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 #92 - Ratna Suffian - WPL Coach of the Year
Every coach has a story, but few shine as brightly as that of Ratna Suffian, the newly minted WPL Coach of the Year, who joins us in this episode for an inspiring conversation.
We dive into his journey from curry puff seller to award-winning coach. We highlight the importance of emotional intelligence in coaching women and the need for better support structures in their football development. He passionately reflects on his dedication to developing players' character alongside their technical skills, highlighting how humility, hard work, and emotional resilience pave the way for a successful coaching career. Our conversation take us through:
• Celebrating Coach Ratna's recent achievement
• Transitioning from player to coach
• Differentiating coaching styles: males vs. females
• Growth of women's football in Singapore
• Young girls' development and support systems
• Overcoming challenges in women's football
• Insights on youth and character development in sports
• Investing in women's football: What needs to change
Enjoy!
This is the Silver Fox Hustle podcast and this is the latest episode. This is episode number 92 of the original Silver Fox Hustle podcast. Obviously, we have the other episodes on football and that's the football talk episodes. Now, before we go on, subscribe to all our channels our YouTube channels, apple Podcasts, spotify and the Works as well. So please go and click on that follow and subscribe button.
Speaker 1:Now, today we have a special guest in the show. He's a former S-League player with a couple of clubs I say couple actually, not couple many clubs in Singapore Tanjung Pagar, home United Woodlands, balestier, khalsa and Sengkang Pongol. He played for the Singapore National Age Groups as well, played in the SEA Games as well, played, I think, I believe, a match for the Singapore National Team as well. After retirement, he joined College East as a sports and wellness lecturer and is still there, by the way College East as a sports and wellness lecturer, and still there, by the way. I just met him just now over a cup of coffee and I see him almost every day Getting sick of his face no, I'm kidding. And his coaching journey has certainly flourished with the women's game here in Singapore and he has achieved tremendous success in the women's game at the varsity level with IT. And again, I can't count the number of titles he's won with IT in terms of the polite as well as the IVP, and currently he is the head coach of the Geylang International WPL team.
Speaker 1:Welcome, that was really a mouthful. Now welcome to the podcast, my friend and the newly minted coach of the year in the WPL. Welcome to the podcast, ratna.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much, Ashish. Good to see you again After a few hours. Thank you for having me here.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's a pleasure. Now let's start talking about the award itself, because I think it's fresh in our heads and in your head as well. Now Tell me the days leading up to the awards, and in fact it was exactly one week ago. Friday yes, yeah, you know the days leading up to it? Were you confident? Was there a feeling that you would or could?
Speaker 2:win this. In all honesty, I never really give a thought about it. That wasn't the priority for me. Give a thought about it, that wasn't the priority for me. If I win it, I win it. It's a good acknowledgement that my peers, which is, the voters of all the coaches, are all the voters for the award. It's a good acknowledgement. I honestly didn't feel anything. Yeah, maybe on the day itself. Okay, maybe I could, maybe I wouldn't. I was rooting for Coach Daniel Ong as well. He did well for LCS Again, retaining the title three years in a row, so that is just purely a bonus for me.
Speaker 1:It's a good point that you brought out Now to the people listening and watching this as well. The winners and the voters were the head coaches and the club captains, I believe.
Speaker 2:Yes, no, I think I'm not too sure I forgot about it, but I also know that the coaches were the ones voting for each other, and also, I think, the national team coach, right, right, and you know what?
Speaker 1:I think that is a bigger Right, right. So, and you know what I think that is A bigger accomplishment, coming from your Fellow professionals Rather than you know people who Don't exactly know About the game and all, and I think that is A biggest Thing and Congratulations again, thank you so much I just want to ask you what was the feeling Like when you won it, when your name was announced?
Speaker 2:That I wanted. When your name was announced, that I I, to be honest, I think I was a bit shocked. I kind of expected it more or less. It could have been me, or it could be Daniel, and and I was more of looking forward to the achievement of my players. Actually, farah was nominated Young Player of the Year. She won it. Farhana also was in the run for Women Players of the Year, so I'm actually more eager for them than myself, right? So that was the emotion at that point of time. Very humble of you.
Speaker 1:Mr Farhana, I just want to say this right and let me confirm. I just want to say this right and let me confirm there were no speeches at the awards show. Oh, I know, I know, I know, right, so there were no speeches at the awards show. This is the opportunity, this is the speech. Just imagine that you just won the award. You want to thank anyone out there? Please do so on this show. Yeah, of course.
Speaker 2:I think the one that is the crew behind the backstage crew, the one that's not mentioned mostly shout out to two of my. I call them the wise men Coach Shaul, my assistant coach, and Coach Dean Chi, my goalkeeper coach. So we have a chat group which we call ourselves the three wise men. They are the so called my pillars. I couldn't do this alone. This belongs equally to them as well. The players definitely amazing bunch of players that I have. There's not one day that I have to come into the, you know, to settle any feuds or any fights within them. They really know how to handle the dressing room, which also I have to thank my senior players Miza, mastura, farhana, nat and those who have been with me for a while. They really make sure that the team is kept in check and it really helps me a lot when it comes to the field. I think some of the players are even more afraid to face Miza or Mastura rather than me, because they really hold the dressing room together Brilliant. And, of course, the Geylang management.
