The 2024/2025 Singapore Premier League season preview with Hougang Utd FC. Head Coach, Marko Kraljevic, joins me as he gets his club ready to do battle for the coming season. Marko shares his thoughts on what happened last season, player recruitment, key players etc - all in the bid to get the Cheetahs further up the table. Lets go!
The 2024/2025 Singapore Premier League season preview with Hougang Utd FC. Head Coach, Marko Kraljevic, joins me as he gets his club ready to do battle for the coming season. Marko shares his thoughts on what happened last season, player recruitment, key players etc - all in the bid to get the Cheetahs further up the table. Lets go!
Hi, this is the latest episode of the Silver Fox Hustle podcast. Thank you, click on the follow button. Subscribe button. We are on Spotify, apple Podcasts and everywhere on YouTube as well, so please click on the follow button. Mr Marco from Haogang United, how are you, my friend?
Speaker 2:I'm fine. Good morning to you, sasi. Nice to be back, you know, after one, two years already.
Speaker 1:Exactly, we had a chat before, by the way, a couple of I should say, a year or two years ago about football in general, and we had a good chat, and, of course, I love speaking to coaches because we are the ones out there on the pitch every single day. You know, and we know, certain things that people out there don't know right? So let's start off with Haogang United this season, but before that, marco, let's talk about last season, haogang. And let's talk about last season Haogang. And what did you think about last season's performance, mako?
Speaker 2:Meaning. Last season I think we were very promising. We had a very good squad, you know, buying the good players and everything, I think, moving very nicely, you know. Then, just I mean, when the league kicked off and then we were really a few injuries, a few injuries cost us a lot, and then the result was not on our side. Even some games we played very good and the game was just close, breaking the lines. We were always missing something, missing something. Then we started very first round we were last and then it was really no good starting. Then, after this second round started, I was head of youth, then I moved up to the SPL team, then we start playing. We were changing one foreign player, we changed, we brought Jorge in and I think, slowly pick up the points and then, end of the day, finish sixth and sixth. For me, sixth is not good enough, for us sixth is not good enough.
Speaker 2:I think we should, with the team that we have, maybe I think my top four, the team that we have, I think Mai is top four and then go to the final FA Cup. I think this was a good run in the FA Cup and this is all around. I think we should do better.
Speaker 1:Marco, I think that was a very, very good summary of last season. Because, whatever you said, I think that was a very, very good summary of last season, because whatever you said, I think it was in my head as well. You know, I think at the beginning of the season I put you guys up as one of the favourites, you know, at least at least top three. You know. You got the LCS, obviously, we got the Tampines, so I thought you guys were very, very promising, like you said, and then didn't start the season well and for whatever reasons, right. And then I think, when you came in, you stated the ship. You know, I think there was a little bit of difference and I think that the team started to play, got results as well.
Speaker 1:You got in Maximovic, george, and then again after that it was inconsistent Up and down. I think, in whatever circles that you do, whatever circles or whatever craft, I think you got to be consistent. I think that's key. Now I just want to read out some stats. Right, you guys scored 37 goals and only Young Lions scored less than that. You also conceded 57 goals, which is the 4th league, here's defence.
Speaker 2:Now, goal scoring was a problem, wasn't it, marco, last year yeah, I mean before Georgia coming is we can't score the goal as yeah as we are really struggling with the scoring goals and then this reason why we bring the Georgia and Georgia is arrived.
Speaker 2:Okay, he beginning was struggling. It's not easy when you're coming from Europe and different style of playing, different weather, different teammates. You need some time and he just nicely pick up end of the season, pick up very nicely. He was really on the fire, you know, and he's scoring goals. He helped us a lot, you know, but he still, I think, I feel, when I do analyse what?
Speaker 2:you does, especially me and Scott was set pieces. We conceded around 20 goals from set pieces. This was really a dead ball situation. What killing us this really was. We need to improve a lot this year.
