Safuwan’s Melbourne stint vital

SINGAPORE — It may only be a three-month loan deal to Australian club Melbourne City, but defender Safuwan Baharudin’s move Down Under could prove significant for Singapore football if his stint is successful.

Yesterday, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), which helped facilitate the move, confirmed the 23-year-old centreback had secured the move to the Australian Hyundai A-League side after impressing during their training camp in the United Arab Emirates earlier this month. He featured in two friendly matches.

But should Safuwan succeed in his short stint at Melbourne City, it could help put Singapore football in the international shop window.

“It’s great Safuwan is getting out of his comfort zone. He was playing in a level lower than his real potential and the A-league will be a good stepping stone for him,” said former Singapore defender R Sasikumar. “If he is successful in Australia, this might open up doors in the future.”

Malaysia coach Dollah Salleh said: “We need more players playing abroad. Japan did it much earlier and now their players play for some of the best teams in the world.”

“Safuwan is carrying the torch for South-east Asian football. I hope he succeeds and administrators in Australia will take notice of talent from this region.”

Melbourne City, which boast former Chelsea and Blackburn star Damien Duff in their ranks, play their home games at the 30,000-seater AAMI Stadium.

Safuwan’s stint in the A-League, which has been graced by stars such as World Cup winners Alessandro Del Piero of Italy and Spain’s David Villa, is a bright spot for Singapore football, which has seen its domestic S-League struggle with dwindling interest 
and standards. The national side also suffered a disappointing group stage exit at last year’s ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup, where 
they were the defending champions.

To date, retired stars Fandi Ahmad and V Sundramoorthy remain Singapore’s most successful exports. Fandi played for Dutch side Groningen from 1983 to 1985 — he scored against Italian giants Inter Milan in the UEFA Cup — while Sundram turned out for Swiss side FC Basel from 1988 to 1989.

More recently, former national players Noh Alam Shah and Indra Sahdan were among those who tried to secure contracts outside of South-east Asia.

Noh had unsuccessful trials with English club Notts County and top Latvian side Skonto Riga in 2005, while Indra failed to secure a deal with United States Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake after a month-long stint in 2008.

Speaking from the Maldives, where his LionsXII side are taking part in the POMIS Cup, Fandi warned it will not be easy for Safuwan.

“It will not be easy for Safuwan just like how it wasn’t easy for me when I went to the Netherlands for trials with Ajax Amsterdam before signing for Groningen,” he said.

“The culture and football is different, so it will take time for Safuwan to settle. Footballing-wise, he will acquit himself well, but he must stay strong mentally and be determined 
to succeed.”

Former Singapore defender Lim Tong Hai stressed the momentum cannot be lost. “I hope this isn’t a stop-gap measure. A permanent deal before (the loan deal is over would be) good for his development,” said Lim. “The quality of football is higher in Australia judging by their performance at the Asian Cup. But it augurs well for Singapore that Safuwan is there.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY DAN GUEN CHIN