This piece of story is abit wols but in the spirit of the love for the game, it is worth telling.

In October 2008, FAS sent an invitation to a Canadian Soccer League (CSL) representative to send down a team the following month. CSL is Canada's top professional league. Head coach of North York Astros (CSL), Rafael Carbajal was put in charge of the team.

With time not on his side, Carbajal posted notice on CSL websites for budding players to make the trip.

They gathered their own finances, kits and sponsors for the flight to singapore and other costs were paid for by FAS. A team of 10 players and Carbajal made the trip.

The CSL Selects played 3 friendlies.
First game was against a local professional club. The match ended in a 2-2 draw (Harris, Wiredu).

Second game was against an S-League Selection which featured some Brazilians. The CSL Selects lost 2-3 (Harris, Wiredu scored again).

Third game was with another local club (again, no mention who, but the club had 28 players and used unlimited subs). The CSL selects won 1-0.

Amazingly they played all their games with no substitute. A local keeper was loaned to them during the friendlies.

Carbajal and the players loved Singapore and were impressed by the great and clean city.


First game


Second game (with Balestier keeper?)


Third game (with Albirex keeper?)
photos courtesy of VPjr of The Voyaguers

Players signed


Wiredu (in blue), courtesy of http://www.italiashooters.ca
Murphy Wiredu, Striker, 23 (Sengkang Punggol)
He has appeared for Canadian teams Toronto Lynx and Ottawa Fury in the United States Leagues Premier Developmental League (USL-PSL), fourth tier of US league system. His previous club was Italia Shooters SC where he scored 6 goals in 19 matches. The Shooters finished champions in the International Division and were knocked out in semi final of the Playoffs.

Anthony Bahadur, Midfield, 20 (Sengkang Punggol)
He has also appeared for Toronto Lynx and North York Astros (CSL). Astros finished runners-up in the National Division and were knocked out in quarter final of the Playoffs.


Harris on the ball. photo courtesy of http://www.cambridgetimes.ca
Ricky Marvin Harris, Striker (Geylang United)
The fairy tale ending probably belongs to Harris. Playing lower league football in the sem-pro Ontario Soccer league, he decided to give the trip a go. Scored two goals during the friendlies, he was signed by the Eagles. Harris was previously with GS United (OSL), helping them to win the division and he was also named the division's Rookie of the year. He was also the club's top scorer.

It is not known how much the three of them will be paid, it was mentioned that it is definitely more than what they get back in Canada. Canadian fan, Eric, said they would not even get that sort of salary in Toronto FC, Canada's team in the US Major League Soccer.

We wish Anthony, Murphy and Ricky an enjoyable and successful stay in the S-League.

Reference:
The Voyageurs
http://www.italiashooters.ca
http://www.ontariosl.com
CSL 2008