The perfect stage for Hanafi and Adam

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Two playmakers can inspire their teams tonight, and go on to become a devastating combination for the Lions

Football

23rd Canon Lion City Cup



Perhaps Hanafi Akbar (picture) needs to use his right foot for more than just balance when he plays.

Maybe Adam Swandi tries to do too much for his team when he's on the ball.

But, like all gifted individuals, they frequently set the pulses racing when they get on the ball.

Whether fans are behind them, or agitating against the two teenagers, they are footballers that carry an air of menace when they have the ball at their feet.

It will be evident today at the Jalan Besar Stadium, with two of the four semi-finalists at the 23rd Canon Lion City Cup featuring Singapore teams.

They both wear the hallowed No 10, Hanafi for the Singapore under-16s, who will take on Juventus in the late afternoon kick-off, and Adam in the under-15s, who face tournament favourites Flamengo in the face off at night. If Hanafi leaves his mark on the Italians, I believe Takuma Koga's boys will be in the final.

Against the skilful and powerful Brazilians, the under-15s will be hard-pressed to come out on top even with Adam in full flow.

Winning at this level is hardly what is important, though, even if the country craves an all-Singapore final on Sunday.

What Singapore needs to see are more youngsters with the ability to pass and move intelligently and be comfortable on the ball, and over the course of the week, the two junior local teams have featured a number of individuals with such sound football principals.

Central defenders R Aaravin, Mohd Sadik and Dhukhilan Jeevamani have been impressive in their command of the game and lack of fear against strikers whose reputations are enhanced simply by the names that have come before them at their respective clubs. But Singapore is desperate for attacking talent, playmakers to conjure up thrilling moves for exciting winning goals.

The country wants creative forces that can tie defenders' veins in knots and set fans drooling, and Hanafi and Adam are two footballers blessed with such ability.

The step over, the feint, the wall pass, the dummy and the back-heel, they have all the moves on the football field.

They have the drag back and pirouette in their attacking armoury, they can feel a defender grind up behind and instantly leave them without a dance partner in a flash with a flick of the ball and a roll around the hips.

They are two of the most talented attacking teenagers I have seen in years.

Playmakers are at their devastating best when they take a game by the scruff of the neck, I watched Hanafi and Adam struggle to affect proceedings in their games on Wednesday, although, crucially, they always wanted the ball, and were never afraid of taking on their opponents.

So far in the tournament, coach Dejan Gluscevic's under-15s have been a breath of fresh air with their mission of keeping the ball on the ground and they pushed Juventus hard in their final group match when they were beaten 2-1.

Japanese coach Koga had his boys playing a more muscular match against English outfit Everton and, with Hanafi on the right wing, the under-16s safely collected the point needed to make the last four in a 1-1 draw.

At 16, Hanafi still has so much football learning ahead of him and he might come unstuck today.

I just hope he continues to take on the responsibility to try and inspire his team by constantly demanding the ball, and attempt to hurt Juventus with his speed and cunning.

I know Adam, only 15, will do that.

There is an impudence about him that suggests he knows he is good.

It will be interesting to see how his confidence stands up against Brazilians who are surely the toughest hombres he will face in his fledgling football career.

And who are at least just as good.

Singapore's football fans should make the trek down to Jalan Besar today.

On show will be two footballers who could be the one-two punch for the Lions in the not-too-distant future.

Now that is a delicious prospect.



The writer is executive sports editor at MediaCorp NewsHub.



Today's semi-final fixtures

6pm Singapore under-16 vs Juventus

8.45pm Singapore under-15 vs Flamengo

Both matches at Jalan Besar Stadium