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Core stability with added experience for Eagles
Gary Koh
info@sleague.com
2009 Singapore Cup champions Geylang United are keeping faith with the core of the team that delivered the success, as they prepare to tackle the domestic and continental fronts for the upcoming 2010 season.
Among the key players retained include Slovak duo Miroslav Latiak and Rastislav Belicak, goalkeeper Yazid Yasin and Adrian Dhanaraj.
Head coach Mike Wong is seeking security and continuity as he aims to build on the good work accomplished in the previous season.
“I am keeping the main group together, as I am looking for stability and do not want a drastic change in the way we play,” he explained.
Only six players from the cup-winning team did not survive the cut. Japanese defender Haruki Seto was released while South Korean midfielder Kim Jae Hong left after contract renewal talks broke down.
2009 captain Noor Ali and goalkeeper Fajar Sarib joined Woodlands Wellington, while former international forward Ashrin Shariff and Farhan Farook were made redundant.
The biggest and surprising local departure was Noor Ali, as he guided the team towards the cup success and would have been expected to contribute in Asia, given his extensive experience in the AFC Cup with his former employers and Singapore Armed Forces.
Wong explained the reason for letting the seasoned ex-Lion go from Bedok. “We did not renew his contract, which is ending at the end of the year, not because he is no good,” he said.
“He has contributed to the success of the team in 2009, but as the club expected more from him in last season given his capabilities, we feel that we want to move on to look for the kind of players who can give us the work and experience we will expect in 2010.”
Taking over the departed Asian duo’s places are Slovak forward Peter Tomko and Romanian midfielder Vasile Ghindaru.
Tomko comes with the reputation of having finished top scorer in the Slovakian second division with Liptovskry Mikulas, while Ghindaru is a seasoned journeyman with various top-flight and second tier Romanian clubs, his last employers being CFM Universitatea Cluj.
Wong believes the duo can contribute in bringing Geylang to the next level in the new season.
“Peter Tomko is tall and holds the ball well enough, and he fits our bill in the search for a foreign forward,” he revealed.
“I was impressed with Vasile after seeing him in the FAS trial game. He is experienced, having played at a high level back home, and has some good touches, which will be essential when I need him to hold the fort in central midfield.”
Adding to the local contingent will be Syed Fadhil and Itimi Dickson from Home United, former Gombak United skipper Sevki Sha’ban and SAFFC goalkeeper Toh Guo’an.
Fadhil and Dickson will be called upon to provide the experience and know-how in the AFC Cup, where the Eagles are pooled in Group H with a losing team from the AFC Champions League East Playoffs, Tai Po of Hong Kong and Thai club Thai Port.
Among the retained crew, only Hafiz Rahim has previously played the second-tier Asian club competition, having weighed in crucial goals en route to the semi-finals back in 2004.
Former national age-group coach Wong believes by keeping the core together, the team will be able to adapt and refine their playing system for 2010.
“AFC have revamped the competition structure of AFC Cup since we last played, and we will be facing tougher teams and diverse playing systems from other countries,” he acknowledged.
“But over at Geylang, we have a set of playing style and aim to use it throughout the season. We cannot merely be changing our system of play because of certain teams, as it is not always going to work.”
Thus Wong will be looking on the new recruits and the rest of the team to work together as they tackle both fronts.
“I wanted some stability in the reserves,” he said. “I do not want just 11 players on the team, but 18 to 19 players who can just step up when required.
“Whenever one from the starting lineup is pulled out, the next player who comes in must be able to continue the structure of the team and show the ability to change the game.”
Among these players the head coach is looking at is young midfielder Yasir Hanapi. The 20-year-old, who was part of the bronze medal-winning national Under-23s in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Laos, is promoted to the first team after impressing on the wings in his rookie season.
Completing the first team setup for 2010 is former Prime League defender Salim Abdul Rahim, who returns to the club on a free transfer. |
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