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The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) will be looking to the under-23 squad to form the backbone of the new National Team together after the disbandment of the old squad.
FAS President Zainudin Nordin made this announcement Wednesday evening at a media briefing on the FAS’ plan for the national team in 2011.
“FAS will rebuild the National team with the core of the players aged under-23. This move will provide more opportunities to our young and talented players and is in line with the FAS Strategic Plan 2010-2015, which is one of the key drivers to elevate Singapore football to the Asian level.”
Mr Nordin said he could not keep the current squad if he wanted them to peak in 2015, though he admitted that the disappointing performance in the AFF Suzuki Cup last month contributed to the decision to disband the entire senior Lions team.
The drastic move sparked heated discussion within local football circles but Zainuddin said it had to be done.
“Yes, to be very honest, that (the Suzuki Cup failure) is one of the many reasons (to break up the National Team),” he said.
“However, rebuilding the team will take place because it is a necessity, regardless of the results of the team, because of the strategic plan. To achieve the goals of 2015, I cannot work with the current team — I need to start earlier.”
He added that the goal for the national Under-23 team this year is the qualify for the final of the 2011 SEA Games in Palembang, Indonesia.
The other major assignments in 2011 will also include the qualifying rounds for both the 2012 Olympic Football Tournament and the FIFA 2014 World Cup.
Speaking for the first time since the Suzuki Cup debacle, national coach Raddy Avramovic backed Nordin’s call for the Young Lions to be given a chance.
“I think I try to do my best and if the FAS is happy with that, then I’m happy. If anyone was putting young players into the team and giving them the trust, it’s me. Just look back at the last seven years,” he quipped.
“I think we are very lucky that we don’t have any major competitions until June. We’re bringing in new players and this will give us time to see those players more seriously.”
He also revealed he was disappointed with media reports that accused him of favouritism among the team and said they were totally unfounded.
The future of the veteran Serbian coach – who reportedly earns S$35,000 a month — has been in some doubt after some fans questioned if he was still the right man to lead the Lions after seven years in charge.
But speaking to Yahoo! Singapore, FAS Secretary General Winston Lee believed the Serbian, who had offered to resign, was still the best man to rebuild the team from scratch.
“The coach has taken responsibility and he has spoken to me about it. He left his future in my hands, and we decided to keep the coach as our future plans are to build a new team, and he has had the experience in the past. First, he has the experience, and secondly I also felt that he still had the desire and passion to do it,” Lee said.
Mr Lee also assured that because of the heavy investment in youth, Singaporeans can look forward to seeing more local players representing the country, while the foreign talent would only be selected when really necessary.
Responding to a question on how he intends to get more players from the various ethnic groups to play for the country, Mr Nordin said that the FAS would also try to engage the families of the young players, and to persuade them that there can be a possible career for their children in playing football for the country.
When quizzed on when the new team will be announced, the FAS remained tight-lipped.
“All will be revealed in due course,” said Mr Nordin.
FAS President Zainudin Nordin made this announcement Wednesday evening at a media briefing on the FAS’ plan for the national team in 2011.
“FAS will rebuild the National team with the core of the players aged under-23. This move will provide more opportunities to our young and talented players and is in line with the FAS Strategic Plan 2010-2015, which is one of the key drivers to elevate Singapore football to the Asian level.”
Mr Nordin said he could not keep the current squad if he wanted them to peak in 2015, though he admitted that the disappointing performance in the AFF Suzuki Cup last month contributed to the decision to disband the entire senior Lions team.
The drastic move sparked heated discussion within local football circles but Zainuddin said it had to be done.
“Yes, to be very honest, that (the Suzuki Cup failure) is one of the many reasons (to break up the National Team),” he said.
“However, rebuilding the team will take place because it is a necessity, regardless of the results of the team, because of the strategic plan. To achieve the goals of 2015, I cannot work with the current team — I need to start earlier.”
He added that the goal for the national Under-23 team this year is the qualify for the final of the 2011 SEA Games in Palembang, Indonesia.
The other major assignments in 2011 will also include the qualifying rounds for both the 2012 Olympic Football Tournament and the FIFA 2014 World Cup.
Speaking for the first time since the Suzuki Cup debacle, national coach Raddy Avramovic backed Nordin’s call for the Young Lions to be given a chance.
“I think I try to do my best and if the FAS is happy with that, then I’m happy. If anyone was putting young players into the team and giving them the trust, it’s me. Just look back at the last seven years,” he quipped.
“I think we are very lucky that we don’t have any major competitions until June. We’re bringing in new players and this will give us time to see those players more seriously.”
He also revealed he was disappointed with media reports that accused him of favouritism among the team and said they were totally unfounded.
The future of the veteran Serbian coach – who reportedly earns S$35,000 a month — has been in some doubt after some fans questioned if he was still the right man to lead the Lions after seven years in charge.
But speaking to Yahoo! Singapore, FAS Secretary General Winston Lee believed the Serbian, who had offered to resign, was still the best man to rebuild the team from scratch.
“The coach has taken responsibility and he has spoken to me about it. He left his future in my hands, and we decided to keep the coach as our future plans are to build a new team, and he has had the experience in the past. First, he has the experience, and secondly I also felt that he still had the desire and passion to do it,” Lee said.
Mr Lee also assured that because of the heavy investment in youth, Singaporeans can look forward to seeing more local players representing the country, while the foreign talent would only be selected when really necessary.
Responding to a question on how he intends to get more players from the various ethnic groups to play for the country, Mr Nordin said that the FAS would also try to engage the families of the young players, and to persuade them that there can be a possible career for their children in playing football for the country.
When quizzed on when the new team will be announced, the FAS remained tight-lipped.
“All will be revealed in due course,” said Mr Nordin.
