Despite Dortmund winning the game 7-2 against the Sailors, there are some positive sparks as four Sailors made their senior debut and performed well against the five times Bundesliga Champion. The four players were: Adib Azahari (GK), Danie Hafiy (MF), Izrafil Mohamed (MF) and Yasir Nizamudin (DF).

Adib started the game in place of Hassan Sunny and Izwan Mahbud and made a couple of saves against the German side before the deadlock was finally broken in the 31st minute by an unfortunate own goal by Amirul Adli and the game ended 3-0 to Dortmund at half time. Adib only played the first half and was substituted by Rudy Khairullah during the halftime break.

Yasir and Izrafil were substituted in to replace Adam Swandi and Hafiz Nor respectively. In the 66th minute, Izrafil and Yasir played a quick one-two before Yasir released a through ball, finding Gabriel Quak whom later then slots it home to make it 4-1.

In the 81st minute, Danie was substituted in for goal-scorer Gabriel. In a similar fashion, Danie sent a lobbed through ball towards Faris Ramli in the 90th minute before Faris finessed it into the top corner.

The game then ended with a score of 7-2 in favour to the German giants. The two goals by the sailors were assisted by two debutants, Yasir and Danie.

Yasir and teammates
Yasir and teammates

 

Yasir and Danie were part of the Early Enlistment Bond that was launched in December 2020 where players will enlist earlier for National Service after completing secondary education. For footballers, undergoing NS at prime ages of 18 to 21 will hinder their development. As such, under the Singapore Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme, players will enlist earlier at the age of 16.5 and together with the help of the academy, there will be personal training programmes for players to maintain physical conditioning and to match with their NS training programmes.

In addition, after completing the two years of service, they are also assured of two years of professional contract with the club. The players may also be sent abroad for training stints and trials.

Danie Hafiy was part of the first batch and Yasir Nizamudin was in the second batch. Danie was then approached by Vavel Singapore after the game.

  • Debut against Borussia Dortmund

“Even though it was just 10 minutes, I feel so happy because I get to show a bit of what I can do, and I was very happy that I got the assist. I was nervous but I wanted to do my best to those who are supporting me.”

  • Lesson learnt in the game

“One of the things I learnt is composure and not to be nervous in front of the crowd and to always look up before getting the ball that’s why I got the ball to Faris Ramli. As for the Dortmund side, they are physical and big, but they are also very fast. It was nice playing against them.”

  • Thoughts on the assist to Faris

“I didn’t think that much because I know there is a big space in front of Faris and I just give the ball and it landed just in front of him. I can’t describe how happy I am when he cuts in and shoot in which he scored.”

  • Personal aim in football

“After finishing National Service, I want to get the opportunity to go overseas to trial for different clubs. For me, I think Europe will be the best. Hopefully when I get into Europe, the Singapore National Team will call me up.”

  • Sharing on the Early Enlistment Bond and benefits

“The good thing about this National Service scheme is that I get to finish my NS early and at the same time I get to go training every single day. Some of the players asked me why do I go NS so early? Then when I explained why the purpose of going NS early and I would get a lot of time to train and go overseas and yup that’s my aim.”

  • Words to aspiring youngsters

“Whatever it is, just continue to work hard. Even if you think it’s tiring, or feels like giving up, just continue because I feel tired from camp trainings but in tonight’s game, I feel the adrenaline and all the hard work paid off.”