Sarpreet Singh

Singh full game & a yellow in a 0-1 loss.
Socceroo Degenek an unused sub.

Partizan top of the table, though Red Star (2nd) have 2 games in hand. TSC 8th.

TSC travel to Radnicki 1923

Singh & Degenek both start.

Scored the equaliser in the 78th minute, but unfortunately Radnički scored again just a few minutes later. 2-1 final score.

Singh, Just, Garbett, Stamenic, Crocombe, ya love to see it!

Opposition keeper helps him out.
TSC struggling down in 10th. They were playing in Europe last year

Serbian Cup next

Sarpreet Singh says have a crack and see what happens #FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/ta4LFFG5iz

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) October 25, 2025

Week of domestic Cup ties.
Tomorrow - TSC travel to play Graficar Beograd in the Serbian Cup R16.

https://us.soccerway.com/game/graficar-beograd-tdjrAZR4/tsc-backa-topola-CtblNHpa/?mid=6ytU4uF5

TSC lose 2-0, so their Serbian Cup time is over.
Looks like Graficar Beograd (12th) play in the Serbian 2nd tier.

TSC host Napredak

2 goals in 2 games for Singh in a 1-1 draw

Off at 78 mins (1-1)

Great for his confidence.

Hopefully he can bang one in this window for the AWs. Been close a few times lately, going back to the Socceroos in Canberra.

The Sarpreet Singh hive is buzzing #FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/9uXMfXLwho

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) November 2, 2025

What a goal! Just beautiful 

The big news in Serbia, is the 12 month anniversary of the Novi Sad railway station collapse.

Mass demonstrations throughout the country, demanding the Serbian President resign. A country on edge at the moment.

Interesting time for Singh to be there! TSC play in Bačka Topola not that far from Novi Sad.

Loved to see his smile at the end there and the way the whole team got over. He’s popular. And good for Darije to have backed our lad and now to be able to bask in some tangible results from him.

Hoped he’s back at a third of his potential and scores some worldies at the WC.

Kalezić sacked by TSC today.

Screenshot_20251105_074532_Instagram.jpg 313.1 KB

Far from ideal this news 

TSC struggling down in 12th spot after 14 games, so probably not the biggest surprise.

They finished 2nd in the Serbian Superliga 2022/23, and 3rd the following season 2023/24.

Kalezić's coaching career had been relatively stable after leaving the Nix, coaching 3 clubs in the Eerste Divisie (Dutch 2nd tier) over 5 seasons. MVV Maastricht, Jong FC Utrecht and ADO Den Haag. But then I don't think the Eerste Divisie has relegation?? He might be best to stay in Holland. 

Hopefully the new TSC gaffer likes Singh.

Via Niche Cache, Singh on TSC's most recent loss.

Sarpreet Singh: “On a personal level I'm feeling quite good. I'm feeling healthy and fit and playing consistently which is helping me to bring out good performances. But as a team we're we're in a real tough place at the moment. It was a game that we should have won and we we need to win. We need to realize the situation where we are right now on the table and be better. I think we controlled the game well, we we we just allowed them a counterattack and they scored and that was that was the game. We need to learn how to how to be better around the box and how to get shots away and create more goal scoring chances.”   

Well timed comment there from me. Can’t celebrate the small successes if the bigger picture remains less than positive I guess.

New gaffer and TSC travel to Novi Beograd.

https://us.soccerway.com/game/imt-novi-beograd-CIgZyXPE/tsc-backa-topola-CtblNHpa/?mid=zkPBTqhe

1-1 draw. New gaffer keeps Singh on the bench

Not a great sign

Niche Cache.

......Sarpreet Singh at TSC Bačka Topola because it was upsettingly curious to see that Singh was left on the bench for the duration of TSC’s 1-1 draw away to IMT Belgrad – the first game after Darije Kalezic was fired. This despite the fact that Singh had scored in consecutive games (still has, since he didn’t play this one). Old mate Kalezic’s comments to Dutch media about his sacking were pretty interesting...

Darije Kalezic: “Actually, to be honest, it’s not really a disappointment. Many factors play a role here that you cannot imagine. The way that these things happen in football is a matter of culture. Personally, I would have preferred to finish my job, as a competitor that would certainly have been my preference. But I come back home relieved, my family is waiting for me with open arms.”

He would have preferred not to be fired... but he’s not actually bothered lol. By the way, TSC have not won any of the three games that Sarpreet Singh has missed (all of which were as an unused sub). Too early to say if this will be a trend though.

TSC travel to Radnicki Nis.
We should now get an indication whether the new gaffer rates Singh or not.

Singh on at 82 mins (1-1) in a 1-1 draw
Socceroo Degenek an unused sub

Let’s see what happens next few weeks

Auckland and the Nix likely keeping an eye on Singh’s situation. He will want to be playing before the WC, so wouldn’t rule out a ALM loan move from Jan if the new TSC gaffer does freeze him out. 

Play half an ALM season then use the WC as a shop window??

4 Serbian league games left before a month long winter break 

I mean that would be the absolute perfect injury replacement for the Nix.

Would be nice to get Waine on a similar loan.

Let’s see what happens next few weeks. He got some playing time last night and may force his way back into the TSC starting lineup

Auckland who have Brimmer out also more likely to be able to afford Singh’s wages 

But at least he knows he’ll play in the ALM in the WC lead up. A potential loan move within Europe doesn’t have that same guarantee 

coochiee

Let’s see what happens next few weeks. He got some playing time last night and may force his way back into the TSC starting lineup

Auckland who have Brimmer out also more likely to be able to afford Singh’s wages 

But at least he knows he’ll play in the ALM in the WC lead up. A potential loan move within Europe doesn’t have that same guarantee 

Brimmer plays in the 8 role, which doesn't really suit Singh. If he was going to AFC he'd be replacing May. 
I think our system suits him better him being one of the wide 10's but if by January we're not playing well and in the lower half of the table, he'd probably rather be in the team competing near the top.

