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 SPL Preview - BG Tampines Rovers FC
BG Tampines Rovers FC is under new yet familiar leadership as Akbar Nawas returns to BG Tampines after nearly a decade away. His mission? Build upon the excellent foundation laid by Gavin Lee while steering the Stags through a period of significant transition.
Akbar speaks candidly about the challenges of rebuilding a squad that's lost key players Kyoga Nakamura, Seia Kunori and Milos Zlatkovic. Yet there's palpable excitement as he reveals his plans for integrating an intriguing mix of new foreign talent with the club's established local stars. Malta international Trent Buhagiar brings pace and A-League experience, while Japanese signings Seiga Sumi, Koya Kazama, and Hide Higashikawa offer tactical flexibility across the pitch. The imminent return of Jacob Mahler from long-term injury provides another boost to their prospects.
What stands out most is Akbar's commitment to preserving the attacking football identity that's become synonymous with BG Tampines while implementing his own tactical vision. "The identity is something that we don't want to lose," he affirms, highlighting the philosophical similarities between himself and his predecessor. With competitions across the SPL, Shopee Cup and ACL2 looming, his focus remains squarely on building collective strength rather than relying on individual brilliance.
Can BG Tampines challenge the financial might of Lion City Sailors? Akbar refuses to lower expectations despite acknowledging the gap in resources. His message to fans speaks volumes about his approach: take one training session at a time, aim to win every match, and build something special together. The Community Shield match against the Sailors will be our first glimpse of Akbar's vision taking shape.
This is the Silver Fox Hustle Podcast.
Speaker 1:Hey, I'm Shassi and we are back on the Silver Fox Hustle podcast. If you're listening to this, click on the follow button. We are out on Apple Podcasts, spotify, youtube as well as TikTok, so click on the follow and subscribe button. Share the love with your family and friends.
Speaker 1:Now the Singapore Premier League Season 25-26 is going to be kicking off in a couple of weeks with the Community Shield, with BG Tampines taking on the Lion City Sailors, and this in the next few weeks will be your SPL home, the SPL preview, and we are going to speak to all the coaches of the clubs who are going to play in the SPL and hopefully get some insights into their side and speak about the new foreign players who are coming in, speak about their targets, speak about their pre-season friendlies and what to expect for their side. Now in the studios today for the very first episode of the SPL Preview, what better way than to speak to one of the coaches who are going to play in the community shield, and that is the coach, the head coach of BG Tampines, mr Akbar Nawaz. Welcome to the podcast, akbar.
Speaker 2:Hi, hi, hi, Nice to be here, Sasi.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I had you, I think, a couple of years ago yes, a couple of years ago To you on yourself and your work as a coach, and I got to ask you how does it feel to be back in Singapore?
Speaker 2:Well, it's always good to be back Because, as you know, singapore is home and, for a club like Tampines, I do have a soft spot for them, having coached them probably almost a decade ago. So it's nice to be home and coaching a club as prestigious as Tampines.
Speaker 1:I think you're spot on. We spoke about taking the hot seat of a side that is probably one of the best footballing sides, in my opinion as well, and I think lots of fans out there neutrals as well think that when you speak about BG Tampines, you speak about a side that plays good football good attacking football, flowing football, whatever you want to call it and you said that you were the head coach before of Tampines. At that time, it was Tampines. Yes, and that was in 2016.
Speaker 2:Yes, correct.
Speaker 1:And just to refresh your memory Agba, your side finished second.
Speaker 2:Yes, in that season yes.
Speaker 1:I want to ask you how different was it then compared to this season?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, then, different resources, different players, different budgets, if I might say, from then and now definitely different, different ball game. And of course we have a Tampines side that I've taken over from the head coach, the previous head coach Gavin, who has been doing so well in his last five years term. So I guess I have to continue To build on what he has done and hopefully bring the club to another level.
Speaker 1:It's very, very interesting. You said that, and actually that was my next question, and you guys have got a new chairman, by the way.
