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Meet Toni Datkovic, the defensive powerhouse who hails from a  Croatian island to becoming Lion City Sailors' rock-solid center back. Tony unveils the heart behind the tackles, sharing stories from his childhood on the island of Pag where his football dreams first took shape.

Toni provides a fascinating glimpse into what makes Croatian footballers so exceptional on the world stage, explaining how the country's mentality and natural talent combine to produce players who "give everything." His career path through Spain, Slovenia, and Greece led him to Singapore, where he has established himself as one of the league's premier defenders, helping the Sailors secure a historic treble.

The conversation delves into the extraordinary team spirit that propelled the Lion City Sailors to success, with Toni providing hilarious one-word descriptions of teammates and revealing the special bond created during away trips. Despite the heartbreak of losing the AFC Champions League 2 final, his pride in uniting Singapore behind the team shines through.

For aspiring defenders, Toni's parting wisdom cuts to the core of defensive excellence: "Mentality is the hardest part in this job." Whether you're a football tactician or simply love hearing authentic stories from professional athletes, this episode offers rare insight into what it truly means to be a defender's defender in modern football. 

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Kadir Yahaya returns to Singapore as Director of Football with the Unleash the Roar project after his stint at BG Pathum in Thailand, bringing decades of coaching experience and a passion for youth development to revitalize local football. This is an honest coversation where we spoke about:

• Discipline - it must come from a player's internal psyche
• The state-of-the-art Kallang Football Hub represents a game-changing investment in all-weather facilities
• Coaching quality
• the critical development gap between U17 and U21 teams
• Youth development and its focus on player-centric approaches 
• the discord between the various stakeholders in Singapore football

And a lot more!

To all players, parents and football stakeholders, the message is simple - Continue to support the UTR program. It's a long-term initiative that requires patience, but with sustained commitment, we will find the next generation of football talents for Singapore.

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Farhanah Ruhaizat, Player of the Year nominee in the Women's Premier League and captain of Geylang International FC, shares her football journey from childhood to international representation. She discusses breaking records, overcoming challenges and her vision for women's football in Singapore.

Some highlights:

• Started playing football at 14 after making a deal with her mother to pass exams first
• Led Geylang to defeat previously unbeaten Lion City Sailors (LCS) last season
• Made national team debut at 17 and describes singing the national anthem as an emotional experience
• Advocates for better support, including live telecasts and financial backing for women's football
• Identifies significant differences between international and club football including pace and quality
• Credits improved national team performance to better foundations and playing style
Enjoy!

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Every coach has a story, but few shine as brightly as that of Ratna Suffian, the newly minted WPL Coach of the Year, who joins us in this episode for an inspiring conversation.

We dive into his journey from curry puff seller to award-winning coach. We highlight the importance of emotional intelligence in coaching women and the need for better support structures in their football development. He passionately reflects on his dedication to developing players' character alongside their technical skills, highlighting how humility, hard work, and emotional resilience pave the way for a successful coaching career. Our conversation take us through:

• Celebrating Coach Ratna's recent achievement 
• Transitioning from player to coach 
• Differentiating coaching styles: males vs. females 
• Growth of women's football in Singapore 
• Young girls' development and support systems 
• Overcoming challenges in women's football 
• Insights on youth and character development in sports 
• Investing in women's football: What needs to change 

Enjoy!

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In the first of a series of episodes with IFT Asia, we explore the transformative impact of individual training in football, emphasised by Igor Coelho, the Technical Director of IFT Asia. Key discussions highlight the need for hunger in players, the importance of quality coaching and how tailored training can elevate players' confidence and skills on the field. 
• Focus on individual training to complement team training
• Quality coaching critical to achieving optimal training outcomes 
• IFT's coaching standards promote tailored experiences for players 
• Plans for the future of IFT Asia in enhancing the Singapore football landscape 
• Upcoming camps and training opportunities available for young players

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Hilderinc Football Club's story embodies the spirit of grassroots football, illustrating how a simple idea blossomed into a thriving community-focused club. Ian Morris discusses the importance of inclusivity, the challenges of running a club without financial backing, and the club's journey over 25 years, emphasising growth through commitment to training and community values.

• The inception of Hilderinc FC through grassroots enthusiasm 
• Ian's vision for inclusivity and community spirit in football 
• Structural setup prioritising participation over backgrounds 
• Navigating financial challenges with innovative solutions 
• The role of a comprehensive online presence in club engagement 
• Adapting during the pandemic to maintain community connections 
• Reflections on the future of the club and grassroots football in SingaporeAs 

Ian's story not only inspires aspiring club owners but also encourages us to adopt positive practices and foster a vibrant football community.

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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.

Enjoy!

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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.