Hafiz warming up to life in Thai football following new club deal

BANGKOK — January has proved a memorable month for Singapore international Hafiz Abu Sujad.

First, he signed for Thai League 2 outfit Big Bang Chula United (BBCU) after impressing the club’s coaching staff during a trial.

And just days after he penned a one-year contract with BBCU, Hafiz reached a major milestone in his life as he tied the knot with his girlfriend, Rin Ellyanie.

There was no time for the couple to go on their honeymoon, however, as Hafiz had to report to BBCU to begin training. With the 26-year-old just setting out on his footballing journey with BBCU, his wife decided to make a huge sacrifice in order to support his dream — she quit her job as an air stewardess with Singapore Airlines to relocate to Bangkok to be with him.

And Hafiz says her sacrifice has given him added motivation to work even harder to be a success in order to prove she made the right choice.

“I’m extremely grateful to my wife (for deciding to move to Thailand for me). She quit her dream job just to support me as I chase my own dreams,” Hafiz told TODAY during an interview over dinner in Bangkok.

“I was honest with her. I told her that anything can happen in football, and success is not a guarantee. Nonetheless, she’s been very encouraging and told me that she’ll be there for me no matter what.

“But she also told me that her heart broke when she submitted her resignation. With her by my side now and having made such a sacrifice to be with me, I’m now even more determined to prove my worth here and do her proud.”

COMING TO GRIPS WITH THAI FOOTBALL

But it has not been an easy transition for Hafiz as he continues to come to terms with the high demands of playing in Thailand, the undisputed kingpins of South-east Asian football.

In just his second training session with BBCU, he was given a taste of what Thai football is all about.

Along with the club’s other flankers, Hafiz was put through a gruelling high-intensity drill which required them to sprint up and down the touchline with the ball, with only a short break between each lap.

At the end of the 30-minute session, Hafiz’s legs and body were crying out in pain from the punishing routine.

Initially taken aback by how intense the training was, Hafiz soon realised this exercise — which works on improving the player’s speed, fitness and ball control — exemplified the sort of qualities players need in order to thrive in Thailand football.

“In Thailand, the transition from defence to attack and vice versa is incredibly fast,” Hafiz explained. “When a team win possession, they usually counter-attack immediately. This means players will be running up and down the pitch at high speed, and fitness is a huge part of the game. Almost every training session we have involves some sort of exercise to build our explosive power and speed.

“We also work with the ball a lot and, overall, the intensity of the training here is much higher than what I’m used to.”

GETTING USED TO LIFE IN THAILAND

Off the pitch, Hafiz says he has already adjusted well to life in Thailand.

Labelling the Thais as “generally very kind and patient” people, Hafiz currently lives in a condominium located a 20-minute drive away from the BBCU’s home ground, the Nonthaburi Youth Centre Stadium, and has rented a car in order to get around easily.

He has learnt to manage the notoriously heavy traffic conditions of Bangkok, although he concedes that finding halal food is a problem at times.

“Around my place, there are a few halal eating places, but they are always closed early, usually by the afternoon,” he said. “So it can be a problem for me, because training usually ends in the evenings and by the time I get home, these places will be closed. But it’s just a small issue, because my wife or I can cook if needed. I miss home-cooked food, but that’s normal, and it’s nothing I can’t overcome.”

Even though BBCU are in the second tier of Thai football — the Thai League 2 — Hafiz says he is impressed with the professional set-up of the club.

Each training session is minded by up to 18 coaches and officials, while the players’ condition and fitness levels are also closely monitored to ensure that they are in their best shape to perform.

Case in point: Hafiz was once made to do extra fitness work after his body fat index was found to have increased following a day off.

“After every rest day, the club will measure the players’ body fat index,” Hafiz revealed. “If there is an increase, the player will then be required to run extra rounds as punishment. That’s how seriously they treat each player’s fitness levels.”

On the pitch, the former Tampines Rovers star believes that his team-mates are warming up to him, even though he admits that competition for a first-team place is fierce.

“The coaches, officials and players have all been very friendly to me since I arrived,” he said. “Of course, sometimes some players will give me a bit of heat, especially since I’m a foreign signing, to try and show that things won’t be easy here.

“But it doesn’t matter to me. If I can do my job professionally and continue to integrate myself with the Thai players, then I think they’ll respect me.”