Stags chairman Teo Hock Seng says
that the former England international, who is now plying his trade
at Premiership strugglers West Ham, would be the ideal example of
his view that old age does not matter in football.
Yes, if the 41-year-old were to play in Singapore, he would be more
than welcome at Tampines Stadium.
The rather cruel 'Dads Army' label continues to stick to Tampines
like random pieces of chewing gum to this writer's trainers. But
Teo for one, says his sides record in recent seasons speaks
volumes about their team selection policy.
"We will be difficult to beat this season no doubt," he said in a
media conference at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday.
"The team has had a few new players coming in but most of the
players have been together at the club for a long time; the
consistency and the understanding between a lot of the players is
just incredible.
"In football, age doesnt count for much. Teddy Sheringham, if he
were available, I would take him on!
"Its about experience, they are still players of high calibre. Are
you going to leave (36-year-old forward) Mirko (Grabovac) alone for
ninety minues? I dont think so."
As part of their pre-season preparations, the 2006 RHB Singapore
Cup champions went on a playing tour of Bangkok where they won one
of three friendly matches.
And despite the one-in-three record, head coach Vorawan Chitavanich
saw enough positives in his sides performances ahead of their AFC
Cup away match against Indias Mohun Bagan on March 6.
"We played well considering we did not bring the whole team over to
Bangkok," the former Thai international said. "A few of the players
took some time off after national team duty (at the Asean Football
Championship) but what pleased me the most was the positive team
spirit during the trip."
After a poor season by Tampiness high standards where they only
won the RHB Singapore Cup last year, club Chairman Teo has targeted
the S.League crown and AFC Cup as the two most important pieces of
silverware for 2007.
"Of course, we also want to win the Singapore Cup again and also
the (SingTel) League Cup. If we can win all four, why not?
"But the league remains very prestigious as far as we are concerned
and we are also very serious of doing better in the AFC Cup. So
those are our priorities. We have won the AFF Championship (in 2005
in Brunei) so we want to go one better (and win the AFC
Cup)."
The already impressive-looking squad has been strengthened with
additions in goal, defence and midfield.
Ahmadulhaq Che Omar joins from Woodlands Wellington and will
challenge Hafez Mawasi as the backup goalie to former Singapore
number one Rezal Hassan. Defender Shariff Samat has signed on from
the Young Lions while the Stags midfield will no doubt benefit from
the presence of midfielders Ridhuan Muhamad (from the Young Lions)
and Sutee Suksomkit (from Home United).
And although the closest Noh Alam Shah has come to a holiday in the
past two years was probably something he watched on the Discovery
Travel & Living Channel, the 27-year-old says he is eagerly
looking forward to playing again after sitting out much of last
season on a knee injury.
"I am actually looking forward to playing as much football as I can
this season," said the tournament top scorer and Most Valuable
Player at the recently concluded Asean Football Championship.
"When I get a day off to rest, then thatll be enough rest for me.
The knee injury is still there and I am still taking painkillers
but at least it is not affecting my game that much."
Tampines will host Home United in what looks like the pick of the
SingTel League Cup preliminary round on Friday and club
Vice-Captain Rafi Ali is expecting a tough contest.
"It will be a tough game," he said. "(Home United coach) Vincents
(Subramaniam) teams are always full of fighters and I am not
expecting Fridays game to be an easy one. But we are prepared for
it and should be able to play well."
Tampines Rovers FC
Squad
Goalkeepers: Rezal Hassan, Ahmadulhaq Che Omar, Hafez Mawasi
Defenders: Shariff Samat, Satria Mad, Sead Muratovic, Nazri Nasir,
Zulkarnaen Zainal
Midfielders: Ridhuan Muhamad, Ibrahim Noh, Tan Kim Leng, Sutee
Suksomkit, Shahdan Sulaiman, Santi Chaiyaphuak, Mustafic Fahrudin,
Aliff Shafaein, Rafi Ali
Forwards: Noh Alam Shah, Mirko Grabovac, Peres de
Oliveira
