THAI SPICE ADDED TO S'PORE CUP

BG Pathum's local connections include coach, but uncertain if their stars will play

- David Lee

They have not featured in the Singapore Cup since they became the first foreign team to win the tournament in 2010, but Thailand's BG Pathum United will be back for the 2024-25 edition.

In a draw for the competition at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Jan 6, the Rabbits were pooled into Group B alongside defending champions Lion City Sailors, Geylang International, Balestier Khalsa and Tanjong Pagar United. They will kick off their campaign against the Jaguars at the Jurong East Stadium on Feb 2.

Since 2005, foreign teams that are not part of the Singapore Premier League (then known as S-League) have been invited to play in the Singapore Cup. However, from 2018 to 2023, only SPL clubs took part in the competition.

Looking forward to his team's participation, BG Sports' international project director Philip Tan said: "Our fans have good memories of the Singapore Cup, and we are honoured to be invited to compete in Singapore."

Pathum have a strong Singapore connection. Their director of football, Surachai Jaturapattarapong, who is taking the reins of the first team, played in Singapore for Gombak United from 1998 to 2002, before joining Home United, where he won the S-League (2003) and Singapore Cup (2003, 2005).