He kept goal for “Singapore A” in the 1995 Lion City Cup winning alongside the likes of Ahmad Latiff and Indra Sahdan and had won every single title available in the local domestic league since 1996. He also represented Singapore at the famous Liverpool Academy at Melwood against the youth teams of Liverpool and Everton in 1995 and pitted his wits against Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen, just to name a few.
A small framed goalkeeper standing at only 1.69 metres tall, Yazid Yasin was singled out for praise by Spanish national Futsal coach in 1999 when he represented Singapore in the Tiger 5s futsal tournament held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Singapore lost the game 10-0, a respectable score line for Spain had more than 70 shots on target throughout the entire game.
Yazid is into his 17th season in the S-League and he remains one of the rare few who is still in the game after that long, and remains the only one non-outfield player, to have scooped a top individual award in the league’s history.
17 years is a long time, and what really kept Yazid going is his desire to play the game which he had loved since his childhood days.
It’s been a long time, and I think I still enjoy playing football which explains why I am still here today. I look forward to training everyday and I enjoy myself during training,” explained Yazid
“It’s never easy being a footballer and it is a profession which requires discipline, the right attitude, and the most important thing is that I have the desire to keep going. This factor really drives me on”
We all know Yazid as a no nonsense, lead-by-example skipper and his success in the game is largely due to his level-headed character as well as his disciplined way of life that contributed to his success as a footballer.
The highest point in Yazid’s career was definitely during the 2009 RHB Singapore Cup Final, where he produced a match winning performance, including a penalty save late on in the game to help Geylang United seal the win.
I think it is every goalkeeper’s dream to produce such a performance to help their team win their games. The (Singapore Cup win) in 2009 is extra sweet, because no one gave us a chance against Bangkok Glass FC fromThailand. It was just an amazing feeling which I don’t know how to describe.” Yazid shared his joy on his man of the match performance in that particular game.
The ever smiling custodian, who had represented Singapore in all age groups, including a solitary cap at senior level, is not bothered by his constant omission from the National team.
It doesn’t bother me at all. You look at the goalkeeping department, it is filled with talents! There are more than capable goalkeepers in Lionel (Lewis), Hassan (Sunny) and with the emergence of Izwan (Mahbud) and Hyrulnizam (Juma’at), the Singapore’s goal is in good hands” said Yazid
As a senior, Yazid shared tips on how young aspiring footballers could be successful like he is and sternly shared that success will come with the right mentality and attitude towards the game.
I always take a break, cleanly away from football to spend time with my family during the off season, to relax and recharge. When pre-season comes along, I will start my own training a week earlier, so that I can catch up with what is in store for us when we go back to the pitch” he shared
“There are plenty of very good players who fade away after becoming one season wonders, and that happened especially to younger players. These players must understand that playing one good game doesn’t make him the complete player and they can start to slacken. It is disappointing to see some boys dropping off.”
I have been in the scene for so long and what I do is I will keep doing what is required of me, and make sure everything I do is done the right way,”
“The attitude must always be right because when that is set to the right frequency, half a battle is already won” Yazid told aXrosstheline.com
Injuries are part and parcel his job and it remains the biggest worry that Yazid has in his mind.
I suffered a broken hand (in 2006) but thank god I only missed the first couple of games during that season. My main concern is of course any injury sustained during a game. If it’s serious, then it will be a big problem for me” said the man, who will turn 33 in June this year.
As for his current team’s form, Yazid choose to take one step at a time with a new set of technical personnel at the helm in Bedok.
We want to slowly climb up the table, that’s for sure and if we can get a good run in both the cup competition, it will be an added bonus. We just have to keep our focus, and take one game at a time. The results will slowly come” said the custodian, who had kept two clean sheets so far this season.
We had the change in the technical committee and during the first few days, we had problems adjusting to the training style. However, everything was okay after a few days and everyone is happy now.” Yazid gave his assurance that things are picking up at Geylang United.
He’s been in the scene for 17 years, who would bet against him going on to become the S-League’s longest serving footballer?
Fact File:
Name: Yazid Yasin
Age: 33 in June 2012
Position: Goalkeeper
Current team: Geylang United FC, Skipper of team
Former teams: Sembawang Rangers, Home United, Woodlands Wellington
Jersey number: 19
Honors:
Team
S-League (1999) (Home United)
Singapore Cup Champions (2000 (Home United), 2009 (Geylang United))
League Cup (2007) (Woodlands Wellington)
Individual
Young Player of the Year (1999)