Speaker 1:And his name is Shungo Sakamoto, and this is what he said and I kind of like that what he said we should follow the legacy and build on the good culture of the club. The next step is bringing new ideas, taking better, higher steps. And you know, he kind of acknowledged the fact that there's a very good footballing culture and the good work that's been done by Gavin Lee. And he's right. He's absolutely right. I think Gavin Lee, in his five years there, was really really good at what he does. You know, we all know what. You know his strengths and it's too bad that you know he went up against a side like Lion City Sailors, yes, and last season as well, they finished. Second, do you feel the pressure stepping into Gavin Lee's shoes?
Speaker 2:Yes, I mean for a club like Tampines. Definitely there's always a pressure, but it's more of an ambition. I must say Pressure is one thing, because every coaching job there is some pressure to it, Some most, some not. But I like the ambition, the ambition of trying to bring Tampines to another level and build upon what Gavin has done. And, like you rightly mentioned, the new chairman, Shung Goh, said that they would like to modernize things and, you know, bring it to another level. I like that too. Let's see what he can bring to the club so that we can grow together.
Speaker 1:I think that's where you come in as well. I think he spoke about bringing new ideas, taking better, higher steps, and that's probably what you need to do. Now let's talk about the team. Sure, I think that's what we're here for. Anyway, we've got a couple of players and I wouldn't say a couple, some big players who have kind of left the club for whatever reason, going to greener pastures, going to a bigger club, going to a club overseas and stuff like that. Kyoga, one of your best players, siakun Nori, who was absolutely brilliant last season. Zlatkovic is the latest one. I think that was in the news, maybe what last week or two weeks ago, when you know there was a signing and he went over. How big of a miss will these three…. We start about…. Let's start talking about these three players first, because they're huge players. How big a miss will they be?
Speaker 2:I mean, everybody knows and everybody can see that there'll be a huge miss, especially like Kyoga he's down in the middle and Seiya, you know he scores goals at the should I say at the right time or at the wrong time, but he scores those goals. So I mean this. And Zlatkovic, what a defender I mean he, by using him, we could actually invert him. He could be a centre back, he could be a good left centre-back, he's one of a kind as well. You know he defends well, he attacks well. So these three players definitely are going to be a big miss and yes, that unsettles the ship a little bit.
Speaker 1:But I'm here now to rebuild that ship with new players. You're right, and you spoke about Zlatkovic playing an inverted role and I think we've seen him in a couple of seasons that he tends to come inside. He can play in central midfield as well when you have possession of the ball, so he's going to be a big miss Kyoga. Obviously we can't, we can't talk about replace, we can't really replace a player of that stature. But you've got, you've kind of like kept some players who you feel, I think, is stalwarts of the team, or we talk about the spine of the team as well.
Speaker 1:We've got Fox we've got Yamashita still there, the central defence region. Then we've got Glenn, who I was. I kind of like him as a player playing out wide. Jochu is still there, shah Shahiran is still there, faris Ramli as well. So you happy with the players that you kept, or you?
Speaker 2:most definitely. I mean, when I came, I inherited this squad from Gavin. Definitely, because these are players I mean all of national calibre. They are in the national team anyway and it's now my job to bring them to another level, maybe to help them achieve what more that they can do. But these players are amazing on and off the pitch, with their character, with their attitude, with their behavior, with wanting to learn more, with wanting to progress in whatever they've done.
Speaker 1:Yeah, excellent, and I like the fact that you spoke about On and off the pitch. I think that's important as well. Let's talk about the incoming players. I like to speak. I want to speak about One player, jacob Mahler. He's like a new signing.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, yes, I mean Jacob. Yes, he has been injured, because I'm very unfortunate For him, when he was in Thailand, but prior to being in Thailand he was actually in a team of the season in Indonesia. We all know Jacob, we all know what he can bring and I'm quite excited he's on the road to recovery. Hopefully he gets to play soon, but I'm quite excited to have him playing week in, week out Because we know what Jacob can do.
Speaker 1:What's the timeline for him in terms of playing?
Speaker 2:Maybe close to three to four weeks. Hopefully he's back on the road. We just don't want to rush him because he's been out for almost a season, Right.
Speaker 1:Centre-back, centre-mid.
