i was picked up at the airport in the wee hours of the morning. except for the sound of crickets, the night was quite still ... not! this is singapore, after all, and much as the legend goes, the city does not sleep. we drove through the residential neighbourhood of tampines, passing by late night patrons seated at the tables of their kobi-tiams (coffeeshops), which never seem to see their doors closed. one common denominator connecting these silent men sitting at the table of their choice - SOCCER.