SEA Games Football: Singapore coach apologises to team

Posted by: Les Tan Posted date: November 16, 2011 | 2,864 views

Neil Vanu getting the first of two yellow cards in the 0-2 loss against Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on November 11th, in Jakarta. He received a second yellow in the 23rd minute for slapping an Indonesian player and was sent off. (Photo 1 by Chris McGrath/Getty Images for SSC)

Jakarta, Wednesday, November 16, 2011 — The head coach of Singapore’s under-23 national football team has apparently apologised to his team for singling out players for blame after last week’s catastrophic 0-2 loss to Indonesia in the South-east Asian (SEA) Games football tournament.

“I was honest with them and if I make mistakes, I will always say I make mistakes. That’s what I said, you know, if I hurt anyone, I apologise and I’m sorry,” said Slobodan Pavkovic, according to Yahoo!.

“I don’t want to blame players,” said Pavkovic. “I always say that the responsibility lies on us, and part of that responsibility I take.”

Pavkovic was reported to have singled out Neil Vanu and Safuwan Baharudin. Vanue incurred a 23rd minute red card in the game against Indonesia for slapping an Indonesian defender while Safuwan collided with teammate Shahir Hamzah, allowing Indonesia to score a first goal just 45 seconds after the start.

The Young Lions are set to play Thailand tomorrow, Thursday, November 17th, in a game where they need to win by five goals while hoping Indonesia will also do them a favour by thrashing Malaysia.

“I didn’t think he needed to give us an apology because he’s the coach,” said Vanu, according to Yahoo!. “But when he did, I felt like it is a team effort, it’s all of us. I definitely felt better; it was a load off my chest.”

What do you think of Pavkovic apologising to his 2011 SEA Games U-23 football squad for publicly blaming his players?

He has the right to scold them, but only behind closed doors. (61%, 68 Votes)
No, he should not have to. The players are over sensitive. (29%, 32 Votes)
Yes, he should apologise. He hurt their feelings. (10%, 11 Votes)

Total Voters: 111

Loading …

SEA Games 2011 Football — Group A Fixtures

Venue for all matches: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta. Time shown is Singapore time. Jakarta time is one hour behind.

(cross-flag-pins.com)

Day/Date	Team A		Team B		Time
Mon, Nov 7	Singapore	0	Malaysia	0	5pm
Mon, Nov 7	Indonesia	6	Cambodia	0	8pm
Wed, Nov 9	Malaysia	2	Thailand	1	5pm
Wed, Nov 9	Cambodia	1	Singapore	2	8pm
Fri, Nov 11	Singapore	0	Indonesia	2	3pm
Fri, Nov 11	Thailand	4	Cambodia	0	6pm
Sun, Nov 13	Malaysia	4	Cambodia	1	5pm
Sun, Nov 13	Indonesia	3	Thailand	1	8pm
Thu, Nov 17	Thailand	0	Singapore	2	5pm
Thu, Nov 17	Indonesia	0	Malaysia	1	8pm

SEA Games 2011 Football — Group A Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Malaysia	4	3	1	0	7	2	10
Indonesia	4	3	0	1	11	2	9
Singapore	4	2	1	1	4	3	7
Thailand	4	1	0	3	6	7	3
Cambodia	4	0	0	4	2	6	0

(cross-flag-pins.com)

SEA Games 2011 Football — Group B Fixtures

Venue for Nov 3rd matches: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta. Venue for all other matches: Lebak Bulus Stadium, Jakarta. Time shown is Singapore time. Jakarta time is one hour behind.

(cross-flag-pins.com)

Day/Date	Team A		Team B		Time
Thu, Nov 3	Vietnam	3	Philippines	1	5pm
Thu, Nov 3	Laos	2	Myanmar	3	8pm
Sat, Nov 5	Brunei	1	Timor Leste	2	5pm
Sat, Nov 5	Myanmar	0	Vietnam	0	8pm
Mon, Nov 7	Timor Leste	2	Philippines	1	5pm
Mon, Nov 7	Laos	2	Brunei	2	8pm
Wed, Nov 9	Myanmar	4	Brunei	0	5pm
Wed, Nov 9	Vietnam	2	Timor Leste	0	8pm
Fri, Nov 11	Philippines	3	Laos	2	5pm
Sat, Nov 12	Brunei	0	Vietnam	8	5pm
Sun, Nov 13	Philippines	0	Myanmar	5	5pm
Sun, Nov 13	Timor Leste	0	Laos	3	8pm
Tue, Nov 15	Myanmar	1	Timor Leste	0	5pm
Tue, Nov 15	Philippines	1	Brunei	1	8pm
Thu, Nov 17	Laos	1	Vietnam	3	5pm