Cubs raring to go in Asian Youth Games Football

Story by Dan Azmie/Red Sports

As the preliminary round of Asian Youth Games football tournament kicks off, our Cubs from the National Under-14 team wait in eager anticipation for their turn to strut their stuff.

Expectations are naturally higher for the boys since we are the hosts. The squad has been in centralised training for the last four months to hone their strategies and finetune their tactics.

The team is coached by former Tampines Rovers head coach David Sivalingam who has shown a good touch with youth in recent years.

David steered the Tampines U-18 and the Singapore U-18 Prime League teams to championship titles in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

Granted, those were local competitions, but there is evidence that he has instilled a tough mentality amongst the boys judging from their results in the recent tour of Australia.

Playing in chilly weather against some older and physically larger opponents, the team gave a decent account of themselves, beating Perth S.C. 1-0 and drawing with Western Australia U-14 1-1. Their only loss was an unfortunate 0-1 reversal against Western Australia U-15.

A 4-4-1-1 formation often used by the team places heavy emphasis on the defence soaking up the pressure and hitting on the fast counter, and keen observers would point out the fact that David Sivalingam has selected quite a number of small, but speedy attacking players, in the mould of national striker Khairul Amri.

A few to watch would be Adri Adnan from the Singapore Sports School, who is often deployed as a support striker and scored against Perth S.C., and also Hanafi Akbar, whose skill and ease on the ball is an advantage for a player in a forward position.

In defence, look out for Md Fashah Iskandar, the goalkeeper who earned rave reviews for his performance and stirring saves in the Australian tour, and also team captain Jeffrey Lightfoot from Victoria School, who is looking to establish himself as a rock in defence in their AYG journey.

Red Sports sat down with four of our cubs, defenders Md Firdaus Sham and Amirul Iskandar, and attackers Adri Adnan and Hanafi Akbar for a little tete-a-tete to get a little glimpse into their lives.

Red Sports: What is your opinion of the team’s performance in the Australian tour?
Firdaus: It was great, it went according to plan. It was our first time there, the weather was cold. Our opponents were bigger than us, but size doesn’t really matter.

Amirul: We fought until the end. We learnt to be more careful and alert during matches.

Adri: We used our speed to our advantage because we knew of our opponents strength, and we learn’t the importance of confidence and team spirit.

How did you end up going for trials for the National U-14 team?
Hanafi: It was through my school’s recommendation (Singapore Sports School). We had to undergo more than four rounds of trials, since last year.

Firdaus: I got to know through friends, and school teachers. I went for the trials on my own.

Adri (looking at Amirul): I went for trials together with Amirul. We have been best friends since Primary 5, and so decided to give it a shot together! We have been playing football together for 3-4 years, since the U-12s.

Hanafi and Firdaus, what were your parents’ reaction when you told them that you were selected for the final-18 squad?

Hanafi: They were surprised and happy! Furthermore they gave me even more support to play well in this AYG.

Firdaus: They were very happy for me as I could go this far in the trials without any recommendation. They gave me full support throughout.

We understand that all of you are juggling school and training. How do you find time for both?

Hanafi: If I’m in class I stay focused on what is happening in the classroom and don’t think of anything else, and on the field its the same thing. Sometimes I may think that there is too much homework, so I cool myself down and focus. I go to bed by 10pm and I manage to get my homework done by that time.

Firdaus: I try to do my homework during recess or in the MRT after school. In training, I try the best as I can, and I try my best to get my homework done before I go to sleep.

Adri & Amirul: We will find a way first, and then if we can’t we will try to approach our teachers and friends. In school, our teachers are very understanding. Since we live together in Singapore Sports School hostel, we usually get to bed by 9-plus or 10pm.

Who is your favourite Singapore player, and why?

Hanafi: Noh Alam Shah. He is a very good striker and he is very fast!

Firdaus: Ridhuan Muhammad. He is fast. I like him as he usually comes to my school (Hong Kah Sec) to do some coaching.

Adri: Khairul Amri! He is not scared of bigger opponents, and is confident to take on his man and penetrate the goal. I follow his style of play.

Amirul: Juma’at Jantan. I like him because he can use both legs well. Even though he is in the reserve team for the national squad, I think that he is good as he has the ability to challenge himself against bigger opponents.

There are some strong teams in the tournament, namely Iran, North and South Korea, China. Which team would you like to have the opportunity to play against?

Hanafi: Iran! I feel that they are the strongest team and it would be good for us to challenge them.

Firdaus: Yes, that way we can gauge the strength of our team to prepare for the Youth Olympic Games next year. I have confidence in our team and hope that we can reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

Adri & Amirul: (in unison) Malaysia! They are our rivals and there is a history between us.

The burning optimism in the boys were apparent as they talked, and we do hope that it will translate into encouraging performances on the pitch. Receiving a bye into the final round of the tournament ensures that the Cubs will meet quality opposition, which will no doubt provide a stern test of their mettle.

It can be seen as a necessary baptism of fire as the Cubs need some competitive experience to put them in good stead for the bigger challenge of the Youth Olympics come next year.

However, to emulate the success of hosts South Korea in 2002, one important aspect is sorely needed, crowd support, and the onus is on YOU, the reader, to come down and roar on our Cubs at Jalan Besar Stadium when they start on their journey on June 27th. The boys need your show of support and encouragement!

What are you waiting for?