Hi all,
Our CNY Question of the Week spread of letters should be carried this coming Monday, when we'll be the only English newspaper from Singapore Press Holdings, on sale.
In the meantime, we're keeping it local here again on The Postman series.
Following the exploits of our pre-Olympic Cubs (after the high of the senior Lions victory in the Asean Championships), what do you make of the recent exit at the hands of the Pakistanis?
This, despite the heroics of striker Khairul Amri...
Post your views here by clicking on "comments" below my sign-off here or e-mail us by clicking the link right, and writing under the heading "Pre-Olympic Pussycats".
No more than 200 words please (click link right for auto word counter)
At your service,
Ernest Luis
The Postman
The New Paper
(PS. E-mailers, especially bloggers, please let us have your full name, age, occupation, contact numbers and favourite teams)
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35 comments:
Refer to CNY Question of the Week (Bye Bye Nat Stadm). Read my previous post again and again. Thank you.
This message is sponsored by : www.geocities.com/syahrein81/index.html
Sorry for being the epitome of arrogance.
The gulf is too wide. Our seniors are barely good enough in the international stage, and our youth can't even keep up with that! More should be done to improve our youth's skills, I remembered an interview done on Fandi, who said that our players are poor technical-wise, because they are lazy to train on them everyday, unlike those in the Fandi days. Its no surprise why we were higher up in the FIFA rankings then.
Fandi? Lol. Where was he during the AFC Championship? Where's his loyalty? WHO was he trying to help? Do they appreciate his help? Or they only want his money? Come back to Singapore, work for Singapore, Fandi. Home is where the HeART is. :)
From being 2-0 up to eventually losing the 2nd leg 3-2, I think the young Lions simply lack the experience needed at this stage. Obviously you have some talented youngsters like Amri who're also playing in the senior squad, but as a whole, the U21s are just not good enough, with disappointing results time and time again. Personally, I'm not too worried though. There is a big gap between the U21s and making it into the senior squad, and quite frankly, few will eventually make that huge jump anyway.
(wish my comp at home will revive from the dead soon... it died on valentines day morning! And I won't be coming to school next week to use the comp because of the midterm break.. )
Learn from Arsenal. Arsenal youth system are tremendeously well. Someone give Terry Pathmanathan, Arsene Wenger's number now.
I might be working as a 'Computer Counter Hacker Terrorist' if I can get into Information Technology at Singapore Polytechnic. Which means I'll be working to put ALL computer HACKERS in jail. Starting with...
Its not all doom and gloom that the Cubs are defeated by the Pakistanis.In fact this will bring the players' feet back onto the ground and knock some senses into them.While the Lions did won the AFC Cup but that doesn't mean anything at all.Its great that we won that trophy but that don't give the Cubs or even the Lions extra privileges in future competitions.So its back to the basics and work hard all over again for everyone.
Its obvious that there is still a lot of work to be done for the so-called Olympics Team.For any team to go 2-0 up and end up on the losing side just tell you the concentration level of the players are just not good enough to sustain pressure from opposition despite being putting themselves in favourable position not once but twice.Perhaps beside Amri,the rest of the cubs lack that exposure to international football and hence causing that gulf in gap between them and their opponents which was evident based on their last 2 matches.
Its alright to be defeated but what matter most is whether the cubs learnt anything from these precious lessons.
Cheers
What's the point of knowing all but you can't apply what you learnt? The Olympic chumps may know everything about football from A to Z but what's the point when A, B and C is all they applied. I'm not trying to tell them what to do. In the end of the line, the choice ain't mine it's really up to them. Just apply what you learnt for the good not for the bad. Celebrate goal excessively at your own peril.
It's not like we cannot score, defensively, we need to be more compose. Like what Eric said, hopefully the Cubs have learnt something from this defeat.
Experience wise, they are lagging behind the Lions but it is not an excuse especially when you are representing the nation. You just have to dig in to find the extra effort.
Tactics wise, they have to be more discipline. They still have a long way to go before they can make the transition to the first team. In fact, some of them might not even make the grade at the rate that they are performing.
Time to wake up guys!
The recent result clearly illustrates the need for Singapore to expose their age-group players to higher levels of competition, especially internationally.
Having technical ability and talent is one thing but to be able to compete requires the necessary playing experience and exposure at the highest level. Hence, like LBH commented, players are able to develop the required discipline and professionalism needed to wear the national jersey.
It was no surprise Khairul Amri performed better than his team-mates, simply because he had the better temperament and experience to cope with the pressures at international level, having played for the senior team since 2005.
I feel for Singapore football to move forward, our age-group players (from the Under-13 to Under-23) need to be sent for more overseas competitions and be exposed to playing tougher opponents.
