Singapore youngsters renew rivalry against Malaysians

Fabius Chen

info@fas.org.sg

Traditionally, when Singapore and Malaysia meet on a football pitch, fans can expect a take-no-prisoners, no-quarter-asked-and-none-given battle; it is a rivalry that could well be the region’s answer to the Spanish La Liga’s “El Clasico”.

But when Terry Pathmanathan’s Singapore Under-23 team step out at Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday to face their Malaysian counterparts, both sides will have an eye on a bigger prize: the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vientiane, Laos later this year.

Thursday’s international friendly will serve as preparation for the Games, where both sides will be hoping to unseat defending gold medallists Thailand for the first time in nine instalments.

Of the 18 players Pathmanathan has named in his squad, 10 are from the Young Lions side he coaches in the Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League.

The remaining eight spots went to Isa Halim, Shahdan Sulaiman (both Home United), Shaiful Esah (SAFFC), Haniff Ja’ffar Sadique (Gombak United), Yasir Hanapi (Geylang United) and three national under-18 players: Safuwan Baharudin, Nazrul Ahmad Nazari and Khalili D’Cruz.

Preparation has not been easy, however, as Pathmanathan was quick to point out.

“It’s been quite a big problem getting the players together, even for one training session, because of their various club commitments,” he said.

“The Home United and SAF players also had games earlier in the week, so I’m not sure how much they’ll be able to contribute.”

Shahdan made a late substitute appearance in the Protectors’ AFC Cup tie at Jalan Besar on Tuesday, while Haniff should be on the bench when Gombak visit Super Reds on Wednesday.

But the real worry will be Shaiful, who played the entire 90 minutes of his side’s AFC Champions League game in Suwon, Korea on Tuesday.

There was, however, one inclusion in Pathmanathan’s squad that caught the eye: Hariss Harun, the 18-year-old starlet who has been sidelined for close to a year with a knee injury, has been guaranteed to play some part in the proceedings.

The youngster returned to full training a month ago and Pathmanathan, his coach at club level, is confident that the midfielder is ready to return to action.

“Hariss has been doing well in training and this will be a good opportunity for him to participate in a game and assess his level of fitness,” the ex-national team captain pointed out.

“The intention is to use him for around 30 minutes or maybe one half. He will get some playing time.”

For the player himself, this friendly could not have come at a more opportune time.

“Even though we’re playing against Malaysia, it’s still a friendly game and there isn’t much pressure, so I can take it as a warm-up,” Harris explained.

“It’s been a long road to recovery for me but I’m really looking forward to coming back and playing for my club and country.”

Needless to say, with the SEA Games just months away, Thursday’s friendly will be a chance for the entire squad, and not just Hariss alone, to show that they are capable of flying the nation’s flag in Vientiane.

Coach Pathmanathan stressed: “This is an opportunity for everyone to try out for the Games and show what they can do.

“It’s their chance to step up and it is important that they perform so that we can confidently select them for the Games.”

Needless to say, the prospect of putting one over on their fiercest rivals will be just as mouth-watering.