Speaker 2:It wasn't a good start. It wasn't, to be honest, it was quite a mess, messed up all over the place, but I think when we started it and they were on board, fully on board. They were giving, they were trying to support as much as they could. As with whatever they could, I would say yeah, and from, and also the Ultra Eagles. It's nice to see that finally you know the fans of the Ultra Eagles. It's nice to see that finally, the fans of the Ultra Eagles coming down to watch the women's game and stuff, and it could only get better well said, ratna, and I think kudos out, kudos to Shahul and Dean, the two coaches, the players as well and, as you mentioned, the senior players.
Speaker 1:they were excellent throughout the season. So you know, we're going to get back to the women's game a little bit slightly later on, because right now the show is actually about you, so let's take the women's football later on. I just want to go back to you, ratna, way back when you were a kid and all. What was your influences in terms of playing football and how did you start playing the game and knowing the game?
Speaker 2:You know, I come from a family, a big family. I got youngest of six, five boys and one girl, so naturally the rest of my brothers are into football most of them, and in the 80s I think Liverpool was one of the biggest clubs then. So naturally I become a Liverpool fan as well, together with them. This is a. I become a Liverpool fan as well, together with them. This is a. I mentioned it before. Somewhere I live near the old National Stadium, okay, which is walking distance away, right, and during Malaysia Cup day, this is a time where we have opportunity to actually make some money by becoming the one who sell the curry puff, really.
Speaker 1:You did that?
Speaker 2:yes, I did that I was one of those people who will go around the stadium shouting drinks curry puff, so that is a form of earning extra pocket money and the love of the game grew from there. My time there was Fandi Ahmad, the late Salimu Indy, toki Jan and all those Malaysia Cup heroes Lim Tong Hai, steven Tan. So that actually was my first real love for football Going there watching all the Malaysian Cup games.
Speaker 1:Would you imagine these people listening and watching from drinks, curry puff and popiah to winning the coach of the year? That is so, so surreal. It's a wonderful story actually, and you know, were you always a defender back then?
Speaker 2:Because you're a defender, obviously, when you played in the league Right right, were you always a defender? I was always a defender or a defensive midfielder, okay. So I think that is where my strength are, and I think most of the coaches will always deploy me in these two positions.
Speaker 1:What schools did you go to and you played for your school obviously yeah, I did play for my school.
Speaker 2:I come from Upper Serangoon Secondary School no more Now defunct, I would say so my sweetest memory of my secondary school at that time was we did a Leicester. Wow, nobody did I imagine that we could go all the way onto the national B division final and we won it. That was 1996. Okay, so we still have a chat group with all my old friends and we still talk about it. It is like surreal, you know so it's the other way around.
Speaker 2:Actually, leicester followed you guys maybe yeah right, so it's the other way around, actually, leicester followed you guys Maybe.
Speaker 1:Yeah, wow, that's a good story man, and you know, obviously you played for primary school, secondary school and whatever, and obviously growing up with your brothers and all right. When did you think football become like serious for you in terms of, okay, I'm going to play for a club you know trying to reach the goal of the national team, maybe?
Speaker 2:I have to admit that I was a late bloomer. I'm a late starter. I think I only started playing competitive football other than school is when I got selected for the combined school. Okay, okay, that was in 1996 as well, after we won the division title. So I was called up to play in the combined school. How old that was? I think 17 years old. Okay, 16, 17 years old, right. So right then, when I was In the combined team school, I was the only one Without a club, so the rest were all With Tanjung Pagar, geylang Youth.
Speaker 2:That time was excellent, and so many other clubs. So I, I, I, I, so I carry myself as bad as I could, and from there some of that. Why don't you play for a club? Try it out. And I actually did. My first so-called official club was Tanjung Pagar United, and I got selected to play in the under-18. And at the same time that year was the birth of the Reserve League. That was 97 98, 97, I think yeah. So which you were playing For? Sf, I think. So that was my my Serious Time. I think I could. Let's give it a go and see how it goes.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so yeah, you're right. It was 97 when the Reserve League Was. That was the first year Of the Reserve League was. That was the first year of the Reserve League. That was a wonderful time. Actually, it's brilliant. It was brilliant, you know. Stadiums were full for a Reserve League game and the players were top-notch, top-quality players You're not talking about yourself, right?
Speaker 2:In general, as well as my team, of course, of course.
Speaker 1:No, no, anyway, Tanjung Pagar. So you went for a trial, or someone called you up From your days Playing in the Combined School.
Speaker 2:There was a trial and then One of my teammates In Combined School Already there and then she said Come along, they're looking for players.
