RAFAEL JIMENEZ SIGNS WITH SYDNEY OLIMPIC

Young Spanish-Australian RAFAEL JIMENEZ takes a step forward in his career and agrees terms with SYDNEY OLYMPIC FC for the 2018 season.

Sydney Olympic FC is directed from the bench by also Spaniard Gorka Etxeberria, a former technical director of Alaves.

Rafael is a  naturalised Australian, carries the Australian passport of his parents and is determined to one day play for the Socceroos.

Jimenez took the first step to that dream when he played for the Young Socceroos against Mexico in the second match of the COTIF under-19s tournament in Valencia in 2013.

Rafael was born in Madrid and is a strapping central defender who has earned the nickname "The Beast", Rafael started his early football life at a junior academy at Real Madrid before he was scouted as a 12-year-old by Atletico Madrid, where during his four seasons he was named captain. He then continued his career at Villarreal academy.


Rafael believes his best qualities are his speed, physical strength, forward projection and ability to cause problems in the opposition box from set pieces, especially corners.

An assessment rated him a nine out of 10 in three categories -- technical, tactical and physical.

ENRIQUE RIVAS FIRMA POR EL KF FJARDABYGGD

Enrique Rivas Ramirez, formado en la cantera del Sevilla CF y procedente de la U.D. Ibiza firma por el KF Fjarðabyggð de la 2ª división de Islandia hasta final de temporada.

Enrique es un medio centro ofensivo y defensivo de gran calidad técnica, rápido y buen despliegue físico. 

Posee un físico engañoso ya que a primera vista parece un jugador débil, sin embargo es un jugador de raza sin miedo al contacto físico y con gran personalidad.

Es un jugador tácticamente inteligente y que sabe leer los partidos desde dentro en todo momento. 

Emplea pases en corto mayoritariamente. El pase en largo no lo suele emplear. Con los pases en corto intenta asociarse con sus compañeros buscando profundidad, siempre que no sea un riesgo. Es un jugador que principalmente busca llevar el balón a zonas de finalización, profundiza mediante pases. Es un futbolista muy conservador, en corto continuando la circulación, y si lo ve claro busca profundidad con pases, pero no suele perder el balón en zona de creación, ni de inicio, se asocia mediante pases no arriesga la posesión del balón.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW TO PABLO RODRIGUEZ, HOUGANG UNITED STRIKER

The Spanish striker PABLO RODRIGUEZ ARACIL answers a few questions about his arrival in Singapore and his hopes with Hougang United.

Pablo, you are the Spanish player who has played in more countries (14), what motivates you to come to Singapore and play in one of the most popular teams in the country?

Singapore had always been in my bucket list where to play and when I had the option to come to play here I did not think twice! Singapore is a spectacular country to live and enjoy day to day! And Hougang United has made a very good future project so it was very easy to decide to come here.

You will be the third Spanish player, after Francisco Salvador Ela "Chupe" in 2015 who also played for Hougang and Roberto Camarasa with Geylang in 2016.

I am proud to be this season the only Spaniard representing Spain in Singapore! Already knew about the other 2 Spaniards here, so it feels great to be the third Spaniard to debut and play in this magnificent country!

Why do you think Spanish players have not arrived in S-league?

I'm surprised to be just the third Spaniard to play here. I had been told that Singapore is a fairly closed market and it is difficult to enter because it is not a natural market and they do not know the Spanish player and what he can contribute with. Luckily, all barriers fall. Getting a good contract is not easy but thanks to Sarbon Football Agency that knows this market well  I was lucky to be able to sign this season in Singapore to enjoy a new country and a new experience.

We know you had multiple options before signing here,  Why did you choose Hougang Utd?

I chose Hougang United because it was the team that placed the strongest bet for me when they learned I was a free agent, the project was and is very ambitious for this season and obviously playing in Singapore was a dream I had for several seasons so everything has come out perfectly.

How would you describe your game and what intangibles can you bring to Hougang Utd?

My game is .. typical center forward  .. fighting spirit, good head game and giving the team the reference in the area that is needed to be able to create spaces and occasions to score goals.
The style of the team is different to my game but obviously I can contribute with my aerial power being a target man in the area and unblock tight games. The biggest intangible thing I can contribute is my international experience having fought against all kinds of centers backs (almost always with success).

Do you consider yourself the typical Spanish touch player?

