September 13, 2004

With news pouring out that FAS is racing to install artificial turf at Jalan Besar before the start of next year's S-League season, it is causing concern & opposition from other S-League clubs.

The Young Lions play their home games at Jalan Besar Stadium so it could hand the Cubs an unfair ‘advantage’.

1 coach, who declined to be named said artificial turf is good for educating young players but not for the country's main stadium & he would have preferred it if the turf was installed on a training pitch as when it rains heavily, the turf will become very slick & the ball will travel extra fast causing much problems.

Also he is worried that some countries might not want to play Singapore in friendlies when they hear that we have an artificial pitch.

Agreeing with that view is Woodlands Wellington midfielder Goh Tat Chuan as he is 1 player with experience on artificial turf with his side having trained at the Singapore Sports School on a number of occasions this year.

He said he feel that artificial turfs are a good idea at youth level, but do not  think they are the way to go for higher levels like the S-League & international games as a player, it will take some time to adapting to artificial turf.

To him the biggest difference is the speed & bounce of the ball is different & one would feel the strain on the ankles & knees after playing on it.