Tag: Young Lions

Aide Iskandar: Cut Out Abuse And Get Behind Young Lions

Needing nothing less than a win tonight, Singapore head coach Aide Iskandar has urged all of the Republic’s fans to get behind the team, including those who he claimed have been abusive.

The Young Lions need to beat Indonesia in their final Group A match at the Jalan Besar Stadium tonight to reach the semi-finals of the SEA Games under-23 football competition, but the former national captain revealed that his players had been on the receiving end of verbal abuse from a section of the supporters.

Although he declined to identify them, TODAY understands they are part of the Singapore Die-Hard Fans (SDHF) group who travel regularly to Malaysia to support the national side and LionsXII’s games.

Indonesia and Singapore are level on six points after three matches, but the former’s superior goal difference means they need only a draw tonight to join group leaders Myanmar in the semi-finals. But with a large turnout of Indonesian fans expected for the match, Aide appealed to Singapore fans to wholeheartedly get behind the team. “Some (among) our fans in the past three matches have been hurling abusive remarks at the whole team and that got personal,” said Aide, who declined to elaborate.

“To put it generally, I think there are some among our fans who need to give more support. Everybody wants this team to go to the semi-finals. But for us to do that, we must stand united as Singaporeans. I think that’s the key.”

Akbar Hashim, who started the SDHF in the 1980s, admitted some in his group were abusive towards the Singapore team, but claimed it started after their 1-0 win over the Philippines on June 1.

“We were seated at the grandstand and had supported the team throughout,” said the veteran tour operator. “But after the match, the Singapore players ignored us and headed straight for the fans at the stands near King George’s Avenue to thank them. That made some in our group furious.

“We are also paying fans and supported the team, but were given the cold shoulder in the end.”

The group that received the Young Lions’ attention calls themselves Exclusive Singas and number about 200. They are prominent at every match involving Singapore sides with their drum-beating and non-stop singing.

“Some of our SEA Games players said they wanted to thank us because we kept their spirits up with singing and our drums,” said the group’s leader Syed Faris. “They just wanted to show their appreciation and I think some people were upset.”

Akbar said he raised the issue with “officials” and in the following matches against Myanmar and Cambodia, the players also acknowledged those sitting in the grandstand. But the abuses, he conceded, did not stop.

“I had asked those responsible to stop doing such things,” said Akbar. “But football is an emotional game and fans get frustrated, especially when their team makes silly mistakes, and some lost their heads. But we are Singaporeans and all we want is for this team to get to the semi-finals.”

Aide expects Singapore to have their work cut out against the Indonesians tonight, where midfielders Evan Dimas and Muchlis Hadi Ning Syaifulloh have been identified as the danger men. But he said: “I hope the fans will get behind the team to motivate them, because abusing them won’t help them to play better and, in fact, will unnerve them.”

The match between Singapore and Indonesia will be shown “live” on MediaCorp Toggle at 8.30pm tonight.

Source: www.todayonline.com

June 11, 2015
Young Lions Second In Group After 3-1 Win Over Cambodia

Three goals helped the Singapore Under-23s dispatch their Cambodian counterparts 3-1 in their third SEA Games Group A match.

Safirul Sulaiman and Faris Ramli struck late in the first-half, before Sahil Suhaimi netted another a minute before the end of the game. Cambodia on the other hand, scored a consolation through Chan Vathanaka.

The win sees Singapore moving into second spot in Group A, and now their destiny is in their own hands. A win over Indonesia in the final group game will ensure they move into the semi-finals.

The game started off scrappily, with both sides struggling to get into the groove from the first minute, although the hosts dominated possession.

Faris had the first chance of the match, but he volleyed over the bar instead in the second minute.

Down the other end two minutes later, Cambodia captain Prak Mony Udom found Soeuy Visal unmarked from the corner, but the centre-back headed over instead.

In the 19th minute, Sahil Suhaimi intercepted the ball outside the box and tried to find the top corner, but overhit his shot.

Singapore then earned an indirect free-kick after Cambodia goalkeeper Um Serei Rath handled a back-pass. However, Singapore did not managed to take advantage as Sahil smashed his shot against the wall of nine men.

Adam Swandi then managed to rifle home in the 24th minute, but it was ruled out after the referee spotted an earlier infringement.

Singapore tolled away to no avail, but two moments of brilliance in injury time saw them take a two-goal lead into the half-time break.

A free-kick was awarded in the 45th minute after Sahil was fouled on the edge of the area, and Safirul curled the ball into the far corner to break the deadlock.

The Young Lions doubled their lead almost immediately after Cambodia lost the ball from the restart.

