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Get ready to be inspired as we welcome Irfan Najeeb from BG Tampines, fresh off his exhilarating experience in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup. Irfan opens up about his journey through the tournament, embracing the challenge of a new team dynamic and possession-based strategy. Learn how he mentally prepared himself to face tough competitors like Vietnam and Malaysia, and how his teammates' support fueled his desire for growth and improvement. 

Explore Irfan's roots in football, sparked by a supportive family and particularly his uncle, Shahril Ishak. His path was paved by admiration for Lions 12 icons like Safuwan, which eventually led him to playing alongside his childhood heroes. Irfan shares the invaluable experiences he gained at the National Football Academy, highlighting how perseverance and hard work became his guiding principles in the professional arena, moving from center-mid to right-back.

Peek inside the world of BG Tampines as Irfan reveals what makes this club extraordinary—a family-like bond with fans and a strategic focus on possession football. Discover the impactful coaching of figures like Coach Gavin and Coach Ogura, who shape the team’s aspirations and strategies. Irfan shares insights about new squad members and reflects on what might be missing in the push for league triumph, as well as his own aspirations for personal growth in the coming years. Join us for a compelling conversation that celebrates the passion and persistence of a rising football star.

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I sit down for a chat with Hasney Aljofree, the Head of Coach Education at the Football Association of Singapore.

This episode explores how Hasney's background and experience in the UK, has shaped his approach to coaching and player development.

One of the key themes discussed is the importance of cultivating a lifelong love for football among young players. Hasney sheds light on the passionate grassroots coaching community in Singapore, emphasizing the need for coaches to feel valued and empowered. He draws parallels between the football ecosystems in Singapore and the UK, highlighting the importance of support systems and experienced coach developers. These elements, he believes, are crucial in ensuring every young player receives the best guidance on their football journey.

The episode also delves into the evolution of coaching, underscoring the necessity of blending practical learning with theoretical knowledge. Hasney discusses the creation of solid frameworks for coach development, which he believes are essential for driving success in Singapore's football scene. He envisions a future where governance, quality control and passionate collaboration are the pillars of football success in Singapore. His vision is not just about creating skilled players but also fostering a genuine love for the game through creative and adaptable coaching relationships.

As we listen to Hasney's insights, it becomes clear that the art of coaching is about more than just techniques and strategies. It's about building meaningful relationships with players and understanding their individual journeys. Hasney emphasizes the dual aspects of coaching: structured session design and the more nuanced art of connecting with players on a human level. This holistic approach, he believes, is key to inspiring the next wave of coaches and players alike.

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Tasek Academy Social Services is an agency that provides free programmes for children, youths and their families. Their vision is to uplift these individuals and families through their unique mentoring and holistic development approach.

I speak to Lead Manager, Sufri Ramli and Head Coach of the Tasek Sailors team, Aidil Sulaiman in this episode and delve deeper into the organization and find out what they do to make a difference in the lives of youths who come from very challenging backgrounds. 

Exploring the use of football as an educational tool, we discuss how the sport can build positive relationships and support young people. It is not just a game, but a medium to understand and overcome the challenges of everyday life. 

Emphasis is placed on the value of empathy and re-initiation, which can be applied not only on the field but also in life. We also revealed the importance of loyalty and hard work in guiding the youth towards success. 

Thanks to the dedication of Sufri and Aidil, their efforts continue to make a big impact and spread positive messages to future generations. Enjoy!

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In this episode, I chat with Herman Zailani, the Head of Coach Education for the Lao Football Federation. He is a friend, a football coach & Coach Developer who has made a name for himself, carving out a path for himself in a foreign land and doing a bloody great job at it as well!

Herman reflects on his career path, which began with a deep passion for football from a young age, leading him to become a coach at several well-known clubs in Singapore like Warriors FC and Woodlands Wellington FC. He also shares his path into becoming a Coach Educator.

He reveals his valuable experience in Lao so far which also led him to coach the Lao women's team at the SEA Games and the challenges he faced without a professional playing background. This conversation highlights Herman's dedication and hard work in pursuing his dream of educating young coaches in various countries.

We also discuss the important role of a coach developer in shaping effective coaches. Herman shares his experiences attending FIFA and Premier Skills coach developer courses, as well as conducting courses in Bhutan, Taiwan, and Lao. The episode concludes with Herman's hopes to continue empowering local coaches in Lao and raising coaching standards in the region. Don’t miss out on this full episode and be inspired by Herman's extraordinary journey.

