January 31, 2004
Singapore backline of Aide Iskandar, S. Subramani & Baihakki Khaizan will be given another chance to prove themselves.
Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic has stated that every player need a chance & it is more important that players learn from their mistakes so they will not commit them again. He also stated it is too easy to drop players but able replacements are not available for every position.
Young defenders are currently being developed in the U23 squad but it will take time.
It is clear that Singapore national team lacked cover in the defensive department.
There are only 2 other defenders in the squad called up by Raddy Avramovic. Daniel Bennett, who is a natural defender, is needed more urgently as a defensive midfielder where he has been playing well. Mohamed Noh Rahman is another choice but he is more comfortable in the right-back position of a back 4 & when asked to play in the centre of back 3, he is suspect.
With all that, Raddy Avramovic also reminded his team that it is the entire team responsibility when defending & not just the backline. He is still unhappy about the team defending as a entire team unit.