Qiu Li’s Beep Test woes: I’ll quit football next year if I struggle to pass it
On his fifth attempt this year, Qiu Li finally passed the dreaded Beep Test on Thursday morning at Woodlands Sports Hall after achieving a score of 13.2.
His score was the minimum passing rate for all S-League players before they can take the field for their respective clubs.
Speaking to Yahoo! Singapore, the Home United and Singapore striker expressed his relief but admits he may hang up his boots if his Beep Test woes continue next year.
He said while still catching his breath: "If there is still the Beep Test next year, I may stop playing altogether and go into coaching."
"The test is good for improving the level of a player's fitness. But to use it as a mandatory test to measure our fitness level is not right and accurate."
"There are players who achieve high scores for the Beep Test but could not even last a full match. On the contrary, I can last 90 minutes even if I fail. So who is the fitter one?"
The China-born player stressed that knowing when and where to run on the pitch matters more.
"It is all about knowing when and where to run on the pitch. And that is what matters.
"I am just happy that I have passed this time. If not I won't be able to play and get paid. I would have to sell my house and car then!"
The Beep Test gauges a player's fitness level by the number of 20-metre laps they can run. Players are required to reach the line at the end of the court before each "beep" goes off, while the time between each "beep" gradually increases along with the number of laps.
Watch how the Beep Test is conducted
It is not the first time Li has struggled with the Beep Test.
In fact, it took the 30-year-old the same number of attempts last year to pass. But a leaner and fitter looking Li passed with flying colours this time around - a huge improvement from his previous score of 11.
The naturalised striker from China explained the reason behind his Beep Test woes.
He said: "It has been difficult for me to pass as I am still recovering from my knee operation. Moreover I have not been playing for over a month."
"I used to be able to pass with no problems before my injury but since then I have struggled to pass," added Qiu, who was named in the Lions squad to face Iraq in their upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier match.
Cheering Qiu from the sidelines was Singapore national team fitness coach Aleksandar Bozenko.
When quizzed on the Beep Test, Bozenko who is also known as Sasha, was coy in his response but believes it is something every player — regardless of their statuses — must go through.
He said: "It is a regulation that all players, whether they are star players or not, must follow. I have no say in whether the Beep Test should or should not be implemented. That is up to the authorities.
"For me, I have my own set of fitness tests for my players during training."
Prime League players, whose passing score is 12.8, made up the majority of those present at the Woodlands Sports Hall and among them was Balestier Khalsa's Sim Teck Yi.
It was the 20-year-old's third attempt at the Beep Test this year and he is set for another trip back after falling short with a score of 11.7.
Looking visibly disappointed, the second-year Computer Engineering student at Singapore Polytechnic said he feels demoralised by the Beep Test and may give up on football to concentrate on his studies.
"It is a really sickening feeling to be coming back again and again. If I can't pass I will just quit football and focus on my studies.
"While I can see the reason behind the Beep Test, I have also seen many young and talented footballers give up on their footballing career simply because they can't pass."
"It is such a waste."
What do YOU think about the Beep Test? Is it necessary for S-League players to go through it?
