Before he presented the blueprint designed to change the Singapore football landscape yesterday at the Fullerton Hotel, Football Association of Singapore (FAS) technical director Michel Sablon decided to share a quote with the gathered media and guests.

Borrowing a phrase from the late economist John Maynard Keynes, he said: “The real difficulty is not in developing new ideas, but escaping from the old ones.”

The 68-year-old Belgian (above), acclaimed for developing the plan that turned his country into one of the top footballing sides in the world, is confident of repeating the trick with Singapore.

Yesterday, Sablon shared his vision in a two-hour presentation to stakeholders that included FAS president Zainudin Nordin, new national head coach V Sundramoorthy, coaches of national and club youth teams, as well as schools and grassroots coaches.

Sablon’s Singapore blueprint is broken down into 11 components and includes an overall development philosophy, coaching education, a revamp of schools and Centre of Excellence competitions, and specialised goalkeeper development, among others.

He presented the 11 components in a 4-3-3 formation, which he says is the tactical system Singapore’s national teams will use.

Sablon, who was appointed in April 2015 on a two-year contract, is charged to take local football to the next level.

He told TNP in an exclusive interview last October that he felt Singapore could compete with Asia’s best in five years.

MORE CONFIDENT

When asked if local football’s perennial hurdles – like the focus on academic pursuits and National Service – have tempered his hopes over the last year, he said: “It’s not my nature to lower my expectations… I’m more confident now.

“When I came here, I was perhaps too fast to make a few steps, now I have to go back one or two steps. But it’s okay.

“If the quality (of staff) is there, if every step and every phase we obtain the quality we want, that’s good.”

Sablon’s plan was generally well-received by those who attended his presentation.

Tampines Rovers chairman Krishna Ramachandra said: “It was an extremely detailed and well thought-out plan which not only appeared to have covered the important aspects, but also had a simplicity to the execution methodology.

“We are blessed to have a visionary like Mr Sablon who is able to distil the complexities into workable strategies.”

Former national midfielder Nasaruddin Jalil, who has been coaching youth and S.League teams for almost 20 years and has worked under previous European technical directors like Jan Poulsen (Denmark, 1999 to 2003) and Slobodan Pavkovic (Serbia, 2008 to 2014), called for support of the new blueprint.

“Compared to those of previous technical directors, this plan is more focused on developing players at a really young age,” said Nasaruddin.

“It’s very comprehensive and, if all areas of (Sablon’s) plan can be implemented right, Singapore football can go somewhere, definitely.

“But that will be the biggest challenge – implementing it – and all stakeholders need to come together to support the plan.”

SUPPORT

Sablon is pleased with the support he has received from colleagues and stakeholders thus far.

“What strikes me is the passion and motivation of all the staff working here,” he said.

“Also, Winston (Lee, FAS general secretary), the FAS president (Zainudin Nordin). They have decided we have to go in the (right) direction, and that helps me.

“For sure, we are going in a good direction. And for sure, in some areas, we’ve already made good progress.”

This article was first published on May 31, 2016.
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From the highs of being named the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup’s Most Valuable player and being the inaugural AFF Player of the Year (men) in 2013, Lions skipper Shahril Ishak’s stock has plummeted in recent years.

The veteran playmaker, who is the most experienced player in caretaker national coach V. Sundramoorthy’s first national squad with 128 caps, was reduced to a reserve role under Sundram’s predecessor Bernd Stange.

Under the German, Shahril managed just 125 minutes in the Republic’s eight 2018 World Cup qualifiers, where he was an unused substitute in the crucial matches against Japan and Syria.

Stange even once stated that the 32-year-old could no longer cope with the demands of international football – though the Lions captain since 2010 thinks otherwise.

He said of his time on the bench: “Of course, in the past few years, as a player I felt frustrated as I want to contribute more to the team.

“(But) as a player, I just have to agree and give support to the coaches, and be professional enough to adapt to the situation.”

Despite entering the twilight of his playing career, coupled with the lack of minutes on the pitch, Shahril shared that he never entertained thoughts of international retirement.

He said: “I have gone through (a lack of playing time) before, when I was young and just joined the national team, there were many senior players.

“The feeling is the same as when I was a youngster. But for me, my philosophy is to never give up. If I have a chance (to play for the team), I would give my best.”

With former national striker Sundram, who led the now-defunct LionsXII to the 2013 Malaysia Super League title with Shahril as his key man, at the helm, the player’s national career could soon be back on track.

Under the guidance of the tactician, Shahril was top scorer during the successful season with 14 goals.

Sundram said: “He’s a leader, and his influence to the younger boys can keep the team spirit very high. He’s a good player on the field, and a great personality off it.”

With the likes of Azhar Sairudin and Sahil Suhaimi competing to be the team’s creative outlet, Shahril still faces a tough route back into the first team – though he probably stands a better chance than during the Stange era.

In fact, one of Sundram’s first statements as the new Lions coach was to reiterate that Shahril will remain as his captain – something that means a great deal to the Johor Darul Takzim II skipper.

Breaking into a smile, Shahril said: “It was a great honour, coming from the legend himself. I’m very pleased and blessed as it means he has faith in me.

“I have to take the responsibility in the team. On and off the pitch, hopefully.”

This article was first published on May 31, 2016.
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He is known for his pragmatic approach to football, with an emphasis on an organised defence and earning results at all costs.

Yet judging by V. Sundramoorthy’s first three training sessions as the caretaker national coach, it appears that the tactician has evolved his coaching style.

For the third straight day of training since his appointment on Friday, the Lions practised drills that emphasised team possession and making full use of the width of the pitch to penetrate.

After yesterday’s session at Geylang Field, Sundram said: “Every day we try to get the team in shape, and try to let the boys understand the tactical awareness of the game.

“The most important thing is to try to keep the ball, and not lose it cheaply. Secondly, positional play. Those are the two things I want to emphasise.”

Under Sundram, the pitch was a kaleidoscope of movement. In one particular drill, a team of attackers, under pressure from a team of defenders, attempted to bulge the net.

While that took place, a third group, taken by ex-national captain Fandi Ahmad, practised switching play from one flank to another through diagonal balls. The three teams were then rotated.

There were no signs of the long throw-ins and set-piece routines that epitomised the LionsXII style under Sundram, who led the now-defunct team to Malaysia Super League glory in 2013.

That well-drilled but defensive side conceded just 15 goals in 22 games.

But while his predecessor Bernd Stange wanted the Lions to play tiki-taka, which was ultimately unsuccessful, the new man in charge wants the players to be competent in mixing short and long passes, as long as possession is kept.

Also, the 50-year-old tactician is pragmatic in retaining the use of attackers to deliver quick balls into the box.

This was seen in training yesterday when the likes of Shahril Ishak, Amy Recha and Hafiz Sujad dribbled past dummies to square for an onrushing team-mate to score.

Sundram also acknowledged the time constraint before the quadrangular AYA Bank Cup in Myanmar, which starts on Friday.

Accordingly, he arranged for a specific group of players to attend 45 minutes of extra training before team training began; defenders on Sunday, and attackers yesterday.

Sundram said: “Because I was only appointed on Friday, we (coaching team) don’t have enough time to come up with a lot of training.

“(Hence) we just work extra to let the boys understand how we’re going to play, and what we want in the game.”

With the Lions having just one last training session on home soil this morning before flying to Myanmar tomorrow, Sundram said he has yet to come up with a starting line-up from the 22-man squad, stating that the players should impress him and “pick themselves to be in the first XI”.

He said: “Some of the boys are giving me some thoughts.

“We need to come up with a solution and the best XI. They are all doing well.”

This article was first published on May 31, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.