Step forward for Aw’s Lions dream

SINGAPORE — When Philippe Aw leads the Singapore Selection side out at the Shah Alam Stadium this Saturday for the Sultan of Selangor’s Cup, it will be a unique yet nerve-wracking experience for the self-proclaimed rookie coach.

Barely half-way through his second season as head coach of S.League side Home United, the 39-year-old was surprised when he got a call from the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) last month, asking him to lead the Singapore Selection side for the 15th edition of the annual friendly fixture against a Selangor selection.

The match, to be played at the 80,000-seater Shah Alam Stadium, will also see a curtain-raiser between the Singapore Veterans and the Selangor Veterans.

“It’s still quite hard to believe,” said Aw, who said he never had the opportunity to play in the Sultan of Selangor’s Cup during his younger days as an S.League player.

“I’m glad to be given the chance to manage a Singapore team in such a prestigious game. I believe I can learn a lot from this, and it will help me in my coaching career.”

It just might. After all, Tampines Rovers coach V Sundramoorthy led various Singapore Selection sides before being involved in the national team coaching set-up. Sundram is hotly tipped to be the Singapore national caretaker coach for a friendly quadrangular in June.

Aw is hoping that this big breakthrough will see him land a national team coaching job in the future.

“If the FAS feels that I am the right man to lead the Lions, and provided the time and opportunity is right, why not?” he said, while stressing that, for now, he is totally committed to Home. “It’s the dream of every Singaporean coach and of course I would love to take up the job in the future.”

Aw is expected to announce his 18-man Singapore Selection squad by tomorrow. While he is determined to pick the very best players from the S.League, he had to make do without players from some clubs due to tight fixture schedules and continental cup commitments.

Balestier Khalsa and Tampines Rovers have opted out as they will play their final AFC Cup group matches next Tuesday, needing nothing less than a win to book their place in the last 16. Meanwhile, league leaders Albirex Niigata play the Tigers in the S.League on Friday night, on the same day the Singapore Selection will be training over in Shah Alam.

Since Home have a bye in the league this week, the bulk of the Singapore Selection squad will feature players from the Protectors. The team will also include four foreign players from the S.League.

“Ideally I wanted a mix of players from as many clubs as possible, but I understand the situation at hand,” said Aw. “Nonetheless, my squad will have a good blend of youth and experience and I am really eager to give a chance to those who have never experienced such a tournament.

“Playing in front of a large and boisterous crowd will be an eye-opener for the younger players especially, and it will bode well for their careers.”

Sultan of Selangor’s Cup

Date: 7 May 2016 (Saturday)

Venue: Shah Alam Stadium, Selangor

Fixtures: 8pm – Singapore Veterans vs Selangor Veterans, 9pm – Singapore Selection vs Selangor Selection