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It is not often that Singaporean football fans get the chance to see players from clubs other than their own playing together as a team, national team matches excepted, apart from the annual Sultan of Selangor’s Cup, which is only played here every second year.
Now they have a great chance to see what amounts to a fantasy S.League side (excluding players from clubs who have league commitments immediately before or after the game) challenge quality opposition for a good cause, as the S.League All-Stars line up against an augmented Albirex Niigata (Singapore) team, which will include Hidetoshi Nakata, Masaaki Sawanobori and Masakiyo Maezono.
Appointed S.League All-Stars coach, SAFFC tactician Richard Bok, has drawn players from as broad a field as possible given his limitations, and while he has included four of his own players, berths have been given to some players who have only emerged on the local scene in recent times, such as the quartet from Etoile FC and the in-form Hougang United foursome of Carlos Delgado, Jordan Webb, Emmeric Ong and Fazli Jaffar.
With tickets to the event all sold out, fans will, of course, be out in force to see some of the players in the Albirex team as well in Saturday evening’s game at Jalan Besar Stadium that kicks off at 5pm.
For some of the players, selection in the team is a novelty and a great thrill, while others are delighted that they have attracted the attention of the three-time S.League Coach of the Year.
Balestier Khalsa midfielder K. Vikraman also sees the selection of four players from his club as significant.
“It’s great to be recognised by the coach of SAFFC,” he said.
“It’s an honour to be selected, and we are all coming together for such a great cause that we want to make it a success in every respect, fundraising and good football.
“We want to put on a good show for the fans, and we hope they come in large numbers to see us. It should be a different atmosphere from most of our own club matches.”
Vikraman also noted that the Tigers, with whom he plies his trade, will be playing Albirex in their next Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League match on Wednesday at Toa Payoh Stadium.
“We’ll get a good chance to evaluate some of them in this match, especially with Paul Cunningham, Armanizam (Dolah) and Vitor (Borges) in our squad,” he laughed.
For Gombak United’s Walid Lounis, who joins the team alongside fellow Bulls Obadin Aikhena and Jeremy Chiang, it is an honour to be part of this game and to go some way towards helping the stricken Japanese people through these fundraising efforts.
“This group of players will be able to contribute to the worldwide effort, and we are all looking forward to it, I’m sure,” said the versatile defender.
“This is the minimum we can do to help those people, and hopefully a full stadium will greet the two teams on Saturday evening.
“This is my first selection in a team of this nature, and I’m hoping it won’t be the last. I am always trying in every game to do my best and this game will be no different.”
Fazli, who at 27 has been around the S.League for some time without gaining a lot of recognition, is another to be pleased to have been given a berth in the squad.
“I’m honoured to be a part of it all and being able to help contribute to the appeal,” said the winger, who had past spells with Gombak and Home before moving to Hougang this year.
“I don’t mind what position I am asked to play, I’m just happy to be able to take part against some good players and show what I can do.
“This year has been good for me, so far, as I’ve been getting more game time at Hougang United compared to my previous clubs.
“We’ve worked hard on our running and fitness and the coaches at Hougang have given me the chance to show my true abilities.
“I do urge the fans to get down to Jalan Besar Stadium and see what should be a tremendous game,” he added.
Argentine Delgado is one of nine non-Singaporeans featuring for the All-Stars, and he was pleased to have a chance to contribute towards a noble cause.
“For me, is very important to make the most of this opportunity now that I have been called up for this game, and it gives me the chance to help the Japanese people in this hard time they are going through,” said the midfielder.
“I have had only a very short time in Singapore, and it has been a joy to play here. I am very grateful to be a part of this joint effort with the other players in the S. League who have been invited along with me to play in this match.
“I would like to see as many people as possible attend this party on Saturday night and to see a beautiful game and help the Japanese people at the same time.”
Shahril Jantan, one of two goalkeepers selected in Bok’s squad, supports the good cause, as he was more than happy to explain.
“I am truly saddened over the recent disaster that has befallen Japan, especially having good friends like Kenji (Arai), Masahiro (Fukasawa), Nori (Murakami) and Aki (Taisuke Akiyoshi) coming from there,” noted the 30-year-old.
“The first thing I did when I heard about it was to message all of them, and I am truly relieved that everybody related to them is safe and sound.
“Being called up to this squad allows me to help Japan in one small way, and this match is all about showing people that the S.League cares and football is one of the best ways of doing it.
“Of course the chance of saving Nakata’s shot is something I look forward to also,” he laughed in his inimitable way.
“I hope everybody, whether you are a football fan or not, will come down and show support for this charity event and play a small but significant part in helping Japan recover from this tragic event.
“And for Japan, you may have fallen, but I am sure you will come back stronger than before.”
The team’s coach himself is equally keen to see the public respond to the cause.
“I do hope everyone comes along to see this match and help support the appeal. If they can donate to the fund as well as paying to see the game, it will be even better,” said Bok.
The coach also said he was looking forward to seeing all ‘his’ players wear the same shirt for once, and the blend of local and foreign players picked by him should provide a great chance to see a new group of players coming together with a common goal: helping the Japanese relief effort.
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