DPMM FC will have to put their Singapore League Cup title defence dreams on ice after the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) postponed last night's semi-final clash against Woodlands Wellington FC at the Woodlands Stadium in Singapore.
"Following the latest developments on the haze situation in Singapore for the past 24 hours and the probability that the unhealthy haze levels will persist for the next few days, we would like to provide you with an update on the Haze Action Plan for the StarHub League Cup competition," said FAS's Assistant Director of Competitions Department Adrian Chan in an email sent to Singapore League clubs yesterday.
"The two StarHub League Cup semi-final matches scheduled for tonight Albirex Niigata vs Balestier Khalsa and Woodlands Wellington vs Brunei DPMM FC have been postponed.
"The StarHub League Cup Final and Plate Final scheduled for Sunday 23 June, has also been postponed.
"These four matches will be tentatively rescheduled to the period of 2-15 September. We will finalise the dates of these matches as soon as possible.
"We will continue to monitor the situation closely as it develops and review our SOPs where necessary," he added.
Albirex was originally slated to play Balestier on Wednesday but the match was called off due to "unhealthy weather conditions caused by the haze" as reported on the S-League website.
Singapore's Straits Times yesterday reported that the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) fell to 231 as of 8pm after soared to a record-high of 371 at 1pm.
The previous record was 226 in 1997. Air becomes "hazardous" when the PSI breaches 300, added the report.
Speaking to The Brunei Times, DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic said he has already moved on from the decision and is now focused on the team's next S-League game against Albirex next Friday.
"It's not good for us since we're hitting form right now, but what can we do?" he said in an obvious reference to DPMM FC's 5-2 win against Tanjong Pagar United FC on Sunday's quarter-finals.
"We'll be returning tomorrow (today) and I've already changed my sim card and am now thinking about Albirex.
"We play three away games after that, so the Albirex game is very important but we're taking it game by game.
"We've been playing away for many games recently so I hope the fans will come out to support us next Friday," added the Croatian.
