Tampines Rovers midfielder Tan Kim Leng is set to make time for
football again when the S.League kicks off in 2007, his club
revealed on Thursday.
The 29-year-old had not played since the Stags league clash with
Woodlands Wellington in early August, and had announced his
temporary exit from football later in the year.
Tans decision to put his playing career on hiatus was prompted by
his involvement in several work projects outside the club. He
currently plays for Tampines part-time while holding a full-time
job in the automotive industry.
The completion of those projects means that Tan is now free once
more to take to the pitch, and the club has confirmed he will be
pulling on the yellow top come March 2007.
Stags team manager Syed Faruk has led the way in welcoming back the
No.8, who has been with the club for five seasons since moving from
SAFFC in 2002.
Its good to have Kim Leng back, after the service he has given to
the club in the past, said Faruk.
The club has always been very supportive to our players, including
Kim Leng, who is one of our three part-time players together with
Nazri (Nasir) and Rafi (Ali). If theyre ever tied up, they could
just give me a call, and they know we will understand.
The important thing is that their hearts are with us. In return,
we will give them a bit of leeway when they need it, because their
work outside football is their bread and butter.
Tan himself expressed gratitude to the club, especially chairman
Teo Hock Seng, for allowing him to take a break from football to
focus on his work.
The former Singapore international is now raring to go again. He
has set his sights on achieving continental glory with the RHB
Singapore Cup winners, who will enter their third straight AFC Cup
campaign next year.
Thank goodness I can play again; my legs are itching to get back
onto the field! he said.
I felt a bit sad that I could only play for half a season because
I had to concentrate on my projects. But its really good to know
that my club and my boss Mr. Teo have been accommodating and
helping me out over this period.
Now that Im able to come back, Im definitely looking forward to
next season. I have a career to concentrate on, but football will
always be there for me to get the stress out of my system.
My aim is to help the club achieve something in the AFC Cup next
season. We didnt do so well this past year and only picked up
towards the end of the season, so I hope to do my part to improve
on that.
Tans return to action could leave Tampines with an embarrassment
of riches on the flanks next season, as the clubs S.League squad
looks set to feature no fewer than four orthodox wingers.
Besides Tan on the right flank and Santi Chaiyaphuak on the left,
the Stags will be acquiring the services of Sutee Suksomkit and
Ridhuan Muhammad, who join the eastern giants from Home United and
the Young Lions respectively.
22-year-old Ridhuans deal had been confirmed earlier in the week,
while Thailand international Sutee will put pen to paper when he
returns from the Doha Asian Games, where he was representing his
country in the mens football event.
In addition, the club has also signed former Young Lions centreback
Shariff Abdul Samat and ex-Woodlands Wellington goalkeeper
Ahmadulhaq Che Omar, while 18-year-old midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman
has been promoted from the Prime League squad.
Sutees arrival will round off the Stags list of four foreigners
in their S.League squad, with Santi, Brazilian midfielder Peres de
Oliveira and long-serving Serbian Sead Mookie Muratovic set to
stay with the club.
The winger will replace compatriot Choketawee Promrut, after
Tampines had announced before the Singapore Cup final that the
defenders contract, which expires on 31 December, will not be
renewed in the coming season.
Also leaving the club are backup goalkeeper Zulkifli Zainolabidin
and defender Noraidit Mahat, while Aide Iskandar and Ahmad Latiffs
loan deals from Johor FA will end on 1 January 2007.
The movements mean that Tampines have already settled on their full
S.League squad of 20 players, barring any failures in the mandatory
fitness test, which will be held over several weeks starting from
mid-January.
We are very happy with the players we have added to the side,
commented Faruk on the new signings.
Theyre generally quite young, but they are already very
experienced. We have a lot of options in front and at the back, and
all of our players have to be versatile to fit into the modern
game.
Sutee can play as striker, and even Santi can play as striker. At
the other end, (Mustafic) Fahrudin can play in defence as well if
Mookies not available, so the players can adapt.
Weve had to act fast because the transfer window closes on 5
February, which is quite early. But all our players are technically
not bad, so were satisfied with our squad.
Tan also welcomed the arrival of the new Stags recruits, and even
though they may threaten his place in the first team, he appeared
unfazed by the challenges they pose.
Instead he focused on the benefits their arrival would bring to the
team, which had been gunning for a treble this year and would
likely harbour similar ambitions next term.
Youve got to fight for your place when youre in a good squad,
and I dont see why I should be worried about that, said the
winger.
We now have more quality players like Sutee and Ridhuan, and of
course Ill do my part. I dont see that as a problem; actually, I
think its a good sign for the club.
Like everyone says, our team is aging, and that could be a problem
because we began slowly this year. Newer, younger legs may be good
for our early performance.
Im not afraid for myself; Im still young, and I think Im still
able to play. I just hope we can win the S.League title back and do
well in the AFC Cup.