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Jun 27, 2011 23rd Canon Lion City Cup
Singapore under-16 0 Flamengo 0 (Flamengo win 4-3 after penalties)
SINGAPORE - Singapore fans were in high spirits throughout the match, even though their songs were drowned out in the stands by the incessant samba beat. Out on the Jalan Besar green, Singapore's under-16 side were pegged back for most of the game in last night's 23rd Canon Lion City Cup Final, as the boys from Brazil in the famous colours of Flamengo dictated play.
But the Singapore juniors fought hard, and also had some gilt-edged opportunities, they held out for 90 minutes for the match to go into the roulette of penalty kicks.
Even though Takuma Koga's boys lost the shootout 4-3, there was a silver lining at Jalan Besar Stadium, with renewed optimism surrounding the football future of the Republic.
Dejan Gluscevic's under-15 side beat their counterparts from Juventus 4-0 in the earlier battle for third place, and along with their seniors, the performance of Singapore's youngsters in this tournament has given the country's national game a big lift.
"These boys are good, I'm proud to support this Singapore team that has shown that there is talent in Singapore," said former Singapore international Noor Ali, who watched the action from the stands.
"Whatever the result, they have done us proud, and if this team is kept together for the next few years, they will bring us the SEA Games gold medal," added the Hougang United forward confidently.
The plaudits have been pouring in from all fronts for the youngsters, who range in age from 14 to 16.
The number 10s, Adam Swandi (under-15) and Hanafi Akbar (under-16) were singled out by several foreign coaches as players to watch, with their dancing feet, tricky dribbling and incisive passing endearing them to the hearts of the Singapore public.
But there were several in the total group of 43 players who have stood tall these past nine days: Under-16 skipper Dhukhilan Jeevamani was a rock at the back, similarly his younger counterpart R Aaravin, with Zulfadhmi Suzliman and Muhaimin Suhaimi promising much attacking verve for the Lions of the future.
The Canon Lion City Cup was also a success, attracting teams of the calibre of Everton, Newcastle, Juventus and Flamengo.
There were 5,000 fans in attendance last night, and under-15 skipper Adam, said: "Playing in this tournament has allowed us to go up against different teams that play different styles: The Brazilians who are good on the ball, the big and strong Italians, and the English with their high-tempo game. We have learnt to adapt to this and will show that in future games in (regional tournaments)."
The under-15s will go to Laos from July 5 to 21 for an ASEAN Football Federation tournament. Their main target is a good performance in September's Asian Football Confederation age-group tournament qualifiers in North Korea.
Singapore luminaries Fandi Ahmad and V Sundramoorthy made their name in this very tournament all those years ago, as did Singapore's youngest international (16 years and 217 days) Hariss Harun, and there is much hope that stars will emerge again, after this year's competition.
"The Singapore federation should be quite happy with how both their teams have performed," said Newcastle United's Jimmy Nelson, who has nurtured the likes of England legends Alan Shearer and Paul Gascoigne.
And his Flamengo counterpart agreed.
"(Singapore) have many good players with enormous potential ... and you must be careful with (developing) these guys," said Flamengo's Celso Martins.
The samba beat may have carried on at Jalan Besar long after the Brazilian youngsters danced their way onto the stage to receive their trophy, but Singapore may yet continue buzzing about these youngsters for some time to come.
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