Speaker 1:So the head coach Of the team itself Was Tewarin Praijan, and the prime league coach, or the reserve league coach, was Same Tewarin Praijan, same To Hari Paizan. So tell me, as a young player and obviously, like you said, late bloomer so called late bloomer, and you got into the team, what was it like? Tell me, just rattle off the names that were in the Tanjung Pagar side, because way back in 1996, 97, 98 and from then and forget about this year they were a force. Yeah, tell me, rattle off some names.
Speaker 2:Okay, if I a force tell me, rattle off some names. My friend, okay, if I can. If you guys remember, this is Haris Sumri was in my team, right. Then there was Lim Soon Seng right, and then there was also a young boy who I forgot his name he's Robert Albert's favorite.
Speaker 1:And then sometimes the players that come down to play, because the athlete player can come World's favourite, and then Sometimes the players that come down To play in the Because the Athlete player can come down.
Speaker 2:Samawira came down. Zahid Ahmad was there as well.
Speaker 1:So who were in the Top team as in the A team? The A team.
Speaker 2:There was Lim Tonghai Samawira, steven Tan, rudy Khairon Subramani All the All the big stars Down there.
Speaker 1:So did you really like? When you go into the dressing room, sometimes were you like, wow, these guys are the ones that actually watched in the Malaysia Cup precisely that was my initial thought.
Speaker 2:I was on the stadium going round and round selling drinks and I was watching them. And I tell you, this is every boy's dream come true. See, when I got move up to the senior team, in front of me was Steven Tan, my idol, and then beside me was Lim Tonghai, rudy Kiron, suma Wira, and this was it. Was surreal. It was really surreal. It really. This is a dream come true for anybody.
Speaker 1:What was Tohari Paijan like in terms of?
Speaker 2:was he really hard because I've heard stories.
Speaker 1:I've never been under him so I don't know, and it's not fair for me to say what was it like.
Speaker 2:Tohari is. I would say describe it as someone who whose youth nowadays need, because he will bring you to the ground. He will bring you to the ground, he will. He will have no nonsense. He don't care where you're from, he don't care how good you are. Character attitude is one thing that he really emphasise. You must have this good attitude. You must be punctual, you must. He really will, will shape. If you have big headed, he will make sure that you know where you come from. It is harsh, but it was good. You will really learn Humility under him. You really learn that.
Speaker 2:Okay, football is about Hard work. Because he was an Ex-national player, you know how, how far he has come To become one and stuff, and I think that is sometimes Lacking Nowadays. So I really learn the hard way. He really emphasised a lot on your technical ability as well, which sometimes nowadays we don't see people practising more after training and stuff. We will spend hours after training or before training to really hone our skills back then some would say the same about Vincent Subramaniam as well obviously at that same time.
Speaker 1:Vincent was the coach of SCFFC and some would say, probably these are the kind of coaches that you need now for the. Just an afterthought, right. Do you think it will work now With the kids? Nowadays, you know, is this thing in my head? I'm thinking.
Speaker 2:I seriously think there have to be a mix of both soft approach and hard approach. Back then I don't see anybody who will complain to like let's say TMSG, and what? Oh, this coach, this is, I think, right. Then, parents entrust the coaches. Coaches are as good as All teachers. Like you know, you have to whip my son Whatever it is. You know Whatever that you need to do. Times are different, but I still think we can bring some part of it.
Speaker 1:You know, I'll probably tag this part To TMSG, by the way, if you're watching. Yeah, you know, I think let's go on to another club that I think let's go on to another club that I think. I mean, you've played for many clubs, but I think these two clubs you've got to mention First was Tanjung Pagar and the other club that you played for was Home United. You know, and again, the players at that time at which years were for For Home United it was in 2002, 2003.
Speaker 2:Again, who were the players? Oh, I still remember them. We have that was a team full of superstars. We have Paris and Aikma, and then we have Suti. Bert Indra was there, we have Surachai, we have Subramani, we have Eddie Iskandar, aidil Iskandar, fahmy Abdullah, ali Imran was there and, yeah, billy Boney. The initial part.
Speaker 1:Was the coach Adab Steve Darby?
Speaker 2:Yes, the coach was Steve Darby. I came in when Jason sorry was it Jason? Jason left, steve came in. How was Steve like?
Speaker 2:This is something I think not many people will appreciate it if you have not been under him. He is a father figure to a lot of players. He really taught me the value of treating people right, so that is how I learned a lot from him. I don't think anybody will actually come and speak bad about Steve Darby when he's their coach. He really is. He has a soft approach. He really takes care of players' interests. He treats players like human, like people first, and then you are first human and then you are a player and stuff.
Speaker 2:So, steve, really that was very impactful for me when I started coaching and I realized that it helps the players that I deal with. I try to be as empathic as I could, I try to put myself in their position and it is a ripple effect. They acknowledge that, they respect you, they realize that you are here for them and stuff. And it shows on the field Same thing I think he did at Home United Everybody stuff. And it shows on the field Same thing I think he did at Home United. Everybody will die for him on the field.
