The Silverfox Hustle Podcast
The hustle beats talent when talent doesn't hustle. The Silverfox Hustle is all about showcasing positive attitudes, great work ethics and consistent quality work. The Silverfox Hustle will be the vehicle that will inspire, motivate and share positive stories through its extraordinary guests. Host and creator, Shasi, is a former professional football player and now a coach developer as well as a commentator and pundit. He shares all the values and beliefs of the Silverfox Hustle. Enjoy the journey and stories! Cheers!
The Silverfox Hustle Podcast
Silverfox Hustle #91 - Irfan Najeeb - BG Tampines & Singapore
Get ready to be inspired as we welcome Irfan Najeeb from BG Tampines, fresh off his exhilarating experience in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup. Irfan opens up about his journey through the tournament, embracing the challenge of a new team dynamic and possession-based strategy. Learn how he mentally prepared himself to face tough competitors like Vietnam and Malaysia, and how his teammates' support fueled his desire for growth and improvement.
Explore Irfan's roots in football, sparked by a supportive family and particularly his uncle, Shahril Ishak. His path was paved by admiration for Lions 12 icons like Safuwan, which eventually led him to playing alongside his childhood heroes. Irfan shares the invaluable experiences he gained at the National Football Academy, highlighting how perseverance and hard work became his guiding principles in the professional arena, moving from center-mid to right-back.
Peek inside the world of BG Tampines as Irfan reveals what makes this club extraordinary—a family-like bond with fans and a strategic focus on possession football. Discover the impactful coaching of figures like Coach Gavin and Coach Ogura, who shape the team’s aspirations and strategies. Irfan shares insights about new squad members and reflects on what might be missing in the push for league triumph, as well as his own aspirations for personal growth in the coming years. Join us for a compelling conversation that celebrates the passion and persistence of a rising football star.
This is the Silverfox Hustle Podcast. Hello, and we are back. It's a brand new year and happy belated 2025, by the way. It's been a very good year 2024, in terms of the podcast, but we are moving forward. It's been six very good year 2024, in terms of the podcast, but we are moving forward. It's been six years, this podcast. It started out in 2020. And I would like to think that we are still going strong. Now, in the latest episode of this podcast, we've got someone who played in the recent AFF Asian International or ASEAN Championships, which is the Mitsubishi Electric Cup, which was played like what? Last month and coming into the 2025 year as well. So, welcome to the podcast. We have Mr Irfan Najib from BG Tampines.
Speaker 2:Yes, thank you, shashi. It's a pleasure and honor to be here.
Speaker 1:It is an honor for me to have you in as well. Now, uh, let's, let's talk about the championships that you recently played in, since it's still fresh in your head, still fresh in your mind. Uh, what was your general feeling about the whole? Uh experience?
Speaker 2:I think, generally, um, we can, you know, hold our, our heads up high, because I think we had a philosophy or, you know, a game plan where we, we want to try and play more possession based football and I think, even though before the, before the all the games started, we sort of at least in my opinion, we are unsure about how are we going to test among these at this level, you know, because there is, it is sort of a new team, new faces, with certain players not there. And you know, I think we did quite well as the game progresses, I think we, we get more confidence that you know we can, we, I think we get more confidence that we can match them and we can play our football.
Speaker 1:Right, right, and we are going to talk a little bit about what the changes have been in terms of. You know, you talk about more possession base and whatever, but first of all, right, did you expect to be in the squad in the first place?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think it was quite a last minute and a surprise for me, because before the decision, uh, it was before the call-up for the, or actually before the november call-up yep, yep I was. I think I only played one game, right? Yeah, it was the liman game, if I'm not wrong. Okay, okay, yeah. And then I was like I'm not sure whether you know I knew that. You know this is my. There is one last match where I had to perform in order to get to the November call up.
Speaker 2:And then you know I tried my best and it was. It was quite surprising and quite exciting, like because you know there is something that I have been one of my goals in 2024 to be selected.