Speaker 1:Marco, this one I didn't really know about the 20 over goals from set pieces. Why do you think this is so? And listen, it's not only. I'm not talking about Haugang, I'm talking about in general right, and I take teams as well, with the school teams and whatever obviously different level, but it is still happening at pro level Everywhere, everywhere you go, even in the EPL or whatever. Why is this happening, do you think?
Speaker 2:Marko, I think is now. Now is big problem is VAR. Var is moving. Now. Uh used to people used to used to uh chasing you, used to pulling you all the way, pulling, pulling, pulling, pulling. Referee will very seldom give penalty, very seldom now when VAR and VAR calling him check, check, check, check, and I can, I listen, sometimes very close to me, and he said these guys, one referee got contact, got contact, but you know what kind of contact you know and then they're talking, they're talking.
Speaker 2:The meeting is a bit tough for defender now.
Speaker 1:So you're saying like they are afraid to actually go a little bit closer to the strikers? Closer, okay, but it's not pulling. Yeah, good point.
Speaker 2:When players start moving, are you pulling all the?
Speaker 1:time, everybody does.
Speaker 2:This is what I feel players are a little bit scared, a little bit scared to cross the line. I don't know where is this line, but it's no excuses. It's no excuses for conceding too many goals. I think it should be focused and defending as a team. I think it should do better.
Speaker 1:I think it's the responsibility part as well. Exactly, take away the VAR. I think it's responsibility. So, at the end of the day, if I'm marking somebody, he's my man. He's my man, you know. And.
Speaker 2:But sometimes when he's on a marking, then it's team responsibility, but he's always. I mean we should don't blame individually, you know, we as team.
Speaker 1:We always work a team. Right Now, we look at all the so-called problems. You know the set pieces and whatever. Right Apart from that, what do you think was the main? You talked about not scoring goals you talked about conceding from set pieces. How about playing-wise and, you know, in terms of defending in general, not set pieces? Was there defending in general, not set pieces? Was there a problem that you saw?
Speaker 2:I mean, it was a lot of later on, a lot of in transition. We was very poor. You know, beginning transition was killing us. Every time when we lost the ball we are in the opponent, opponent punish us. You know this area. I think later on we improve in this one. When I make sure, make sure it's three defender I think later on we improve in this one Make sure three defenders, or minimum four players, must be behind the ball when the ball is lost. This is one area was a problem. Second area was I think we were not aggressive enough.
Speaker 2:If you compare with Abirex. Let's say Abirex always compare because they are champions. They were very aggressive. When you're always they was very aggressive, you know when you receiving the ball they put pressure on you. If you even you beat him. Next one coming it was this was different bit. This was little bit. I can see our team was little bit. What was problem, I think also is our age, was, if I'm not mistaken, 32, 33 years old, you know. And then you play against young boys. Who is aggressive? This was also one issue.
Speaker 1:We will talk about the players player-wise as well. In terms of, you know, the changes that you made probably got to do with this age and whatever right. And I'm glad you said you know, in transition, where you guys kind of like was one of the major weaknesses, and I saw this while doing commentary and while watching games as well with Haogang, especially if, if in attack and after you lose the ball and you start walking something, you're going to get punished. You know, and I, I think, and and that's my opinion, because I was watching the game and I was doing commentary and and I think sometimes you guys were kind of like guilty of doing that. You know, players wise I'm talking about and, uh, yeah, so, so in transition, it's so, so key that when you lose the ball, you either win it there or you just drop back first, and sometimes I think Haogang were guilty of not neither here nor there. You know, I think that was the problem. Would you agree, marco?
Speaker 2:I agree, I totally agree. I mean I agree, I think later part. I think we improve in this area because we make sure this one, we have numbers. Make sure when we lost the ball we are in good position to put pressure or make the foul or whatever. It doesn't allow them to. But his beginning was a lot of problems.
Speaker 1:Let's start off with the squad. This year, marco. I'm looking at players that have major changes, major, major changes. You have lost players like Irwan, who's, I think, retired according to coaching, sahil Sohaimi, idraki, abdel Zainal Gulam, as well, I think he's left, yeah. And apart from Kiki Krajcik right, it's a whole new set of foreigners. Yes yes, yes, Talk about the players that you've lost first. You know people like Sahil and Erwan and Idraki, and all these players, Abdel. Will they going to be missed by you?
