Korean system 'will improve S-League standards'

Source From Today

SINGAPORE - The 2012 Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League has already lost one potential star in former Trinidad and Tobago youth international Akil DeFreitas and now the fate of another, Tampines Rovers cult hero Ahmad Latiff, hangs in the balance.

Tanjong Pagar had hoped to sign DeFreitas but he failed the Beep Test. Latiff has been unable to meet the fitness standard set seven times already and has two more chances to do so.

A number of players have been turned away from the S-League since the Beep Test was made a mandatory requirement in 2005.

A number of former players and even those currently plying their trade in the league feel it is not an effective means of improving player fitness and deprives Singapore of quality footballers.

Some have suggested scrapping it, others want a team average score used instead of individual results.

Home United coach Lee Lim Saeng suggests Singapore takes a leaf out of his native Korea.

Korean football clubs adopt a remuneration system that sees only between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of players' monthly salary secured, with the remainder dependent on performances in training and matches.

Lee believes that system, along with an overall increase in salary throughout the S-League - a non-national player here earns between S$1,200 and S$3,000 while a Singapore international can receive between S$4,000 and S$8,000 - will bring about a change in attitude, better fitness and a higher level of football.

"This system was already in place when I was a player in Korea, and I know that clubs in Japan and Europe use it too. I think it will make players more professional and will work much better than the Beep Test," said the 41-year-old former Korean international.

Korean footballers are well known for their incessant running on the pitch, and their disciplined lifestyle off it.

This is Lee's third year in the S-League and he acknowledged fitness is a weakness for Singapore players.

"The Football Association of Singapore implemented the Beep Test thinking it can help increase fitness levels throughout the season, but what really happens is that players prepare to pass the test, then fitness drops after that," he said.

"What is really needed is professionalism on the pitch and away from it."