FAS president Zainudin Nordin (left) is confident that national coach Radojko Avramovic (right) will be able to rebuild the national team. TODAY FILE PHOTO
by Shamir Osman
04:46 AM Mar 31, 2011
SINGAPORE - Yesterday's draw for the Asian qualifiers of the FIFA 2014 World Cup threw up a possible tasty treat for football connoisseurs here, with Singapore drawn to meet either Malaysia or Chinese Taipei in the second round of the contest come July.
Ranked 15th in Asia, Singapore received a bye into the second round and with AFF Suzuki Cup champions Malaysia favourites to advance in their first round clash, a Causeway derby is definitely on the cards.
While Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Zainudin Nordin assured fans that no effort will be spared, ensuring Radojko Avramovic's Lions are well prepared for the potential derby against the South-east Asian champions, the public should not expect instant success from a Singapore side that is in the process of rebuilding.
Despite a slew of poor results last year, Zainudin, speaking at the FAS Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday, said: "I wouldn't say we are in a crisis. We've made progress and are competing at a level where there are higher expectations, and we're facing difficulties moving further.
"We need to rebuild, rejuvenate and bring in the younger players and groom them for the long term."
Singapore won the Asean championship in 2004 and successfully defended the title in 2007 to join Thailand as the only three-time winners of the trophy. But in a huge shock, the Lions failed to qualify from the group stages in last year's tournament.
"We will always try our best, but I don't want people to immediately think we will win the next national team assignment. The reality is it takes time to build ... I would like people to look at our young players," said Zainudin, the Mayor of Central Singapore District.
He drew attention to the under-15 and under-16 teams of the National Football Academy (NFA). "I'm excited that the under-15 and under-16 boys are playing good football. I want us to see them as the future of Singapore football. They are technically different from our past NFA boys, you will see that this is the generational change we are talking about."
Both teams will participate in the Lion City Cup in June, and they will face youngsters from Everton, Benfica, Juventus and Flamengo in a competition the football chief expects will excite local fans.
Zainudin also threw his weight behind national coach Avramovic, who has been heavily criticised of late.
"To nurture a winning team is going to take some time, and FAS have tasked Avramovic to begin this rebuilding and rejuvenating process. We are confident that Avramovic will be able to do it, as he has proven his capabilities of rebuilding our national team in the past," said Zainudin.
Last year was a truly disappointing one for the Serb, who took the reins here in 2003.
The Lions missed out on qualifying for the 2011 Asian Cup finals in their final group game, and then came the shock in the Suzuki Cup.
But Avramovic's initial impact on the national team when he first arrived, bringing success to a flailing Singapore side by blooding youngsters like Khairul Amri, Baihakki Khaizan and Shahril Ishak, gives Zainudin confidence.
With a five-year strategic plan in full swing, S-League clubs receiving more money, and the FAS on the verge of announcing partnerships with foreign Football Associations, Zainudin is looking forward to the future.
He said: "These are exciting times, and I urge all football-loving Singaporeans to support local football."
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