Silverfox Hustle #93 - Farhanah Ruhaizat - Lioness & Geylang Int'l FC

Farhanah Ruhaizat, Player of the Year nominee in the Women's Premier League and captain of Geylang International FC, shares her football journey from childhood to international representation. She discusses breaking records, overcoming challenges and her vision for women's football in Singapore.

Some highlights:

• Started playing football at 14 after making a deal with her mother to pass exams first
• Led Geylang to defeat previously unbeaten Lion City Sailors (LCS) last season
• Made national team debut at 17 and describes singing the national anthem as an emotional experience
• Advocates for better support, including live telecasts and financial backing for women's football
• Identifies significant differences between international and club football including pace and quality
• Credits improved national team performance to better foundations and playing style
Enjoy!

Transcript

Introduction to Farhana Roheizat

Speaker 1 0:01

This is the Silverfox Hustle Podcast. Hello, welcome back, and we are on the Silver Fox Hustle podcast. My name is Shashi, your creator and host, and, don't forget, click on that follow button. We are out on Spotify, apple Podcast, youtube and we're also out on TikTok, so please follow button. We are out on Spotify, apple Podcast, youtube and we're also out on TikTok, so please follow us. Now, today in the studios, we have a nominee for Player of the Year in the WPL last year, which is the Women's Premier League, and she is a current player for the Geylang International Women's Team and also part of the Singapore National Team.

Speaker 2 1:00

Obviously, welcome to the podcast obviously Welcome to the podcast, ms Farhana Roheizat, thank you. Thank you, sashi, for inviting me into this podcast.

Speaker 1 1:08

It's really an honour, it's a pleasure. Now let's start off with something quite which happened recently, obviously, and it was the nomination for Player of the Year. What was the feeling like being nominated? Now, obviously, being nominated for Player of the Year means that you were one of the best players in the WPL last season, right? So what was the feeling like?

Speaker 2 1:31

Honestly, I was actually quite shocked because I didn't score as much goals as Farah, I didn't score as much goals as Manami. So when I got to know that my name was being nominated, I was like, oh my, it being nominated. I was like, oh my, it was really shocking. And the first thought went through my head was oh my god, is this the part where I carry? Do you see the video?

Speaker 1 1:49

no, no, I did not there's one.

Speaker 2 1:51

There's one game. I forgot what was the game. Then there was the stretcher. I don't know why the stretcher didn't come in like instantly and the player couldn't walk, so I carried. Oh no, the stretcher came. The stretcher came, but then there were lack of manpower, I think, so I just have to carry the stretcher. So that's why, when they nominate me, I was like is it because of that?

Speaker 1 2:09

I can't be right, wait, wait, wait. Let me ask you this was it your own player or somebody?

Speaker 2 2:15

it's the opponent.

Speaker 1 2:16

Ah, okay, okay so you should have won the what is it? The sportsmanship award actually.

Speaker 2 2:22

Well done actually. Yeah, I was actually very sorry.

Speaker 1 2:24

No, no, no, Please. It wasn't about that, it was about your.

Speaker 2 2:27

it was about your how you played the year right?

Speaker 1 2:31

Yeah, so you were saying that you didn't score as much goals as Farah? Yeah, I didn't. So tell us. What did you think was it? Was it your leadership skills during the year? What was it? Because you must have an inkling of why you were nominated.

Speaker 2 2:49

Yeah, I think, to think back, I think it's just how we my team and I we brought the team together, how we managed to go from the bottom few to the top three, and I think it really means a lot to be able to do this just a question disappointed, you didn't win for the top as in.

Speaker 1 3:12

You didn't win the yeah, of course.

Speaker 2 3:15

I mean, everyone wants to win we go again this season kudos to Manami. She also deserved her goals and scoring, so it's very amazing. I can't wait to play with her. Oh beautiful.

Player of the Year Nomination Experience

Speaker 1 3:30

Now, farah, let's go back a little bit To your younger days. Obviously, you're still very young, but let's go back a little bit. What got you started into the game, the football itself? What got you started?

