Although still battling fiercely with the coronavirus pandemic, Singapore leads the way for Asian football with a slow and steady return to routine. Although still playing behind closed doors, they try and get creative.
Nigeria and Brazil will meet for the first time in 16 years, this time in a friendly match in Singapore. For the Nigerians, it is a match-up filled with nostalgia from the incredible 1996 Olympics journey, and they would look to surprise the Seleção again.
(All hours are in CET)
Amateur (Like this guy)
What? LKS Nieciecza – Piast Gliwice (Polish Ekstraklasa)
When? Friday, 18:00
Where? Stadion Termaliki Bruk-Bet, Nieciecza
Why? Piast Gliwice never played in the top tier before 2009 and they have a tremendous opening with 34 points in 15 matches, leading the table by 8 points. LKS Nieciecza is already making history, as they are ranked in the 9th place in their debut season.
Key Players: One of the interesting players in LKS Nieciecza is Wojciech Kędziora, who played in 3 clubs in the city of Gliwice and spent 10 years in Piast. One of the guys to watch in Piast Gliwice is Radosław Murawski, a 21 year old home grown player and the team’s captain.
The Village People: LKS Nieciecza holds the European record for the smallest ever village to play in a first division with 750 inhabitants. The previous record was held by the Cezch club Chmel Blšany with 900 people in the village.
Professional (like this commentator)
What? Millonarios – Independiente Santa Fe (Colombian Categoría Primera A)
When? Sunday, 23:00
Where? Estadio El Campín, Bogotá
Why? There is nothing more exciting than a derby in the decisive moments of the season.
El Clásico Capitalino (Bogotáno) between Millonarios and Independiente Santa Fe.
Key Players: Millonarios’ top gun is Rafael Robayo, one of the biggest legends in the club’s history with 384 appearances since 2005. At Santa Fe’s squad you can find Luis Manuel Seijas, a Venezuelan international midfielder who returned to the club after years in Belgium and Ecuador.
Foreign Dominance: From 1948 to 1987, during the first 40 seasons of the Colombian league, only one Colombian player was named as the seasonal top scorer. In 34 out of these 40 seasons, the top scorer was Argentine.
World Class (like these fans)
What? Brunei DPMM – Balestier Khalsa (Singapore S. League)
When? Saturday, 13:15
Where? Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Bandar Seri Begawan
Why? It's the last matchday in Singapore, and Brunei DPMM are one step away from their first ever title. The team, who previously played at their own national league and the Malaysian league, is now leading the Singaporean league by 2 points. Balestier Khalsa is just trying to finish the league with a decent result.
Key Players: Brunei DPMM leader is Rafael Ramazotti, a Brazilian striker and the league’s top scorer with 20 goals. Belastier’s goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam, one of the most dominant players in the team, is also an interesting figure.
Be Our Guests: Except from Brunei DPMM, the S. League has many of guest teams. At the moment, those are Japanese side Albirex Niigata and the U-23 national teams of Singapore and Malaysia. In the past there were also Korean, Chinese, and even a French team.
