Training Wed 15 Oct (CANCELLED)

Training at NUS has been cancelled!

Training Sat 11 October

Venue: National JC (off Dunearn Road)
Time: 9am
Attire: Red

Post-Match Report: AUG 2 S'pore Malays 1

Well taken goals by Zhiwei and Khai in the 1st third gave us a 2-1 victory over the S'pore Malays. Consisting of some current and a couple of ex-S-League and NFL players, the S'pore Malays had the majority of possession and should have drawn level in the 3rd third. However their striker's penalty was deflected over the bar by Weiyang's outstretched legs. Against a technically gifted side, this is an encouraging start to our AUG preparations considering the many new faces that have joined us.

However, there were certain aspects that were less than desirable:

1. After the game, Coach Arasu stated his displeasure regarding our individual defensive play. The opponents were constantly breaking through the middle, through the shackles of the midfielders and this often required desperate tackles from the defenders. Against faster, fitter opposition, we would surely have been exploited and punished. Lets keep this in mind and work on it during subsequent trainings.

2. Punctuality. Training was supposed to start at 6.30pm. As mentioned previously, we will be putting in a short training session prior to the game, hence the importance of turning up on time. I trust that we are all responsible enough to keep to the schedule and that there should be no need for punishment mechanisms (e.g. a fine system etc).

On a seperate note, Mr Chiang has sent out an Excel sheet to your respective uni reps. Pls help them out by filling in the relevant info in the Excel sheet and sending it back to them by this Sunday afternoon.

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Next training:

9am, Sat 11 Oct

Venue To be confirmed

Wed: AUG v Singapore Malays (Update)

hey boys,

we have a friendly against Singapore Malays this Wed @ NTU. Similar to the game last Saturday, training will commence @ 6.30pm. Match kicks off at 7.30pm.

For attire, lets standardize it as Red tops, black shorts and black socks from now on.

Pls update your availability via your uni reps or indicate under comments for this post.

Sat Training and Friendly

Some updates from coach:

Be ready to start training at 4pm sharp as we will be playing a friendly at 5pm @ NUS 

Attire - red

Reminder: if u cant make it, pls keep your respective uni reps in the loop.

Road to KL

Hi guys,

first and foremost let me take this opportunity to welcome the new guys who have been added to the AUG training squad. For the benefit of those who dont already know, here's a tiny summary of the AUG for you:

AUG, which stands for the Asean University Games, is held once every 2 years. The previous edition in 2006 was held way up in the north of South East Asia, Hanoi. Our boys were grouped together with Laos, Thailand and our arch rivals Malaysia.

In the opening game, we lost 5-1 (or was it 4-1) to a Laotian team who comprised of the bulk of their Tiger Cup team. The supposed minnows  were in fact the surprise package of the tournament. Despite their small size and thin squad of only around 15 players, they made it all the way to the finals, losing to eventual champions Thailand.

Next up was Thailand, the kingpins of SEA football. Despite their domination and possession, the Thais found it difficult to break down a highly disciplined and focused Singapore (who btw almost scored through the lone striker Fong!), eventually turning out 2-0 winners.

In the final game, we lost to Malaysia 4-1 or 3-1 (sorry cant remember) with NUS' Joseph getting the goal.

For many of us who went to the AUG, it was indeed a lesson in football. The players we played against were fit, fast and technically sound. Yes, it will be a challenge for Team Singapore. However, our team has improved remarkably this time round (coach Arasu echoes my view). We have players who are gifted with natural fitness, players who have played at a high level such as the prime and s-league, and most importantly, players from rival unis who have become close friends and a tight unit (read Harpreet's link about the Arsenal philosophy. alternatively, ask around about the team outing to Dbl O).

Singapore will be ready to spring a surprise this Dec in KL. However, with only 20 sessions left before the AUG, time is not on our side. As such, i would like all of you selected to show the commitment and desire to make this happen. Lets all step up and make this AUG our priority.

See you this Saturday. Training will start at 4pm, wear Red. (venue to be confirmed)

AUG Training Schedule etc

Hi Guys,

(1) Off-field Communication

For those who played in Jolilads, please continue to monitor this blog for training details etc.

For the new joiners, this blog is a 2 way communication channel: it's for information to be disseminated to everyone in the most efficient manner, and also for you to post your unavailability for games/ training (please use the comments section at the bottom of the relevant blog entry). Last minute unavailability should be communicated to your respective university representatives.

Please note that accounting for your own attendance is an individual responsibility; the onus is on yourself to inform your uni rep, so that coach is kept informed of your commitment to the squad.

(2) AUG Itinerary

Asean University Games will be held in KL, Malaysia from 9 to 22 December 2008. A squad of maximum 20 will be selected.

(3) Broad Training Schedule

Sept – Starting on 27/9 (Sat) 3pm @ NUS, training prior to SUniG Closing

Oct - to train twice a week, probably Wed evening and Sat Morning/afternoon. Friendly with a Malaysian visiting team on either 8 or 9 Oct

Nov – Will cut down to once a week nearer to exams

Dec – intensive, probably a little training camp prior to departure

(4) Squad List

For avoidance of doubt, the training squad of 33 is as such:

SIM
Neo Zhi Han
Koh Zhipeng, Jerome
Ram Shanker

NTU
Teo Tze Yong, Kevin
Lam Fu Hang
Mohamed Feroz Shah
Koo Pei Tong, Kester
Muhammad Khairul Anwar
Rengarajoo Balasamy Lakesh
Li Shiwei, Aaron
Ho Eng Cheong, Harold
Muhamad Zulkarnain
Tan Kian Tiong
Mohamad Shahril
Lim Aik Leong
Ng Zhi Wei
Ian Wong

NUS
Harpreet Singh
Pang Ka-Mun, Gerald
Kang Weijie, Christopher
Fong Xiongkun
Tan Wei Ming, Fabian
Koh Wei Jie, Mark
Sudhershen Hariram
Ng Jun Wei, Andy
Wong Wee Ting, Vincent
Anand s/o Gopalkrishna

SMU
Wan Wee Jiang
Poon King Yau
Lee Xizhi, Jerry
Pramod Nair
Tai Kheng Wei
Huang Jun Wei, Jonathan