Sports Minutes with Zia-ul Raushan

Jordan Webb, remember him? He arrived as a fleet-footed winger from Canada in 2010, and spent close to a decade making a mark in the Singapore Premier League - most notably for Tampines Rovers. 6 years since departing in fairly abrupt circumstances, he sits down with Sports Minutes to tell us how close he came to representing his "second home", his regrets on never achieving that goal and how a fa...

Surprises galore this Singapore Premier League weekend  - with Geylang snapping a 4-game winless streak, coaches opting to be experimental in their team selections and a refereeing decision that left fans scratching their heads We unpack it all, plus cast our eye on potential nominees for season-ending awards on Sports Minutes. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystu...

Raihan Rahman’s football journey has been anything but straightforward. From losing his place in the professional game to rebuilding his career in the amateur ranks, his return to Tanjong Pagar United is a story of resilience. Now a leader in the squad and approaching 100 appearances, Raihan reflects on his comeback and the Jaguars’ difficult season. Got a story to tell? Get in touch!...

Balestier keep the good times rolling with a fourth straight win, while BG Tampines put five past the Young Lions to keep pace at the top of the table. But beyond the scorelines, Sports Minutes runs the rule over domestic recruitment - from signings that are flourishing, to those flattering to deceive. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

From head video analyst to interim head coach - Varo Moreno’s voyage has been anything but ordinary. Speaking to Sports Minutes,, he shares what it was like taking charge of the Sailors, how he handled the pressure, and his thoughts on Jesus Casas’ arrival. Plus, insight into the post-Lestienne era and how modern analytics is shaping football in Singapore. Got a story to tell? Get in t...

Sanctions. Forfeits. Points docked. It’s been a bruising week for Hougang United following the ruling by the Football Association of Singapore over the fielding of an ineligible player. In an EXCLUSIVE Sports Minutes sit-down, club captain Ryaan Sanizal tackles the tough questions head-on — speaking openly about accountability, resilience, and guiding a young squad through one of the m...

History was made this past weekend as a goalkeeper scored for the first time in the Singapore Premier League - rescuing a late point for the league-leading Lion City Sailors. But beyond history, there was yet more refereeing calls that had implications on results and outcomes that had ramifications on the title race. Sports Minutes unpacks it all, in the company of Deepanraj Ganesan of The Straits...

Silverware galore at home. A landmark run in Asia. But ultimately, not enough. Aleksandar Rankovic joins Sports Minutes to reflect on his departure as head coach from Lion City Sailors - discussing continental ambitions, squad evolution, and the moment he knew his time at the club might be coming to an end. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

From red cards to recruitment strategy, from leadership to life after Tomoyuki Doi - Geylang International’s season hasn’t gone to plan. Sports Miniutes sits down with the Eagle's club captain Joshua Pereira to unpack the downfall, the dressing room mood, and the road ahead. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the referee becomes the headline (again), you know there’s a problem. Kyoga Nakamura’s elbow went unpunished, while weeks ago Madhu Mohana was sanctioned for a similar incident. Sports Minutes speaks exclusively to Madhu himself, plus Deepanraj Ganesan weighs in as we - uncover the consistently inconsistent levels of officiating in the Singapore Premier League. Got a story to tell...

Quarter-finals secured in the ACL Two, and now a blockbuster clash with league leaders Lion City Sailors awaits. Add in a recent coaching change and a relentless February schedule, and BG Tampines Rovers have plenty on their plate. Vice-captain Shah Shahiran joins Sports Minutes to discuss momentum, mindset, and what it’ll take to keep the Stags charging on all fronts. Got a story to tell? G...

Breakups and rebounds took centre stage this Valentine’s weekend in domestic football, as BG Tampines Rovers parted ways with their head coach before a twist of events gave them a second chance to stay alive in the ACL Two. Sports Minutes dives in with the latest. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retirement brings reflection, and perspective. After 15 years in Singapore football, Emmeric Ong sits down with Sports Minutes to reflect on stepping away, the realities players can’t always say out loud, and what he hopes the future holds for Singapore football. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From traffic delays to tragic injuries, the Singapore Premier League delivered yet again - giving Sports Minutes plenty to discuss and dissect. Sailors continued their 100% start to the season despite losing their head coach, while another club could possibly be parting ways with their manager. Who could that be? Tune in to find out! Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnyst...

Lion City Sailors have announced the departure of Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković with immediate effect. Despite 8 wins in 8 league matches, the defending SPL Champions have suffered exits in both continental competitions - which led to increased scrutiny on the head coach. Having taken over the reigns in June 2023, Ranko departs having delivered five major trophies and a fairytale run to the ACL T...

At 30, Amirul Adli chose change. Speaking to Sports Minutes, he explains why he left BG Tampines despite their strong season, how he’s adapting to life in Malaysia, and what pushed him to take this leap. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He’s back on the pitch, back getting wins and back enjoying football. Zulqarnaen Suzliman joins Sports Minutes to talk about his Albirex loan switch, the confidence that comes with game time and why he chose to leave the Lion City Sailors. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From in fighting cubs to in form players, under fire coaches to underwhelming foreign signings - Sports Minutes recaps all the talking points from another round of Singapore Premier League matches...and more! READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/spotted-lions-coach-gavin-lee-on-the-train-hed-like-you-to-say-hi Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listen...

When change happens behind the scenes and silence follows online, speculation fills the void. So with Hougang United in flux, Sports Minutes sits down with Panarai “Otto” Pansiri and Walid Lounis to separate fact from fiction. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a season crying out for change, the Young Lions have doubled down on experience...again. Veterans Izwan Mahbud and Abdil Qaiyyim have been drafted in by Coach Firdaus Kassim, to guide a youthful squad on and off the pitch. And with nearly 200 league appearances under his belt, 'Abang Abdil' joins Sports Minutes to talk leadership, responsibility, and fixing a fragile back line. Got a story to t...

4 matches, 21 goals, 2 Red Cards, a host of debuts and a ton of talking points! The Singapore Premier League is well and truly back, and it takes centre stage on Sports Minutes! Zia-ul Raushan and Deepanraj Ganesan unpack all that went down across the weekend - including contentious decisions and cracking goals. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See omnystudio.com/listener for...

As the Singapore Premier League resumes in earnest, it’s time for Tanjong Pagar United to turn promise into points. With just one win so far, much of the Jaguars’ hopes rest on Spanish striker Youssef Ezzejjari - a journeyman forward with a proven eye for goal. From Catalonia to Indonesia, Thailand to Cambodia, how did “El Matador” end up on Singapore’s shores? Tune i...

As Singapore prepares for its first-ever wheelchair rugby appearance at the ASEAN Para Games, Sports Minutes sits down with the leaders who made it possible. From limited resources to growing belief, this candid conversation reveals the challenges of building a para-sport ecosystem, the pride of finally flying the flag, and what support could mean for the next generation. Got a story to tell? Get...

The Lion City Sailors secured a third consecutive Singapore Cup title, beating BG Tampines Rovers 2-0 after extra time. But beyond the Sailors' historic three-peat - the match was marred by an administrative error by the Stags, who now face forfeiting the match due to a rule breach. Sports Minutes has the details as Zia-ul Raushan speaks to Deepanraj Ganesan of The Straits Times. READ MORE: https:...

Two clubs. One trophy. And plenty of history. As Lion City Sailors and BG Tampines prepare to meet in a repeat Singapore Cup Final, Sports Minutes hosts a pre-match face-off featuring Bailey Wright and Trent Buhagiar. From dressing-room beliefs to changing managers, new signings and old rivalries, the pair lift the lid on what really goes into preparing for the season’s first showpiece event...