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Bumper home debut excites Etoile
Sham Majid
info@sleague.com
The enviable prospect of playing on “home soil” for the first time ever in the league appears to be sweeping Etoile FC off their feet, as they prepare to face Woodlands Wellington at Queenstown Stadium on Thursday evening.
A mere four days after their League Cup conquest, Etoile, still basking in all the glory as the kings of that hill, finally make their home debut, ironically against the same outfit they had put to the sword four days prior to claim their maiden piece of silverware on Singapore shores.
Understandably the Stars, keen on generating a carnival atmosphere, are leaving no stone unturned in anticipation of their much-publicised and eagerly-awaited Queenstown debut, where they would ply their trade for the very first time in front of their faithful.
Chairman and CEO Johan Gouttefangeas explained, “We are very much looking forward to playing our first match at home and I have promised it would be like a Hollywood show!”
And the cast Gouttefangeas has assembled for the day is certainly eye-catching.
“The event would be hosted by (well-known television presenter) Jamie Yeo, and there would be really big fireworks, cheerleaders and balloons around the place,” he announced.
“We also have a Harley Davidson show, and we have reached out to more and more people from the French expatriate community who will turn up for our home debut.
“In fact, the French Ambassador as well as members of the French embassy would be present, along with Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee and Mayor Zainudin (Nordin), who have indicated they would love to turn up.”
Gouttefangeas admitted that it has been a highly-charged week for everyone connected to the club, and insisted that it was only apt for the players and staff to savour the moment.
“It has been a very good week for us and a lot of people turned up for the final and watched a great match,” he elaborated.
“After only a month here, you can’t expect much more than this so it was really pleasing for us and we celebrated our victory.”
Nevertheless, the Frenchman quickly drew the line under his charges’ historic achievement and maintained that their League Cup triumph has already been consigned to the backburner.
“There were a lot of emotions after the final, and we celebrated our win that night by going to a restaurant,” he said.
“It was important to enjoy the moment as this does not happen everyday. But this is just a small part of the season, and Coach Patrick Vallee immediately told the players that we have to get ready for Thursday and be focused.
“He insisted that they do not get distracted by the success, and I have a lot of confidence in the coach. I’m really happy with the way things are going.”
The head honcho at Etoile conceded that it would be somewhat uncanny to face A. Shasi Kumar’s charges once again just 96 hours after their epic final.
“It feels a bit strange to be honest!” he quipped.
“I’m not so sure how our players would feel playing them so soon again, but Woodlands would definitely want to show that they did not deserve to lose the final.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a totally different game, we have our two suspended players (Andrea Damiani and Loic Leclercq) back, and I’m happy to see them back. Woodlands would have their suspended players returning as well.
“Our players have got the spirit and determination to want to win every game and even in training, I’ve seen them get angry when they lose a match. So they have a winning mentality every time they step onto the pitch.”
For Woodlands tactician Shasi, facing Etoile in quick succession after their Sunday heartbreak does not necessarily constitute an opportunity for redemption.
“It is definitely not a game of revenge against Etoile, but more of again playing against the same opposition,” he said.
“We’re obviously playing the same team but we have realised that we can match any team in the league.”
After much hype and goodwill garnered from their League Cup journey, the former Gombak United man urged his players to translate the same dedication and commitment onto the league platform.
“It’s always not good to lose a game, but it’s better to play quickly and pick ourselves up, rather than waiting a week or two before playing our next game,” he added.
“My job is to pick the players up after the defeat and switch the focus onto the league, and I’ve already told them that the League Cup is over and we have to move on.
“No one is going to remember the last game and you’re only as as good as your last game, so I want to instill that mentality onto my players.”
Shasi revealed that rest and recuperation was the order of the day for his weary troops, following an exhausting adventure which spanned four matches over thirteen days.
“I gave the players the Monday off to recover and they came back on Tuesday, so we’ve got two days to prepare for the game,” he reported.
“We’ve seen Etoile play and we know how they play, and they won’t be changing their style of play, so we won’t be working too much on the tactical side of things.”
The Rams will receive a massive shot in the arm with their trio of skipper Azlan Alipah, Anaz Hadee and Sazali Salleh back into the fold, following their one-match suspensions served in the League Cup final.
New Moroccan forward Rachid Lajane, who has been stuck on the sidelines following a delay in his long-drawn transfer saga, is finally eligible to make his debut for Woodlands and is in contention for a place in the starting eleven. |
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