If the Lions have their own nutritionist and conditioning coach etc.,this level of professionalism has to cascade down to the lower levels as well. We need to develop professionalism in the players from a young age so that they understand what is expected of them if they want to compete at the highest levels.
I agree that the Pakistani game is a wake up call. It shows the lack of exposure to international games or friendlies. How do you know where you stand if you did not compete with other teams? You need to benchmark and find where you stand and then improve upon it. Every country is improving and we need to improve faster. The world does not stand still.
We are knocked out of the Olympic qualifiers without any preparation or intensive training? Khairul Amri scored 2 goals and it is obvious what happened. He played at AFC and is in form.
Do Not Petition For Young Lions Or Pussy Cats if they are excluded in future soccer competitions or sporting events again.
Given a rare oportunity like Pre-Olympic, as usual, ended with well deserved defeat to Pakistan, whose sporting strengths are cricket, hockey and squash.
Leading 1-0 but to lose 1-2 at home is bad.But leading 2-0, only to lose 2-3 away, with 2 players send off and comical own goal by defensive clowns is the best reward to the public, who openly supported them.
Advocate inept or incompetent soccer teams, result in disgraceful defeats, doesn't justify public's support for them.
In future, SSC decide not to send Old and Young Lions Or Pussy cats for soccer tournaments, do not protest against it's decisions because our soccer teams doesn't deserve to be given another chance or recognition
From: Chester Low
q-s Match Report
I didn't watch the match but the key word is DISCIPLINE in out front back up down...
Who cares about this thing? I'm talk of the town again. There's a OLD sexy boy in town. ;)
To be honest, i was one of those that did not take too lightly to S'pore's chances in the first leg. In fact, i grabbed the $7.30 offer for a Pakistan win even though it was a home match. With 9 men from the team that lost just 3-2 to Japan in the Asian Games, i felt the experience and exposure that the Pakistanis had were superior to the Lions (cubs).
As expected, the cubs froze in both games, losing leads. Coming so soon after the ASEAN Cup triumph, this would have added plenty of pressure to these cubs. This could have been attributed to a lack of concentration after taking leads in both games. Perhaps, they have been too raw and were thinking of celebrations after the game.
The talent on show i think was acceptable. Perhaps what was missing was the experience and the mental toughness. I think the cubs should learn from the never-say-die attitude of their senior players.
Cheers,
kel
Kelvin. Letter Of The Month Winner caught...gambling. Minus points from your fans. At this rate, I'll be more sexier than you. Haha!. You always wondered why I never gave you my number? There are some things that we just can't fathom.
One reason why I said Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck why I never get my letters published since winning one Letter of the...wait a minute, I got sms......Week.
My point is Kelvin, I have reasons why I don't do nice things sometimes. You have my e mail address. Use it like a 'Get Out Of Prison' card.
Olymic fellas, No Girls, No Gambling...
Ok, I'll be direct. I'm a superhero. Im like Question of the Justice League Unlimited of DC Comics. This superhero has no superpowers but he is into investigation and has average fighting skills. Question is the name of this superhero. He wears a mask to cover his face.
I'll up the stakes a little Haley now that the whole of Singapore is talking about it...
If you win, I'll give you 'The Best Of Intercontinental Championship' VCD. If you don't like wrestling, how about $2?
Your prayers have been answered and you won't even work for it? Pity.
hahahaha..q-s,ur last few entries were quite funny.
1st of all, I did not know i had fans.
If people like me did not gamble, Singapore P**ls will not be raking in the big bucks every year. For the info of my 'fans', i do not bet every game. I only take those with substantial odds. Win big then got kick. If not bet for what. At the risk of being labelled a traitor, i felt there was money to be won hence and went ahead with Pakistan. $7.30 leah! How often do you see such odds for a team that seems to have a favourable chance of winning?
And I know why u do not do nice things at times. Its because of people like cfcfan and you that the blog is more 'alive'. In a way, at least there's someone to spice things up by 'regulating' what we write now and then with comments that makes one scratch their head and rushing to dig out supporting evidence. Well, its certainly nice hearing the diverse views of the very diverse age groups including yours.
Cheers,
kel
Hey Superman (Kelvin), can you send Supergirl (ladylala) to protect all your girlfriends because they seem to wonder what is Question (ME) like behind this 'mask'.
I'm sure some of you has heard of my audacious Michael Essien like goal yesterday. Go to Hougang Mall and ask about 'Alex'.
Is the Olympic team accepting some senior players. I'm 25 and intrested in offering my services.
REAL IDENTITY OF 'THE WRITE OFF' = Qyaerus-Syahrein.
Old Lions and cubs need Roy Keane type, telling team mates wake up their idea from behaving like F4 (Flowers 4) or play like girl band Josie And Pussycats, and I think there will be hope for Lions.