Speaker 1:That's one thing right To be in the squad, but to actually start games, were you like? Really, what did you feel when you were told that you're going to start against Vietnam, for example, and what was the feeling that you had?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think even to get selected during the Mitsubishi Cup was actually, you know, I didn't really expect to be selected, you know, because during the November call-up, you know, I was actually the player who played the least minutes during the two matches with Myanmar and Chinese Taipei. I think, right, yeah, and then I was, you know, 50-50 on whether I would get selected.
Speaker 2:Right, right, yeah, and then I was you know 50-50 on whether I would get selected Right, right, and then even during the trainings, you know, I sort of you know in trainings you can see where you know the game plans and you know yeah yeah, and I was sort of like the third choice right back at the start and then during, I think, match day minus two, I sort of have a feeling that I might start the game. I'm like, oh, this is actually happening Now, you know, I started to really mentally prepare myself.
Speaker 1:Nice, nice and listen. I think, in my opinion at least, and obviously I've been doing the SPL games as well and I think you deserve to be in the squad just based on you know the games that you've played in the league as well as you know to start the games. I mean it must have been a wonderful experience. Right Now, recap your performances. How do you rate your performances in that championships? How many games did you start?
Speaker 2:I started four games and didn't play any at all for two games and I think now, looking back, you know it's more of a I don't know whether it's my feeling but I think I could have done better. And now I have the hunger to to, you know, to be able to, to improve myself, and you know, now I know that, you know I can compete out there and you know the hunger for me is now to do better the next time, do better the next time.
Speaker 1:You know, I think obviously I did your first game, the first leg against Vietnam and I also did the game against oh, I was watching the game against Malaysia. I thought you had an absolutely brilliant game against Malaysia. Yeah, you know, in Bukit Jalil I thought you had a wonderful game and I have to tell you this as well I messaged Haris yesterday and he was telling me as well you have a great future in you in terms of the national side. Obviously you got to stay free from injury. All that. You know stuff right. So, coming from Haris, I think that's a testament to what you've done so far. What was your biggest takeaway of the tournament?
Speaker 2:my biggest takeaway is the tournament. My biggest takeaway is, I think, how well we we gel as a team and how important it is for us to have great teamwork and great team strength in order to play in this kind of tournaments where, you know, individually I think we sort of don't have that many individual stars, you know, besides Shawal or Safwan, you know, I think, and that is where we sort of shine together when we play for each other, we work together and you know, I think that's a big takeaway for me because in this tournament, you know, I didn't know that, you know, being together as a team, you know, know, helps so much more than I would have expected beautiful, beautiful.
Speaker 1:Now let's go back a little bit, because I think this podcast we want to focus on the person, on the guest and what you've done so far in the past. And what have you right? What schools did you go to when you were younger?
Speaker 2:I was actually in a primary school where I was in the same primary school as you know, ben Davies, okay, which? Is which is what school Yang Zheng primary school that's in Serangoon, isn't it yeah? Serangoon yeah, and with Glenn Kueh as well, from Yang Zheng yeah, okay, I think I don't remember having any conversations with both.
Speaker 1:I just live around the corner, by the way.
Speaker 2:Oh, really Very close to that place, yeah, so and at the same level as them, Glenn and. Glenn and Ben was one year younger than me, but we sort of played the same teams.
Speaker 1:Okay, and after that, which secondary school?
Speaker 2:After that I went to Budley Secondary School and then I transferred to Queen Sui.
Speaker 1:Right, right, okay. And family-wise, how many siblings do you have Any siblings and stuff like that.
Speaker 2:I have four siblings now, okay, and including me five.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you are the oldest.
Speaker 2:Eldest. Yeah, you're the oldest, yeah, oldest.
Speaker 1:Nice, okay, so do you take good care of them, or?
Speaker 2:Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully.
Speaker 1:I need to ask you right how did football start for you Like, at what age, and who influenced you to take up the sport?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think I started when I was in primary school and you know, I think, being in a, my family is quite heavily involved in football, and especially during my childhood days. You know, I think my uncle is very involved with the national teams and with his professional career, so I think who was your uncle?