Speaker 1:I was just about to ask you about. You know the things that you picked up as a player. Then, moving on to a coach, and I think you already said one about Steve Darby, and kudos to you. And shout out to Steve Darby as well, if you're watching this, if you're watching this, I think that's a great point that you make and it's so understated. Now, you know you talk about the human first, then the player, and you know you have to treat them the way that you want to be treated as well. I think that's so important. What was the most important advice you received from a coach as a player? As a player, what was the most important? Or you know something very important that you got.
Speaker 2:This goes way back to my secondary school time. He's my PE teacher and he's also my school soccer coach. His name is Mr Kamil. I actually inspired to become PE teacher because of him. He told me this one line that I never forget If you can juggle a ball, that means you can juggle a book as well. And I was you. I was right then. You're 15, 16 years old, you don't think about this thing. He emphasised that you can be a good player and you can be a good student if you want to, if you put your hearts in it and stuff. So that really carried me throughout my studies, my football life and stuff. And this is one amazing, weird or amazing experience that I have.
Speaker 2:When I was in IT, I played for one final year with Haogang United Yep, and coincidentally, one of my student sport management student I don't want to mention his name, he's doing well now and stuff. He was my teammate. We played, okay, we played the night before, right. And then I know I have an 8 o'clock class the next day, which was with him, so I was waiting for the class and stuff. He wasn't there. So he wasn't there or he came late. If I can remember, he came late and then I was asking him why are you late, why are you not here? Oh, I have a game yesterday, I'm tired and stuff. So I tell him Do you remember that I was in the game with you, playing with you?
Speaker 1:as well your teammate.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he was my teammate. I was here at 8 o'clock. Why can't you be so? These are things that I think I was privileged To be advising the younger players At that point of time. Then I was like, oh yeah, I forgot you are there, sorry all and sorry, by the way, is Mr Kamil still around? Oh, yes, yes, mr Kamil. Still, I'm still in pretty much in contact with him.
Speaker 1:Mr Kamil, shout out to you as well, and I have to say this you are a legend, my friend, because this line, I haven't heard this before if you can juggle a ball, you can juggle. I will leave it at that, because that is Absolutely brilliant. Well done, mr Kamil. Listen, let's go back, not go back. Let's go into your coaching bit now. Okay, the transitioning From being a player Right Into coaching. You retired and joined IT, obviously, but no, not really. You were still playing A little bit, and then part time, and then joined IT as well. I want to know how you got into women's coaching. I think there's a story to this.
Speaker 2:Oh, yes, Right when I came in my first CCA that I was assigned to was archery. So I thought, okay, I'll become Robin Hoop.
Speaker 1:William Tell yeah.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry, okay. So then I was in archery and I pretty enjoy it. Actually it's a different batch of people from footballers. Yes, so the the dynamics dynamics is different. You have a bit more very quiet guys who are doing individual sports, individual sports, and then, while I was doing that, again, coach Shaul, that time who was in charge of women football. He left for his overseas studies and then he was taking charge of the women's team. So the position, so-called is open.
Speaker 1:Was vacated. Was vacated yeah.
Speaker 2:By Mr Shaul, by Mr Shaul, legendary Mr Shaul. Okay, and then again, my, my bosses say since you are, you know, naturally, why don't you take it and say why not? You know, I've been playing and this is my chance to maybe impart some of the things that I have been learning.
Speaker 1:yep, and you've never looked back since. Yeah, what year was this?
Speaker 2:this was in 2008. Yeah, amazing 2008, yeah what year was this?
Speaker 1:this was in 2008. Yeah, amazing, 2008, 10 years, another 17 years of women's coaching, which is a nice sec to my next question. Right, you have by now obviously have the experience of coaching the women's game and, of course, the boys as well. I'm sure tell me the main differences between coaching a girl's side and a man's side, and a and a man's side, or? A woman's side. What's the difference?
Speaker 2:See back then when I started coaching, I always thought that, okay, there will be different here and there. Women do different thing. Probably when I just started With my Little knowledge that I have In coaching and stuff, I tend to To so called minimize Okay, girls cannot do this, girls cannot do that, yeah, right, so and then I. But eventually when I grow as a coach, grow and I've seen more things and stuff, I I think there's no difference when you say can't do, that means what can't do?
Speaker 2:certain drills certain drills can't do. Yeah, so that was the the ignorant part Of me when I just started, right so. But as I I grew, I learned a lot more things. I really think that it's.
Speaker 1:Basically the same? No, no, but I'm sure there are differences In terms of, I don't know, maybe emotions, of course I'm coming to that part.
Speaker 2:Okay, intensity, maybe you know. Yeah, of course, biologically you know. But emotion wise, you'll be surprised to learn that women's players are more open to feedbacks, open to idea that you know when you impart to them okay, you can do this better, you can. Unfortunately, for us boys, they sometimes are egoistic. Alright, I know, I know. So that is surprising. Emotion part of course the women players are very passionate about this part. They will, they put their hearts and soul into it and they really really give everything they have. And sometimes you can see after the game they will be dejected and stuff, but they will come out very quickly, they will recover. Dejected and stuff, but they will come out very quickly, they will recover very quickly and they will go again at it.