A long punt from Safirul found Irfan Fandi, who got to the ball ahead of Serei Rath to cross for Faris. The winger made no mistake and headed into the empty net.

Cambodia pulled one back in the 57th minute however, with substitute Chan Vathanaka putting a header past Syazwan Buhari after peeling off M Anumanthan to meet Chhin Chhoeun’s pinpoint cross.

Chhoeun created another chance two minutes later, but this time Sam Oeun Pidor fired wide before Chhoeun fired his effort straight into Syazwan’s arms.

Both Sahil and Shakir had golden opportunities to extend Singapore’s lead, but failed to find the target.

Sahil atoned for his miss however, with his first goal of the Games in the last minute of regulation time.

Breaking the offside trap, Sahil latched onto Amy’s inch-perfect pass, before slotting calmly past Serei Rath to wrap up the win.

Singapore coach Aide Iskandar was satisfied with the three points his side earned tonight.

“We are happy to get the win tonight. The performance wasn’t the best, but a win is a win and we will take this,” Aide stated.

“Hopefully, this will be a good morale booster against Indonesia. The boys tried their best, that’s something I can’t fault them on. Everyone gave 100% commitment.”

Cambodia’s Team Manger Chhaing Pisedth on the otherhand, wished Singapore all the best.

“Actually I’m very sad for my players,” said Pisedth. They did very good for today, I don’t regret. Since we cannot go [into the semi-finals], I wish Singapore can go to the semi-finals with Myanmar.”

Singapore U23s line-up: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Al-Qaasimy Rahman (C), Sheikh Abdul Hadi, M Anumanthan, Shakir Hamzah, Pravin Guanasagaran (Shamil Sharif 84’), Safirul Sulaiman, Adam Swandi, Faris Ramli (Amy Recha 68’), Sahil Suhaimi, Irfan Fandi (Ho Wai Loon 53’)

Source: www.fas.org.sg

June 9, 2015
Myanmar Fans Flood FAS Facebook With Racis Comment After Win

After the Singapore Lions were beaten by the Myanmar team yesterday 2-1, Myanmar fans showed their true colors by going to the Football Association of Singapore Facebook page to boast about their team’s victory. Shockingly, many fans also posted racist and insulting comments about Singaporeans and Singapore players, which angered many Singaporeans netizens.

In heated exchanges between Singapore and Myanmar fans, netizens from Myanmar were seen insulting the skin color, religion and playing style of the Singapore Lions. They insulted the Singapore Muslim players by calling them “ISIS” players or making fun of their dark skin tone. These netizens from Myanmar also accused the Singapore side of playing dirty by roughing up their players, an accusation which Singaporean fans countered by pointing out that Myanmar’s players had resorted to diving and gaining sympathy points from the referee.

Some of the comments made by Myanmar’s rowdy netizens were submitted by users, who were disgusted by what they saw.

“The next time you talk to your Myanmar colleague, you know what dark thoughts are behind their smile.” says a netizen, who says he works in an employment agency for job seekers from Myanmar.

“All these negative comments are really in poor taste. It’s just a group stage football match not the SEA games football finals. The better footballing team won on the night. Period. As for my Singapore and fans I am sure our boys will do better remaining games still make it for the semis. Have to believe!” wrote one Singaporean netizen.

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

June 5, 2015
Irfan Fandi Not Living In Famous Father’s Shadow

Irfan Fandi admits he did not expected to be called upon so early in the 28th SEA Games during their Group A opener against Philippines on Monday night.

The forward had not been included in the starting line-up, but was thrown into the fray in front of a sold-out Jalan Besar crowd after 36 minutes with the match still scoreless.

“Actually, I was quite surprised to come in so early as I thought the coach would put me in the second half to create more attacking options,” Irfan told the press on Wednesday at the team’s hotel base.

The 17-year-old went on to impress throughout the game with some fine hold-up play, while also creating two good chances for Sahil Suhaimi. He came close to scoring as well, with the Young Lions eventually running out 1-0 victors.

Fandi family cheers on Irfan

Irfan also felt “very honoured” to play in front of his family, with father Fandi Ahmad in the stands while mother Wendy Jacobs watched from the VIP area with his siblings.

“My whole family was there except for my brother (Ikhsan), who’s in Chile, so I just gave everything,” he recalled. “After the game, I saw them and I felt good, and my dad said I played a very good game and should keep on working harder.”

Head coach Aide Iskandar was pleased with Irfan’s performance, adding that his 1.87m frame gives the team a different dimension in attack. The former Lions captain also believes that he is not living in the shadow cast over him by his famous father.