Speaker 2:Well, we have. Obviously you mean for Jacob, jacob. Well, I got to see. Actually, you hit the right question there, because even as a centre-back or as a centre-mid or defensive midfielder, he does his job well. I mean, as a centre-back, he gives me a different option and I could use him differently. As a centre-back, he gives me a different option and I could use him differently in both their positions. Well, that's exciting for any coach to have yeah, brilliant.
Speaker 1:Let's talk about your foreign contingent. You know the new ones, right, we'll go through one by one. You tell us the kind of player they are, because you are. Fans want to know this, right, listening to this and watching this. Let's start off with defensive mid Seiga Sumi.
Speaker 2:Well, seiga Sumi is similar to Jacob. He could actually play the number six role, or he could actually play the centre-back role. Well, as we have seen him on training, he might be suited more as a central defender, but he's one player that's young, that needs a lot of guidance as well, even though they're a foreigner. So we need to coach them, need to teach them and make sure he came to do his job and he comes to this country to make sure he brings that level where he was in Japan.
Speaker 1:I want to say this as well you know, in the past, right in the past, and I do commentary on matches and all, and I always say this about BG Teppudis they're always good on the ball, and especially in midfield where we have Shah and Kyoga Nakamura. You almost lack that defensive mid, that someone who's gonna do the dirty work the destroyer, or whatever you wanna call it and hopefully this answers those questions.
Speaker 1:You know, do the dirty work. The destroyer, the destroyer, whatever you want to call it. You know, and hopefully this answers those questions right in Sega Asumi playing in the defensive midfield role, let's talk about attacking mid Koya Kazama.
Speaker 2:Well, Koya Kazama. Actually he starts the game, he builds the game Right. Actually, he and Sha could actually form my two sixers. You never know. Nice, this is where we are actually trying out in training, Playing some games. Like I said, don't be surprised if you don't see Sega there.
Speaker 1:Right, there's something.
Speaker 2:It might be elsewhere.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly that's brilliant. I think not giving too much away, but yeah, we are hoping to see that happen as well. Japanese forward Hide Higashikawa. How about Hide?
Speaker 2:well. Hide was, I guess, in Japan. He did well in the university league or whatever they call it. He was from J3, but he's been a surprise, very good worker on and off the pitch. He's willing to learn. The good thing about Hide is when I train him. I'm excited to train him because every single day when you train him, he wants to learn more Right. And when you teach him and you tell him tactically, he shows you that coach is not enough. I need more or I want to do more. Hiday is a good talent. Let's see what he brings.
Speaker 1:Beautiful. We talk about players being coachable. That's the definition of it, all right.
Speaker 2:Super coachable.
Speaker 1:Absolutely brilliant. And how about your Malta international, Mr Trent Trent, how do I pronounce his name? Buagia? Yeah me I can't know, bolivia or something, let's call him.
Speaker 2:Trent I think Trent is here Because I pronounced the second name Tomorrow in training. He might not want to train, but Trent, brilliant, brilliant, signing I'm not shy to say Gavin. Gavin did the signing and Hats off to Gavin For having Having him on board. Very good player. He has fast pace, he has some A-League experience. He breaks the line, he gives us a different element to the game, maybe something that Tampines might not have last year.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I was watching the your IG post, the Tampines BG Tampines IG post, and they were interviewing Trent and he said that he can play Anywhere up top, true, through the middle, out on the left, out on the right, very pacey as well and obviously A-League experience. So I think he's another one to watch as well for BG Tampines and in the league as well. Right, and we just hear that you guys just signed, because again on IG just this morning, I signing. Who is he?
Speaker 2:He's probably a replacement for Milos, but not his name, sorry, takeshi. Yeah right, so Takeshi is a left back. We sign him as a left back, but he's a different kind of player than Milos, definitely a different profile. He's much more attacking. He's like a proper fullback, wingback kind of player.
Speaker 1:Ah, right, right, so Right, right, so down the left, down the left, yes, totally brilliant. So I guess that's one to replace Zlatkovic, maybe you know, because I think he's going to be a big miss as well. Sure, I just want to ask you this how happy are you with the squad at the moment, currently? Because, you never know, maybe tomorrow you might sign another player, right, but at the moment.