Speaker 1:Right, so I'm sure, with all that experience, you obviously know the differences and I think with that great experience, you've learnt a lot to deal with them as well, in terms of their feelings and stuff. Now I want to ask you this question you've won many titles with IT, you know and, like I said at the beginning, I'm sure do you know how many titles.
Speaker 2:In all honesty, I really don't right, so yeah the reason being because it's too many.
Speaker 1:I just want to ask you, right, because you won so many, what keeps you going? Because you might, you might think, somebody might think that he's won 10, for example, and so what the next one? So what keeps you going?
Speaker 2:What keeps me going is different batch of players every time. Okay, I will probably work with this player two years, at most three years, and then there is a different batch of players, somebody that I can impart certain things, somebody I can hone their skills or something I can work with to get them better. So it's a different batch of players and I'm who don't, who don't like winning, I like winning, and it's always a good round to it. Okay, how many titles you have won and everything else, to me that is secondary. If I can develop players, I can make them better, character wise, technical wise, tactical wise, then I think I've done my part as an educator, as a coach. I want them to be better. When they leave, right, and I'm happy to say that Some of the players that I've worked with, they move on to be Great club players, great national team players, and you know that is only the good that is. It bodes well For the women's football, yeah.
Speaker 1:I want to touch on this as well, because I get this. Sometimes People say you've got the best of the lot playing for IT for the boys, and I get that a lot and I'll reserve my opinions. I want to ask you this as well Is it as easy as people think? Because people will tell you that you've got the best of the lot playing for IT.
Speaker 2:We always get that, so what do you have? To say about that. I don't want to say any explicit here, but nah, it's not. It is not. The police are catching up. Players from IT now are getting better. They will eventually move up to the police and even universities, which is a good thing. And these are the players that have played for me and now is playing for the other team so you're telling me that it's easy, it gets easier.
Speaker 2:No, it doesn't get easier. Everybody is, you know, like LCS. They have been winning for 3 years. Everybody is gunning for them right now. Same like IT, or even when you are there, everybody will try to get better, to be close to you, and I think most of the polis have closed that gap. It is always a difficult thing to win.
Speaker 1:Yeah and listen, and my opinion is always you know it's easy to talk, but you know when you have to deal with 25 different players, it's a different ballgame altogether. So again, you know, well done. I want to speak about the women's national team. I think you had a stint quite a bit a few months or I don't know how long it was as the national assistant coach for the national team. What was the experience like and how long was it for?
Speaker 2:I think I worked with them since 2000. Okay, I got invited in 2019, I think, to assist Coach Mel, then Melissa, in the AFF. So I was assisting her. I was also taking the U19 team. That was my first experience in the AFF tournament in Bangkok and then, after Coach Mel left, stephen came in. Coach Stephen came in and I worked with him as well as an assistant coach. We we played in the AFF and the SEA Games. Yeah, I think we had a historic First win after 19 years. Yeah, right, that was against, I think, laos or Cambodia. So that was a Really remarkable experience For me. Going from School Club, yes, and all the way to the yes, really remarkable experience for me. Going from school club and all the way to the highest level, that is eye-opener. Intensity is different. Looking at all the other neighboring countries how amazing their players are, like Vietnam, thailand or even the Philippines now and that was a very good learning experience for me.
Speaker 1:I think you're the right person for me to ask as well right, how far are we compared to you? Talk about the levels. Let's not forget about the world level. Right, let's talk about Southeast Asian level how far are we? And then Asian level how far?
Speaker 2:are we right. If you talk about Asian level Japan, korea, china they are up there right. But if you're talking about Southeast Asian level Vietnam, thailand, philippines, myanmar these are the top four. That has really, really improved, myanmar especially and Philippines went to the World Cup right. So I honestly think that if you give the right resources, if you give the right amount of time spent on players' development overseas local and you create such a good infrastructure for local players to develop themselves, make everything goes the intensity higher, good level of playing and stuff, we will somehow get there as well. Just behind them Right now I think we're on par with Malaysia, indonesia. I think I don't think we fall too far back as well.
Speaker 2:And then Cambodia and Laos. I think we could do better than them.
Speaker 1:We will talk a little bit about trying to get this done in terms of your ideas on the structure a little bit later.
Speaker 1:But, yeah, I'm sure the levels are, you know it's huge in terms of Asia, and then obviously the world right. But you know, I just want the levels are. You know it's huge in terms of Asia, and then obviously the world right, of course. But you know, I just want to ask you, in your experience playing and coaching these national team sites right, I'm talking about players, player-wise what are we lacking in terms of national team games? Is it intensity, is it physicality, is it size? What is it?
Speaker 2:Right. One thing is, I think we don't have the players all throughout the season, all throughout the years. All right, indonesia, for example, what I heard from the last qualifier or the last competition they have, they have one month or two months of Training together. Okay, it's difficult for some of our players. Okay, they are Students, they have their work, they have so many other things and they only train Maybe Two, three times A week Together as a national team.
