| By Wang Meng Meng | ||
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Muhaimin Suhami (right) vying with China's Wang Yaopeng (No. 15) for the ball yesterday. Singapore ended the campaign with three straight defeats . -- PHOTO: JOSEPH NAIR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES |
Singapore 0
China 3
AT 1.55 metres tall and with a boyish face, Muhaimin Suhaimi looks cute. One is even tempted to give him a cuddle and pinch his cheeks.
But once in his Singapore football kit, the 14-year-old is transformed into a lion-hearted player.
And even though Singapore coach David Sivalingam's team went down 0-3 to China in the Asian Youth Games football competition at the Jalan Besar Stadium yesterday to finish their Group A campaign with three straight defeats, Muhaimin impressed with a feisty display.
Much as the Chinese tried to contain this bundle of energy, the Singapore attacking midfielder continued to play matador, daring his opponents to charge forward and side-stepping them with nifty footwork.
Every now and then, he would be gored by an outstretched leg, but he wasted little time in getting back on his feet and sneaking in a robust tackle of his own.
It was this whole-hearted attitude that won the player generous applause from the 1,000 fans when he was substituted with three minutes remaining.
Muhaimin said: 'I was kicked many times. The Chinese players were really aggressive and did not show me any mercy because of my small size.
'But I'm a fighter. I think they felt my presence when I tackled them hard.'
He had started the AYG tournament from the bench during the 1-2 defeat by Iran, but forced his way into the starting XI in the next two games.
In the 1-4 loss to Thailand, he netted Singapore's consolation goal with a ferocious drive from the edge of the penalty box.
Said Sivalingam: 'Muhaimin really knows how to fight. He is neither worried about the opponents' size nor getting hurt. He is one of our best players in the tournament.'
Meanwhile, China coach Zhu Jinxing was critical of his team's lack of sportsmanship despite the convincing win earning them a berth in the semi-finals.
Several of his players clearly feigned injury to delay time. Defender Wang Yaopeng even collapsed into a heap after Thai referee Sriart Sura turned down his heated protests following a foul in the 75th minute.
Earlier, when captain Yan Peng completed his hat-trick in the 45th minute, he ran towards the Singapore camp and gestured to their fans to keep quiet.
Zhu said: 'It is also important for a player to have the right personality besides having good skills.
'My players should learn how to respect the referee, the opponents and the fans.'
He called Yan a 'gifted finisher' - the striker struck in the 26th, 38th and 45th minutes - but added that his skipper could be nervous before matches.
Zhu said: 'Yan needs a pep talk to calm his nerves. Honestly, apart from his goals, he hasn't been playing that well.
'But once his morale is high, he can be an excellent player.'
The China coach also paid tribute to the hosts, saying: 'Singapore are a team who persevere throughout the game. That is something China can learn.'