Speaker 1:Ah, Shari Leshak.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, okay, and we are.
Speaker 1:I was just thinking that.
Speaker 2:Okay, yeah, and we are quite Quite involved in supporting him and you know, especially during his Lions 12 era During the 20s.
Speaker 1:How old were you then?
Speaker 2:I was still in primary school During Lions 12, I think I was still in primary school or secondary school. Oh, okay, yeah, so you know it was already eye-opening for me to see.
Speaker 1:They didn't have football at Yang Zheng right, they have.
Speaker 2:They have.
Speaker 1:Okay, okay, and your favourite teams.
Speaker 2:Growing up Liverpool, liverpool.
Speaker 1:Liverpool. Yeah, you're not saying that Because they're doing well now. Yeah, actually, back then, you know, I was like I didn't even watch them much, because I think it was, we were doing quite bad and who were the players that you looked up to, Besides your uncle Sharyl right, but apart from that? Who that you looked up to? Besides your uncle Sharyl right, but apart from that? Who did you look?
Speaker 2:up to, I think during the Lions 12 era. I looked up to Safwan a lot because back then I was still playing in a centre-back position and he was a lot younger. He was compared to his defensive partner, which is Bai Haki. He was a lot more physical and taller and I resonated with him a lot more than Bai Haki.
Speaker 1:I want to ask you this you grew up looking up to these fellas, yeah, and then you were in the same team, or you? Yeah, you were in the same team as Safwan and I think it was Shadan, yeah, yeah, yeah, iswan as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah yeah, right.
Speaker 1:How was the feeling like?
Speaker 2:You know, feeling like it must be surreal. Right, it is definitely even talking to them. Sometimes I have a flashback. I'm actually talking to them and I have a couple of pictures with them when I was still a kid.
Speaker 1:Wow, yeah, and you know, it's still a dream come true for me and listen kids who are watching this and players who are watching this at that age as well. This is what it is like and this is what it's all about as well. You know, you're growing up and looking up to these guys and then suddenly you are in the same team, right? It's beautiful, right? I wanted to ask you what positions you played. So you played at centre-back before.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Right-back, right wing back, what else? Which positions have you played before I?
Speaker 2:think when I was in primary school I played centre mid when the level was not there, I think. I was capable of playing centre mid. Could you hold your own now?
Speaker 1:in professional football in centre mid.
Speaker 2:Surprisingly, when I started in 2018, the coach, Jürgen Rapp, actually put me in centre mid a couple of times.
Speaker 1:That was for NFA right.
Speaker 2:No, it was Japanese. It was Japanese then. Okay, how did it go? I'm not sure how it go. Actually, I didn't really not so good. Yeah, I think I think back then assistant coach was Gavin. I think Gavin wouldn't be happy with my performance at.
Speaker 1:St David. Did you right growing up at that time? And obviously you're looking at Safua, you're looking at Safua, you're looking at Bai Hakir, all these guys, right, and even your uncle. Did you ever think that you would be a professional footballer once, or at least even once? Do you think that I think I want to be a professional footballer?
Speaker 2:Yeah, definitely, I think you know, especially during the Leinster era, where we were successful, you know Everything was, it was very positive, you know, and we, we sort of had a like you know, all the kids I bet back then wants to become, you know, the next Lions 12 era, the next Sharesha or the next Safuan. You know, and I think definitely I had a lot of dreams, you know, playing for the national team well and your dreams have definitely come true, right.
Speaker 1:But I think you all know, and I think I'm sure you know, what people say right, to actually break into a team it's easier than to stay there. So you know all the best to you in terms of that part. You know you got to work hard and stuff like that, you know. Let's talk a little bit about your NFA days. How long did you play in the NFA?
Speaker 2:Actually it was Quite a short time, which was between 16 to 18 only.
Speaker 1:Who were the coaches then?