Speaker 2:Okay, we have yet to reach A point where, you know, like the men's football, one week before tournament, everybody come in. And then they understood that because most of the men's players are professional, we haven't had any professional league yet. So this is one of the thing that is very difficult to really get everybody together. The clubs will have to say I want my players here and there. So club versus really get everybody together. Yeah, the clubs will have to. They'll say you know, I want my players here and there. So club versus national tussle is ongoing all the time. But we have to come to a common ground for the bigger picture.
Speaker 2:That is one, and I think the resources of course, right. It is. To me it is a wholesome thing. You can't even concentrate on one. Let's say you want to put money in the national team and stuff Right, but the rest of the other clubs are struggling, yep, so you have to do it concurrently or go from the bottom Right. I'm happy to say that there are more girls playing football nowadays. I had a trial from Geylang and I have, like last year, I had like 50 to 60 people and they are young girls 14, 15, 16 and it's a good reflection of how much the women's football have impacted their life and I'm hoping for more and more to come.
Speaker 1:We have to start younger yeah, listen, I feel as well and you spoke about, you know, just a little bit, and two things I picked out was number one was the preparation part towards the national team games. That's one, and the other thing is, of course, development, with players younger and all. And listen, I think I've seen some very, very good players, you know, and obviously it's the development right, the pathway of let's move to your club coaching and the women's game in general, and this is where we can talk about a little bit further on trying to develop the game. Now, the club coaching part right last, you won the, the award for last season, which is 2024, and Geylang International finished third, and I'm looking at the table right now.
Speaker 1:Right, and the previous year Geylang finished in second last second last with 6 points, yep, and obviously last year there was a huge improvement 31 points, and you finished third, behind the likes of Lion City Sailors obviously champions and Albrechts, who were a close second with 42 points, which is one point away from LCS. Tell me about the season that you had, because that is a huge improvement from what last was it and to where you got. So obviously that's why you won the. You know and kudos to you. But what was it? What was the experience like last season with the gilang girls?
Speaker 2:uh, last season, uh, again, I, I think for every other team, or every other uh, clubs, right, um, players is the, the pillars of, of your team. Yeah, and I was fortunate enough to have very talented, decent players that come from everywhere and say coach, I want to do this, let's, let's Right. Of course I put the word around. You know, I'm moving to Geylang and I have so-called player agents Players are agents. Let's come together. You want to do this.
Speaker 2:You want to do that and, amazingly, let's come together. You want to do this, you want to do that and amazingly, I have familiar faces that I've worked with before and who trust that I could, you know, deliver and trust me enough to play with me again. So I have to convince the club that, look, I have a bunch of very talented players coming in and I'm sure we will do better than last season, the previous season. I don't want to write anybody down, write off anybody down, but I think it was very last minute to prepare for a team and that's why they were scampering for players and stuff. But I was fortunate enough to have a group of players that is ready to play. So that alone actually helped us to go all the way up in the table and even though we lost our first two games it was the first two games against Haogan and Alvirex. But then when we start to win, you see the, I know that they can go all the way to finish as high as they could, right?
Speaker 1:And listen. That is the art of coaching as well. You know, you look at the season, it's just 16 games long. And then you know, obviously you start the season not so good, losing the first two games you must be thinking, the players must be thinking what have I got?
Speaker 1:and that kind of thing, and that's where you need to be a very, very good coach. To man I say man, manage, lady, manage. And you know, manage the team with trainings and all. So it's a difficult thing and it's about juggling a lot of stuff as well. So, again, the work that you've put in, congratulations to you Dean as well, I think, and Shaul, I want to talk about the development part.
Speaker 1:Now, right, and I'm just looking at the table last season, last season's table, and I had to take a second look and also a third look because I couldn't believe my eyes what I just saw. Or I saw, we've got a team who's got a goal difference of minus 107. And listen, if you're listening to this and you're watching this as well, I'm not kidding you it's minus 107 in 16 games. And I'm thinking how do you do that? How do you get to that position? So I'm just looking at a table. Again, it's the extremes, right, you know, the first three maybe, and even when you got third, and yeah, the third and fourth was quite close, and then, okay, the fifth was quite close, and then it's a gap all the way to the bottom and the extremes were ridiculous. And when you say a hundred and one, a hundred and seven goals, goal difference, that's ridiculous. That's like kind of like you're losing every game. Seven, eight, nine, ten zeros what's the problem? 7, 8, 9, 10, 10 zeros what's the problem?
Speaker 2:I can't speak for whoever that's managing the team and stuff, but I think I have mentioned this before if you are participating, just for the sake of participating, you pick any Tom Dick and Harry oh, we have a team, and you give them jersey, you play. I think this is what you get right. There should be effort. There should be effort. There should be a lot of passion for this. Women's football is no longer come form a team. I give you jersey, play for passion. We have passed that. We have grown out of that. So it is a very good lesson, you know. I hope they have transitioned into a better preparation. I believe so, because that's the word on the ground is Right. That should be a lesson to any other club that is wanting to have, wanting to promote women's football. Don't just have women's football, because it's one of the obligations for AFC that you know.
