Safuwan’s up for the challenge

SINGAPORE — With the spotlight from home firmly on him, Safuwan Baharudin (picture) admitted that he was feeling a bit of pressure to live up to expectations at Melbourne City, but insisted he would be ready to seize the opportunity when it arrives.

The Singapore national defender, who is on a three-month loan deal to the Australian Hyundai A-League side, was an unused substitute during yesterday’s 2-1 win over bottom side Western Sydney Wanderers.

The match saw Western Sydney take a fifth minute lead through Yojiro Takahagi. But Melbourne City, which are sixth in the 10-team A-League standings, fought back through Jacob Melling in the 24th minute and Aaron Mooy after 73 minutes to secure the win.

With only 15 matches left in the season, Safuwan knows time is against him to sufficiently impress head coach John van ’t Schip to push for a permanent move. “It has been difficult to handle so many things with just a few days here,” the 23-year-old, who arrived last Thursday, told TODAY after yesterday’s match.

“It is not easy because I have not really settled down. I am happy too that I have got so much support from back home. Hopefully, my supporters can see me play in the Melbourne shirt really soon. After observing today’s game, I think I can fit in nicely (in the team).”

He added: “Being the first Singaporean to play in the A-League, people back home want to know how I’m doing. I (do) feel pressurised at times.”

Naturally, the 1.82m-tall Safuwan, who can also play as a centre-forward, had been hoping to get the call from Van ’t Schip during yesterday’s match at Melbourne City’s AAMI Stadium.

“The atmosphere was really great. The quality of football played is totally different from the M-League or the S-League,” he said.

“It was a mixed feeling when I did not get any minutes (on the field) today, but I will just wait and grab the opportunity when it comes. I’m new and there are so many things to learn during my time at Melbourne.”

Safuwan secured the loan move from Singaporean side LionsXII after impressing the club’s selectors during a 12-day training tour of the United Arab Emirates last month. And his wait to make his debut for Melbourne City could happen this Saturday, when the team face city rivals and two-time A-League champions Melbourne Victory at their 53,000-seater Etihad Stadium.

Said Safuwan: “John just told me to keep working hard when I arrived on the first day. He told me be ready at all times.”