TIGER BEER SINGAPORE CUP SEMI FINAL
No longer a supersub
Steven hits target again
BY S GULAM

"STEVEN, Steven, Steven" the Jaguars' fans roared after the final whistle.

"I love you Steven," screamed one young female fan throwing flying kisses.

Fortunately, Steven Tan's wife, Nicole, was not around on Saturday night.

But even if she had been, she probably wouldn't mind the adulation the Tanjong Pagar United striker was getting.

What started as a nightmare for Steven is turning out to be his best season.

Troubled by a knee injury, excluded from the national team, he began the year on the bench, coming in as substitute occasionally.

But in the last two months, he has been unstoppable.

His goal-tally for the reason reads: 16 goals. It doesn't include the one goal he scored in the FA Cup.

Only goals in the S-League and the Singapore Cup count in the race for the Topscorer's award.

His 16-goal haul is far more than he's ever had. And they have finally helped him bury once and for all his supersub tag.

His tally is also far more than any local striker. And that list includes Fandi Ahmad, V Selvaraj, Rafi Ali and Ahmad Latiff Kamaruddin.

Fandi, the SAFFC skipper, comes closest with 10.

On Saturday, Steven had just one chance. And he turned it into a goal to give the Jaguars a 1-0 win on the night and a 3-2 win on aggregate.

His 40th-minute goal was enough for the Jaguars to qualify for its first Cup-final at the expense of Home United.

So how about Steven for the Footballer of the Year award?

BIG SMILE

Steven, as usual, flashed his bugs-bunny smile.

"Are you sure I'm a contender? No, lah. How can? So many better players. You think I got a chance?" he asked.

Why not? Well, I think all he needs is another goal or two in the Singapore Cup final and he would edge ahead of the current front-runner S Subramani.

I doubt even Subramani would disagree that this might well be Steven's season.

I want the Cup - guess for whom?

TANJONG Pagar United coach Tohari Paijan has vowed to win the Tiger Beer Singapore Cup.

But guess who he will dedicate it to?

His mentor, guardian and club general manager Richard Woon? His adoring Jaguar fans? Or for his beloved wife, perhaps?

No. Not for any one of them.

So who?

"I want to win it for Robert Alberts," said the former international after his team confirmed their place in the final.

But why Alberts?

Explained Tohari: "A few months ago, when Robert was still our coach, he took me aside and told me personally that we'll qualify for the final.

"He asked me "You know why? Because the final falls on my birthday (Nov 14)'.

"His (Alberts) relations with our club may not be as good as it was before.

"But I must concede that Robert set the stage for our success. If we win, as I think we will, I want to bring the Cup to Robert and let him kiss it."

Alberts was surprised when told of this.

"Really? He said that? Very nice of him," said the Dutchman.

"You know something? I was one of the first to shake his hand after the final whistle. I wished him good luck for the final.

GREAT BOOST

"I really hope he wins it. It will be a great boost for his career. Let's not forget he was once my assistant."

Unlike in the past two press conferences when both took turns to be absent, both turned up for Saturday's post-match press conference.