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Fulham scout impressed with local youth talent

SINGAPORE — At last weekend’s Junior Soccer School and League (JSSL) Singapore International 7s tournament, 160 teams from 13 different countries, including Australia, South Korea and Japan, took to the field at three locations: The Padang, Turf City and Macpherson.

Fulham’s academy player recruitment manager Dan Rice with youngsters from the JSSL Elite Academy. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

Fulham’s academy player recruitment manager Dan Rice with youngsters from the JSSL Elite Academy. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

SINGAPORE — At last weekend’s Junior Soccer School and League (JSSL) Singapore International 7s tournament, 160 teams from 13 different countries, including Australia, South Korea and Japan, took to the field at three locations: The Padang, Turf City and Macpherson.

But many of the youngsters who took part in the fourth edition of the two-day tournament did not know this: Watching with keen interest from the sidelines was a scout from English Championship side Fulham FC.

Dan Rice, Fulham’s academy player recruitment manager, was in town at the invitation of JSSL, to take a look at possible up-and-coming talent. Fulham, the 2010 Europa League finalists, and JSSL started a partnership six months ago after Rice was impressed with their training programme.

Since then, four youth players from JSSL have travelled to London to train in the Fulham academy for two weeks.

“For me being out here, especially at a tournament like today, gives me a chance to look at the football culture in different countries,” Rice told TODAY. “From what I have seen so far, there is plenty of talent in Singapore. At Fulham, we are open to inviting talented youngsters to come down and train with us.”

The 30-year-old, who has been working for Fulham for the past six years, said he was busy at the JSSL tournament, taking down notes of potential players and speaking to their coaches. So what does he look for in young players?

“When players are in the younger age group (nine-12), they need to understand the basics as their tactical side is not integral just yet,” he said. “I specifically look for players who are making the right decisions, involving their team-mates, as well as their character when they score and when they miss a chance.

“For the older age group (13-18), I look into position specifics because — for example — there are various types of midfielders; box to box, sitting, attacking, and they have different attributes. I keep an eye out for the understanding of their roles and responsibility on the pitch.”

Over the years, Fulham have had their fair share of Asian players, such as Zesh Rehman, Junichi Inamoto and Neil Etheridge. Rice believes there is still an opportunity for more Asians to make the step up.

“Fulham have been a successful club in promoting players from the academy to the first team, with 17 players making the step up in recent years,” he said. “There is an equal opportunity for everyone, including Asian players who can make the step up.” AMANPREET SINGH

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