Recently, there’re a lot of happenings in the Singapore football scene featuring the National teams(all age groups). Once again, there were some issues that i would like to bring up, based on my own observations.
The National “A” Team, i call it, appeared for the first time in six months after the Suzuki Cup debacle. Maldives provided opposition, and we won 4-0 comfortably.
Next up was a training tour of Australia. We all knew that Australia is in its winter season now, and having known Australians as friends, their feedback was that pitches were waterlogged, unplayable etc. So down under was obviously not a good choice. In the event of a failed Plan A, was there a Plan B to cover up?
Singapore u23 is a National Squad representing a nation close to approximately five million people. We arrange a training tour, had a first game called off, played a game on a pitch which was not part of a sports stadium. Is there any sense of professionalism in this?
I had feedback from sources on the ground(not the players, but a friend’s friend who went to cover the game, and took some photos), that there wasnt even a proper stand for fans to watch the game! And the amazing part is, this match seemed to be played in a park, rather than a proper facility that could accomodate an International U23 Friendly game.
I bring your perspective to this scenario. If we were to invite Australia u23 to play in Singapore, and we play the friendly at the training ground at Geylang Lorong 12, what kind of response do you think the aussies would have given?
I have always been puzzled by the way certain things have been done. This could have been prevented had a back up plan been discussed properly before the arrangement of the trip. End of the day, the boys were scheduled to be away for 7-8 days, play two games and have a few sessions of training in proper conditions. But how much was achieved, i am not too sure. Judging from reports from down under, i am not convinced that the schedule have been fulfilled.
Next, the Singapore Selection team played to a credible 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Kuwaitis U23 team and i would say, our boys did very well. Especially in the first period. The amount of time given to prepare for this game, isnt much. And the national selectors, wasnt at the scene when the game was play. My question. Who are the Singapore selection team playing for? I remember reading from the press, that this team, is made up to provide options for the National selectors, but with the National Selectors(all of them) on a training tour, who’s left behind to judge the boys?
For goodness sake, i hope that matches arent arranged for the sake of arranging, and after arranging, you regard them as what i call “scapegoats”. The “A” team has everything, from head to toe, and even had a team bonding session for two days before the game against Maldives at the Team hotel. Could i just check, what kind of “welfare” did the selection team get? A big fat ZERO. Arent they representing Singapore? And arent they selected because they are some of the best players?
My point of view from this game was, the boys played so well that i would say anyone from that selection team, are ready to put up a fight against the “A” team that were selected. But too bad, there isnt any interested party there, to witness it for himself, which i think is a big shame.
Yes i know, my purpose of this blog is to promote Singapore football, but when there’s a need to voice some concerns, it should be brought up isnt it?
This article has got nothing to do with the FAS, or any organisation in particular. Comments and views are strictly from the blogger’s point of views.