No, I do not consider myself the typical Spanish player of touch (smiles) .. I consider myself more of an English style player .. but technically I have my qualities that I try to improve day by day with the trainings and with good advice of other players.


Philip Aw is one of the young coaches from Singapore who has a bright future, how would you describe his tactical input?

The coach has a philosophy exactly the same as Pep Guardiola, likes to get the ball played from behind and has very interesting tactical concepts, is a good coach, very young so I can predict a good future for him.

What are your personal and group goals?

My personal goal is to be top scorer of the S-league and the group is trying to fight for a title this season which would be historic for the club since they have never won any silverware yet.

How is your relationship with local players and foreigners?

My relationship with all colleagues is very good! I am already used to living and sharing dressing room with different nationalities so it has become very easy to have a good relationship with everyone and with the whole technical team.

What message do you send to the fans of Hougang Utd?

I really liked the detail of the reception at the airport on my arrival and my message is to support us throughout the season as there will be good times and bad but your support will be crucial to reach our goals. I'm sure we'll have a nice relationship.

PHOTOS by Heinkel Heinz

ENTREVISTA EXCLUSIVA A PABLO RODRIGUEZ, DELANTERO DEL HOUGANG UNITED

El delantero español PABLO RODRIGUEZ ARACIL nos responde a unas preguntas sobre su llegada a Singapur y sus esperanzas con el Hougang United.

Pablo, tu eres el jugador español que ha jugado en más países (14),  ¿ Qué te motiva para venir a Singapur y jugar en uno de los equipos con más solera del país ?

Singapur siempre estuve en mi bucket list (lista de cosas que hacer antes de morir) donde jugar y cuando me salió la opción de poder venir a jugar aquí ni me lo pensé ! Singapur es un país espectacular para vivir y disfrutar el día a día ! y Hougang United ha hecho un muy buen proyecto de futuro por lo que fue muy fácil decidirse a venir aquí.

Serás el tercer jugador español, después de Francisco Salvador Ela "Chupe" en 2015 que también jugó para Hougang y de Roberto Camarasa con Geylang en 2016. 

Me enorgullece poder ser esta temporada el único español representando a España en Singapur ! ya sabía que habían jugado anteriormente 2 españoles más por lo que me parece genial ser el tercer español en debutar y jugar en este magnífico país !

¿ Por qué crees que no han llegado jugadores españoles a la S-league ?

Me sorprende ser sólo el tercer español en jugar aquí. Me habían dicho que Singapur es un mercado bastante cerrado y es difícil entrar, porque no es un mercado natural y desconocen al jugador español y lo que puede aportar. Todas las barreras caen. Conseguir un buen contrato no es fácil pero gracias a Sarbon Football Agency que conoce bien este mercado y que me ofrecieron la suerte de poder firmar esta temporada en Singapur para poder disfrutar de un nuevo país y una nueva experiencia.

Sabemos que tuviste opciones de varios equipos ¿Por qué elegiste Hougang Utd?

Elegí Hougang United porque fue el equipo que más fuerte apostó por mí desde que supieron que quedaba libre,  el proyecto era y es muy ambicioso para esta temporada y obviamente jugar en Singapur era un sueño que tenía desde hace varias temporadas por lo que todo ha salido perfecto .

¿ Cómo describirías tu juego y qué intangibles puedes aportar a Hougang Utd ? 

Mi juego es .. delantero centro de toda la vida .. jugador luchador y buen remate de cabeza y aportando al equipo la referencia en el área que se necesita para poder crear espacios y ocasione para marcar goles .

El estilo del equipo es diferente a mi juego pero obviamente puedo aportar todo lo que ese estilo no tiene que es juego aéreo sobretodo y tener a un target man en el área. El mayor intangible que puedo aportar es mi experiencia internacional y haber luchado contra todo tipo de centrales (casi siempre con éxito).

¿Te consideras el típico jugador español de toque ? 

No no me considero el típico jugador español de toque (sonríe) .. me considero más jugador inglés .. pero técnicamente tengo mis cualidades que intento mejorar día a día con los entrenamientos y con buenos consejos de otros jugadores.

Philip Aw es uno de los jóvenes entrenadores de Singapur que más futuro tiene, ¿Cómo describirías su aporte táctico ?