Speaker 2:How happy are you? I'm currently happy with the squad, but, uh, having so many competitions, you know, with shoppy and acl, of course, every coach would definitely love to have a bigger depth, but it is what it is. Uh, we have, uh, my chairman has given me a directive on in terms of budgets and all that, so we move on from here. I'm definitely happy with what we have, but then, uh, we have to continue striving forward and see, do we need to have any more additions? Because, as you know, lcs is just flying off, so for us to to catch up with them, we do need to make some additions along the way, if need be.
Speaker 1:I think all the clubs this season will have their own strategy because of the SPL 2. You know the make-up of the SPL 2, you know the makeup of the team because I know for sure that the max is 50 players. So in terms for BG Tampines and with you around, how does this work now? So do you sign so-called SPL 1, maybe 20 players? How does this work for BG Tampines?
Speaker 2:Well, when I came, we already have maybe SPL 1 and 2, we have probably around 35 to 40 players, if I'm not wrong, and a lot of them are in the under 21s who have been pushed up to SPL 2 and some of them are still below 21. And I feel SPL 2 it's very important. It's definitely important for Singapore football because you know SPL 1 you have 7 foreigners for almost every club. That leaves about Maybe 4 locals and 4 times what? 7?, 8? That's only 32. So I'm sure the national coach, or currently the interim national coach, have to have a look At SPL 2, because you might have national Places playing in SPL 2 and what you call it it could be. It could be a good competition for those not getting game time.
Speaker 1:That's a very good point actually you made. You know, you may have some very, very good top-notch players playing in the SPL too. Yes, for sure, for sure, absolutely yes. Very good point. You spoke about the Shopee Cup and the ACL too. This is a question for you. Is that a distraction?
Speaker 2:Well, our priority is still the league. A distraction unless you don't have depth, but could it be a good distraction? I reckon this is a challenge that I have to take the club as a whole, have to take my staff and including the new chairman, because, distraction or not, we have a squad of 30 players, including SPL2. We have to rotate, we have to make sure the best players in training place, we have to make sure we keep them fresh and obviously we try to do well in the league, which is the priority.
Speaker 1:Are you training together, by the way, spl2 and SPL1?
Speaker 2:SPL will train first SPL2, some of SPL2 boys will train together SPL1 and then, of course, the balance that come from school and all that they will train after and we do integrate sometimes with our under-17s with the SPL2. I understand.
Speaker 1:So how has pre-season been in terms of score? Scholar have you all been overseas or anything like that?
Speaker 2:Well, pre-season has been a mixed kind of results. We had a pre-season game in Singapore before we went Thailand for a Bangkok camp. We played Haogang and then we went for the camp. We had three games. We played one T3 team, which we won 2-1. We played one T2 team second game, which we drew 2-2. And we lost to Chiang Rai, a T1 team, which was 4-3. So, all in all, this gave us a chance to see the players, to see what kind, what works, what don't work, what kind of fixes we need to do in terms of you know the puzzle, where to fix the players, how do we move it around? Because, like I said, at the end of the day, some of the players have left, the new players have come in. It's actually rebuilding a new squad, actually, although we have kept most of the local players.
Speaker 1:Brilliant. You know what have you been specifically working on? I mean, without giving away too much of our secrets right in your pre-season, what have you all been really working on?
Speaker 2:Well, like you say, without giving too much away, we have been working on the players mindset. We have been working, uh, on psychologically motivating the players, you know, to go to another level, we have been working on telling the players yes, the culture is there, the footballing part is there, our identity is there. So the identity is something that we don't want to, yeah, we don't want to lose, because I'm sure everybody knows from me, as a coach and gavin, we are quite similar in terms of the way we want to play, maybe structurally different, but the same mindset, same philosophy, same identity. This identity, we don't wish to throw it away, we want to build upon it.
Speaker 1:Have you just answered my question? The next question because style of play. How different are you from Gavin Ball?
Speaker 2:Well, gavin Ball, well, gavin Ball, akbar Ball, I think the same. The balls, the balls.
