Up for the challenge

SAHIL ‘S Gol’ SUHAIMI22, football

SINGAPORE — The detractors may be sharpening their knives after Singapore’s Under-23 footballers dropped their Asian Games opener against Tajikistan on Sunday, sunk by a late goal that leaves their campaign on edge. But even if the Young Lions do not advance to the knockout stage — not that the critics gave them much chance anyway — one man who will always be looking to the next challenge is Sahil Suhaimi.

For Sahil, there has not been any shortcut in his footballing journey. While guys he grew up playing football with were picked up by the Singapore Sports School, Sahil stayed with Greenview Secondary, and then went to the Institute of Technical Education. While his contemporaries were drafted into the LionsXII, Sahil stayed loyal to the Courts Young Lions, quietly honing his craft and sharpness in the S-League.

His call-up to the national Under-23s last year may have surprised those who saw no reason to select players outside the LionsXII, but to those in the know, Sahil’s selection could not have come sooner. In the eyes of national head coach Bernd Stange, he is skilful with the ball, confident when taking on defenders, and has a keen eye for goal. In short, a well-rounded striker.

In Naypyidaw last December, Sahil scored three goals in Singapore’s SEA Games campaign, which ended with a bronze medal.

“I worked really hard to earn the call-up to the SEA Games squad,” Sahil told TODAY. “Most of the players in that team were from the LionsXII and it was hard to compete with them for places as they are hardened by matches against Malaysian sides week in, week out.

“I just wanted to be a better player, and playing at the SEA Games motivated me to work even harder this season.”

With nine S-League goals to his name this year, Sahil is his team’s leading scorer, and is just one goal behind Home United’s Fazrul Nawazat the top of the local goal-scorers’ chart.

But it was the brace he scored against higher-ranked Bahrain in a 3-2 away win that was important in a bigger picture: The win in Manama persuaded the Singapore National Olympic Council to allow the team to compete at the Asian Games.

“We worked very hard for that Bahrain friendly and more than competed with them,” said Sahil. “This is my only shot at the Asian Games as an Under-23 player and it was disappointing at first when news emerged that we weren’t going to Incheon. But we’re glad we were given the nod in the end.”

In a warm-up match against Papua New Guinea earlier this month, Sahil scored the opener as Singapore eventually won 2-1, but the manner in which he sidestepped three bigger opposing players before letting fly would have pleased the selectors.

“I like the challenge,” he said. “It’s never worried me that they are taller, I keep myself busy by keeping them guessing.”

And what of the view that he is a player who can change a game?

“Football is a team game, you can’t depend on just one player to make the difference,” said Sahil. “For me, I treat every game like a final and go all out. I’m always looking to help my team earn the win.”

“S Gol” Sahil aces K-Pop test

Q: How many members make up 2NE1?

Sahil: Four. (Correct!)

Q: What’s your best K-Pop dance move?

Sahil: Dance move? (TODAY assigns him side-step and swing)

Q: What was the last Korean drama you watched?

Sahil: Running Man. Hang on, is that a Korean drama? (No, it’s a variety show but it’s a Korean show nonetheless)

Q: Know any Korean words?

Sahil: Annyeong haseyo!

Q: Hanguk and Choson both mean Korea. Which is North and which is South?

Sahil: Hanguk is South Korea. (Correct!)

Q: K-pop, hip hop or rock? Which would you pick?

Sahil: Hip hop, give me Chris Brown.

Q: Who in the Young Lions is a closet K-pop or K-drama fan?

Sahil: Probably only me, because they will always ask me why I’m playing K-pop songs.

Q: Have you been to Korea? If not, what are you looking forward to?

Sahil: Never been there and I hope I will run into members from 2NE1 or Big Bang.