Paul Cunningham (Balestier Khalsa)

Four minutes later, Cunningham saw a well-hit 30 yard freekick kept out by a flying save from Ahmadulhaq, before the Tigers skipper was handed an even better opportunity when his side were awarded a penalty after the Woodlands keeper clattered into the back of Dragicevic inside the box.

http://www.espnstar.com/football/sleague/news/detail/item829282/Spirited-Balestier-get-back-to-winning-ways/

The White Swans pressed hard for an equalizer, but they found Balestier centre-backs Goran Subara and Paul Cunningham in fine form at the back.

Three minutes in, Ruhaizad Ismail latched onto a long diagonal ball by Paul Cunningham and burst into the box, before going down under a challenge from Takeshi Ito. However, referee P. Jeevanathan was unmoved and waved away the appeals.

But there was to be no denying the Tigers two minutes later when Tengku Mushadad floated a freekick to the edge of the box, where centre-back Goran Subara proceeded to flick it into the danger zone. Cunningham, who had also ventured forward for the set-piece, was quickest to the ball and guided it on to Kim, who proceeded to lash a volley past the onrushing Takuma Ito.

http://www.espnstar.com/football/sleague/news/detail/item857060/Ten-man-Balestier-end-Albirex-unbeaten-run/

The game, which had initially been played on September 27 but was called off due to inclement weather, got off to a lively start with Wan Zack Haikal wasting the first real chance in the sixth minute, when he fired wide after latching onto a headed clearance from Paul Cunningham.

http://www.espnstar.com/football/sleague/news/detail/item870150/Harimau-go-fourth-after-Balestier-win/

In the centre, hard-nosed Balestier Khalsa duo Goran Subara and Paul Cunningham typify the strength and competitiveness of a Tigers outfit that ended the season with the league's stingiest defence (20 goals conceded in 24 games).

http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20121114-383225.html

Cunningham was part of the best defense in the S league

Subara, who can also play in midfield, started out in the S.League with Gombak United in 2009, before then earning a move to Singapore Armed Forces FC (now Warriors FC) and helping them to finish third in the 2011/12 season.

The Australian moved to Balestier Khalsa for the next season, where he impressed immensely. A rock in central defence alongside skipper Paul Cunningham, the pair were part of a backline that only conceded a league-lowest 20 goals.

Didn t play a game in the new season that started more than a month ago. Is he injured?

http://int.soccerway.com/teams/singapore/balestier-khalsa-fc/1968/

Paul Cunningham, in his first start for Balestier this season, was doing exceptionally well in his new striker role as he took pops at goal as and when he liked. His best opportunity came in the 15th minute when he received a layoff in the penalty box and the New Zealander’s left-foot drive was blocked by Herisson.  

The Balestier head coach also lauded his players’ bravery as the number one cause for the victory, and heaped praise on defender Paul Cunningham, who was making his season debut as a striker.

“This was nowhere near the performance we showed against Albirex Niigata and I really don’t care how they played,” Stewart added.

“Paul barely passed the fitness test two days ago and it was a tremendous showing by him. As captain, he did well playing in a role that he isn’t used to, while taking shots and almost finding the net.”

http://www.goal.com/en-sg/match/103414/balestier-khalsa-fc-vs-tanjong-pagar-united-fc/report

Defender Jaslee Hatta will also sit this out for the same reason, which should mean that captain Paul Cunningham will slot right back in at central defence if he recovers sufficiently to take to the field.

http://www.goal.com/en-sg/match/103525/albirex-niigata-singapore-vs-balestier-khalsa-fc/preview

Paul Cunningham, Balestier’s centre-back and captain, went forward more often as the game wore on and went close a number of times with well-delivered free-kicks.

His best effort came near the hour mark from 25 yards out and the ball only missed the right hand upright by a matter of inches.

http://www.goal.com/en-sg/match/123940/balestier-khalsa-fc-vs-home-united-fc/report

This is a player that the NZF establishment is aware of and has been aware of for a number of years.

He  represented NZ in an age group Oceania Tournament (under 16yrs) in Blacktown, NSW,  Australia.(A Charlie Demsey initative). 

In December of the same year he was then invited to trial for the Premier Club Middlesbrough's Academy and subsequently signed on for Middlesbrough Football Club.

At the under 19 Tournament in Napier he was selected for the  NZ Secondary Schools Squad to tour  Europe in April 2004. Games were played against Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, England, Belgium, Austria, the Czech Republic  and Slovakia from which he was identified by U.S. Football scouts for a football and Academic Scholarship. He subsequently chose West Virginia University from the four propositions that he had been offered.