Speaker 2:It was Coach Robin. Okay, and Coach Christophe. Okay, yeah, coach Robin and Coach Christophe.
Speaker 1:How was the? You know the setup and how did it go for you?
Speaker 2:I think compared to Especially during my Home United days when I stepped up To the NFA team, it was, it was Quite a fun experience compared to especially during my home United days when I stepped up to the NFA team, it was it was quite a fun experience because you know the amount of travelling compared to the club place. We, we went to Mongolia, we went to India. You know a lot more exposure compared to the club place and I enjoyed that right right.
Speaker 1:Obviously the NFA ended right and then you went back the club place and I enjoyed that Right right. Obviously the NFA ended right and then you went back to Japanese After NFA.
Speaker 2:Not so went back, but because you know, that was the season where I think they made a decision To not have the Prime League anymore. Right, right, right, yeah. And it was Either you Stay at 19 level, okay, or you make the step up to S-League.
Speaker 1:I see.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and that's where we had to sort of find a club Okay. And you know, with Tampines I think three of us went for trials Okay and I think only me and Shah got inside. Sorry me, shah, and another husband.
Speaker 1:So obviously you were in Shah's team in the NFA setup, right, yeah, okay, obviously you were in Shah's team in the NFA setup right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, okay, okay, and I think he played for the school team when he was at NFA at that time as well. Now I want to talk about the people or the coaches that influenced you. Take away Coach Ogura, take away Gavin right, growing up in those days, and even primary school or secondary school level, right. Who were the coaches that you looked up to and, you know, remembered the advice, and what advice did you actually?
Speaker 2:take from them. I think there were a couple of coaches that believed in me, especially before my NFA days.
Speaker 2:Name me who. There is Coach Phillip, coach Sai Anzmeh, coach Fadzu, because I think back then, when I was in the under 15 setup, you know they. And back then there was this tournament where I'm not sure whether you know, it's a Asian Champions Trophy, something like that. Okay, where we had to go, we had to replace the NFA 16. Okay, because they had another competition and we had to Indonesia, to Malaysia, to sort of represent them, yeah, and but then there's a special coach that I want to mention. It's coach Jasni. Actually, I think he's now the head of U of R.
Speaker 1:Yes, coach Jasni.
Speaker 2:Jasni is at LCS, yeah right, and he was actually the one who I am sort of indebted to. Wow, because I am sort of Indepted too. Wow, because Back then, you know, when I was in primary school, I think I sort of Didn't have that had that exposure To club level, you know Was it because of your size.
Speaker 1:What was it why? I'm not sure. I don't think it's ability.
Speaker 2:I think it's ability, because it's a funny story, because I think Back then when I first sort of, I actually went to Home United for for a trial but it was quite late, so it was a friendly match and then I didn't have any any opportunity at all and it was against Gombak United and my father was was there and he is actually friends with Coach Jasney and because I think they were in the same Singapore youth team back then and then my father explained that you know I didn't get any opportunity playing there and you know he said he got me into the team for Gombak United because I think they needed a few players.
Speaker 2:And then after that, when I first trained with the Gombak United team, I think Coach Jasni said to my father like Well, I thought, because he's my father's son, he has some experience in football career and he thought that I was actually good but I'm actually quite bad. And even a few years down the road my parents didn't tell me back then, but a few years down the road, when I was sort of better now, they told me that they didn't realise that his son actually couldn't play football.
Speaker 1:Right, right. At what age was this then? 13? So he took you in. For how long, coach Jasni?
Speaker 2:13, yeah, and then when Gombak got disbanded, yeah, he was the school of, he was the coach of, queensway. And then that's where he he said I think he saw my dedication, the dedication of my parents that they Sent me to Gombak, because Triangle to Gombak is a far journey and you know, either one of them will, either one of my father or my mother, will always be there since the start of training and the end of training. So I think he saw that and I think he said come to Queen's Way and I will coach you and I will make sure you know you work hard wow, and you know, Jas, Jasneep, this is for you.