If Old Lions and it's pussycats keep on giving inept and incompetent performances, on given rare opportunities to play, all exposure be given to other sports for winning World Cup, SEA, Asian and Commonwealth games gold medals.
It is SSC, which is spot on, not to send Young Lions for Asian games.But it is wrong for the public, to petition for Young Lions participation in Asian games, not to welcome back Young Lions after strongly supported for their inclusion in Asian games.
From: Chester Low
The recent exit at the hands of Pakistanis brought us back to reality.
Our young Lions still have a long and tough road ahead before they can be worthy successors of their seniors.
Yes,they can score. But all 3 by Amri? & they can' protect even a 2-goal lead. If we were beaten by good goals and a strong display by the opposition, it won't be that bad. What's worse were our lack of mentality and ball-watching stances.
While the seniors displayed their fighting spirit in the final match against Thailand. This was sorely lacking in both the Cubs' matches.
They may be only Cubs now (so excuses can be made) but if you want them to be Lions, you gotta make sure they learn it the survival way.
Let's be practical.Even though our senior team have been ASEAN champions for the past 3 years,it's only a recent development. The fact of the matter is Singapore football is still at its infant stage of development and it will take time for us to be one of the best in Asia at all levels.
While the Young Lions did fail miserably, we have to realize more failures will be in store in future. It's part of a learning curve. We cannot expect our youth teams to display the grit and determination of the senior side. Those characteristics were only visible when Raddy took over and that was 3-4 years ago. It will take time for the youth teams to mirror the success of the Lions.
We cannot be like the Koreans or the Japanese at all levels just because we are back to back ASEAN champions. More hard work needs to be done at all levels still at all levels. The most important thing is FAS gets the youth development system right and ensure its teams are exposed to higher level competitions consistently.
q-s magic report
feel like using all small letters.
the under-23 side had a match against england and drew 2-2. what a leapfrog.
all this happened at hougang ave.9 street soccer court.
alex had a goal disallowed because the ball touched the yellow segment.
chris had to end the match fast because alex already won everything.
i said everything.
don't believe everything you see, hear, smell, taste or feel.
this is hilarious. i asked for haley and the 'england' team appear.
i asked for this, not for that.
we can't really blame our U-21s for not making it through. aside from the likes of Khairul Amri, the rest are practically unknown. they don't have enough experience to compete on such a large stage. but then again, that is why they're sent into these competitions: to gain experience.
but then again, the question comes: who's to blame? our age-group players don't get as much experience exposure as their senior counterparts. everyone knows this. but somehow, this reason just sounds cliche.
The thing is...DON'T HANG OUT IN PUBS!!! Unless you like sharing your girlfriends with others. Please.
We interrupt your sleep for a SPECIAL q-s report. Britney Spears goes completely bald!
ernest, it's official i, qyaerus-syahrein deserve to win letter of the month of february. stop your games.
Hell... I would flood this post until i go to sleep. q-s match report. Chelsea through. Man U drew. Ernest, I'm really tired. I need to go back to bed. I'll tell all. I did not meet any of the guys or gals at the photoshoot. I'm serious. I'm pissed off that the Singapore Police Force are being incapable...
Ernest, can you get Home United FC to rethink about not signing me?
It's a Public Holiday and I'm not asleep. My 'wife' told me she loves me but still not enough. Effort I put in gone wasted. Drives me angry. Send me to Home United FC soon. You have my number.
Play me in the left-wing back position. Wait a minute, is only you reading this. Reading. (Jangan kacau aku. Aku dah kahwinlah.)
No, no, no that's not meant for you Ernest, meant for........my wife will kill any women who likes me. She's not living with me. She's in...
Do they say nothing about me? THAT'S A LIE. They keep it secret among themselves. Now they are trying to put me in a match with Baihaki Khaizan? Excuse me do I have to go down everyday to fight for it's worth? No money, just fame? I'll do it. Done that will do it aaaaaaaaagain and again. My favourite wrestler is Shawn Michaels.
I just, sleep, woke up and the blog is empty. What will happen when a Rooster fight with a Pig. Like last night. Chelsea outclassed Norwich 4-0.
How about Sir Alex Ferguson playing all his cards against Reading? Alex, better learn kung-fu or his Man U may not win the Premiership.
I'll start a blogging war if Ernest is man enough to say something or get recurring nightmares of a Rooster screwing a female Duck. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHappy Chinese New Year Pigs.
Happy Chinese New Year people!Enjoy the holidays.
Cheers
Ernest, you media rat. YES YOU ARE THE REAL RAT. Don't make me bring back the MPA.
Eric Kng, (Polaris), which side of the fence you play, dude? Front side? Back side??? Both sides? Are you good or bad. You are the rat too.
What i did with my 'wife' is non of your business.
Why are you so quiet during the interview?
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