NST Online: Sports

Football: No special treatment for 'special ones'

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 05:23 PM PDT

2011/07/27
Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my

Singapore skipper Shahril Ishak going for a 'triple heading' at the Maybank training centre in Bangi on Monday. — Picture by Effendy Rashid

SINGAPORE'S naturalised players have been described as the "special ones" by national coach K. Rajagobal but his players will not give them any special treatment in tomorrow's World Cup qualifier return leg.

Bosnian-born Aleksandar Duric, together with Mustafic Fahrudin (Serbia), Daniel Bennett (England), Shi Jiayi and Qiu Li (China) were in their element in Singapore's 5-3 victory over Malaysia in last weekend's first leg.

The 41-year-old Duric outfoxed a young Malaysian defence to score a brace while Fahrudin, Jiayi and Qiu Li added the other goals.

"They are Singapore's lifeline. We will pay some attention to them but we will not go overboard," said Rajagobal at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday.

"Our priority is to score goals and defend well. I will not resort to man-to-man marking as the system will not work for a team who need to win the match."

Besides the five naturalised players, Singapore's own Shahril Ishak and Hariss Harun are also capable of turning the match in midfield. Both players did a superb job in the first leg to frustrate Malaysia's midfield led by captain Safiq Rahim.

On the hosts' confidence ahead of tomorrow's match, Rajagobal said his players are mentally and physically prepared.

"My young players made mistakes on the artificial turf in Singapore and lost the match... but this is not an excuse. We played badly in the first half but did better after the breather," said the coach, himself a former international.

"I have gone through the video with the players to see what went wrong. A few players who did not play well, were also advised to buck up. Overall, everyone is eager."

Rajagobal has also called on the local fans to turn up in full force to support the national team.

"I want Malaysians to come in large numbers and play their part in this crucial tie as we play better in front of our fans," he said. Up to yesterday, 60,000 tickets for the match have been sold.

When asked about Malaysia's target in the World Cup qualifiers, Rajagobal said the tournament is part of the team's preparations for the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.

"My target is to help Malaysia qualify for the Asian Cup. My main objective is to prepare a formidable team for this challenge.

"We need to do our best in the World Cup qualifiers as a good performance will help in the players' development. It is also important that we at least beat Singapore."

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Football: Duric looking to find the net again

Posted: 26 Jul 2011 05:19 PM PDT

Singapore's Aleksander Duric (right) trains with teammates ahead of tomorrow's clash against Malaysia. — Picture by Effendy Rashid

ALEKSANDER Duric is old enough to be a father of the Malaysian players but his boundless energy and fitness put all of them to shame in last weekend's World Cup qualifying second round, first leg match.

The 41-year-old turned in a memorable performance by scoring a brace and setting up another goal for Shi Jiayi in Singapore's 5-3 victory over Malaysia.

The Bosnia-born striker hopes to continue his scoring exploits in tomorrow's return leg in Bukit Jalil.

But it could be harder for him to find the net this time as experienced centreback Aidil Zafuan Abd Radzak is fit to play. The former national captain missed the first leg due to an injured ankle.

"I have faced him on several occasions before. He is a tough defender to play against. If he plays, I will have a harder time," said Duric after training at the Maybank Training Centre in Bangi yesterday.

"Aidil's return is a huge boost to Malaysia as he is an experienced player. Both of us will have different missions on Thursday (tomorrow). As for me, my job is to score goals while his will be to stop me. I am looking forward to this challenge."

Aidil will definitely need to be in his element as Duric has an excellent scoring record against Malaysia -- four goals in the last two matches between the teams.

Duric, who made his debut for Singapore in 2007, feels his experience will give him the edge over Aidil.

"I've scored against some of the best defenders over a span of 12 years in this region and none of them managed to stop me from getting my name onto the score-sheet. Aidil is a good player but he will need to be at his best to stop me," said Duric, who once represented Bosnia & Herzegovina in sprint canoeing at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Duric, who stands at 1.92 metres, may be getting on in years but still has a sharp eye for goals. The Tampines Rovers player has already got five to his name for Singapore in three appearances this year.

On whether Malaysian fans could affect Singapore's game tomorrow, he said it could be tough for the younger players.

"Our young players must stay focused throughout the match. Fans can be quite intimidating at times. As for me, I am used to it," said Duric.

On his ability to keep himself fit, he said it has to do with a disciplined lifestyle.

"I eat the right food and also train hard. I do not stay up late. My love for football keeps me going," added Duric, who hopes to carry on as long as he stays free of serious injuries.

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Selasa, 26 Julai 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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