Speaker 1:You know, this part of the podcast is definitely for you and in fact I was just having a conversation with him over messaging about, you know, some other players and stuff like that. So, yeah, Jasneep, well done, man. And this is also I got to say. Right, would you say that, you know, you started off probably a little bit late and then obviously, in your own words, that you weren't good and then obviously you improved with obviously hard work, dedication and what have you right? So would you say that you're a late bloomer as well?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think I'll always admit that I'm more of the hard worker than more the talented ones, you know.
Speaker 1:Yeah, wonderful. And again, another example, a lesson for everyone out there that not all players mature at the same time and obviously they've got different rates of you know just taking off, and Irfan is one example. Let's talk about BG Tampines, right, Since you know we are and you are at BG Tampines Now, since we are and you are at BG Tampines now, 2021, after the Young Lions and obviously NS, you got back to, you got into Tampines at that time it was called Tampines and who called you back? Was it Gavin?
Speaker 2:I think I had. I still had a one year contract. But then I think even during the NS times I was with Young Lions. You know I was still in constant contact with, you know, chairman Desmond, with Coach Gavin, with Coach Farah Willy and all of that. So I think I was in always in constant communication with the, with the BG Tampines, and I was, you know, I knew that I was going to come back to them eventually right, right, and obviously you came back.
Speaker 1:And I just want to ask you this right, what? Obviously you came, came to Tampines at that time. What was the goal for you? Was there anything that was set out to you and objective by Coach Gavin? And was Coach Gavin the head coach then? Already he was right before or after? When you came into Tampines.
Speaker 2:No, he was the assistant coach.
Speaker 1:So was there a goal for you to, you know, set for you like, okay, you need to improve, get into the team and stuff like that? What was the goal?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think, because 2018, I would say I had a successful year, like a breaking out year, and you know, obviously, when I just finished NS, you know the expectations for me was I mean, I set the expectations quite high for myself and then, and with a new team, I'm not sure how coach Kevin works, you know, and the way they play. I think it's quite different to what we used to play back then and this is more of a possession based football which I'm not really exposed to. So, you know, I sort of had to go with the flow at that point of time.
Speaker 1:Okay, you played there a couple of years and then obviously there was a merge or the collaboration between BG and Tampines, right? Or obviously you're called BG-Tampines right now. What are the differences from your experiences like before and after the the merch, or the the collaboration?
Speaker 2:I think there's certainly the, obviously there's the, the Thailand players coming in, okay, yeah, and but I think the most, the most significant one is definitely the training facilities at Bangkok. I think we have been there thrice and now I think we fell at home and we really appreciate the facilities there, because I think the training field is just outside our dorms and I think even when we were at MNES Hub, I think there was certain investments in the gym. You know, we tried to improve and I think that's where the difference, I think, because it's only been a year, right, yeah, yep, yep, yep.
Speaker 1:This is the next question, right. What makes BG Tampines, the club itself, you know as a whole special, in your own words?
Speaker 2:itself. You know as a whole, uh special in your own words. I think right now I'll resonate with more liverpool.
Speaker 1:I'm not sure whether it's it's me or the chairman.
Speaker 2:Chairman is just, you know, we are both liverpool fans and you know there is maybe, maybe it's just from my point of view that we have a really close, close relationship with the fans. You know, I know Haogang has, even Geylang has, I think, yeah, I think we, we sort of there's more of a family, family bond. I'm not sure whether other clubs have this, because I'm just all the way here in 10 minutes, but I think that's where it's more of a family feeling in the club.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I was just about to say that. You know, I think it's more of a family and this helps the players as well, because then they settle down and they get used to it and stuff like that, and obviously playing good football helps as well, right, you know and that works for you.
Speaker 1:We talked about the football and the style. So what exactly is the style? Without giving too many secrets away, and obviously it's there for everyone to see the possession, football and stuff like that. So it is constantly worked on pre-season and in-season as well.