Speaker 2:Meaning is all of them are very experienced players. It was nice working with them.
Speaker 1:You know, it really was nice.
Speaker 2:You can see, you know honestly, you can see what is different level. You know when Sahil receiving the ball, when Irvansha receiving the ball. These young boys can learn from them a lot. These two young boys can learn from them a lot, but the situation is moving forward. This is the action of the club moving forward and this is the action of the club. You know. To put, from 32 or 33 years old average, we move to 26 27. This is the main target in this area.
Speaker 2:We need to, we keep some we keep some like Gabriel, like Saiful, but it's some we need to release. We need to sign younger players and then start build up for future.
Speaker 1:Well, it looks like your team is going to probably run a little bit more with the younger players.
Speaker 2:Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's always good to have some runners in the team as well, right, yeah, now let's talk about the players that you brought in. Right? Was it a case of looking at you know your weaknesses from last year and then trying to fit in and foreigners as well? But how did you come to the decision that, okay, I need this player, I need this player. How did that come about?
Speaker 2:our meaning is I need defender. You know, let's say defender, let's say Nazim. Nazim was in.
Speaker 2:Geerlang, he was not playing, but he's with us year before and then I know him. I was that time in Haugen. I know him very well, I know what he can do for us and then this is the reason I bring him. Danish is the reason to bring him, because he's defender. We need to defend him. Just now, we concede 2.7 per game. This is too much. 2.7 per game this is too much. Understand that. I mean you need to score three goals to win the game every game.
Speaker 2:It's not easy and then we need to strengthen our defense. And then Dani Schierfan is one thing, he's a defender. Second is left footed. You know, left footed. What we really need if left back left stopper to be left foot. Nice balance as well, yeah nice balance, nice advantage, you know. And then foreign players, you know, are looking for one striker, one number, 10, then Kiki was there. Two stoppers and one midfield. More or less we buy what we're looking for.
Speaker 1:Beautiful, beautiful. I think that's most important, right? I mean, you look at the weaknesses and the players that you need and then you try to bring these players in to fit in the jig, so I think that's important. I want to talk about a few local players. First up is Gabriel, right? I don't think he had a very good season last year. What do you think about him this season? For this season?
Speaker 2:I'm meaning he was the last one who signed. You know, we just signed him. You know, we just signed him. I'm meaning he was my pick to sign him. Beginning and after.
Speaker 2:This is about money about all this negotiation going on, you know, and then, at the end of the day, he joined us. What is it about, gabriel? This is unbelievable. What kind of skill he got. And then I cannot ask him to do what some other players do, but in attacking what we need sometimes Also I talk about considering goals, scoring goals also is 37 divided by one point something it's not good enough understand. You need more goals.
Speaker 2:In this area, I think Gabriel won the best, Still in attacking. Third, if we can, we can help him with defending, and he can. He can improve with a bit of defending. In attacking, he can give us a lot. This, this is for me.
Speaker 1:Sometimes I know what he can do. He's a good player. I think not a lot of people know this, but I think both of us I think we grew up with Gabriel when he was very much younger, playing in the COE leagues right, he was playing for NFAs and whatever with Tampines or whatever, and we knew him. Then Shadan had a season which was stop-start because of injuries, and that's one, and let's hope that he gets better with his injuries.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he recovered, doing very well, very well. I think it's maybe May and June he will be ready.
Speaker 1:I want to speak about somebody that I know, not pretty well, but I'm a little bit biased because he plays for the school team as well RJ, rj, robson right, let's talk about RJ. What does he bring to the team?
Speaker 2:Energy, energy, energy is very good. I mean, I coach him under 21. You know, the first time I joined Haugane was unbelievable. You know he never missed training. He never missed training. He got something what I like it. You know he got some winning mentality. He want to win the game. He got aggression. He will go. He not scared we go to Vietnam. Last game he was in Vietnam on December. He not scared of them. You know he go. He not pulling the leg. He's one guy who can improve little bit about vision, about passing, about calmness with the ball. This is, by time, will improve you know, but I think it's up and coming.
