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WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Sports happenings in Singapore (18-24 Oct)

The Singapore U-22 footballers in training. (PHOTO: Football Association of Singapore)
The Singapore U-22 footballers in training. (PHOTO: Football Association of Singapore)

SINGAPORE — Here is a round-up of sports events and developments in Singapore in the past week (18-24 October):

Nazri Nasir names 23 for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers

Singapore Under-22 men’s national head coach Nazri Nasir named 23 players in the final squad for the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, which will be held at Jalan Besar Stadium from Monday (25 October) to Sunday.

This final squad was trimmed from a provisional squad of 28 players, which had been undergoing centralised training since early this month.

The Young Lions will face Timor-Leste in their Group H opener on Monday, followed by matches against the Philippines on Thursday and South Korea on Sunday. In line with the prevailing COVID-19 safe management measures, a maximum of 1,000 spectators will be allowed in the stadium for each match.

A total of 11 groups will contest the U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, with the group winners and four best second-placed teams set to advance to the final stage. The U-23 Asian Cup will be held in Uzbekistan in June 2022.

The final squad: Dylan Pereira Singh, Martyn Mun, Ridhwan Fikri; Danish Irfan, Jacob Mahler, Jordan Emaviwe, Nur Adam Abdullah, Raoul Suhaimi, Ryaan Sanizal, Ryhan Stewart; Arshad Shamin, Daniel Goh, Farhan Zulkifli, Harhys Stewart, Jared Gallagher, Joel Chew, Rezza Rezky, Saifullah Akbar, Shah Shahiran, Zamani Zamri; Glenn Kweh, Khairin Nadim, Zikos Chua.

Terry Hee, Loh Kean Hean clinch Dutch Open men's doubles titles

Singapore badminton pair Terry Hee and Loh Kean Hean clinched the Dutch Open men's doubles title, after defeating Malaysia's Tan Wee Kiong and Tan Kian Meng 21-14, 18-21, 22-20 at the Topsportcentrum Almere two Sundays ago (17 October).

The world No. 190 duo have been partners for close to five years and their chemistry showed against the new Malaysian pairing. Besides the winners' trophy, they also earned 1,350 euros (S$2,110) in prize money.

Kean Hean's younger brother Kean Yew had earlier won the men's singles title in the same event. The younger Loh could not sustain his winning form at his next event, the Denmark Open, as he fell 19-21, 14-21 to Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen in the first round.

Hee added icing on the cake when he paired up with his wife Tan Wei Han to win the mixed doubles title at the Czech Open on Sunday (24 October), beating Russia's 265th-ranked Lev Barinov and Anastasiia Boiarun 21-18, 21-12.

PHOTO: Runsohfast.com
PHOTO: Runsohfast.com

Takagi Ramen in $20k partnership with Soh Rui Yong

Food-and-beverage chain Takagi Ramen announced a partnership worth $20,000 with double SEA Games marathon champion Soh Rui Yong on Saturday (23 October), in a boost for his 2022 Asian Games campaign in which he will attempt to qualify in the 10,000m.

“I had to work hard all my life to get to where I am today in sports,” said Soh. “I am excited to work with Takagi Ramen because I immediately related to their slogan. I really respected the portion size provided, compared to some other ramen shops that charge more but give smaller portions.”

Soh, who holds the national records in the 5,000m, 10,000m, the half marathon and the marathon, said the ramen chain appealed to him in its championing of social issues such as creating an inclusive workplace by not requiring declaration of criminal status during job applications.

Takagi Ramen has eight outlets in Singapore and is renowned for selling its ramen at affordable prices, with its slogan of "Ramen for the Average Singaporean".

"Takagi Ramen believes this partnership with Soh Rui Yong will help us inspire more average people to never give up on hard work," said Yang Kaiheng, owner of Takagi Ramen.

Goh Chui Ling sets national-best time in women's 10km (road)

National runner Goh Chui Ling set a national-best time of 37min 17.5sec in finishing fourth at the women's 10km (road) event at the Ascona-Locarno Run in Switzerland on Sunday (17 October).

The 28-year-old's effort smashed the previous mark by 51.5 seconds. Her achievement is not logged as a national record as the event is not featured at the Olympic Games.

Italian Giovanna Selva won the race in 34:10.9, while Swiss duo Valerie Lehmann (35:07.3) and Amy Leibundgut (37:04.9) came in second and third respectively.

Goh plans on qualifying for the 800m and 1,500m events at next year's SEA Games and Asian Games.

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