SINGAPORE - They had a taste of blood, and now the Young Lions want more.
Tipped by many to struggle in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) this season, Fandi Ahmad's charges pulled off a massive upset last week when they beat a Hougang United team boasting several senior national players 2-1.
The young guns, lying seventh in the nine-team table, are hoping to build on the victory when they take on sixth-placed and SPL pre-season title hopefuls Home United on Saturday (April 6) at the Bishan Stadium.
Striker Saifullah Akbar, who scored the winning goal against Hougang, said he and many of his teammates benefited from a three-week overseas stint with the national Under-22 team, also coached by Fandi.
Fifteen Young Lions players were among the 24-strong U-22 squad that went on a two-week training camp in Shizuoka, Japan, before playing qualification matches in Mongolia for next year's AFC Under-23 Championship.
Singapore failed to progress to next year's finals after finishing second in their group. They had drawn 1-1 with Hong Kong and North Korea and beaten Mongolia 3-1.
Saifullah, 20, said: "In Japan and Mongolia, we played against opponents who were physically, tactically and technically stronger.
Â
"Doing well on both trips gave us the belief we could match the top SPL teams when we returned here. And that has been key - belief."
Young Lions skipper Joshua Pereira added: "In Japan, we had double training sessions every day, and did not have outside distractions we have back in Singapore like school, work or National Service.
"The win against Hougang felt exceptional, but we know we have to keep our feet on the ground and try to do it again in our next game against Home."
Fandi, 56, refused to get carried away by the win over Hougang - in pre-season, he had simply targeted avoiding the wooden spoon - but added that he was pleased with the competition among his players.
He said: "Everyone wants a place in the team, and everyone's fighting for it.
"The SEA Games (in the Philippines from Nov 30-Dec 11) is the next big target and the players are all eager to prove themselves."
Despite his team's fine form, Fandi said they will start today's match as the underdogs.
Home have kept three straight clean sheets and also defeated Laotian champions Lao Toyota 1-0 in the AFC Cup on Tuesday.
But Home coach Saswadimata Dasuki is fretting over his attack.
Last season's 13-goal forward Shahril Ishak and Australian midfielder Isaka Cernak are sidelined with ankle injuries while South Korean midfielder Song Ui-yong, with 10 goals last campaign, is struggling with a groin problem.
Saswadimata said he was impressed by the Young Lions, noting: "They were very disciplined and very organised, both defensively and going forward.
"They are young, but they compensate by working really hard for each other and being organised.
"We will find it tough to break the Young Lions down."
Lim Kia Tong has called for the Singapore football fraternity to unite after he was voted in as the new president of the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on Saturday. In the first-ever
Race with machines, not against them | Singapore Informer
Sturridge's last appearance for Liverpool came as a late substitute during the 4-0 Champions League semi-final second-leg win over Barcelona, which saw the Reds complete a remarkable turnaround. While the next destination of the England international remains to be seen, Klopp is in no doubt of Sturridge's qualities.
Liverpool news: Klopp hails 'outstanding' Salah after
Spokeo is focused on helping people research and reconnect with others. From reuniting families, to providing our users with peace of mind, or even getting involved in the community, take a look at some of the ways Spokeo is helping make a difference.
What two stiff tests revealed about USWNT depth at the start
Dec 11, 2017 · Jaguars ban four fans who threw objects in Seahawks game. The fans will not face criminal charges but will no longer be allowed to attend events at EverBank Field.
Montenegro get one-game fan stadium ban for racial abuse of
Tottenham Hotspur gained a slender advantage in their League Cup semi-final against London rivals Chelsea as Harry Kane's penalty earned them a gritty 1-0 first-leg win at Wembley on Tuesday.
Football: Kane penalty gives Tottenham edge over Chelsea in
LONDON: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he will not face a personal duel against Lionel Messi in his side's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk | New Straits Times | Malaysia General Business Sports and Lifestyle News
I cannot stop Messi alone, admits Van Dijk - msn.com
Three weeks on, Solskjaer is making a compelling case to stay on. The interim boss and legendary former Manchester United striker has already equaled the best start of any manager in club history.
SINGAPORE - As he ushered in 2019 on Tuesday (Jan 1), local football starlet Ikhsan Fandi had just one New Year resolution - to earn a playing contract in Europe. On Thursday morning, just over a day after his older brother Irfan flew to join Thai League 2 club Bangkok Glass, the 19-year-old headed to Norway for a trial with Raufoss IL.
Ikhsan Fandi scores 1st goal for Norwegian club Raufoss with
Aussies power to Perth Test victory. The very factors that had been tipped to decide this second Test before a ball had been bowled in anger. Fourth Test, SCG. Australia squad: Tim Paine
Post-scandal Australia 'grit' hailed after 'best win' for decades
FULHAM 1 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0. Late Mitrovic strike earns Fulham win over Huddersfield. 3 Min Read he missed and that is part of football." Ranieri, who breathed a huge sigh of relief
Aleksandar Mitrovic grabs last-gasp winner for Fulham to down
Apr 17, 2019 · Edwin van der Sar is the ideal architect for Manchester United's rebuilding project with United facing a huge rebuilding job and one of their most important summers for years,
Solskjaer to begin much-needed rebuilding job at United | FOX
Alan Shearer names the problem positions that could end Spurs' title bid and it's not up front. Spurs news includes analysis from BBC Sport's Match of the Day 2 programme on the areas that need improvement if the title is to be won
Fantasy football tips: Jamie Vardy's form and Leicester's
0 comments:
Post a Comment