Speaker 2:Your club have to have a women's football. You need to put in effort. You need to put in all the works. You need to put in effort. You need to put in All the works. You need to put in Sorry to say this the financial. You need to put All the infrastructure Support given and then you will. It will not bear fruit In one year, two year, you will see the fruit, you will see the result.
Speaker 2:That is something that we should focus on.
Speaker 1:You're so right Because just don't Don't put, don't do things for the sake of doing it. I think that's so, so key. And you're right in terms of we are just already moving forward past that stage where let's come down and let's play a game of football. You have to be better than that and I think if we kind of be like that, you're going to be stuck in a rut as well. It's a vicious circle that you're going to be stuck in a rut as well. You know it's a vicious circle. So you know, I'm just looking at that as well. And we talk about the women's game here and we have some say we have more of a chance of qualifying for the World Cup. I'm talking about the ladies team, yeah, as compared to the men, because we do know that it's so, so tough for the men's side, and I'm not saying it's easy for the women's side, but I'm saying is there a more realistic?
Speaker 2:chance. Of course, again, this is been spoken to by many people alright, we have a clearer pathway, clearer chance to qualify. Let's not say, let's not talk about World Cup yet, asian Cup yes, the. The route that we have Is easier Than the men's have Right.
Speaker 2:Again, no disrespect To the men's football, they have it tough. But here I believe If we Invest In women's football Properly, with all the supports Given and stuff and and and All the the positive Things properly, with all the supports given and stuff and and and all the the positive things impact on that this had been happening. We should ride on it. You know we have players playing overseas now Putri Danal, the IMG girls, the scholarship, utr scholarship and stuff. More and more players are playing and this will only be.
Speaker 2:You will only see the result in a couple of years, or even the next one, two years, when they come back, they will be better players and it will bode well for the national team. So these are the things that we need to be doing, and not only players coaches. You have to send all these coaches out. We have so many uh mous with so many different things and and when you have this in your, your, your so-called the system ecosystem everybody's trying to get better, following uh uh, the ways of japanese, the koreans or all the european countries we can only get better right, right, and there's so many things going on and I wanted to ask you what are the challenges facing the women's football going forward?
Speaker 1:and I think you named a few. Right, let's just summarize things a little bit, because so that's easy for everyone listening as well. Right, what do we do? Let's say, for starters what do we do? Do we get our structure right? Do we do? Do we get our structure right? Do we need more people who are expert in the women's game, for example, to be and doing the right things?
Speaker 2:definitely definitely getting the expert people who have been there running women's football, knowing how women's football at a higher level is, like you know, and getting them to impart the knowledge to whoever that is running the system now on the ground. That is one. Again, I'm not shy to talk about money. Throw the money, you know, just don't. I won't say splurge, but whatever that we are getting now is not near enough for anything. Players are getting $50, $100 for transport allowance and stuff. Players who feel appreciated, who feels that, okay, this is part of some income that I can get.
Speaker 2:We'll show the difference in the field and eventually, if you can make it into a semi-pro model, why not? Right? And the resources this is not a Singapore problem, unfortunately. This is a worldwide problem. Resources for women's football is always little, but other countries have moved on, have tried to close the gap and stuff, and I think we should jump in the bandwagon and join them as well and you will see the result. Philippines is one very good example. When I was in the AFF in 2019, they were just like us the level or even below us. They were whipped by other nations and stuff, but they are in the World Cup 10 years later, less than 10 years later.
Speaker 1:So that is an amazing example, you know so, yeah, you're right and it can be done. And again, the way Ratna has spoken, so passionate as well about the game and trying to improve, it's not.
Speaker 1:And again, if you are watching this, the authorities as well it is not a criticism, it's just, you know, it is what it is. You know, in terms of trying to move the game forward, and I think there is an avenue for that to happen here, especially the women's football. You know, and obviously we can go on talking for two hours and you know we love the game so much and that's why we're passionate and we're talking about it Right now before we leave. And you know, I think it has been a very good conversation. We had a conversation for about 40 minutes or so. Oh Right, do you realize it? Yeah, quick fire questions. I've got about 10 questions, damn, okay, you know, to the best of your abilities, as quickly as possible, very easy questions, as some you can. It probably was related from the questions that I asked you before, right, so the first one is a very easy one, right, easy peasy. You ready? Yep, let's go your favourite food and drink ah okay, I'm a noodle, person.
Speaker 2:Tea or ice lemon. Tea or ice lemon, so any any noodles right, any.
Speaker 1:So any noodles right Any noodles. Yeah, now, when you were playing in the Singapore League as league it was called then who was the biggest nightmare in terms of marking? Who you had to mark and you think this is shit, right?
Speaker 2:Well, Alex is one of them.
Speaker 1:Alex.
Speaker 2:Durich, he is a monster. And then Kiatisak. Kiatisak was an amazing player. He was with SCF. These two are Yup.