Speaker 2 3:42

Honestly, it's my dad. He played for Gombak.

Speaker 1 3:43

United back then, when we lived at the west side, the football itself.

Speaker 2 3:45

What got you started? Honestly, it's my dad. You know, hai Zed. He played for Gombak United back then when we lived at the west side, which is the Gombak area, and then he he's a keeper, I think, if I'm not wrong.

Speaker 1 3:54

No, he wasn't, he wasn't. No, he wasn't.

Speaker 2 3:57

Because I remember he went home with a fracture elbow. Okay, okay, yeah and then he and I was like what happened? And I was like I think, five years old, I think. Yeah, then I was like what happened, papa, bapak, ah, what happened? And then he's like oh, bapak, save bola, then patah lah. I was like oh, okay it means like I saved the ball, and as I grew older, my family members also watched football. And then, you know, every night we just watch Liverpool match, because I mean my family members are Liverpool fans.

Speaker 1 4:28

I just wanted to ask you who you supported. So you are supporting Liverpool at the moment as well. No, you changed. So who is supporting now?

Speaker 2 4:38

I actually watch a lot of man City games. I like their style of play. They are building up from the back to the middle Nice. So ever since that I've been supporting man City, but in a family concept. Family matters. Whenever we come together, of course I have to support them.

Speaker 1 4:55

Okay, so who were your? You know the players that you looked up to when you're watching the game on TV and stuff like that. Who?

Speaker 2 5:01

are the players Locally.

Speaker 1 5:03

Anyone.

Speaker 2 5:04

Any Honestly, locally, I'll look at Kyoga. Okay, kyoga Nakamura, central midfielder. He's really amazing the way he plays, he I don't know. He's just the way he delivers the ball before he checks and everything. He's just wow, superb.

Speaker 1 5:25

What position position do you play in for Geylang, and is there a favourite role that you play in besides that position? Maybe, for example, you're a winger, but you prefer to play a different role. You think that maybe that's your better position.

Speaker 2 5:33

Yeah, actually I started off as a winger. I love winger because I love to run. I've been under-19 winger and then when I got into the national team, they actually tried different positions, one of which is centre-back and then another one is striker, which is currently I'm playing.

Speaker 1 5:46

Okay.

Speaker 2 5:47

But when I come to like, when I come to club team, they put me in midfield and I think that's my the best position that I can perform.

Speaker 1 5:56

As in central midfield. Central midfield, yeah, ah, okay, it doesn't matter 10-8.

Speaker 2 5:59

I noticed, you know.

Speaker 1 6:04

I was watching a national team game when it was streaming live right and I think you were playing as more of a forward right Forward yeah. Not one of your favourite positions.

Speaker 2 6:13

Not my favourite position, I don't think I can perform 100%, but I always give my 100%. It's just that. It's just, you know, very intimidating sometimes being an upfront.

Speaker 1 6:28

What kind of a student. Were you, farhana, which?

Speaker 2 6:29

schools did you go to? I was in RP Republic Poly.

Speaker 1 6:30

Before that, as in primary and secondary school.

Speaker 2 6:32

Primary school in Mayflower.

Speaker 1 6:33

Okay, it's at.

Speaker 2 6:34

Amokyo Secondary school is at Wheatley Secondary, which is at Bishan.

Speaker 1 6:39

Right, right, and then from there I go to ITE, Right From there I go to ITE.

Speaker 2 6:41

Right From ITE, then I go Republic Poly.

Speaker 1 6:43

You were at College East, weren't?

Speaker 2 6:44

you College East? Yes, correct.

Speaker 1 6:45

So what was school like? Did you like studying, did you like your books? Or it's just about.

Speaker 2 6:49

I love reading, you love reading, I love reading Nice, but I don't like math. Okay, I hate math. So when you come to sports, like in IT, I studied sport management.

Speaker 1 7:04

Yeah.

Speaker 2 7:05

There's not much reading.

Speaker 1 7:06

It's all practical isn't it?

