Gabriel netted 11 goals this season and a total of 29 goals throughout his three-year spell for the club. Being named the Player Of The Year (POTY) for the Singapore Premier League (SPL) in 2020 during his time in Lion City Sailors, the Singaporean winger unfortunately has decided that he will not be renewing his contract with the Sailors, and still possess the same determination to continue being driven for himself and whoever he signs with next.
Gabriel Quak was approached by Vavel Singapore and shared his thoughts on the season and his personal goals.
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Season was a failure
"I think it has been a long season. Of course, when a big team like Sailors did not win any silverware it has to be considered a failure and yes, I have to admit that it has been a failure this season you know? Missing out on both silverwares especially what we have achieved last year so I think it has been a long season and I think when every team plays us, they are always stepping up their game which is very clear to see so I think I appreciate that but unfortunately, we just did not match it".
"We kind of disappointed the fans in some way because they were always there to support us. I think the team will be hungrier next season because after missing out and we were just championing the year before, definitely we want to get that winning feeling back again and I think next season should be a better year for the team".
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I always aim for the top
"My character is that I am always very hungry, I am always very driven. I always aim for the top and I always make sure when I set the benchmark, I always make sure I don’t fall below. I feel that this year personally I already set the benchmark of at least a double digit which I hit it and to better last year which I didn’t, but I’m still pleased because I maintained that double digit goals. I can share with you a little bit back when I was in Thailand in 2018, when I knew I was coming back, I set myself a three-year plan to be the best player in Singapore in the sense, the Player Of The Year. I did it in the second year so this was something that I was pleased and I wanted to build on that so I think year in year out, I’m pleased with my performance and my output".
"Personal level, yes, I would say I couldn’t have done anything better within my control because I was coming off an injury from Suzuki Cup, was expected to be out for four months I came back in two months, and it was definitely tough but I think I held my own and showed what I was capable".
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We cannot mix the club and the country
“I think the game against Borussia Dortmund (BVB) is more of like a friendly exhibition game but of course it is not to be taken lightly. On Dortmund end, they came here definitely part of their outreach to expand their fanbase in this region that’s why they travelled to Malaysia and Vietnam as well. Likewise, for the club we are having a partnership with them so you could see there are many things that are being done. There was open training, meet and greet. Its not typically where another team comes for a tour where there isn’t so much of fan engagement. I think this is definitely part of the club’s vision with their partnership but also for us, it is something the club has in place. We cannot mix the club and the country".
"Of course, we have the preparation for the country, but club also we have to respect that so I would say that the game against Dortmund would affect the national team. After this game we would definitely have a short break before those players are involved in the national team. It will be a good break and for me I think the game against Dortmund is something good because you can see a good crowd, it is a good feeling for the players to actually get with the fans, family friends, a full house stadium before we actually go for a break and maybe come back strong for the Mitsubishi Electric Cup, knowing that there’s a bulk of the players coming from Sailors so I think there's a big part to play for many of them".
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LCS academy players featuring against Borussia Dortmund
"For me I think it is good because you actually got to expose them and start them early. If they are ready, they are ready. In football there is no minimum age to start playing. If you are good enough at 16, you are good enough at 16. If you can play till 40, you can play till 40. I do not see any issue with that".
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Motivational factor towards LCS academy players
"For me when I was 15, being asked to train with the national team, I could not sleep the night before. I was looking forward and I believe it is the same for them. I was 18 in the Young Lions and I participated in a training session with Ronaldinho. Whether you get some minutes against Dortmund, the exposure being part of it, smelling that air together with everyone knowing that, look this is something we are going to aim for and I think this is very important for a player at a very young age to set some goals and to set some ambitions in their head".
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I will probably be playing my football elsewhere
"I will not be continuing my service with the club. I will probably be playing my football elsewhere, regardless of where I play, I know I am going to deliver. My past three years have been very good with the club but I know my next three years will be even better with my numbers and I am confident of that. That is something that is still a question mark but in terms of like what I said, I like to control what I can control and I know what is in my control".