Lions ready for action

Story & pix by Benny Ang

Singapore soccer team manager Ibrahim.

The Singapore players at the Brunei airport yesterday.

Tiger Cup champions Singapore flew into Brunei yesterday just two days ahead of the start of the SEA Games football competition, hoping to solidify their status as one of the favourites in the tournament.

The Lions have brought a relatively young squad with them and have the added pressure of being Tiger Cup champions but according to team manager Omar Ibrahim, the team are feeling no pressure.

"We are very relaxed and there is no pressure on us. Our preparation has been good and we are looking forward to playing Malaysia. We will be doing the best we can which is all we can ask for," said Ibrahim.

When Ibrahim refers to the lack of pressure, he is probably aware that despite their Tiger Cup champion status, many still consider Thailand and Indonesia to be front-runners in the tournament, especially with Thai striker Kiatisak Senamuang in such fine form.

The football tournament starts tomorrow, Friday, with 1997 gold-medallists Thailand taking on Philippines but Singapore's opener against Malaysia on Saturday looks an exciting prospect for the regional football fans.

Singapore's young squad is littered with talented players but they will be looking to their more experienced campaigners for guidance. Veterans Kadir Yahaya and captain Nazri Nasir, both midfielders, will be crucial for Singapore's chances while assistant coach Fandi Ahmad will be looking to wield his influence on the younger boys.

One of the younger boys in particular, striker Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin has often been described as Singapore's most talented forward since Fandi himself and there is no one more appropriate than the legendary Singapore striker himself to guide this exciting youngster.

Saturday's match against Malaysia comes several years after Singapore's bitter withdrawal from the M-League and since then they have gone on to establish their own Singapore League. Nevertheless, both sides will be very familiar with each other and the match is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.

Singapore squad:-

Goalkeepers:- Rezal Hassan, Noorisham Zainon.

Defenders:- Aide Iskandar, S.Subramani, Robin Chitrakar, Razif Mahamud, Tan Kim Leng.

Midfielders:- Kadir Yahaya, Azhar Salleh, Nazri Nasir, Gusta Guzarishah, Mohamed Noor Ali, Basri Halis, Samawira Basri, Zulkarnaen Zainal.

Strikers:- Rafi Ali, Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin, Indra Sahdan Daud.

Courtesy Of Borneo Bulletin