Speaker 1:I don't know which ball is better, but so in terms of style of play, it's going to be pretty similar yes, it's going to be pretty similar.
Speaker 2:I'm not going because I'm a believer. What he does, gavin, yeah, gavin is an exceptional coach. If you know him, he's one of the coaches that I think will do pretty well In years down the road, because I think he's still young. So style wise, we are pretty similar. How would we proceed to the game? I guess let's wait and find out.
Speaker 1:I forgot to ask you who is your assistant, because we hear that Mustafik has gone Back home.
Speaker 2:Yeah, mustafik, when I came he was already not around. He already left Right. Noor Rahman is the assistant. Ah, okay, we are still looking For a fitness coach To come in and that will complement Our team, with William being the Goalkeeper coach.
Speaker 1:Right, right, yeah. So you've got Noraman. You've got a very good Assistant.
Speaker 2:Actually, exactly I mean he, he does everything he has been with Gavin. He has been a great help In terms of Integrating me actually To the team, because most of the players Are there. So it's about Actually Not only me, the players adapting to me, it's about me adapting To them actually also.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's a very important point, very good point actually Nearing the end of the episode and the preview for BG Tampines players to look out for, especially fans listening to this and watching this. You know, and obviously you spoke about some new players coming in. Are there any players to look out for in your side? Could be an older player, could be a younger player that you think that's going to set the league alight this season.
Speaker 2:Well, you gave me a very good question, which I would very, very, very safely say that I'm not going to mention any player to look out for, because I want a team. I don't want any individuals to be out there to stand out, and I want a team Because if there is a team, with the competitions that we're having, we can be competitive and put out a good fight well said goal and your target, your goal and your target.
Speaker 1:I just want to ask you this, and again, everybody will be asking you the same question, but I'm going to ask you officially, right, can you cross the line now with sailors? The sailors strengthening as well. They're strengthening from everywhere, from every direction. First up, what are your goals and targets for this season?
Speaker 2:Well, the targets are pretty clear. Some of us want to win the championship. Some of us want to make sure we maintain. Second, some of us want us to be there at least in a run-up position so that we don't drop because of what Gavin has done last five years. But don't forget, we are rebuilding the squad and don't forget Lion City. Like you said, they are strengthening, but there's nowhere, nowhere, that we as a club, or me as a coach, that will give any excuse for every game that we want to play. So, every game that we want to play, we want to win. Every session that we are having, we want to have a good training session that brings us to win the games that are coming up. So this is my target. My target is actually yes, every time is. You could be saying that everybody keeps saying they want to take one game at a time, but I'm saying you got to take one training session at a time.
Speaker 1:Brilliant, finally Akbar for someone after coming back after a long time. Do you have a message to the BG Tampines fans who are listening and watching this official preview of the Singapore Premier?
Speaker 2:Well, I had the privilege to have this gathering where they engaged, where BG Templin Rovers engaged with the fans. Desmond was there, the ex-chairman Gavin was there, and I could see how the fans related to the coach and I was here almost a decade ago. The fans are amazing in terms of how they react to the club Win or lose. They're always there and I know some of the fans. They speak to me quite a number of times and I'm very happy and pleased that these fans are BG Tampines fans and I can't wait to be there for them and I can't wait for them to cheer us on.
Speaker 1:Nicely put. Akbar, thanks for being here and also a very, very good luck to BG Tampines this season in the season in the ACL 2, in the Shopee Cup, as well as the SPL. I forgot to ask you as well, any, any objectives for your ACL 2.
Speaker 2:ACL 2 we we are waiting for the draw yes, we are waiting for the draw to play, to play in ACL 2 and let's see who we get, because who we get in the group will actually determine what we're going to do right, right and again.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much, akbar. Again, like I said, wish you all the best and we will see you soon, because I'm sure I'll be meeting you soon on the picture off the picture in the near future. Thank you very much, akbar. This has been episode 1 of the official SPL preview for Season 25, 26. Don't forget to catch the podcast on all the podcast platforms YouTube, spotify, apple Podcasts, tiktok as well and share the love Till the next time we see you again. Cheers, we'll see you next time.