Speaker 2 7:07

It's all practical. Yeah, there's a lot of practical and then a lot of anatomy and then a lot of memorizing.

Speaker 1 7:13

Right right.

Speaker 2 7:14

But I prefer memorize and understand. I just don't like memorizing, just plainly like that.

Early Football Journey and Influences

Speaker 1 7:19

So in schools did. Was there a women's or girls' football team in school in primary, secondary and then obviously RP, you had, it you had, but before that in secondary school.

Speaker 2 7:30

Honestly, in primary school I started late. I started okay, maybe not late, maybe just nice 14. But when. I was in primary school, I had to join Malay Dance. It's a family thing. And then when I go into Secondary school, I didn't actually Join soccer straight Because my mom didn't let me.

Speaker 1 7:49

Okay.

Speaker 2 7:50

So I joined MPCC Uniform group. Okay, yeah.

Speaker 1 7:53

Right.

Speaker 2 7:55

Sorry, yeah, I did all the marching.

Speaker 1 7:57

All the packing, all the tents and everything.

Speaker 2 7:59

And then when I go to 14. When I was 14 years old Then I decided to Take a bag with my mum. I told my mum I was like Ma, if I pass my Because last time I think if you fail you retain. So if you pass you get to go. Set 5 Set 3.

Speaker 2 8:14

And I was like Mama, if I, if I pass this one, can I play soccer? And she was like you proved me wrong. And I'm like okay, okay. I was like, okay, heads on, man, I just Study. And then, alhamdulillah, I passed. And then yeah, that's why.

Speaker 1 8:28

So, and at that stage Was there a school team In?

Speaker 2 8:31

Yeah, If I'm not wrong, my coach is Coach Razif, you know.

Speaker 1 8:36

Razif from Razif what.

Speaker 2 8:38

Used to be In the national team. Used to be I used to coach straight international team.

Speaker 1 8:42

Okay, okay, Right, right. And so there wasn't any academies. Then Did you join any academies?

Speaker 2 8:48

No, I didn't join any academies actually.

Speaker 1 8:50

Okay, okay.

Speaker 2 8:51

Unfortunately, I wasn't exposed to any academies back then.

Speaker 1 8:54

Right, right, interesting, interesting Now. So when you got into IT, I think that was there a point where you think that I really want to take this seriously Because ability wise, when did you realise that? You know, I think I'm pretty good at this? Was there a point where Maybe a coach told you I think you should maybe Be a little bit more serious In terms of the football part? Was there a point?

Speaker 2 9:19

Yeah, actually Coach Ratna Was with me since ITE. He was with me when I was 16, going to 17, so when he put me to play and everything, he actually encouraged me a lot to improve and he encouraged me to pursue further in my career, which then I did follow my friends. That's why I go into under 19 and then when I'm in under 19, I assisted a goal to Farah while we were playing against Myanmar, I think.

Speaker 1 9:44

Right. Oh, this was for the national team For the under-19, correct, so?

Speaker 2 9:47

then from that I was like, oh my god, I'm capable of doing this.

Speaker 1 9:49

So why?

Speaker 2 9:50

not just continue what I'm good at.

Speaker 1 9:52

We'll come to your national team part and your debut, and you know when you got called up of club football, when what was the first club that you played for? H2o which is what it's, not a club, isn't it? It was it was so H2O.

Speaker 2 10:12

I can't remember what was after H2O. It's the one that trained at Bishan Amokyo okay, okay, right and so it was a club it was. There was Nuria, there was Lopez, there was Lopez. There was actually a few players. That was from Tanjong Pagar.

Speaker 1 10:27

Okay.

Speaker 2 10:27

But before that, I think, if I'm not wrong, it was H2O Right right. And Beatrice was there also.

Speaker 1 10:31

Beatrice was the keeper Right.

Speaker 2 10:33

Yeah, so I played there. I was with my long hair together with my sister Right. We played under H2O, then from there, yeah, aereon for W. Last time was Champions League.

Speaker 1 10:53

There weren't any other leagues.