Speaker 2:Yes, definitely. I think it's no longer a secret that we try to play possession football. I think everyone in the team knows that, knows that we we try to play that and during training it's just, you know, working on it. You know working on different roles or different tactics, just different tweaks that we have for a certain match, you know yeah so I just want to ask you are you comfortable in the inverted fullback role?
Speaker 2:inverted yeah, I. I just want to ask you are you comfortable in the inverted fullback role? Inverted, yeah, I'm not really. Oh, you mean the centre-back one.
Speaker 1:No, as in a fullback that you're coming in to come into the central midfield area or central midfield.
Speaker 2:I think, yeah, there was. There was something that we worked on during pre-season. Actually, you know me, jared, yeah yeah, adli, yeah, I think we and I think Coming into Coming into this season, I think we abandoned that. I think me and Adli Was Was definitely more More comfortable Becoming the centre back Instead of Centre mid and we just I think Milos was Milos and Jared Is more capable of doing that Because Jared was the centre mid, so I think Milos was.
Speaker 1:So when you say you just abandoned that, what does that mean? Does that mean that you went up to Coach and say I think we're not Comfortable with this?
Speaker 2:No, I think. I think Coach Gavin. I think Coach Gavin Tried during the preseason.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And you know it was, it was really. It was really. It was really a struggle For me and I think Ali also. Ali played centre mid for a couple of times. I think he knew what our strengths are and you know I think he switched back to just we inverting the centre back with Ali.
Speaker 1:Right, right. I think it's important that you play to your strengths, right, and that's the most important thing. Let's talk a little bit about Gavin. You know, obviously, you know, obviously I've spoken to him A couple of times On the podcast as well what kind of a person Is he and what kind of a coach is he?
Speaker 2:I think as a coach it's no secret that you know His work ethic is. You know it's quite Quite out there. You know Boris has said I think a couple of players have said that you know he tends to To stay up at night, especially after a match. Match to how do you know? Because 5am he just sent everybody the link at 5am.
Speaker 2:Yes, he usually sends the link what link? As in videos about the match, yeah, and he, I think something that I really appreciate about his trainings the most is that there is never a drill where it's not about about the, about the match that's upcoming. You know, he's always. He always, even if it's like a 3v1 or 4v1, he tends to put the players in certain position where it's gonna happen in the match. Okay, so it sort of helped me and I really, you know, I really think that it's, it's good for me and good for the players that you know. We sort of right, have a, have a situation where we know that it's gonna for me and good for the players that you know. We sort of have a situation where we know that it's going to happen in the match, right, right.
Speaker 1:The biggest takeaway from this is number one Gavin, you are very detailed. And number two I think you need to get some sleep. Obviously, now the window, the transfer window, and what have you? Igami has come in, dylan Fox has come in and the striker from Young Lions I forgot his name what's?
Speaker 2:his name.
Speaker 1:Inamoto, yes, and obviously three quality players. How have they been so far?
Speaker 2:I think I've only trained with them for three days and I think we can see the certain qualities that they have and you know we are trying to make them feel welcome and trying to make them adapt. Or we, let's say we adapt to them, to their strengths, because I think there is a couple. I mean like not the system, but we have to, you know, adapt amongst them because they have different strengths that you know we need to get used to them.
Speaker 1:You know, before the season started, what was the goal for the club? Was there a set goal to win the league?
Speaker 2:yeah, I think definitely, because I think past few seasons we know that we, we can be on top.
Speaker 1:I want to ask you this hold on, hold on to your thought, right, yeah, for the past few seasons you got closed, but not not good enough, right? What was missing in your view? Forget about what you know other people say and coach obviously has his views right In your view. What do you think was missing from the past one year or two years that you all missed out?
Speaker 2:I think it's definitely consistency right, because I think we know that we have the ability to do, to be the best. Let's say you know and we, we always have a strong start, you know, and it's about maintaining that why wasn't there consistency?
Speaker 1:was it because of lack of strength in depth of the squad? You know, when maybe somebody gets suspended, somebody gets injured, or was it just a matter of focus throughout the game? I think?
