The case for central defence

He is part of arguably the best centre back pairing in South-east Asia.

Naturally Safuwan Baharudin would be one of the first names on Singapore Under-23s coach Aide Iskandar's team sheet as he plots his way to this year's SEA Games final in Myanmar.

In international matches and at club level, Safuwan and Baihakki Khaizan are well-respected, feared even, by forwards who find it difficult to get past the duo's defensive wall week in, week out.

Their consistent and impressive showings have earned big-money offers from across the Causeway after winning the Malaysian Super League with a league-best defence that conceded just 15 goals in 22 games.

Since he burst onto the scene in 2009, Safuwan has benefited from playing alongside the more experienced Baihakki, and has come into his own as an uncompromising defender himself.

STEP UP

With the 29-year-old Baihakki ineligible for the SEA Games football tournament, an under-23 competition, this is the time for Safuwan to step up to the plate and lead the defence.

Both coach and player agreed, and Safuwan, 22, told The New Paper: "It may feel a bit awkward to be one of the leaders in the team at first.

"But I have learnt from the senior players for a few years and now, it is my turn to start taking responsibility and I think I'm up for the challenge to step up and lead the defence in the absence of senior players like Baihakki.

"This will be my third SEA Games. Most of us have played together since we won the bronze in 2009 and, knowing that this is our last SEA Games, we want to end it on a high and win something big."

And Aide is hoping that along with other teammates with similar experience at international level, Safuwan will be one of the Young Lions' key pillars in the upcoming SEA Games campaign.

The 38-year-old, who is also Courts Young Lions coach and national assistant coach, told TNP: "Safuwan has matured over the years and has gone on to be a key player for the national team and LionsXII.

"He has all the attributes of a good defender. He heads the ball well, he has got a good leap, and he's comfortable with the ball at his feet.

"Safuwan also gives us another advantage with his ability to score crucial goals."

Indeed, while Safuwan has been a rock in defence, contributing to 10 out of LionsXII's 11 clean sheets in 31 matches, he has also found the net seven times this year in league, cup and international matches.

He also scored twice in the 2009 SEA Games.

Aide added: "It is important to have a good defence, but for such competitions we also need goals to get points and goal difference could be vital.

"Safuwan will definitely be a key part of our aim to get out of our group first and then the target of reaching the final."

Without the towering presence of Baihakki Khaizan, who will be entrusted with the responsibility of helming the defence alongside Safuwan Baharudin?

The first name that comes to mind would be Courts Young Lions centre back Afiq Yunos and with good reason, as the 23-year-old had partnered Safuwan at the last two SEA Games, winning the bronze medal in 2009.

Singapore Under-23s coach Aide Iskandar said of Afiq: "He is also good in the air, and he has developed into a stronger player.

"Afiq is playing more like a man now and it is also good that he has the experience of two SEA Games under his belt. He can also score goals."

However, Safuwan's move to Lions- XII last year meant the duo lack playing time together.

While he said he would have no problems partnering Afiq, Safuwan added: "We played together from 2009 to 2011 at Young Lions, but we definitely have to work on our understanding because we haven't played much together for close to a year.

"We need to get used to each other's playing style, but there's no doubt Afiq is a good defender and a good friend of mine. With more training sessions and friendlies, we will get the chemistry back."

National Service commitments have meant that Afiq has played just 13 games for Courts Young Lions this season, although his presence has helped stabilise a leaky defence and contribute to two out his team's three clean sheets, as well as four league and cup goals up front.

He told TNP: "Yes, it feels like I'm making up for lost time, but I think it would be quite comfortable playing alongside Safuwan because of our previous partnerships.

WORK WELL

"He has done a great job with Baihakki and a good partnership is hard to replace, but I believe we can work well together too.

"I don't think there's pressure. we just want to go all out to do better than what we did in 2009."

While Aide agreed Afiq does need more games to peak at the SEA Games, he felt there is enough time for the elegant defender to cement his place in the first 11.

Aide said: "I'm glad he will be finishing NS soon, so that he can focus on football and the SEA Games.

"We are clear about the preparations from now until the SEA Games.

"We will make use of the upcoming Asian Cup qualifier against Syria also to prepare for the SEA Games."

The Under-23s will also play friendly matches against the Lions as well as other international Under-23 teams.

"We will take into consideration the draw on Nov 6 and there will be opportunities for the team to bond and understand each other better."

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