Shi Jiayi (Singapore #7) and Daniel Bennett (Singapore #16), both naturalised citizens on the Singapore team. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
In the wake of Singapore’s 6-4 aggregate win over Malaysia in the second round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, the Malaysian media and football fans are asking if Singapore could have won without our naturalised players.
There were five naturalised citizens in the Singapore lineup last night against Malaysia in a game that ended 1-1. Singapore won the first leg 5-3.
Singapore’s Shi Jiayi and Qiu Li were born in China with Jiayi making his debut in October 2005 while Qiu Li made his in May 2008.
Defender Daniel Bennett, who was born in England, grew up in Singapore from the age of two and made his debut in December 2002.
Serbian-born Midfielder Mustafic Fahrudin made his debut for Singapore in January 2006 while fellow Serbian, Aleksandar Duric, made his in November 2007.
Duric who was not part of the FAS’ (Football Association of Singapore) foreign talent policy, made two personal applications for Singapore citizenship and was rejected twice. He only got his papers on his third time of asking and he eventually debuted for Singapore at the right old age of 37.
After Singapore had beaten Malaysia 5-3 in the first leg, Malaysian captain Safiq Rahim was quoted as saying in the Malaysian newspaper, The New Straits Times: “I think they are very reliant on their naturalised players. Singapore are not much of a team without them. These players are only good at their small stadium.
“They will not be able to play their game in front of our fans at the National Stadium. We will beat them,” added Safiq, who was red-carded in the first leg.
As it turned out, Safiq had to eat his words as his teammates could only manage a 1-1 draw in the second leg.
After the second leg, Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic was asked whether Singapore would have beaten Malaysia without their foreign players at the post-match press conference.
“You cannot compare Singapore with Malaysia as we do not have a huge base to choose from. We also do not have many teams in our league. What is wrong selecting naturalised players to play for Singapore? If they can improve our football then why not,” Avramovic was quoted as saying by The New Straits Times.
Serbian-born Mustafic Fahrudin (Singapore #15) and fellow Serbian Aleksandar Duric (Singapore #9) made their debut for Singapore in 2006 and 2007 respectively. (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
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It’s to be expected. Malaysia boleh!!!Boleh complain.
They are spoilt brats, no manners, no sportsmanship.
When they play the Indonesians and they try this kind of behaviour, they get trashed and get back the same treatment with interest. We don’t need to do anything and respond.Let them show themselves up. Not all the Malaysians are that bad mannered. The ones that are doing this are shameless. So malu.
whats my concern is also same with africa.
ASIA being the biggest continent in the world only represent 2 best team.
Africa is second largest continent also lesser to compete in world cup.
Is it better to have 1 from SEA, 1 from EA, 1 from mideast and one from central??
In basketball only asian top 2 teams represent for olympics.
Typical Malaysia, when they lose blame the whole world. Before that arrogant because they won the Suzuki Cup beacuse Singapore and Thailand were tired of winning and by pure luck and by using laser on Indonesian keeper.
By the way they have Chinese walkers in their National Track an Field Team. If they want Foreigners it is their call and nobody is stopping. I guess nobody wants to play for Malaysia and that is the truth.
Any comment on the laser used by Malaysian fans on S’pore goalie?
Why bother as long as can kick the Malaysian out of the world cup. If need to use handicap player so be it. After all in the game of scoccer it is eleven players vs eleven players. If can’t win you can blame the whole world also no use. Just keep improving the skill of the game is the way to go. Cry father cry mother also no use. Make stipud remarks end up having to eat own word. Tipical Malaysian way, STIPUD right?
Anybody noticed that all 6 goals were scored by foreign talent?
btw I think it’s a wonderful thing that you can have a Bosnian Serb and a Serbian Muslim in the same team without having them both kill each other.
Is Mustafic a Serb? I thought he is Croatian.
Is Duric a Serb? I thought he is Bosian.
Anyone can confirm?
Serbian is an ethnicity. Just like Malay. So you can have Malay Malaysian and Malay Singaporean. And you can have Serbian Croat and Serbian Bosnian.
if you think about it, they’re serb singaporean and bosnian singaporean now…
Mustafic Fahrudin is a Serbian Muslim. Which means his ancestors were probably Turks, and his country is Serbia. A bit like being a Malay in Singapore.
Aleksandar Duric is a Bosnian Serb. Which means his ancestors were Serbians, but he was born in what is now Bosnia. A bit like being a Chinese in Malaysia.
serbian, croatia is part of defunct Yugoslavia.
In Yugoslavia came europes best shooter, the late Drazen Petrovich.
Yugoslavia is considered the best basketball team in europe during those years