On Monday, newly appointed Singapore football coach Tatsuma Yoshida conducts his first training session with the national team.
It is ostensibly to prepare for the upcoming friendlies with Solomon Islands and Myanmar, but also serves as a crucial introduction for the Japanese and his players.
This is important, noted former Singapore international R. Sasikumar, as both parties must be on the same page, with the same goals, for the Lions to succeed.
Sasikumar, who runs sports marketing firm Red Card Global, added: "It is important to communicate clearly his ideas, whether in person or through a translator."
With the Lions in a state of flux following the retirement of defender Baihakki Khaizan and the gradual phasing out of older players such as Shahril Ishak and Khairul Amri, Sasikumar felt Yoshida's main challenge is ensuring a smooth transition.
He said: "It is good he has some local knowledge of Singapore football, having played for Jurong FC before, but it will be interesting to see how he recruits the Young Lions for the senior squad and develops them."
With the Republic 160th in the Fifa rankings and sixth in South-east Asia behind Vietnam (98th), Thailand (114th), the Philippines (124th), Myanmar (140th), and Indonesia (159th), Sasikumar also felt that the first marker of success will be "being competitive in Asean region", before taking it further.
LIONS SQUAD FOR UPCOMING FRIENDLIES
GOALKEEPERS
Hassan Sunny, Izwan MahbudDEFENDERS
Amirul Adli, Fadli Kamis, Faritz Hameed, Irwan Shah, Safuwan Baharudin, Shakir HamzahMIDFIELDERS
Adam Swandi, Hariss Harun, Huzaifah Aziz, M. Anumanthan, Shahdan Sulaiman, Yasir Hanapi, Zulfahmi ArifinFORWARDS
Faris Ramli, Gabriel Quak, Khairul Amri
Former national coach and technical director P.N. Sivaji agreed: "Fans in Singapore will want the new coach to produce results quickly. By results, I mean at least performances to indicate they can compete with Asean kingpins."
He added: "I think while Fandi Ahmad and Nazri Nasir were in charge of the national team on a temporary basis, they have shown we have a decent crop of players.
"Even if they are not quite ready to knock Vietnam and Thailand off their perch, at least we have a steady group that have room for improvement and he has to get the best out of them as a unit."
While Yoshida's resume - his stints as head coach of Japanese top-flight clubs were mostly mediocre - may seem underwhelming to some in the fraternity, Sasikumar was cautiously optimistic.
Citing Vietnam's success with the unheralded South Korean coach Park Hang-seo, he said: "Park was relatively unknown until his first senior national team job with Vietnam in 2017, and their amazing run in which he led them to the AFF Suzuki Cup title last year and the quarter-finals of this year's Asian Cup.
"He also took them to the AFC Under-23 Championship final and the Asian Games semi-finals last year.
"So it's been done before with a (fairly untested) Asian coach in this region and something the new Singapore coach can learn from."
David Lee
Neymar is the Richest Footballer in the World see his net worth no.1, According to the list of 2019 Top 10 Most expensive football players in the World.
Game of many returns for Gunners - theworldnews.net
Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham's 3-0 win at Cardiff gives his side more belief in the Premier League title race. Spurs moved back into second place and, to within six points of Premier
Mauricio Pochettino Admits Cardiff Win 'Makes Us Believe' as
Shop for the Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4 Electric Bass Guitar and receive free shipping on your order and the guaranteed lowest price.
Football: Valencia chairman Murthy says King's Cup victory 'icing on the cake' to a fine season - The Straits Times In just five seasons after taking over in 2014, Peter Lim's Valencia are entering their most successful era in recent years.
Messi and youngster Munir get Enrique's Barcelona off to a
Hypocritically, authorities allowed Syrian women — the beneficiary of so much ideological and material support from Iran — into the game. There is no explicit rule that allows foreign women to attend men's sporting events, but this trend started a few years ago. Still, Iranian women are banned.
Scarnecchia is the Patriots' offensive linemen whisperer
Giggs hits back after Zlatan criticism of Man Utd 'Class of 92' AFP Ryan Giggs and Wales begin Euro 2020 qualifying at home to Slovakia later this month.
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal AFP March 26, 2019, 8:12 PM UTC Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United success is partly down to Jose Mourinho, says Louis van Gaal
Solskjaer Boosted By Mourinho's Work, Claims Van Gaal
Football: 'Angry' Thomas Muller questions Joachim Low
Improved Suarez ready to make impact: Emery LONDON • With Granit Xhaka facing a late fitness test and Lucas Torreira suspended, Unai Emery has challenged Denis Suarez to finally make an impact in Arsenal's bid to climb back into the Premier League's top four.
Transfer news live: Man City in talks with - football.london
Women's World Cup: Hegerberg-less Norway canter past Nigeria
Football: Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over Tottenham in semi
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino remained defiant despite his side preparing for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Ajax Amsterdam in disjointed fashion as they had two men sent off in a 1-0 defeat by Bournemouth.
Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues
Messi scores 50th career hat-trick in Barcelona win. It takes Messi to 25 La Liga goals for the season, nine clear of his nearest challenger and teammate Suarez. he has 33 goals in 32
0 comments:
Post a Comment