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Tariq Cassim, co-founder and CEO of Koach Hub joins me as he introduces the platform that could and have been a life saver for football academies, coaches, parents, clubs and federations.

Tariq takes us on a journey from his beginnings as a football dad to creating a groundbreaking platform that fills the crucial gaps in player data for youth football. We dive into the persistent challenges parents and coaches face in accessing comprehensive match statistics and discover how Koach Hub aims to make a change to this.

We delve into the nuts and bolts of Koach Hub, a platform designed to streamline operations for grassroots sports clubs and academies. Learn about the robust technology stack that includes mobile and web applications, as well as integrations with wearable tech partners. Tariq breaks down how Koach Hub captures essential player data—attendance, injuries, bio-data, match statistics—and consolidates it into a single, easy-to-access platform. Discover how this technology not only keeps parents informed about their child's progress but also maintains player records across different clubs, paving the way for a more seamless football experience.

Hear how Koach Hub has collaborated with regional clubs and grassroots academies, including partnerships with the Laos Football Federation. All these and more on this latest Football Talk episode. Enjoy!

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Tune in as I sit with Tsutomu Ogura, the Singapore National Football Head Coach.
Ogura is game as he answers questions on why he took up the Singapore job, pressure & expectations, player selection, the challenge of assembling the best players for the coming ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup etc.
In the short time with Ogura, its clear that there is a willingness to share his knowledge with players and also coaches. He places tremendous emphasis on the abilty to go out onto the pitch and being brave. He also believes in maintaining a strong attitude and work ethic, regardless of the scoreline. All these and more.
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Boris Kopitovic, the star striker for BG Tampines Rovers FC, joins me for chat in my latest episode. Boris' journey from Montenegro to Singapore is a story of passion, perseverance and the pursuit of excellence.
From discovering his love for football at a young age to navigating the challenges of making the grade in his homeland, Boris opens up about the essential qualities needed to succeed in a new environment. We discuss his physical attributes and playing style that make him a formidable striker, and the critical support from connections and coaches like Mustafic "Farrah" that eased his move to Singapore.
Boris emphasizes the importance of consistency, setting personal targets and staying motivated amidst high expectations. His dedication to the game is palpable as he shares the major target of winning the league title with his club. All these and more!

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The 2024/25 Singapore Premier League season preview with Young Lions FC.
Head Coach of the Young Lions, Nazri Nasir and Team Captain, Farhan Zulkifli, join me as they hope to bounce back from a poor season in 2023.

They try to make sense of the problems they faced last year - resulting in only 1 win all season. We discuss the areas where they have strengthened this term and also the battle to showcase consistent performances over the course of the season. Nazri reveals how the team doubles as a springboard for national squad aspirations and a crucible for honing raw talent.

The Young Lions have bolstered their squad with new foreign talents and Farhan has promised a new team with a new approach to their play this season. 

Lets Go!

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The 2024/25 Singapore Premier League season preview with Lion City Sailors FC. Head Coach of the Sailors, Aleksandar Rankovic, joins me as we preview the club, who in many fans’ eyes, are the firm favourites for the SPL title this season.

All hands on deck as the Sailors  gear up to meet their rivals this season. Aleks speaks about his confidence in his present local players and of course their international stars lighting up the pitch as the Sailor's foreign legion. From Toni Datkovic's defensive steel to Sergio Carmona's Spanish finesse and of course former PSV star, Bart Ramselaar, these are not just game-changers on the field but catalysts for unity in the locker room. 

The Sailors believe they have found the blueprint for a season of domestic dominance and aspirations to leave a mark on the Asian Champions League 2 stage. 

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The 2024/25 Singapore Premier League season preview with Albirex Niigata FC.
I am joined by Head Coach, Kazuaki Yoshinaga and his translator and also the U15 and fitness coach at the club, Masayuki Kato. 
Honoured to have Coach Kazu - a man of few words, but big on ambitions. He opens up about his formula for success and the intricate process behind curating a team that resonates with the club's signature playing style. Masa also gives us the lowdown on the club's pivot towards local talent development, highlighting their unwavering commitment to advancing Singapore's football scene.
Coach Kazu's emphasis on the importance of the off the field character and behaviour of his players is evident as he plans for the club to mount a serious challenge to defend the title. Listen as he previews the local and foreign players at his disposal - we are in for a treat this season!
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