Speaker 1:Nice, nice. Now we go to the foreigners. Now. Marco, you know, and I think we spoke about, we're going to speak about, we spoke about Kiki, you know. He's his back, obviously, and we know what he can do. Ensa Bruncevic has come in from. He played for you at Belstead before, so we know what he can do. He's a centre back. Now let's talk about the other foreigners that have come in. One is the Thai player, putipat Kewasat. He was on the books of the Levante the coaching there, then moved to Austria.
Speaker 2:Then, after this was was some issue, I think, with his work permit or something, then then some connection with our Bill, our chairman, and then then the we, we signed him what position does he play?
Speaker 1:midfield, nice, as in a central, central midfield. So what does he bring to the team?
Speaker 2:it's ok he's a good player I mean mostly a Thai player very comfortable with the ball. Needs some time to adjust you know what I mentioned artificial pitch. I think he also needs some time for him but it's ok. So far, so good good, good creation forward. Stepan Plazonia yes, he was. I mean yes, he was tall and quick.
Speaker 1:Is he from your contact?
Speaker 2:Yes, from both of my contacts. I like what I see. I like him because he's quick, he's fast, he can score the goal. I think he can help us.
Speaker 1:He's a good size also, I think that's what you guys need a goal I think he can help us. He's a good size also, nice, nice. I think that's what you guys need, right, a goal scoring bit, because I think obviously you know about that. And just a little question about Maksimovic, right? Yes, I thought that the later part of the season he was good, he was running and he runs, he runs, he put defender. Exactly. Was there a move to get him back or not?
Speaker 2:No, but we want to bring him back because he sees some issue with family, something getting, I think even getting married and all this. And then he was he want to play closer to Europe to his hometown and I think he joined Greece second division, nice, nice.
Speaker 1:How about your Bosnian centre back Fares Hasic?
Speaker 2:right, yeah, he's young one, you know, 20 years old he's under 21. This is what we we left also looking for left footed, he's exactly left footed.
Speaker 1:This is he just joined us for 2-3 weeks, you know, and then, and someone as a foreigner as well, was or is the former Albrechts player Shodai Yokoyama.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:He's, he's just class last season for Albrechts yeah.
Speaker 2:I mean, he's still class. Yeah, of course, of course.
Speaker 1:He's, he's been brilliant man. I mean he runs all day long.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, he can, is an excellent guy. I was talking to him. He's one of them. He can speak English. Yeah, actually, I was in negotiation with him. He was going back to Japan and I was talking to him about what we can offer and how we can Talking to him. He can speak, he can speak and he mixes with a lot of local boys. He and Zamani very close friend and then it was oh my god. I was very happy and lucky to get him goodbye for us definitely.
Speaker 1:he was a standout last season as well and very good, and I think in general your foreign contingent is a good one and hopefully, you know, obviously with the players that you've got the local players.
Speaker 1:They can combine. Well, you know, and let's not forget, and everyone watching at home and listening to this as well a new foreigner coming in doesn't mean that they will just hit the ground running. They need time. They doesn't mean that they will just hit the ground running. They need time. They need a little bit of time and I hope the fans give these players a chance as well, Not only for Haugang, all over the country as well.
Speaker 2:How has pre-season been Marco. Okay, it's quite long. This year is quite long. But, it's okay, foreign players also adjust a little bit more. I think it's a good move from FAS to move the league to European time and then everybody on the same page when it's Euro, when it's Euro, when it's break, when it's FIFA day, we're on the same page and we all can watch the Euros without any problems, right? Yeah yeah, yeah, exactly we can go there and watch it of course you're right, not this year.
Speaker 1:So, in terms of matches, so far, friendly games. Are they okay? Yeah, okay.
Speaker 2:So far we got a little bit few injuries and then some friendly game. Okay, okay.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:More or less it's okay.
