December 13, 2004

The media & public is demanding a change in the frontline as Agu Casmir continued to flop alongside Indra Sahdah & the eye they are turning to is Khairul Amri.

Just 19 but many believed he could be the solution to Singapore's striker woes as in recent matches, the striker has displayed the ability to rescue Singapore from the brink of defeat.

Before the Tiger Cup in the Tiger International football festival, it was the half-time introduction of Khairul & Noh Alam Shah that provided spark to the Lions' attack with the Lions, who were under pressure from Myanmar in the first half, eventually winning 1-0 thanks to a header by Alam Shah from a corner.

But it was Khairul, playing on the left wing, who earned kudos for his never-say-die spirit & it is not the first time that Khairul has lifted Singapore's spirits.

In a World Cup qualifier against India in October, the Lions had their backs to the wall against the marauding Indians. It was only after Khairul's introduction that they started to breathe easier. The youngster wreaked havoc on the Indian defence as well as scoring his debut international goal in the 2-0 win.

Now in the Tiger Cup he had the same effect as when he came on against Vietnam in the opener the Republic performed better earning a 1-1 draw.

That is why the media & public want him  staring as he is not one to shy away from a tackle, he is always willing to chase down every ball & the Republic need such a player upfront with Noh Alam Shah the other striker able to do that job injured.

However national coach Raddy Avramovic is unwilling to break up the Agu-Indra strikeforce despite rumors that claimed otherwise especially after his outburst on Agu after the Singapore-Indonesia match.

While singing the praises of the talented Khairul Amri, he make it clear that he will still keep faith with Agu & Indra upfront.

He said he really like the boy attitude & football skills. He is one player who puts in his best no matter who his opponents are & he is not scared to go in for challenges. That is why in future, he can really be a big asset for the pre-Olympics, the South-east Asia Games & the Tiger Cup. At the moment, he is more comfortable coming off the bench. Also both Agu & Indra are ready to prove the Laos coach wrong after what Raddy had told them about what the Laos coach had said.

So he is satisfied they will do the job for Singapore against Laos.