Speaker 2 10:55

And then from Aereon. I stayed on for like two years, I think. Then I go into Tanjong Pagar for like three years. Then I go back Aereon and then Tampines and then, I think now, geylang.

Speaker 1 11:06

Right, right, and it's a nice sec, because you spoke about or you said about, geylang International, the last team that you played, and obviously now you're still playing for them. Tell us about the team that you had or you played in last season. You know, I think they did pretty well.

Speaker 2 11:23

You know obviously from the previous year and then last year you all finished third right, tell us about the team last year, I think, as a new player coming into Geylang and knowing that all of them are already together, know each other and everything, I felt welcome when I first started. And then, you know, knowing there's Maaz, there's Miza, there's experienced players, there's younger players, and I don't feel that there was a segregation between them Because, you know, nowadays kids are very reserved, it's very hard for us to open up to them. But knowing Farah Wada, wan Naimi, all these people, they are very open and we communicate well, we talk well with each other, we understand each other.

Speaker 1 12:03

I think that what makes Geylang is like a family right, it was the team spirit as well yes, correct who do you think I mean besides you, obviously, who are the key players that really you know held the team together in terms of I mean, obviously the whole team did well as a team, but you know the few players that really you know held them together.

Speaker 2 12:22

I think it's everybody, everyone in the team. Yeah, like we have Miza to the forward, which is Farah. I think all these links up perfectly like we really love each other. Yeah, it's just very nice.

Speaker 1 12:37

I want to ask you, because LCS were undefeated for a very long time.

Speaker 1 12:41

I don't know how many games. And you know I don't want to talk about the history, right, because history is meant to be, you know, broken and records are supposed to be broken. Right, you ladies beat them last season right For the first time in many years. And tell us about that. You know that occasion, because it must be a proud thing, because LCS, obviously with the money and you know the budget and whatever, and obviously quality players, right, what was it like? What was the feeling, what was the strategy.

Speaker 1 13:08

Was it like? I don't want to say it, but was it park the bus and counterattack, or what was the strategy?

Speaker 2 13:15

No, actually, our strategy wasn't actually to park the bus. We really want to play football and we want to prove to them that you know what not only LCS can do this, other teams also can do this. So why not? We show you, guys, and we did. And I tell you, it was nerve-erve-wracking, that game. I said to God Everyone have only one goal, which is to beat LCS. And I think, with that Unity that we have During that game, we really executed and yeah, it was really I cried. I cried when we, when we defeat them the first round, which was 2-1.

Speaker 2 13:48

I really cried. I was like, oh my god, I can't believe we did it because with our players, our plays are not fantastic, they are just players, they are just normal players that plays for the women's league and we managed to beat all the players that played for the for LCS and it was really a proud moment.

Club Career and Position Development

Speaker 1 14:07

I think it's also an example that can be used for other teams to emulate as well. You know like you know it's not about you know whether you're the best paid players or whatever it's on the day when you really want it and you play with. You know you follow instructions and play tactically well and then, obviously, when you get the chances, you take them chances right. So, I think it's something for the other clubs as well. You know, I think it's a For the other clubs as well.

Speaker 2 14:32

You know, I think it's a great moment. It is, I think, for other clubs. What we have was just we are the same. They have two legs, we have two legs. They have two hands, we have two hands. So let's just prove to them that we can also defeat you guys. So I think it's just the battle of the mind and the battle of your performance. That's all, yeah.

Speaker 1 14:48

Was it mindset? So yeah, was it difficult to remain at Geylang this season? I'm sure you had like offers to, I don't know, lcs or whatever no, I I do have offers, but not for LCS with all due respect.

Speaker 2 15:03

They have a very fantastic team. I love, why not? I love to play. You know, among all of them, the Tiki Taka and all the amazing players with Umai, with Sarazi. You know all these players, I love to play with them. But I think rejecting the offer from other clubs also is not really that bad. I just prefer being comfortable being in this team already.