After graduating from University he played football in lower League clubs in England before going to Perth Australia and playing for Sorrento FC. He was invited to trial for the S. League in Singapore where he has been playing for the last four years. This player is presently playing Professional Football for Balestier Khalsa (Captain) and this season was selected from all the clubs for the S. League All Stars Team . He is a left- footer and his  main position is as Centre Back.

#     Summary:  The above may sound extraordinary when we see in the media that some members of the All Whites didn't even have a club and were also lacking fitness to participate in the biggest tournament in the world.

#   There are a good number of  other New Zealanders who are playing in different places on the planet of football who are also fit, able, conditioned and climatised  to be at least looked at for inclusion into the NZ National Team. This selection needs to be carried out by an un-biased and professional panel.       

                  For the sake of football in this country let's ask some questions and get them answered????

He prob needs to get a gig at a higher level to be noticed

The members of the team without a club were long serving All Whites who were chosen on the basis of loyalty, experience and temperament- that's two players, both who were in the last WC squad.

Certainly Paul could put up his hand- but the best way to do that would be to try to get a gig in a better league. It is also a tough position he is playing in with players in the EPL, Championship, A-league and ASBP who are ahead of him at the moment. The ASBP or the Australian state leagues are taken more notice of here, though there are a lot of NZ players who have done well in the state leagues who haven't come into consideration.

Though there are others such as Fenton, Clapham who have.

Can he play defensive midfielder? This is a position that is open for contention. Though again there are Tuiloma and Paine playing in Europe, though admittedly at youth level in this position.

If he believes he is a capable enough defender both Andrew Durante and Ben Sigmund at the Phoenix are older players- 31 and 32 respectively. If he thinks he could challenge for a place as they age he should get in touch and let Ernie Merrick know. There are though two younger defenders already on the books- the highly competent Michael Boxall and Luke Adams who are 25 and 19 respectively. I suspect though that the A-league is a step above the S-league, which I heard as being on par with the ASBP.

I happen to know Pauls Dad (Paul senior). He was never a CB until he went to the States so he can play other parts of the pitch.

In terms of the difference of the difference between the A League, S League and ASBP, didn't a few Auckland guys go over a couple of years ago to have a crack? Mulligan, Coombes and Butler? They didn't get in but if you accept that those 3 are in the upper tier of ASBP players and not one of them caught on (and we can only assume on playing ability rather than anything else) that would suggest that the S League would be a step up from ASBP.

Cunningham has had a sniff with the Phoenix but that was under Ricki. Paul is 27 so I'm not sure he is a player in the age range we would look at?

Many players from NZ & Aus have a crack at the S league - Its not the fact they are not wanted but they are offered a pro contracts at $20k - 30k for the year. So not even worth the move - especially thoses with young families etc.

Ross Mckenize and Cole tinker went over a few years ago on year contracts - League gets bugger all support and the only people there are the locals who have large amounts of money on the games.

I happen to know Pauls Dad (Paul senior). He was never a CB until he went to the States so he can play other parts of the pitch.

In terms of the difference of the difference between the A League, S League and ASBP, didn't a few Auckland guys go over a couple of years ago to have a crack? Mulligan, Coombes and Butler? They didn't get in but if you accept that those 3 are in the upper tier of ASBP players and not one of them caught on (and we can only assume on playing ability rather than anything else) that would suggest that the S League would be a step up from ASBP.

Cunningham has had a sniff with the Phoenix but that was under Ricki. Paul is 27 so I'm not sure he is a player in the age range we would look at?

I notice that Paul Cunningham (S- League player) has been nominated for "Foreign Player Of the Year"  ( amongst 5 other nominations)

Press Ctrl and click on the link below:

http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/5681/goal-singapore-football-awards/2013/11/17/4412067/vote-foreign-player-of-the-year

Not only that, he's leading the voting by some margin!

(I stuck a vote in for him for good measure :))

8)     me too

Soccer stoppage time mentioned he was now a singapore citizen and playing for singapore? Altho he hasnt made debut yet. Perhaps its incorrect but interesting

An article says hes applied for perm residency and would be 18 months away from being eligible

That was June

Not a biggy really is it, he's in the same boot as Durante, not good enough for his home nation.

Cunningham comes back from surgery and scores the lone goal that helps sends Balestier into the final of the Singapore Cup:

(Tampines keeper is Justin Pasfield)

Looks like a pretty average competition.

Jake Butler also plays for Tampines. Probably helps emphasize my first statement...

Left Balestier Khalsa after what appears to be pretty poor and dodgy contracts being handed out in the S-League.

Now back in NZ playing for Team Taranaki.

Also plays for my local club the New Plymouth Rangers in the Taranaki Premier League - was in the side that lost 4-0 to Western Suburbs in the Chatham Cup a few weeks back. Commitments aside also turns out for Team Taranaki in the LOTTO Federation League which they've won with 3-4 games to spare.