It has been days since Singapore NT lifted their historic 4th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asians Nations) title – AFF Suzuki Cup. The feeling of being a champion is certainly amazing and fantastic. I felt the support and nation pride first hand at the Jalan Besar Stadium and as well as at the Changi Airport welcoming home the newly crowned ASEAN champion. However, one thing that really bothers me is what’s next…
Singapore last won this championship in 2007 and it took Singapore some years of waiting before bringing the trophy back to the red dot. And to think we truly deserved this trophy after these years of training, it’s time for a break? Absolutely no way. Ride on it. Leverage on this success and move another level up!
If I may comment, the top priority now is to focus on Singapore’s new head coach’s hiring. Credit is not going to be taken away from coach Raddy as results show that coach Raddy is the best coach Singapore ever had. Let’s hope that Football Association of Singapore (FAS) could get another great successor to build on the success which coach Raddy has put in place. With all respect, I feel that the local coaches are still lacking in experience to lead Singapore NT out of ASEAN map. If Iraq could hire Zico as their head coach, Thailand could hire Peter Withe, Peter Reid and Bryan Robson, I believe we could tab on the experience of such level of coaches too. I know hiring world class coach does not guaranteed success but hiring world class coach gives world class exposure and insight which will only do the team good.
I would also love to see all S-League clubs to engage more with the community. More interactions and communications can be forged more aggressively. Lions XII’s involvement in the Malaysian league could be a highly anticipated one in Singapore football supporters’ diary but let’s not forget about the league which we call our own, S-League. Without S-League, you will never get a completed team to form a Lions XII team to be honest. And also, hopefully with the new ruling, we can see some great signings of foreign players in the S-League this coming new season!
For a small country like Singapore to win an ASEAN title is surely not an easy task. This achievement is only accomplished through endless training and plenty of sacrifices (players & team), It’s through hard work and a never-say-die attitude, together with a big heart full of national pride! And if you are a local corporate, you have the same philosophy and same direction as Singapore football does, you should join in. Why not, let’s all start the new year 2013 as a champion?
I can only see big plans ahead in year 2013 where Singapore football will not only grow but also obtain a new height where Singaporeans will all witness together. With a new trophy in house, let’s work on our domestic football, maintain the winner’s mentality and dash out of ASEAN map.
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