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Extraordinary gentlemen – sleague.com Dream Team 2009
The sleague.com Crew
info@sleague.com
How long is ten months to the S.League? Not that long, really, just enough time to fit in plenty of matches, and with them plenty of opportunities for each to showcase his best work so as to win the hearts and minds of those who have found the desire to watch the game far too strong to turn their backs on.
And with so much football played, there will most definitely be memories many will have taken home with them. Those memories, the stuff of dreams, would not have been possible without the zealous and industrious efforts shown by the players, some of whom would inevitably have stood out more than others.
Here at sleague.com, we have had a long year, watching every single game and tracking every single individual who has given his time and effort to the game. And from an initial list of over 200 players, eleven of our most regular matchday crew got together and, through still more hours of careful thought, come up with a bunch of players whom we felt deserve to be identified as the best of the season.
The result is a fine selection of the eleven stars who have shone the brightest this term, lined up in a radical attack-minded formation that harks back to the days when football was raw and simple in the way it gave its fans that thrilling rush. We were amazed ourselves, truth be told, but we like it – and once you see the names, you would too.
And so, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we give you…
The sleague.com Dream Team 2009
In formation order, right to left (3-2-5): Shahril Jantan; Seiji Kaneko, Valery Hiek, Obadin Aikhena; Goran Subara, Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin; Ojimi Gabriel Obatola, Kengne Ludovick, Aleksandar Duric, Kenji Adachihara, Choi Dong Soo.
Shahril Jantan (SAFFC)
“One of the main reasons behind SAFFC’s stellar performances on all fronts this year. His commanding presence between the sticks had been instrumental in match proceedings, reliably saving his team on numerous occasions. His outstanding performances had caught the eyes of many, leading to suggestions that he deserves a national team recall. Still only 29, he is arguably at the peak of his goalkeeping career with many more years ahead.” – Cheryl Lim
Seiji Kaneko (Tampines Rovers)
“Signed just before the start of the season, the former Kashima Antlers defender became an integral part in one of the tightest defences in the league. Equally comfortable at the centre and on the right, his timely interceptions and accurate tackling made him a difficult opponent for many opposing forwards. Not only that, he also proved to be an effective threat when attacking set-plays too, bagging six handy goals in all competitions. Easily one of the best buys of the season.” – Gary Koh
Valery Hiek (Home United)
“Having joined the league since 2008, the 28-year-old has continually improved under the mentorship of the recently-retired S. Subramani. A rock-solid centreback who has become an indispensable part of the Protectors’ backline, it is now his turn to do the guiding for those playing alongside him next year. A man who truly deserves the honour of becoming this season’s Player of the Year.” – Ko Po Hui
Obadin Aikhena (Young Lions)
“A relatively old head in Terry Pathmanathan’s team, he played the captain’s role to perfection in his last season with the Young Lions. The Nigerian was the one stable element in an often-changed backline, with his maturity and physical strength aiding his younger teammates against their more experienced opponents. He also weighed in with six goals, finishing joint top scorer for the Young Lions, ensuring the Jalan Besar faithful were left with good memories of a top-class defender who will certainly be hard to replace.” – A. Ong
Goran Subara (Gombak United)
“An integral component of Gombak United’s best S.League finish to date. Virtually unknown when he was picked up in the close-season, the young Serbian-Australian soon broke into the Bulls’ starting lineup with his impressive performances in central midfield. He ended a relatively injury-free season with two goals across 28 league appearances for the club, cementing his position as a key figure and a fans’ favourite at Jurong West Stadium.” – Basil Yeo
Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin (SAFFC)
“That award-winning artwork of a volley against Albirex Niigata (Singapore) and the vital strike that stunned Chinese giants Shanghai Shenhua have been highlights for this man’s season, yet there has been more to his game than scoring goals. Equally committed to attack and defence, the versatile 30-year-old has more than proven himself with his unquestionable zeal. Once dubbed as the enfant terrible by those who questioned his quirks, he now uses his energy with greater purpose than ever.” – Tam Cheong Yan
Ojimi Gabriel Obatola (Gombak United)
“What more can you say about this season’s YEO’S Young Player of the Year and People’s Choice Award winner? Gombak United’s striker-in-chief has been a stunning revelation for his club, scoring 24 goals to place second on the charts, while also providing many assists for his strike partners. The flamboyant 22-year-old is certainly not shy to display his silky skills on the field and if he can maintain his focus and desire, he can only get better.” – Syahrom Sulaiman
Kengne Ludovick (Home United)
“Packed into a compact frame, the Home United forward is blessed with many attributes that make for a great striker – upper-body strength, quick pace, sublime dribbling skills and, most crucially, a venomous and powerful right-footed shot. Often unstoppable as he saunters quickly past his markers, his trademark strikes that quickly follow his runs down the wings, middle and across the goal have left many opponents flat-footed. The proof is in the pudding – hitting a ton of domestic goals over a period of five seasons is an unprecedented achievement.” – Elwyn Lee
Aleksandar Duric (SAFFC)
“Who could deny the Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League’s perennial top scorer a berth in the Dream Team as one of its strikers? One would need to be churlish indeed to rule out the rising 39-year-old after his many years’ knowledge of opposition players has continued to allow him to unlock defences with alarming regularity. His sharpness may have taken a slight dip, but nowhere near enough to stop him outperforming all of the other attacking men in the league, many of whom are at least ten years younger.” – Paul Green
Kenji Adachihara (Albirex Niigata (Singapore))
“Let’s talk numbers. 18 in 35 – more than a goal every other game. Based on that output alone, he deserves to be in the Dream Team. He also proved he’s a player for the big games, netting against Tampines Rovers, Gombak United and Home United during the course of the season. And it’s not just us he’s impressed; Indonesian side PS Bontang PKT were so eager to sign him, they took the 25-year-old on even before the S.League season ended. Talk about being coveted.” – Sazali Abdul Aziz
Choi Dong Soo (Super Reds)
“Playing in his first full S.League season, the 24-year-old averaged a goal every other game to finish as the Bears’ top scorer. Equally adept at playing in midfield or up front, he was a constant thorn in the side of opposing defences. He underlined that consistency with five goals in his side’s final four matches of the season, including two in the memorable 4-1 win over champions SAFFC.” – Fabius Chen |
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