El entrenador tiene una filosofía exactamente igual que a Pep Guardiola, le gusta sacar el balón jugado desde atrás y tiene conceptos tácticos bastante interesantes, es un buen entrenador, muy joven por lo que se le augura un buen futuro

¿Cuáles son tu objetivos personales y grupales ? 

Mi objetivo personal es ser máximo goleador de la S-league y el colectivo es intentar luchar por conseguir algún título esta temporada lo cual sería histórico para el club ya que nunca han ganado nada

¿ Cómo es tu relación con los jugadores locales y con los extranjeros ?

Mi relación con todos los compañeros es my buena ! ya estoy acostumbrado a convivir y compartir vestuario con diferentes nacionalidades por lo que se me ha hecho muy fácil tener buena relación con todos y con todo el cuerpo técnico.

¿Qué mensaje envías a la afición del Hougang Utd ?

Me gustó mucho el detalle de la recepción en el aeropuerto a mi llegada y mi mensaje es que nos apoyen toda la temporada ya que habrán momentos buenos y malos pero su apoyo será crucial para poder alcanzar los objetivos marcados. Estoy seguro que tendremos una bonita relación.

FOTOS DE  Heinkel Heinz

CRISTIAN PORTILLA HEADING TO USA

We are happy to announce that our client, Spanish midfielder CRISTIAN PORTILLA has agreed terms with new North American franchise, SAN FRANCISCO DELTAS, a project of Colombian Silicon Valley entrepeneur Brian Andrés Helmick and private investors that come from companies like Apple, Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Paypal, and Twitter. The team is trained by Canadian-Portuguese expert coach Marc Dos Santos. Marc has large experience in the North American soccer scene as well as in Europe.

The deal with the Deltas is for 3 seasons and Cristian will join the pre-season camp at the end of January 17. The Deltas will join the North American Soccer League (NASL) and will play their games at the exciting and historic 10,000 seat outdoor Kezar Stadium.

Cristian is a Spanish left footed defensive midfielder with experience in Spanish, Greek and Hungarian 1st division. This season Cristian started with CD MENSAJERO of Spanish 2B where he had been instrumental in the good results of the team. 

We would like to thank MARC DOS SANTOS and SAN FRANCISCO DELTAS for their trust in SARBON FOOTBALL AGENCY.

At the same time, we also want to thank CD MENSAJERO for their willingness to facilitate this deal.

PABLO RODRIGUEZ JOINS HOUGANG UNITED IN SINGAPORE

Dreams come true for some people, and for our client PABLO RODRIGUEZ, this is one dream finally made true. Signing in Singapore. Why is a dream to play in Singapore ? Pablo says that he's been trying to play in Singapore for some time, because he likes the place, he likes the 4 cultures and its gastronomy, a safe place and a league that aspires to grow and he wants to be part of all that.

Pablo is a record breaker, he's the Spanish player with most countries played. Singapore will be his 12th country seeing and enjoying his goals.

Pablo stands at 1.90m and was a former youth graduate of local Levante UD and Valencia CF in Spain. A young Pablo played for various Spanish clubs in the lower leagues.

In 2008, Rodríguez moved abroad to Ethnikos Achna FC in the Cypriot First Division, moving to CS Mioveni in the Romanian Liga II the following year. After a brief spell in the Republic of Ireland, he returned to his homeland.

In the 2013 January transfer window, Rodríguez signed with United Sikkim F.C. in India. He made his first appearance in the I-League on 2 February, in a 1–2 loss against Shillong Lajong FC.

On 12 August 2013, Rodríguez joined Liga Nacional de Honduras side C.D. Marathón, his signing marking the seventh country he had played in. He made his debut on 8 September, scoring in a 1–2 home defeat to Deportes Savio.

On 17 March 2014, Rodríguez signed a contract with Kaya F.C. in the Philippines. He netted four goals in his first four games, including two in a 3–1 away triumph over Loyola Meralco Sparks FC.

In January 2015, Rodríguez joined Maldivian Dhivehi Premier League club Maziya S&RC. He made over 30 appearances scoring 17 goals and participating in the Asian Football Cup (AFC) .

Last season, Pablo started a new destination in Indonesia with Madura United scoring 14 goals and 4 assists that helped Madura into the 3rd position in the final standings.

2017 will see Hougang United, their supporters and the Sleague enjoying his goals.

#pablorodriguez #hougangunited #sleague