By Les Tan/Red Sports

Precious and Baihakki

Precious Emuejeraye (left) will probably not feature in the game against Jordan and Baihakki Khaizan (right) will now get Daniel Bennett alongside in the middle. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports file photo)

National footballer Precious Emuejeraye will probably be among the first team players coach Raddy Avramovic will drop in the coming Asian Cup qualifier against Jordan on Wednesday, January 28, at the National Stadium.

According to a report in the Sunday Times (Lions want to leave 0-6 loss behind and focus on Jordan; Sunday, January 25, 2009), Precious was missing from a first XI team and his place was taken by Daniel Bennett. Bennett features regular in central defence for the Singapore Armed Forces FC in the S.League.

Precious’ lack of speed was cruelly exposed during the recent 2008 ASEAN Football Championship in December and particularly against Vietnam, he couldn’t even outjump the smaller Vietnamese at times.

Precious, who turns 26 years old in March, was at fault for the only Vietnamese goal in the 0-1 semi-final loss to Vietnam. For a 26-year-old central defender, he has a poor turn of pace and runs like someone 10 years older.

But Precious is not the only senior member in danger of losing his place. In recent times, striker Indra Sahdan has lost his place in the starting lineup. Agu Casmir was picked ahead of him in coach Raddy’s probable first XI during training.

Afiq Yunos, Gabriel Quak, Eugene Luo and Khairul Nizam are apparently some of the younger players that will be drafted into the full national squad, according to an insightful interview with coach Raddy by Straits Times sports desk reporter Wang Meng Meng (Lion tamer; Sunday, January 25, 2009).

Coach Raddy told the reporter: “These players think they are too good for the team, performing to show off their individual skills rather than stick to teamwork. But they don’t have the quality to beat their markers in one-versus-one situations.”

While coach Raddy did not name them publicly, it is quite likely that he is referring to players like Indra, Ridhuan and Shahril Ishak who fancy themselves skillful ball players.

The game against Jordan is crucial for Singapore if they hope to qualify for the Asian Cup, a fact coach Raddy acknowledges.

“Qualification is still possbile with this team,” he told ST. ” But we must beat Jordan. It will be impossible to qualify if we lose.”

REDpoll

Which national footballer should coach Raddy Avramovic drop against Jordan?

  • Precious Emuejeraye (28%, 70 Votes)
  • Indra Sahdan (18%, 45 Votes)
  • Ismail Yunos (15%, 39 Votes)
  • Muhd Ridhuan (8%, 19 Votes)
  • Juma'at Jantan (7%, 18 Votes)
  • Agu Casmir (5%, 13 Votes)
  • Baihakki Khaizan (4%, 11 Votes)
  • Aleksandar Duric (4%, 9 Votes)
  • John Wilkinson (3%, 8 Votes)
  • Lionel Lewis (2%, 6 Votes)
  • Shahril Ishak (2%, 6 Votes)
  • Noh Alam Shah (2%, 4 Votes)
  • Mustafic Fahrudin (1%, 2 Votes)
  • Daniel Bennett (1%, 2 Votes)
  • Shi Jiayi (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 127

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AFC Asian Cup 2011 Final Qualification Round (Group E)

Singapore v Jordan
Date: 28 January 2009
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Venue: National Stadium, Singapore

Ticket Details

Pre-sale of tickets will start from 20 to 23 January at the FAS office. Match day tickets will be sold at the National Stadium East and West Entrances from 5.30pm onwards.

20 to 22 Jan: FAS Office (12pm – 7pm)
23 Jan: FAS Office (9am to 1pm)
28 Jan: National Stadium East & West Entrances (5.30pm onwards)

Grandstand: $10.00
Gallery: $6.00 (Adult)
Gallery: $2.00 (Student / Senior Citizen)*

* Only applicable for secondary school, ITE & Junior College students with proof of valid concession passes; Senior Citizens must be 60 years and above as of 2009 with proof of identification)

^ FREE entry for primary school students and below (applicable for Gallery seating only; students must display valid concession passes for entry into stadium).