Contributed by Hairul Sukaime

Singapore, Wednesday, March 30, 2011 — The S.League All Stars side to face the Albirex Niigata Selection in a charity match to raise funds for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami was announced today. A host of Japanese footballing royalty, including former internationals Hidetoshi Nakata, Masaaki Sawanobori and Masakiyo Maezono, will play for the Albirex Niigata Singapore Selection side.

The S.League All Stars are coached by three-time S.League Coach of the Year, Richard Bok of SAFFC and he will be assisted by another Singapore football stalwart, S.Subramani of Home United.

Young Lions skipper Hariss Harun will lead the All Stars for the first half with Balestier Khalsa’s Paul Cunningham wearing the captain’s armband for the second half.

All proceeds raised from the match will directly support the Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. Football fans who attend the Charity Match can also contribute through donation boxes which will be placed around the stadium.

“We really hope that many, many people are coming down for the match,” said Bok.

“The S.League Cares, TAKE ACTION Foundation and Albirex Niigata Singapore have come together to raise funds for the people of Japan, so I hope to see a full stadium on Saturday.”

Four players from Bok’s SAFFC side made the squad, with goalkeeper Shahril Jantan, defender Shaiful Esah, midfielder Mustaqim Manzur and forward Fazrul Nawaz in the list of 22.

Meanwhile S.League champions Etoile are also represented by four players: defender Sirina Camara, midfielders Hicham Bounchem and Maxime Belouet and forward Jonathan Totoi.

The S.League All Stars team is:

Goalkeepers: Shahril Jantan (SAFFC), Izwan Mahbud (Young Lions)
Defenders: Paul Cunningham (Balestier Khalsa), Afiq Yunos (Courts Young Lions), Sirina Camara (Etoile), Obadin Aikhena (Gombak United), Walid Lounis (Gombak United), Jeremy Chiang (Gombak United), Emmeric Ong (Hougang United), Shaiful Esah (SAFFC)
Midfielders: Armanizam Dolah (Balestier Khalsa), K Vikraman (Balestier Khalsa), Hariss Harun (Courts Young Lions), Hicham Bounchem (Etoile), Maxime Belouet (Etoile) Carlos Alberto Delgado (Hougang United), Fazli Jaffar (Hougang United), Jordan Webb (Hougang United), Mustaqim Manzur (SAFFC)
Forwards: Vitor Borges De Souza (Balestier Khalsa), Jonathan Totoi (Etoile), Fazrul Nawaz (SAFFC)

While not every club is represented in the All-Stars squad because of S.League match commitments, they are nevertheless contributing to the cause.

Home United have donated proceeds from their match against Woodlands Wellington on March 27th to the relief efforts.

Meanwhile, Tampines Rovers will also be placing donations boxes in their designated ‘home’ blockbuster clash at the Jalan Besar Stadium on April 1st against Home United.

Tickets priced at $12 (Grandstand) and $6 (Gallery) for the match will go on sale from Friday, April 1st at the Albirex Niigata Singapore office at Jurong East Stadium and the FAS office at Jalan Besar Stadium.

For more information on the limited number of $200 VIP tickets for the Charity Match, please contact Muhammad Andi Mirza of the FAS at 68803150.

Match Details
S.League All Stars vs TAKE ACTION with Albirex Niigata Singapore Selection
Date: Saturday, 02 April 2011
Time: 5.00pm
Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium

Ticketing Information
Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 1st, 2011.
Where: Albirex Niigata (Singapore) office
21 Jurong East St 31
#04-04 Jurong East Sports Complex S 609517
Tel: +65 6334 0511
Fax: +65 6334 0510

Where: Football Association of Singapore office
100 Tyrwhitt Road
Jalan Besar Stadium S 207542
Tel: +65 6293 1477
Fax: +65 6293 3728