Speaker 1:Right. Biggest influence in coaching, your biggest influence.
Speaker 2:Coaching style, coaching method, anything, up to you. Someone, I think Steve Darby will have to be one of them. Brilliant.
Speaker 1:Favourite coach of all time. It could be. Anything Can be the men's football.
Speaker 2:Moreno, jose Moreno, favourite coach of all time. It could be anything, it can be the men's football. Mourinho, jose Mourinho, I'm a Mourinho fan.
Speaker 1:Favourite Liverpool player of all time.
Speaker 2:Okay, this is tough, but I'll go with Gerrard.
Speaker 1:Steve Gerrard right your biggest disappointment in coaching.
Speaker 2:What is this? I don't, I don't think I have any, really, even if I lost, you know, I try to be positive about it and get something out of it. Yeah, well, said.
Speaker 1:The biggest achievement in coaching.
Speaker 2:Well, other than the Polites and IVPs, I think this Third position that I got Is one of the biggest. The previous time was second in WNL with Simei United and also won the coach of the year in WNL as well yeah, I forgot to mention that as well.
Speaker 1:So you are two times a coach winner of the year, coach of the year. That is well done. Now your pet peeve, or something you dislike most when you're coaching the ladies, can be anything. Can be anything, right.
Speaker 2:I think when they first start with me they don't realize that this is my pet peeve. They like to be chatting. When I'm talking, they are poking each other and stuff. I'm talking here, come on, ladies, when I start to scream and stuff, then they understand. I mean business.
Speaker 1:But I don't think that's a woman's thing, it's a man's it's everybody's thing. Yeah, but okay, that's a pet peeve, well done. If there was one thing you can change about the WPL, what would it be? Just one thing, something that you would change.
Speaker 2:Proper playing field. I think we should be playing in better stadiums. No disrespect, I know how difficult it is the facilities-wise, but we can do better.
Speaker 1:And not in paddy fields. Yeah yeah, you woke up in an island all alone. You have a choice of someone to be with. Who would it be? Minus your wife, please, I take that away from you?
Speaker 2:Ah damn, this is hard. How long am I supposed to be there for?
Speaker 1:Oh, that's not an option. You just woke up and said, oh damn, I'm alone here, damn Okay, can be anyone.
Speaker 2:I would say one person, yeah, one person. Oh, I need to be my daughter, I think.
Speaker 1:What's her name, by the way? Sophia, yeah, well done, right, we're almost there, ratna, and I just want to ask you, right, where does Ratna, you know? And I just want to ask you, right, where does Ratna Sofian go from here, right? Okay, let's see. You've played the game professionally. You're doing well, as in you know, in your career, in terms of teaching at ITE. You are coaching the Geylang International Women's Team. You won the Coach of the Year. You're winning titles with the IT team. Where do you go from here? What's up next?
Speaker 2:Wow, this is tough for me, but you know, when you're playing right, your aspiration will be like oh, I want to play for the national team one day, Right? So when you're coaching, I don't think it's wrong for me to say that I wish I want to be the national coach of our country one day. That is not going to happen now, it could happen later and stuff. So I'm still trying to develop myself as a coach, but that definitely is an aspiration.
Speaker 1:It could be sooner than later, my friend and you know, at the time of recording, if you guys are watching and listening, there could be something on in the next few weeks or so and we will not talk about it, but even at the point of release of this podcast, I don't think it will be announced as well. So, yeah, anyway, good luck for that. I just want to ask you as well any advice for any young girls, women, coming up trying to take up the sport, because I think this is so, so important, right? Because, let's say, I'm a mother, I'm a dad, I want to send my kids to my girl, to, you know, an academy. What is the advice you would give to the girl you know coming up?
Speaker 2:I think play as much as you can Play, that is one. Develop good characters, because I always believe character beats talent, every single time the reflection of your behavior. You can go far, you can be as talented as possible, but you must be a good person as well, and then everything else will fall in place. For parents who think that you know women's football is, don't waste your time. Think again, because there are so many successful players who have juggled both their studies and soccer and are successful in their field and are still playing football.
Speaker 1:So it is a good spot to be in well, said Ratna, and you know I think Ratna just stole my tagline the hustle beats talent. When talent doesn't hustle, you know, it beats. You're right, talent it's, it's there, but you, you got to work at it, you've got to hustle you got to agree you know and and I think that's very, very important rather sofian, thank you so much for being in our my latest episode of the silver fox hustle podcast. Uh, congratulations again to you thank you so much to the club players.
Speaker 1:I'm going to talk to one of your players soon as well, in the next few episodes. That's great. Yeah, and wish you the best and good luck for the next few weeks months thank you thank you, sasi, and we'll see you again right now and see you in school again.
Speaker 1:yeah, so if you're listening to this, this has been the latest episode of the Silver Fox Hustle podcast. Don't forget. If you're watching YouTube now, just click on the subscribe button just below there. Just click on it Follow button. We are out on Spotify, apple Podcasts and the Works Till the next time. The hustle beats talent when talent doesn't hustle. Cheers, bye.