Speaker 2:it might be actually because back then, a matter of focus throughout the game. I think it might be actually because back then last season I think where Sha had to play centre back and you know it's starting to cost us.
Speaker 1:Sha, it's your fault but I think we.
Speaker 2:That's why I think this season we sort of sort of fixed that, because the amount of depth that we have now is quite it's quite good. You know, we have really quality players sitting that, because the amount of depth that we have now is quite it's quite good.
Speaker 1:You know, we have really quality players sitting on the bench and I think we we have the quality now to to maintain that. Can you do it this year, this?
Speaker 2:season, I mean, I mean, I like to think so. You know, we, with what you said, we we sort of fixed, fixed that depth issue, I think, and now we've hopefully, sailors are getting busy with the shoppy cup and the ACL2. You know we are only focused on the league and the cup.
Speaker 1:So I think we are definitely 100% on the SPL it's a very good point that you made, right because of the competitions that the LCS are in. So it's a very good point. It's a good opportunity for you guys as well, and obviously you still got the cup and ACL 2. What was the experience like?
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, it was, I think it was. It was the same, same as the AFF right, I think we before, before the tournament started, we sort of not sure where to where to rank ourselves, you know, and it was a new competition and it's, I think. But as the game goes by, again we sort of knew that you know we can match them and we can play our style of football, even against top quality sides, and you know, we sort of gain more confidence as the game goes by and I think we can hold ourselves.
Speaker 1:What is your personal goal for BG, tampines and the national side? I just want to ask you personal goal your goal for BG Tampines and, of course, for the national side as well.
Speaker 2:I think BG Tampines is now with the amount of depth we have now. I think there is certainly a competitiveness inside and, you know, same with the national team as well. I think for me it's just maintaining to be a starter for the team right.
Speaker 1:What is coach Ogura like?
Speaker 2:by the way, I think he is firstly, could you understand him?
Speaker 1:yeah, I think you can, right.
Speaker 2:I think because the previous national coach was Nishikaya and I think the comparison is actually he is clearer yeah, he's clearer In terms of language, yes, he can talk English at least.
Speaker 2:And then I think he is Very passionate, passionate guy and you know he has A lot of experience in J1 and you know he Even before, before trainings, he tends to, you know, motivate us and remind us why are we here. You know, why are we In the national team and that we sort of deserve to be in the national team and we have to perform to the best of our abilities.
Speaker 1:Now he comes across as a fatherly figure. Is that right? I just see him like a fatherly figure.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think he is, he has, I, I think he has, I think good man management, as I would say. And you know he, he, especially when people make mistakes, you know he always say that you know we have to cover for each other. You know it's okay to make mistakes, but everybody must work together in order to to cover for for each other what was his message when you got knocked out in the semis?
Speaker 1:what was his message in the dressing room after the game?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think it got out right Sorry.
Speaker 1:It got out right, the one that was yesterday. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that was the one that that was Okay.
Speaker 2:Oh, that was before actually I can't.
Speaker 1:I saw the clip.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, yeah, it was before, and he sort of had the same same kind of message where we he sort of were proud, proud of us, that we know we can play against Vietnam away. We sort of had a, had good possession, you know, we sort of created chances and you know, I think, about a few few decisions I think we could have, you know, turned the, turned the result the other way.
Speaker 1:I just want to ask you personally, in your opinion, right, not what people are talking about, right, that first game. I did that game against Vietnam. You held your own and then crumbled after they scored the second goal. You know the late one, right? Yeah, the late ones. Why do you think it is Again, is it a concentration issue?
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's where I think, when it coupled like, maybe when it happened like maybe one or two times, maybe you know we sort of maybe it's a luck thing. Yeah, you know, we never like we don't feel like you know we had a fitness issue, but then when it started to happen a couple of times, that's where I think we need to look back on ourselves and I think you know it might be a concentration issue and I think the biggest factor of concentration is might be fatigue. So you know it might be on a on a fitness fitness point of view. But I think it might be that I think the coaches and the team might have to to look into that and try to improve on that.
