Isa Halim - It all started in the neighbourhood

Source

Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011

 

 

What started out as a game to fit into his new neighborhood eventually produced a fine player for the Lion city who is able to fit into two very different roles on a football pitch. Used as a defender by Home United FC in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S-League and a defensive midfielder for The Lions.

All 25 years of age and he is a regular fit in the Singapore national team with whom he has had 33 caps through sheer determination and grit.

“It all started one afternoon after my family moved into a new neighborhood. I saw a group of kids playing football and asked to join them in order to make new friends. It was a must if you remember back in those days, that the newbie in the group had to play as the goalkeeper and I took all sorts of shots even in the face!” chirped Isa when asked about how he was introduced to the game of football.

The rest of his long football journey continued through the youth ranks to the international stage; it started with playing for the school team to the national U-15 to the S-League and the epitome for all Singaporean players, to the National Team.

Though it may seem as though Isa had a walk in the park throughout his football career, there was one point in his life where he wanted to give up the sport he loved most. And it was at a tender age of 15 when he was dropped from the combined schools team just a day before a major tournament. He sank to a new low and wanted to throw in the towel.

Thankfully, sound advice from his COE coach, Hatta Ali, at Woodlands Wellington set him straight for good and pretty much for life. And he has never looked back since. At the tender age of 19, he got his break in the S-League with Woodlands Wellington. To make it even more special, it took place on the eve of his birthday.

Going back in time to his first call-up for the National team in 2005, he said “For me as I have grown up watching the likes of Aide Iskandar, Goh Tat Chuan and his assistant coach at Home United, S Subramani, to play alongside them was a scary thought. But I must say that I learned a whole lot as a player and also as an individual from them during that period of time.”

“Every single time I don the national colors; there is a sense of pride and the motivation to want only the best for my country.” He said with an extremely wide smile that not only showed his pride but a sense of achievement.

He accredited his glorious career to his family, one that has never stopped believing in him till this very day and his wonderful wife, who works as a cabin crew whom he wedded just barely a month ago but with whom has stuck through thick and thin with him for the past seven years.

With a gleeful smile, he said “I knew she was the one when I first met her. She also has stood by me even before I made a name for myself in football.”

He went on to add, “I can never ask for more in life. I have a great family and now a wonderful wife. I am in the national team and we are in the third round of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers. My club, Home United is in contention for the 2011 Great Eastern-YEO’S S-League title.”

One can only grow stronger with a journey like Isa’s, coupled with a strong family unit and we see that today through the brilliant display of football from him on the pitch.

And now with important matches lined up for the Lions, Isa will surely rise to the occasion when called upon to serve his nation.