I hope everyone already woke up from a bad nightmare for what it was never meant to be in the first place.
It was a bitter pill to swallow to see some of our neighbours (see links below under RELATED NEWS at the foot) qualified for the Asian Cup, while we could only lick our wounds and keep thinking about what went wrong.
Many things were said about the preparation, process, etc. leading to the trip to the Kyrgyz Republic for the qualifiers of the continent's most prestigious tournament (i.e.: the late appointment of Takayuki Nishigaya as the national team coach, short preparation period, etc.)
And when things did not go according to the script, it inevitably triggered an outcry, as seen on the platform's Facebook page lately.
When Coach Nishigaya insisted the Lions have the capability to match those top teams in one of his post-match assessments, it could mean a few things.
If he is to show faith in the same core group of players, we must not overlook the fact that a number of team stalwarts are already near or into their thirties.
It was a bitter pill to swallow to see some of our neighbours (see links below under RELATED NEWS at the foot) qualified for the Asian Cup, while we could only lick our wounds and keep thinking about what went wrong.
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| The emotion of Shah Shahiran (20) sums it up |
And when things did not go according to the script, it inevitably triggered an outcry, as seen on the platform's Facebook page lately.
MOVING FORWARD
It does not help the situation anymore if we keep harping on those hotly debated issues when we should be looking forward after the post-mortem period.When Coach Nishigaya insisted the Lions have the capability to match those top teams in one of his post-match assessments, it could mean a few things.
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| Ikhsan Fandi (9) in goalmouth action against Tajikistanย |
Is he going to stick with the same group of players for the upcoming AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup (formerly known as AFF Suzuki Cup) which is scheduled in December?
If he is to show faith in the same core group of players, we must not overlook the fact that a number of team stalwarts are already near or into their thirties.
NO DELAY TO LIONS REGENERATION
As such, there is a pressing need to kick start the regeneration process of the national team before it is too late.So do not be surprised if you see Coach Nishigaya at any of the AIA Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches, which are resuming this coming weekend.
It is, after all, the best time for him to have a close-up view of the players who are available at his disposal despite the lack of critical mass.
It is, after all, the best time for him to have a close-up view of the players who are available at his disposal despite the lack of critical mass.
THINGS TO WORRY
Should the squad to be called up for the year-end biennial tournament remain largely intact, it should be something to worry about too. |
| Lions' coach Takayuki Nishigaya |
It would mean there are not enough eligible players available in the SPL for his selection and the conveyor belt is not functioning properly.
But it is still too early to pass any judgment till the verdict is out, till then just let the national team coach do his job properly first.
See you guys at the games soon.
But it is still too early to pass any judgment till the verdict is out, till then just let the national team coach do his job properly first.
See you guys at the games soon.
RELATED NEWSย
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