Football: A long wait but Taufik eager to seize his moment with the Lions this time

SINGAPORE – When Taufik Suparno obtained his first Lions call-up as a 20-year-old in 2015, the ahead had hoped it will be the beginning of an extended worldwide profession.

But it will take one other seven years earlier than the nation got here a-calling once more.

And now Taufik, 26, is anticipated to lastly earn his long-awaited, maiden nationwide cap when the Lions face Malaysia on the National Stadium on Saturday (March 26).

He is amongst 4 uncapped gamers in interim nationwide coach Nazri Nasir’s 26-man squad for the FAS Tri-Nations Series, a three-team ‘A’ worldwide pleasant involving Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Although Taufik had been referred to as up in 2015 by then-coach Bernd Stange to face Japan and Syria within the World Cup qualifiers, he didn’t function then and continued to be ignored through the years following a collection of harm setbacks.

But he additionally accepted that he was partly accountable and credited his spouse, Jessica Khor, 25, with whom he shares three younger kids, for his Lions renaissance.

Taufik, who has three targets in as many video games for Tampines this season, stated: “Marriage changed me. Before that, I didn’t have the maturity and the discipline needed to be a professional footballer. I took things lightly and I wasn’t taking care of myself in terms of my diet and rest time.”

A dialog together with his spouse about what he wished to attain in his soccer profession has confirmed to be the catalyst. Taufik stated he then realised that if he wished to make a mark with membership and nation, he needed to change his methods.

A “foodie” who beloved to bask in a bowl of mee rebus, Taufik modified his food plan with the assistance of his spouse, who prepares meals that normally comprise brown rice, steamed greens and natural soup.

“Initially, it was tough for me to eat that. I wasn’t used to it and I wouldn’t feel satisfied after meals. But my wife kept reminding me that I need to take better care of my body. And I also realised that if I want to go far in my career, I need to get out of my comfort zone,” stated Taufik.

Despite the adjustments in his habits, the return to the nationwide fold was not easy. Last season, in 21 matches, Taufik made Tampines’ beginning line-up solely thrice. Yet, he managed to attain on six events.

This 12 months, he has began all three matches up to now for the membership, scoring thrice. Now, he desires to make a mark in opposition to Malaysia.

Said Taufik: “Like most football fans here, I have been to matches against Malaysia. This is the big one. I have dreamt of representing Singapore and playing in a match against Malaysia so I do hope to get the chance.”

Nazri, 51, informed The Straits Times that he’s sure that Taufik will earn his first cap in opposition to Malaysia or in opposition to the Philippines on March 29, noting : “He deserves to be here and he has been performing very well for his club. He gives us speed and trickery in the final third and I think he can be a big part of the national team going forward.”

Nazri was additionally the interim coach when Singapore beat the Harimau Malaya 1-0 within the Airmarine Cup, a pleasant quadrangular, in 2019. He is trying ahead to getting the higher of Malaysia once more and stated his gamers didn’t want additional motivation given the character of the rivalry between each groups.

He stated: “It is always a special occasion when playing against Malaysia. They have quick, attacking players that we need to be mindful of. It is going to be a difficult match. We are playing on home ground and I am sure the boys won’t disappoint me.”

Malaysia coach Kim Pan-gon who noticed his facet beat the Philippines 2-0 on the National Stadium on Wednesday, hinted at the potential for adjustments to his staff for the fixture in opposition to Singapore however stated he was nonetheless concentrating on a victory.

Said the 52-year-old South Korean, who oversaw assured, aggressive attacking soccer from his staff in his first match in cost: “These friendlies are good opportunities for me to assess players. We can also experiment tactically. But this is a derby match and so the result is very important (as well).”