He has adopted a Saudi Arabian name to honour his new home nation.
As a Tampines fan, I have not had a lot of hope this season. Firstly, we lost a lot of talent Trent, Shuya, Kasey, Glenn and Takeshi. Secondly, we only just edged Jurong by 2 points to get 2nd. Thirdly, our signing for the first team have been pretty bad. It seemed like the only players who would boost the starting 11 would be Seia and Shodai. And Seia has now gone home, we lost our star signing. The rest we signed are unproven teenagers from Japan and some players as reserves but probably aren't going to start.
Any good news or rumours lately about new Tampines' signings? Maybe we can get Irfan Fandi or something. It is really late into the year there's barely anyone still available to sign. I would like some hope, cause right now it feels like Jurong and LCS will beat us with new signings.
NS being a massive issue
This gets thrown around a lot, but there are accommodations provided to let players still train while in NS. They can still play for Young Lions. SPL matches happen at night, usually around the weekend. Plus the clubs here train at night, so while still a major issue, it's not as bad in terms of development. There are also accommodations made within NS to let them continue their career like most athletes.
Ben Davis is a case that gets brought up a lot, but his is a case that proves the government right. He was offered a contract not to Fulham but to their academy. This is an important detail that many people missed and don't understand because it was not clearly mentioned or explained when reported. Academy players have a very small chance of advancement to the main club. There are hundreds of kids there with maybe 1 or 2 players making it. His deferment was rightfully rejected as it was ultimately not an outstanding achievement.
After draft dodging, talking about how he needs to focus on his career and that it was a big chance for him. He got dropped, like most academy players end up at a mid-table Thai club. And guess who was his teammate, Harhys Stewart. A guy who actually did his service, made it to the same club as him, all the while not kicking up a fuss. He is now a consistent starter in our lineup, while Ben has been dropped from Thailand's lineup.
Anywhere in Europe is a big deal
There has been some criticism I have seen of players leaving Europe or rejecting offers from Europe to play ASEAN. This, I feel come from the lack of understanding of wider European football and its culture. Also, a lack of acknowledgement of how competitive football is here. The Fandi brothers get brought up a lot. Irfan for rejecting Braga. Even though the offer was only to their U23 squad which meant he was almost never going to play for them since the most players are professional by 21. If he was still playing for a youth team at that age he was never going to make a Europa league calibre team. It likely would be much benefit and he probably be losing money.
Facilities in the regions are just as and competitive. Just recently JDT drew with Chelsea. Port beat Oxford United just last year. So it not though going into the second division of Europe of the smaller league there is better than playing in Singapore or Thailand. I argue the competition here if the team plays in Asian is better than most leagues in Europe outside of the top 10.
Why this happens
I believe this stems strongly from poor reporting. If you look at the article at the time report on Irfan rejecting Braga. Many of them, even from ST and CNA fail to mention that his offer was a position at Braga's U23 not the main team.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/irfan-fandi-rejects-braga-football-contract-offer-804801
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-spore-billionaire-peter-lim-very-disappointed-with-irfan-fandis-decision-to?xtor=CS1-10 (Only mention that it was the youth team)
Similarly when mentioning Ben Davis they only said he signed for Fulham and that specify that it was the youth team.
While I do enjoy the flow of the France match, it felt a bit too close in the end. With France set up as the best team in the world, to have Japan almost draw them at the end without Sae seems a bit too easy. Like narratively, the challenge doesn't feel like it's there anymore.
I feel if they wanted to introduce France this early to introduce them as the big bad early on and Hugo, they should have put Loki on the bench. Since winning the England game basically guaranteed France's advancement, Loki could have sat out the game to rest and avoid injury. Narratively this would have made sense.
Then have the England vs Nigeria match shown before the match. With England winning 4-1 and Ozai scoring a goal. It gives Isagi's goal and his speech to Nigeria more weight, as Japan now has a goal difference advantage even if they lose.
Match plays out the same, but instead of 3-2 before the Rin blunder, it's 4-2 with a few more minutes of extra time. With this scoreline, Japan still only need a draw to advance ahead of England since they have the same GD, but Japan have scored more goals. So they move to defend with the remaining few minutes.
Loki on the bench mutters, "Pathetic, let me put this clown in his place". Then comes on, putting on the captain armband and going over to Isagi. "So much smack only to be behind 2 goals without me even being on the pitch. Can't even keep your team in check. Let me show how a real team operates." He links up with Charles and Hugo, scoring the final goal against an exhausted Japan to beat them 5-2. He then just walks off.
I feel this fleshes out Loki's beef with Isagi. He's salty enough to come on in extra time so he can dunk on Slursagi, giving Isagi some consequences for his trash talk. While still giving weight to Isagi's achievement and that potential goal 3rd Isagi goal.