S-League Reject now playing in World Cup

[manokie]

Date of Birth: 22 May 1983
Height: 180 cm
Shirt number: 21
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Tampa Bay (USA)
International Caps: 23
International Goals: 1
First international: Australia - New Zealand (9 June 2005)
A utility player Christie has filled numerous roles in his career, and having started primarily as a midfielder, he was used mostly at right full-back for Wellington Phoenix.



SINGAPORE - He came last November with hopes of plying his trade in a league touted as one of Asia's top 10.

Playing in a closed-door trial match at the Jalan Besar Stadium with other foreign hopefuls, Jeremy Christie only had one shot at impressing representatives from the eight local S-League clubs. But not one coach or manager approached the New Zealander with an offer.

But he has got over that disappointment rather quickly.

Instead of facing the likes of Geylang United and Sengkang Punggol in the S-League, Christie played against Slovakia and Italy at the World Cup in South Africa, earning New Zealand's first World Cup points in the process.

The All Whites, as the New Zealand footballers are known, have already got two points in Group F following their 1-1 draws with the Slovaks and defending champion Italy.

Going into their final game against Paraguay on Thursday, New Zealand and their No 21 Christie are within reach of the second round.

Paul Cunningham, Balestier Khalsa's Kiwi defender, said: "We knew each other from New Zealand, and he's a top guy. We played a game here as triallists, and we got along really well. But no club picked him."

Currently with United States Soccer Federation's Division 2 side FC Tampa Bay, Christie was brought here for the Football Association of Singapore's centralised trials by Trebol Sports Management.

Said Trebol's sporting director Bryan Lim: "We were willing to forgo our commission to help get him into the S-League, but despite our efforts no club wanted him.

"He had to leave mid-way through the trials because Ricki Herbert (the Kiwi head coach) called him up to be on standby for the two-leg World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain."

Christie told Bolasepako.com last November: "I'd love to play in Singapore some day, as it's a nice place and the S-League is one of the top leagues in Asia."

But after having his S-League dreams dashed, one wonders if the New Zealander still feels the same.

http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/E...the-last-laugh

 

[Orion]

Singapore says S-league is top 10 in asia but cant make it to the world cup:X

 

[eErotica69]

Singapore says S-league is top 10 in asia but cant make it to the world cup:X

.

First, it is not Singapore that said that they are top 10 Asian League. AFC said that. Second, only top 4 Asian teams qualify for the World Cup!

 

[Jabba]

the world cup singapore qualify for is the world cup england will win...

 

[Orion]

.

First, it is not Singapore that said that they are top 10 Asian League. AFC said that. Second, only top 4 Asian teams qualify for the World Cup!

No difference lah. Our papers reported that NUS is the top 5 university among thousands of universities in Asia. They keep spreading the Word to other people. Even AFC also kenna mislead. You think the AFC have no Singapore officials to influence mah?

If Singapore is top 5...then AFC will try to say Singapore is top 5 league in Asia, better than South and North korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, Pakistan, M'sia, Thailand, Vietnam...cannot be , we all know our inconsistent standards. Being top 10 is like being like the bottom 10, cannot make it.

 

[lancerglxi]

S League only emply if his O and L level results are good. Otherwise consider no talent.

 

[red amoeba]

slovenia - with a population of 2m...is through to the knock-out round.

denmark has won the European cup before.

the above countries have population less than Singapore.

NZ with more sheep than people are in the world cup - ok, maybe they went in because they are in the weaker Oceania group and because Australia is in Asia Group.

But you reckon if Singapore is in Oceania group, we will qualify?

Looking at the shambolic performance against Lebanon...I think not in a 100 years. unless, our dicks is so long that it act as the 3rd leg and can score...

 

[Sideswipe]

But you reckon if Singapore is in Oceania group, we will qualify?

Looking at the shambolic performance against Lebanon...I think not in a 100 years. unless, our dicks is so long that it act as the 3rd leg and can
score...

let say Singapore replace New Zealand in Oceania.
Sinkland will win Oceania zone with relative ease then it is a playoff from whoever from Asia/South America/Central America

The chances are like previously you enter a lucky draw from the 1st stage but there are three stages. Now you enter the lucky draw at 3rd final stages.

 

[Balls2U]

I can't believe that Mediacock is actually televising the S-League matches live during this World Cup period. Who would even bother to watch such crap when the best and finest football is being played out in S. Africa? Look at the stadium when the SUCKS League is played. There is hardly any spectators there. Perhaps some hardcore Mat Yo Yos! :oIo:

 

[ah_phah]

I can't believe that Mediacock is actually televising the S-League matches live during this World Cup period. Who would even bother to watch such crap when the best and finest football is being played out in S. Africa? Look at the stadium when the SUCKS League is played. There is hardly any spectators there. Perhaps some hardcore Mat Yo Yos! :oIo:

bobian, mediacock accepted the sponsors (NTUC-Yeo's) deal, and they can't afford to bid for worldcup live telecast, so that's the only football they can air.