I'm sure Corica could tweak his system to find a place for Singh, if yes the stars aligned and it worked out Sarpreet was interested in a return to the ALM.

Realistically Waine is far more likely to now look at a Nix return. Three different UK clubs, and none of them have worked out. With WC selection fast coming up, I think he really would consider a half season then review, return to Welly now.

Singh to replace Ishige sounds very appealing!

TSC host Radnik. Is the new gaffer going to play Singh or not?

Same as last game, Singh on at 82 mins (0-2) in a 0-2 loss for TSC.
Socceroo Degenek an unused sub.

Opponents Ranik went down to 10 men at 43 mins (0-1). 

No post Kalezic bounce yet for TSC. Winless since 29th Sept.
They sit 13th (16 teams).

3 more league games before a month long winter break through all of January.
Lets see what happens with Sarpreet the next 3 league matches.

TSC travel to Spartak Subotica

Ummmmmm unused sub in a 2-1 win for TSC

He’s barely played since Kalezic got sacked

Full game Degenek

Stuck to the bench in a 2-1 win this morning.

Come home (Wellington, I mean) in January, Sarpreet. It's a World Cup year - you need to be playing, and we are screaming out for a number 10.

It almost makes TOO MUCH sense for it to happen

Sadly if Auckland couldn't afford him last season, it's hard to see him at the Nix.

But yes Baze and the AWs need him playing.

A return to the ALM is his best chance of going straight into a team as a starter.
Even at that Portuguese 2nd tier club he was in & out of the starting 11.

Could Foley open his wallet (some salary cap exemption?) and he go to AFC? 
They don't really have a true no 10, but with May, Rogerson, Francois, Gillion, Brook and Brimmer they arguably don't need Singh either.

Any visa spots open at the struggling VUC? They have a fondness for Kiwi AMs/wingers.

coochiee

Sadly if Auckland couldn't afford him last season, it's hard to see him at the Nix.

But yes Baze and the AWs need him playing.

A return to the ALM is his best chance of going straight into a team as a starter.
Even at that Portuguese 2nd tier club he was in & out of the starting 11.

Could Foley open his wallet (some salary cap exemption?) and he go to AFC? 
They don't really have a true no 10, but with May, Rogerson, Francois, Gillion, Brook and Brimmer they arguably don't need Singh either.

Any visa spots open at the struggling VUC? They have a fondness for Kiwi AMs/wingers.

Would it being a loan deal be easier for an A-League team to afford him tho? Parent club paying some of his wages?

Loan, not a bad idea. 

He signed a 2 year deal with TSC (expires July 2027), so if he goes well at the World Cup, TSC might pick up a fee for him from another European club.

Playing in the ALM for 5-6 mths would help keep him match fit for the WC, if the new TSC coach really doesn't fancy playing him much in Serbia.

wilbaker

coochiee

Sadly if Auckland couldn't afford him last season, it's hard to see him at the Nix.

But yes Baze and the AWs need him playing.

A return to the ALM is his best chance of going straight into a team as a starter.
Even at that Portuguese 2nd tier club he was in & out of the starting 11.

Could Foley open his wallet (some salary cap exemption?) and he go to AFC? 
They don't really have a true no 10, but with May, Rogerson, Francois, Gillion, Brook and Brimmer they arguably don't need Singh either.

Any visa spots open at the struggling VUC? They have a fondness for Kiwi AMs/wingers.

Would it being a loan deal be easier for an A-League team to afford him tho? Parent club paying some of his wages?

I don't know what the rules are currently, but you couldn't circumnavigate salary cap considerations by having the parent club paying for a proportion of a players salary.

He isn't necessarily getting the money over there that he was demanding to come back here - he may have thought I don't really want to go back so I'll ask for silly money and if they don't want to pay it then I'm not bothered

Likewise, I don’t know the rules but maybe his full salary counts under the cap but the league doesn’t mind how it is paid out (I.e. two clubs paying is fine?).

Bullion

wilbaker

coochiee

Sadly if Auckland couldn't afford him last season, it's hard to see him at the Nix.

But yes Baze and the AWs need him playing.

A return to the ALM is his best chance of going straight into a team as a starter.
Even at that Portuguese 2nd tier club he was in & out of the starting 11.

Could Foley open his wallet (some salary cap exemption?) and he go to AFC? 
They don't really have a true no 10, but with May, Rogerson, Francois, Gillion, Brook and Brimmer they arguably don't need Singh either.

Any visa spots open at the struggling VUC? They have a fondness for Kiwi AMs/wingers.

Would it being a loan deal be easier for an A-League team to afford him tho? Parent club paying some of his wages?

I don't know what the rules are currently, but you couldn't circumnavigate salary cap considerations by having the parent club paying for a proportion of a players salary.

Niche Cache

With Ben Waine, Tyler Bindon, and maybe even Ben Old all suddenly back in the mix at their clubs, the spotlight of panic shifts to a bloke who was doing really well not so long ago: Sarpreet Singh.

Although he scored in both of Darije Kalezic’s last two games in charge, he’s dropped way back since caretaker boss Nemanja Miljanović took over.

Sarpreet’s minutes in the four games since the managerial swap: DNP, 8, 8, DNP. This after he’d started 10/14 league games under Kalezic. He’s lost his biggest ally.