Speaker 1:I want to talk about this as well. You know, last season you guys changed sometimes from a three, sometimes played with a back four or whatever. Right, will there be a change in like a style or a formation, at least this season? Because we know when I spoke to Peter De Roe from Ballester, I think they are in for a change in formation. I think you know, just judging from how he answered his questions, right, but how about you, marco, with Haogang, without telling, giving away secrets, but yeah, is there like a change.
Speaker 2:I will first about injury. You know, injury, what kind of injury? We have availability of players. I'm meaning is what we, when we go back to the back three or back five, whatever we was, I think we was have good result. You know we was opponent was not breaking us so easily. This was a problem, but there was a good move what we did. But the game depends on the opponent. I cannot say I will play a fix on this one. It's a lot of things I mean I still don't want to talking about this.
Speaker 1:I understand Marco, and for those of you who are watching this on YouTube, you know Marco is a little bit apprehensive, but it's okay, it's fine. I think that's how it's supposed to be. Anyway. Are players to look out for from your side? You think you have maybe one or two players that you think you have maybe one or two players that you think it's a good year for them?
Speaker 2:I think Danish, danish, danish will be. I think this boy is really first time he was in Tampines, he was in Geerlangen. Now you can see he's training very well, training very well. His left foot is nice nice touches. I think he can be a very good player. Foreign players I think Shodai will be a really, really good sign for us and these two strikers let's see what they can do.
Speaker 1:Have you picked your captain yet?
Speaker 2:Captain will be Nazrul is very great. Nazrul with us. You know this guy, this only one guy, is really amazing. Nazrul is amazing. You know this kind. Now he's captain and this what he this young boy should be very lucky to have him as captain. You know, he helping lot of young boys, beautiful, giving them instruction, giving them this is. This is a long time. I never see something and then pick up the marker his first time.
Speaker 1:Pick up the marker he's amazing, he's a great captain, good example for everybody, exactly, and for those of you watching as well. It's not only about the playing, it's about the character as well, and Nazrul hats out to you, man, and yeah, and Danish Irfan, someone to look out for. No pressure, mr Danish Haugang, what are your goals as a club, and is there a goal that you set up for the team for this year, for this season?
Speaker 2:I'm meaning as last two years final FA Cup, you know. I think this is one thing we need to again. Going for this one is give you a spot in AFC. I really missing the AFC. Playing in the AFC was very nice, Very nice. Haugan playing the last three times, so the last four years, something like this. He's done it very well. I think going back to the AFC is good for the club, good for the players. You're learning a lot In the league. The league will be very tough from now until May next year, four rounds. If you keep injury prevention going well, I think we should top four. Top five will be very good.
Speaker 1:Nice. And finally, marco, do you have any? I think we talk about fans in the league right. I think the Haugang holds are one of the best in terms of you know, being out there supporting the club, being very loud at games, supporting the club. Any messages for your fans as well, marco.
Speaker 2:These are amazing fans really really amazing fans. You know, sometimes it's very proud to be part of Haugard, with his fans, and they're really helping every time. Sometimes we are down, we lost the game, but still behind us, you know, helping us we go to. He was in Vietnam they follow us in Vietnam.
Speaker 1:Wow, brilliant, unbelievable.
Speaker 2:Brilliant, yeah, vietnam, where we go away, bali game, all they follow us. It's not easy, you know from here to flying over, you know watch the game. It's really amazing, you know. Really, thank you very much for support. You know I ask them to come to come more. You know, help us. You know, Help us. This is very important. When you stay behind us, you know, you become 12 players. You know. It will help us to win more points, more games brilliant, brilliant, marco.
Speaker 1:Marco, thank you so much for being here on the preview show for the SPL and we wish you all the best. You know I think it's going to be a long season, like you said. You know it's going to be a tough season, obviously, and we wish you all the best for Haogang United Football Club. And we wish them all the best again and before we go, click on the follow and subscribe button and until the next time we'll see you again. Cheers, we'll see you next time.