Speaker 1:Eh, fan, before we go Right, there's this 10 questions Quickfire round.
Speaker 2:Oh, okay.
Speaker 1:And just Answer to the best Of your ability and the first thing that comes to your mind Right, you ready. Yeah, your favourite Pre-match meal Pasta bolognese. Your favourite BG Tampines roommate.
Speaker 2:Now he's no longer there. It's Ton oh Charul.
Speaker 1:He went to some club.
Speaker 2:Albrechts.
Speaker 1:So he's your teammate. If you were not a footballer, what would you be?
Speaker 2:Football coach maybe.
Speaker 1:Your best mate at BG.
Speaker 2:Amirul Haikal.
Speaker 1:You don't score many goals, but which is the best goal you scored?
Speaker 2:I think, the national goal Against Against Chinese Taipei, because it was my only goal where I didn't score using a For a header.
Speaker 1:So this is the only goal that you scored so far with, not with, your head. Yeah, wonderful, I think that is something to cherish right, the most, the most difficult player you have marked, or, yeah, the most difficult opponent.
Speaker 2:I think it was not. It was not my direct opponent, but and he was my teammate back then. It's a Ryotaro Migumi Ah, in training, yes, in training. Why? Because he was just Too quick. I couldn't Like. His feets were just. I cannot even see His legs move.
Speaker 1:Really, he was that quick, wow, okay, something that we didn't know who is the worst dressed In the national team?
Speaker 2:National team- Come on out with it. I think maybe Amirul.
Speaker 1:Ali For BG, take away Amirul Ali.
Speaker 2:Yassir Hanapi.
Speaker 1:What does he wear I?
Speaker 2:know, he just doesn't seem to bother about dressing up for training.
Speaker 1:Okay, who is the most annoying person at the club?
Speaker 2:at the club. It might be Yasir Hanapi your most disappointing experience so far disappointing experience, I think, in my career, right, I think when during the first season after NS, you know it was constantly of me getting momentum and then me getting an injury, like one after another injury, and you know.
Speaker 1:What was your worst injury that you experienced? I?
Speaker 2:think MCL.
Speaker 1:Right, it's a strain, right, yeah, okay, fair enough. Your biggest wish.
Speaker 2:Biggest wish From footballing Anything.
Speaker 1:Anything Maybe which, from a footballing point of view, anything, anything, anything Maybe to get a son or a daughter, I mean for me, it's just to have a happy life. Yeah, as simple as that, right Wonderful. Now, irfan, any last words from you. You know where does Irfan Najib go from here. You know what are your goals, just going forward, in the next five years. Where do you want to see yourself in the next five years?
Speaker 2:I think, as as my, as my, as I grow older right, you know we, I have to I have adapted to a new mentality where you know I just sort of tried my best and you know the future, I don't really, I don't really bother that much about my future. You know I have, I have a certain goals for, let's say, a year and then when you know I try my best to to accomplish that goal and you know when, whatever the future holds for me, I think I just, you know the the religious thing of you know, let God take care of the rest.
Speaker 1:Yeah, lovely, I think. On that note, I've got to say this thank you so much, irfan, for being on the podcast, for being my guest and for being the first guest in 2025. Good luck for BG Tampines this season at least you know for now, short term goals and, of course, for the national team. I think you've got the. What do you have for the national team in the coming months?
Speaker 2:Asian Cup qualifier right?
Speaker 1:yes, the Asian Cup qualifier. So good luck for that. Stay in the team, work hard and I hope to see you in the future as well. You know playing brilliant football for the side. This has been the latest episode, the first one of 2025 for the podcast, and I hope to see you soon again, please. I have to say this click on the follow button, subscribe to us. We are on Spotify, apple Podcasts, youtube and the Works as well. So till the next time, cheers, and have a very, very good new year ahead of you. Cheers, bye.