The Kallang Roar - Lion Lions
by Senior Editor Wong Yang
I refer to Terrence Voon's (Singapore Press Holdings) two articles, "C'mon, play like Lions" and "Enough is Enough", about one Singapore football's worst years, after the Lions' early exit from the AFF Suzuki Cup. FIFA announced the latest world rankings on Wednesday, and Singapore have sunk two spots to 140th, its lowest placing in history. Ex-Singapore internationals and coaches showed their disappointment today in the newspapers, and many Singaporean fans are feeling the same too, lamenting about the Lions discipline.
In Singapore's football glory days, the Lions thrilled the fans at Kallang and the Kallang Roar erupted the stadium. Now, angry and disappointed by the team's poor performances and misconduct, Singapore's former internationals are calling on officials to be more strict and tough on the Lions. Former national captain and coach Seak Poh Leong said, "Those who break the rules should be dropped. Otherwise, it sends a message to the other players that they can do what they want and get away with it." Aide Iskandar, former captain also commented, "But it's not just up to the captain and the coach to maintain discipline. The players are professionals, and they should know better." Another former Singapore coach, P.N. Sivaji, said, "Repeat offenders must be dealt with sternly, because bad behaviour spreads like cancer through a team. If a player keeps breaking the rules, he should be dropped." Former defender S. Subramani and Aide had a strong defensive partnership that brought us Asean championship titles in 1998, 2005 and 2007, one that I witnessed when I was a little boy. They disciplined their younger teammates and made sure they followed the rules. Aide said, "We would tell them what was expected of them and make sure they were resting especially before a big game. But a lot of the players were young then, and it was easier to manage them. Now, most of the squad are senior players with over 50 caps each, so it might be more difficult."
Yes, some of the Lions are ill-disciplined, turning up late for the team bus, playing card games when they should be resting for a big match, but after all, they are our Singapore Lions, so we should not keep blaming them. A former star (who did not want to be named), who occasionally stayed up late, drank alcohol, and sometimes gambled in hotel rooms with his teammates said, "We knew it was wrong, but sometimes it was the only way to relax and relieve the pressure, especially after games." They were dealth with sternly it the past, but now?
FAS should be more stern with the players, so that the players will respect the rules. They should instil a desire in the players to fight hard, which our youth team in the Youth Olympic Games clearly showed, winning the bronze medal in the tournament, exciting fans and rocking the Jalan Besar Stadium. The Singaporean football fans do not demand that the Lions win all the games they play, but demand that the Lions play with the hunger and the determination to FIGHT HARD for their homeland, for their Singapore. Our Youth Olympic Games team should continue to train hard, and replace the current squad, to restore the Kallang Roar and to play like Lions Lions.
by Senior Editor Wong Yang
I refer to Terrence Voon's (Singapore Press Holdings) two articles, "C'mon, play like Lions" and "Enough is Enough", about one Singapore football's worst years, after the Lions' early exit from the AFF Suzuki Cup. FIFA announced the latest world rankings on Wednesday, and Singapore have sunk two spots to 140th, its lowest placing in history. Ex-Singapore internationals and coaches showed their disappointment today in the newspapers, and many Singaporean fans are feeling the same too, lamenting about the Lions discipline.
In Singapore's football glory days, the Lions thrilled the fans at Kallang and the Kallang Roar erupted the stadium. Now, angry and disappointed by the team's poor performances and misconduct, Singapore's former internationals are calling on officials to be more strict and tough on the Lions. Former national captain and coach Seak Poh Leong said, "Those who break the rules should be dropped. Otherwise, it sends a message to the other players that they can do what they want and get away with it." Aide Iskandar, former captain also commented, "But it's not just up to the captain and the coach to maintain discipline. The players are professionals, and they should know better." Another former Singapore coach, P.N. Sivaji, said, "Repeat offenders must be dealt with sternly, because bad behaviour spreads like cancer through a team. If a player keeps breaking the rules, he should be dropped." Former defender S. Subramani and Aide had a strong defensive partnership that brought us Asean championship titles in 1998, 2005 and 2007, one that I witnessed when I was a little boy. They disciplined their younger teammates and made sure they followed the rules. Aide said, "We would tell them what was expected of them and make sure they were resting especially before a big game. But a lot of the players were young then, and it was easier to manage them. Now, most of the squad are senior players with over 50 caps each, so it might be more difficult."
Yes, some of the Lions are ill-disciplined, turning up late for the team bus, playing card games when they should be resting for a big match, but after all, they are our Singapore Lions, so we should not keep blaming them. A former star (who did not want to be named), who occasionally stayed up late, drank alcohol, and sometimes gambled in hotel rooms with his teammates said, "We knew it was wrong, but sometimes it was the only way to relax and relieve the pressure, especially after games." They were dealth with sternly it the past, but now?
FAS should be more stern with the players, so that the players will respect the rules. They should instil a desire in the players to fight hard, which our youth team in the Youth Olympic Games clearly showed, winning the bronze medal in the tournament, exciting fans and rocking the Jalan Besar Stadium. The Singaporean football fans do not demand that the Lions win all the games they play, but demand that the Lions play with the hunger and the determination to FIGHT HARD for their homeland, for their Singapore. Our Youth Olympic Games team should continue to train hard, and replace the current squad, to restore the Kallang Roar and to play like Lions Lions.
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| Youth Olympic Games Football Team |
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| Singapore Football Team |
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