Two events in recent days prompted me to jot this note – the Singapore Cup and Tampines Rovers failed to qualify for the AFC Cup.

The premier knockout tournament will see the nine teams from the Singapore Premier League (SPL) split into two groups with 5 teams in Group A and the rest in Group B.

STAGS FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR A SPOT IN THE AFC CUP

In the meantime, Tampines Rovers found themselves being denied a spot in the continental tournament which they would easily qualify to the knock-out stages in the past when they were beaten 3-2 by Phnom Penh Crown of Cambodia in the qualifying play-off.

Stags’ coach Gavin Lee faced criticism after failing to qualify for the AFC Cup

Ironically, Phnom Penh Crown was one of the many regional invitees in the past to play in the Singapore Cup competition.

The above-mentioned tournament, at one point, was dubbed the “Asean Friendship Invitational” because of the participation of club sides from the neighbouring countries.