S’pore football scores a C+ for 2011, says FAS
Football Association of Singapore president Zainudin Nordin has given Singapore football a report card rating of C+ for this year.
The Republic’s footballers could have performed much better in key competitions, he told Yahoo! Singapore on Thursday.
The SEA Games squad failed to qualify past the group stages while the national team came under fire from fans for their below-par performances in the World Cup qualifying matches.
Many football fans have also been voicing their discontent online and the country’s S-League has been continuously plagued with poor attendance at the stadiums.
Zainudin said that he’s hoping he can at least give a B for Singapore football next year.
“We have managed to clinch a few new things to move the football fraternity forward and the way we manage our youth development and new initiatives. Our national team and SEA Games team could have done better but of course that’s not the only measure, but that’s the only thing that’s very visible unfortunately,” he said.
He added that it’s still early days to see the returns on the investment being made on youth development and that it will take a few more years before the benefits are visible.
“What we are looking at, are the processes in place and the kind of talents we are beginning to bring into the National Football Academy. And I’m beginning to see higher quality and standards, people who can hold the ball, pass the ball, real things you can measure in terms of skills and talent,” he said.
To further groom players, there will be more overseas attachment opportunities for young talent next year.
The FAS is talking to some clubs in the UK, Brazil and Italy to send potentially five to 10 players for training.
Some recent overseas training for Singapore players include LionsXII vice-captain Hariss Harun, who trained at Barcelona's youth academy, and Ammirul Emmran, who had a training stint at Newcastle United Youth Academy.
When asked how he would rate himself as FAS president, he said, “If I were to assess myself, it won’t be in the area of excellent. It would just be good.”
Three years into the job, Zainudin said his job can be both challenging and tough. While he needs to stay strong to accomplish his vision, he said there are trying moments.
“It’s sometimes painful when the team is not arriving at their potential. There are moments when you feel like kicking the players, run on the field and do something and say, “Guys! Wake up! But I can’t do that,’’ joked the FAS president.
Moving forward, he would not reveal if new coaches will be brought in to manage the SEA Games and national teams but added that they’re always on the lookout for potential coaches for the SEA Games squad.