“For Irfan, we must make sure that when he’s given a chance to play, he is able to contribute because there are a lot of expectations on his shoulders,” he explained.

“I believe this boy is strong mentally… a lot of people are comparing him to his father, but I think he’s his own man.”

While Aide remained coy on whether Irfan would start the next game against Myanmar on Thursday, the player himself is more than ready for it.

“I just want to focus on my game,” said Irfan, who is the youngest squad member. “Hopefully, if I start or I don’t start, I will just give my best.”

Adam Swandi (jersey number 5) celebrates as Singapore scores against the Philippines. Photo: SINGSOC/Action Images

Aide: Adam is like Pirlo

However, another starlet in the side looks likely to retain his starting berth, with Aide set to continue using Adam Swandi in central midfield.

It is a new role for the 19-year-old Adam, usually more accustomed to being deployed further upfront, but Aide is confident the skillful teenager can adapt – and drew comparisons between him and Italian maestro Andrea Pirlo.

“For Adam, one thing about him is that he has sublime technique, quite similar to Pirlo,” he said.
“He can orchestrate play from the back and if given a chance to play in front in the number 10 role, I’m pretty sure he can excel now because he knows how to attack and at the same time he also knows how to defend.”

Source: https://sg.sports.yahoo.com

June 4, 2015
Young Lions Coach Keeps Cards Close To His Chest
GROUP A

SINGAPORE v MYANMAR

(Tonight, 8.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium,  Singtel TV Ch 134, MediaCorp okto)

Less than 24 hours before the Singapore Under-23s take on Myanmar in their second Group A match at the Jalan Besar Stadium tonight, the Young Lions still remain, anxiously, in the dark.

“No one has a clue as to who’s going to start,” midfielder Adam Swandi told The New Paper.

Indeed, coach Aide Iskandar was not exaggerating when he said that he’s keeping his cards close to his chest – after the 1-0 opening victory over the Philippines on Monday.

Although they collected three precious points from their first game at the 28th South-east Asia (SEA) Games, Singapore performed below expectations against a largely amateur Philippines team.

Changes, Aide said, are likely as the Young Lions face an in-form Myanmar side, buoyed by their stunning 4-2 win over Indonesia on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old coach will likely have to do without playmaker Shahfiq Ghani once again, as the 23-year-old struggles to recover from a knee injury.

Pravin Guanasagaran is in line for a start in the midfield engine room, in place of Safirul Sulaiman.

But the big dilemma Aide faces is whether to field striker Irfan Fandi from the start or off the bench.

The 17-year-old made an impression in the Philippines game when he came on for the ineffective Shamil Sharif after just 35 minutes.

The 1.87-metre tall Irfan held the ball up well and fashioned chances for Sahil Suhaimi and himself.

Aide, however, was giving nothing away, although he admitted that he wasn’t ruling out starting both Irfan and Sahil up front.

“It’s possible. We’ve done it before, so there is no issue there,” he said.

“Sahil is a different player from Irfan and they complement each other well. It could give our opponents a headache with those two in attack.”

Both Aide and assistant coach S Subramani have had discussions with key men Sahil and Faris Ramli.

The LionsXII duo failed to live up to expectations against the Philippines, with Sahil missing three gilt-edged opportunities and winger Faris being a mere passenger throughout the match.

“We’ve had a chat with both players. They know themselves that they weren’t up to scratch in the first game,” Aide said.

EXPECTATIONS

“Maybe the expectations were too high or maybe it was just the first game and it takes time to get their engines started.

“But I told them that you’re only as good as your last game – so they must keep their momentum from their impressive displays for the LionsXII going.”

The Myanmarese may be without star men Kyaw Ko Ko and Kyi Lin – both with the senior side for the World Cup qualifiers – but they showed on Tuesday that they had enough pace and killer instinct to punish Singapore.

Said Aide: “I wasn’t surprised to see Myanmar beat Indonesia. But, to be fair, the Indonesians are slow starters and I think the news from Fifa (to ban the Indonesian FA) affected them.

“Myanmar play good attacking football, pressure high up the pitch and have speed in attack.

“But, rest assured, we have a game plan (to counter them).”

S’PORE’S PROBABLE LINE-UP:
- Syazwan Buhari
- Al-Qaasimy Rahman
- M Anumanthan
- Sheikh Abdul Hadi
- Shakir Hamzah
- Adam Swandi
- Pravin Guanasagaran
- Stanely Ng
- Faris Ramli
- Shamil Sharif
- Sahil Suhaimi
Source: www.tnp.sg
June 4, 2015