue to be in place until the final stages of the season.

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Tampines Rovers 4 3 0 1 7 2 +5 9 Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage
2 Geylang International 3 2 0 1 5 5 0 6 Qualification for AFC Cup group stage
3 Albirex Niigata (S)[lower-alpha 1] 3 1 2 0 8 4 +4 5
4 Balestier Khalsa 4 1 2 1 6 5 +1 5
5 Hougang United 3 1 1 1 7 5 +2 4
6 DPMM FC[lower-alpha 1] 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3
7 Tanjong Pagar United 3 0 2 1 3 5 −2 2
8 Lion City Sailors 2 0 1 1 1 5 −4 1
9 Young Lions[lower-alpha 1] 3 0 0 3 1 9 −8 0
Updated to match(es) played on 20 March 2020. Source: Singapore Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of wins
Notes:
  1. The two foreign clubs – Albirex Niigata (S) and DPMM – as well as the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) under-21 team, Young Lions, are ineligible for any AFC competition spots.

Results
Home \ Away ALB BAL DPM GEY LCS HOU TAM TPU YLI ALB BAL DPM GEY LCS HOU TAM TPU YLI
Albirex Niigata (S) — 4–0 —
Balestier Khalsa 2–2 — 2–2 —
DPMM FC — 2–0 —
Geylang International — 3–0 —
Lion City Sailors — —
Hougang United 1–2 — —
Tampines Rovers 1–0 4–0 — 2–0 —
Tanjong Pagar United 2–2 1–1 — —
Young Lions 0–2 1–4 — —
Updated to match(es) played on 20 March 2020. Source:
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Statistics

Top scorers

As of 20 March 2020

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Stipe Plazibat Hougang United 5
2 Jordan Webb Tampines Rovers 3
2 Reo Nishiguchi Albirex Niigata (S) 3
3 Ryoya Tanigushi Albirex Niigata (S) 2
3 Tomoyuki Doi Albirex Niigata (S) 2
3 Ensar Brunčević Balestier Khalsa 2
3 Shuhei Hoshino Balestier Khalsa 2
3 Iqbal Hussain Geylang International 2
3 Christopher van Huizen Geylang International 2
3 Boris Kopitović Tampines Rovers 2
3 Yann Motta Tanjong Pagar United 2

Top Assist

As @ 18 March 2020.

Rank Player Club Assists
1 Jordan Webb Tampines Rovers 3
2 Kristijan Krajček Balestier Khalsa 2

Clean Sheet
As @ 18 March 2020.
Rank Player Club Clean Sheet
1 Syazwan Buhari Tampines Rovers 3
2 Kei Okawa Albirex Niigata (S) 1
2 Emerson DPMM FC 1
2 Zaiful Nizam Balestier Khalsa 1
2 Zainol Gulam Geylang International 1

Hat-tricks
PlayerForAgainstResultDateReference
Stipe PlazibatHougang United Young Lions4–11 March 2020 [68]

Note 4 Player scored 4 goals 5 Player scored 5 goals

Own goal
PlayerTeamAgainstDate

Penalty missed
PlayerForAgainstDate
Shuhei HoshinoBalestier KhalsaTampines Rovers1 March 2020

Man of Match
As of 20 Mar 2020.
Rank Player Club Man of Match
1 Jordan Webb Tampines Rovers 2
1 Stipe Plazibat Hougang United 2
2 Kenji Syed Rusydi Tanjong Pagar United 1
2 Fashah Iskandar Tanjong Pagar United 1
2 Syazwan Buhari Tampines Rovers 1
2 Zaiful Nizam Balestier Khalsa 1
2 Hazzuwan Halim Balestier Khalsa 1
2 Andrey Varankow DPMM FC 1
2 Reo Nishiguchi Albirex Niigata (S) 1
2 Iqbal Hussain Geylang International 1
2 Christopher van Huizen Geylang International 1

Awards

Monthly awards
Month Player of the Month Young Player of the Month Reference
Coach Club Player Club
April

Singapore Premier League Awards night winners
Awards Winners Club
Player of the Year
Young Player of the Year
Coach of the Year
Top Scorer Award
Fair Play Award
Referee of the Year


