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
Get a summary of the Croatia vs. Azerbaijan football match. Kramaric's curler saves the day for Croatia. 1:24. 3/21/2019 Reuters Kramaric nets late winner as Croatia beat Azerbaijan.
Football: Kramaric nets late winner as Croatia beat
usasportsradar.com/soccer/football-kramaric-nets-late-winner-as-croatia-beat-azerbaijan-2-1/
Football: Kramaric nets late winner as Croatia beat Azerbaijan 2-1 March 21, 2019 ZAGREB (REUTERS) - Croatia were forced to dig deep as they came from behind to beat unfancied Azerbaijan 2-1 at home in their opening Euro 2020 Group E qualifier after forward Andrej Kramaric scored a 79th winner on Thursday (March 21).
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku rediscovered his finishing touch in fine fashion, scoring a superb goal in each half to help them to a 3-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Mariah & Raymond's baby bliss is cut short when Raymond expresses doubts. The triplets' medical issues haunt Julia even after they've been released from the NICU. Autumn's labor brings her and
Step Up or Ship Out | Rattled - tlc.com
Confident Real stroll to fourth straight win. Sport Police seek DNA from football star Ronaldo in rape inquiry Sport Andy Murray says Australian Open could be his last tournament
Confident Real stroll to fourth straight win | US Sports Guru
Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman believes his team need to find greater attacking potency to truly become a force on the world stage again.. Portugal won the inaugural Nations League title by
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri accepted his fine after being sent off in Monday night's 2-2 draw with Burnley.It's been suggested Sarri was provoked by con Chelsea boss Sarri on Burnley insults
The X-RATED insult which Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri reacted
Football: Ryan Giggs hits back after Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ligue 1: Thierry Henry starts dream job at Monaco Thierry Henry replaced Portuguese Leonardo Jardim who was sacked less than six months after leading Monaco to second place in the standings following their first league title since 2000.
Thierry Henry: Guardiola sympathetic with suspended Monaco
FA Cup Roundup: Manchester United, Chelsea through to next round with easy wins Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed his fifth successive victory since being named interim manager as his much-changed side beat second-tier strugglers Reading 2-0 at home in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Manchester United see off Arsenal to maintain Solskjær's
England eased to a 5-1 victory at Montenegro on Monday evening and two Chelsea players in Ross Barkley and Callum Hudson-Odoi were at the heart of it.. Barkley assisted the first goal with a delightful cross for Michael Keane to head home, while he turned Hudson-Odoi's shot into the net for the second.
The one thing that could bring Sarri's downfall with both
Manchester City linchpin Bernardo Silva faces a late fitness test before Sunday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, his manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday. The Portuguese international has emerged as one of City's most important players this season, plugging gaps in midfield and wide
Pep Guardiola to make late decision on Sergio Aguero's
Eric Harrison, the former youth team coach of Manchester United's 'Class of 92', which included David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, has died aged 81, the club announced on Thursday. Harrison, who helped forge the fledgling careers of Beckham, Giggs,
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The pressure is on in Asia as attention turns to qualification for the 2022 World Cup. Son Heung-min is among those players already calling for patience.
Kano Inconclusive Elections: Emir Sanusi Calls For Patience
Jurgen Klopp felt Mohamed Salah turned in a masterful all-round performance as he brought up 20 goals for the season in Liverpool's 3-0 win over Bournemouth.
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's 'massive' points haul as he
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says "we are still in a dream, a bubble" after his side's stunning 4-4 away-goals win at Manchester City to reach the last four of the Champions League.
Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham 'still in a dream' after
0 comments:
Post a Comment