References
  1. Football: Goodbye S-League, welcome Singapore Premier League Straits Times, 21 March 2018
  2. "2018 changes".
  3. "Singapore Premier League increases foreign player quota for 2020 season".
  4. "Fans split on idea of shared premises".
  5. "Albirex new signing rules".
  6. "FAS instructs Warriors FC to sit out 2020 SPL season, club asks for urgent meeting".
  7. "Tanjong Pagar United to replace Warriors FC in Singapore Premier League 2020".
  8. "Stadium change for clubs for 2020".
  9. "Singapore tech firm Sea takes ownership of Home United; club changes name to Lion City Sailors FC".
  10. "2020 SPL Handbook" (PDF).
  11. "Young Lions to escape axe, will continue until 2019 SEA Games at least".
  12. "Apparel Partnership Contract with MIZUNO for 2019 Season".
  13. "Corroborated sources confirmed Marko Kraljevic (right) will stay on as Balestier Khalsa Football Club head coach".
  14. "Our team captain and goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam was injured during a Singapore Premier League match".
  15. "Balestier Khalsa is proud to announce our new kit brand for season 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣!".
  16. "Balestier Khalsa embark on Singapore Premier League journey with Jeep".
  17. "Noor Ali has penned a new three-year contract".
  18. "Captain Yuki has a message for you".
  19. "FBT continue sponsorship".
  20. "Head Coach Clement Teo signs for another year with the Cheetahs! ⁣".
  21. "Sponsor for HGFC".
  22. "Vidmar become dragon's tamer".
  23. "Izzdin the new captain for 2018".
  24. "Gavin has signed a two year contract".
  25. "The club has inked a multi-year sponsorship deal from 2020 onwards, with Japanese sportswear giant Mizuno".
  26. "Tampines Rovers retain sponsor after delivering on 'informal promise' to win Cup".
  27. "Nazri Nasir to take over GYL duty from Fandi Ahmad".
  28. "Fandi Ahmad promoted to head of elite youth".
  29. "Nazri Nasir to take over GYL duty from Fandi Ahmad".
  30. "Home United finally confirm Raddy Avramovic as new head coach".
  31. "Vidmar become dragon's tamer".
  32. "Singapore Premier League increases foreign player quota for 2020 season".
  33. "Albirex Niigata could sign up to four Singaporean players in a boost for 2019 SEA Games".
  34. "Hyrulnizam Juma'at extends contract for 2020".
  35. "Gareth Low (Young Lions) confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season".
  36. "Ong Yu En confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season".
  37. "Iman Hakim Ibrahim confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season".
  38. "Aizil confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season".
  39. "Sharul Nizam (Young Lions) confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season".
  40. "Zamani Zamri extends contract for 2019".
  41. "Daniel Goh (Balestier Khalsa FC) confirmed to join White Swans for 2020 Season".
  42. "Balestier Khalsa is delighted to announce the new signing of Shuhei 'Jumbo' Hoshino".
  43. "Tiger 🐯 Šime Žužul to continue to terrorise opposition defence in 2020".
  44. "Extended deal for Kiki 🐯".
  45. "Ensar Bruncevic revealed as new player".
  46. "Clough extends contract for 1year".
  47. "Андрей Воронков продлил контракт с брунейским ДПММ" (in Russian).
  48. "Journeyman goalkeeper Emerson Conceição has been signed instead, with a view to stalwart Wardun Yussof's planned retirement at the end of this season".
  49. "Yuki Ichikawa extends his stay at the club".
  50. "Barry returns to the Eagles nest".
  51. "Kamolidin Tashiev joins Eagles for 2020 from FC Abdysh-Ata Kant".
  52. "Sport Benfica e Castelo Branco striker joins Eagles for 2020".
  53. "Panagiotis Linardos joins Eagles from Panachaiki F.C."
  54. "Stipe Plazibat will be staying with the Cheetahs for another season".
  55. "Svay Rieng FC, Charlie, joins Hougang United!⁣⁣".
  56. "Hougang United Football Club (HGFC)". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  57. "Maksat Dzhakybaliev joins Cheetah for 2020 on season loan".
  58. "Song Ui-young rejects Persija for Home stay, eyes Singapore colours".
  59. "Protector recruited Japanese defender Kaishu Yamazaki".
  60. "Vidmar become dragon's tamer".
  61. "Kyoga Nakamura joins Stags for 2020 season".
  62. "Jordan Webb joins the Stags for his second stint".
  63. "The club has also confirmed the signing of Malaysian striker, Dhia Azrai, as featured in Home Kit poster".
  64. "Zehrudin Mehmedović has signed his contract with the club for 2020".
  65. "Takahiro Tanaka to transfer to Tanjong Pagar United FC".
  66. "Jaguar could come in the form of former Brazil youth striker Luiz Junior and midfielder Shodai Nishikawa".
  67. "Luiz Junior: From U-17 World Cup with Brazil to SPL".
  68. "Plazibat hat-trick in R1 against Young Lions".
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