Speaker 1 15:24

Club-wise for Geylang. What are the targets of the team? First, what is the target set at the beginning? Obviously, you've already played that first game which you drew, so what was the target?

Speaker 2 15:36

Our target is to actually remain top 3. If, of course, we want to achieve at least second or first, but top 3 is our minimum target.

Speaker 1 15:44

Let's talk about your individual targets. Do you have an individual target? You personally, Farhana.

Speaker 2 15:49

For this year. Yes, I do, I like to be. I like to contribute a lot For my teammates, like assist more or maybe score for the team Now this year. Thank you, coach, for putting me as an Important role In the team, as a captain of the team.

Speaker 1 16:06

Okay, I didn't know that. Okay, who was the captain Last season? It was me.

Speaker 2 16:10

So being able to Uphold this role, I think it really takes a lot of responsibility, and I think my role as a captain for Geylang is to really bring everyone together and defeat together as one.

Speaker 1 16:22

Beautiful, beautiful. How many goals you scored last season? Honestly, I can't remember More than five.

Speaker 2 16:31

I think five, five, I think five.

Speaker 1 16:33

Okay, your target should be More than that, then.

Speaker 2 16:34

Yes.

Speaker 1 16:35

Assist, do you know? No, I'm sure you don't.

Speaker 2 16:37

I assist a lot more FARA.

Speaker 1 16:38

Okay, all FARA.

Speaker 2 16:39

I think most of the FARA's Goal are my assist.

Speaker 1 16:42

Nice, nice, okay, so your target Should be more than Whatever that you've achieved, and obviously as a captain, obviously right. And then you probably Move, probably move on from there. Now let's talk about the national team. Okay, you made your debut for the national team in 2016, as in the full national team, not the under-19s and whatever.

Speaker 2 16:58

Oh, the full national team when I was 19, I think.

Speaker 1 17:02

When you were 19? 19, yeah. What was the feeling like? How was this done? As in like, was there a phone call? Was it a?

Speaker 2 17:11

I don't know it was just a call up. It was just a call up from to the phone. I don't know we were. We were having training from under 19. Okay, if I'm not wrong, I'm trying to remember because you know, my memories is really. I think Xiao got. She got the opportunity to coach for the national team so I think she took a few players from under 19 to be with the national team. If I'm not wrong, that was right.

Speaker 1 17:40

So she obviously mentioned to you and you know personally that you know you'll be the step up. What was the feeling like?

Speaker 2 17:48

I was, I was happy. I was happy. I was like, wow, I got called up, you know, and I think, and I'm not alone, I have my friends with me. So I was really like it was nice to be called up. I was really grateful.

Speaker 1 18:02

So what is it like to don the national jersey? Do you remember your first game? Like first full game, your first full cap.

Speaker 2 18:11

Yeah, I think, if I'm not wrong, it was in Singapore. The only thing that I can remember was in Singapore.

Speaker 1 18:16

Right. And what was the feeling like? Obviously, you had to sing the national anthem with the Singapore jersey on. And what was the feeling like.

Speaker 2 18:21

Honestly, until today, when I wear the jersey, sing the song, I always want to cry because the feeling of pride and representing Singapore, the country, really it's like it's heavy. It's heavy on my shoulder but I felt so proud carrying it.

Speaker 1 18:39

Beautiful.

Speaker 2 18:41

So every time I want to sing, I was just like, oh my god, my tears have to hold it back.

Speaker 1 18:45

Yeah, I think you've got to cry a little bit more because you're probably going to play more games for Singapore, right? So yeah, get your Tissue papers, get ready. What tournaments have you played for For Singapore, overseas, and what are the Few?

Speaker 2 19:01

tournaments that you've played AFF, afc, sea Games.

Speaker 1 19:06

How many SEA Games have you played in? Two, I think, two, okay, so generally right. What was the best result In terms of the national team that you've played in?

Speaker 2 19:17

Best result.

Speaker 1 19:17

Yeah, the best game, probably In the national team. Yeah.

Speaker 2 19:22

Oh my god, my memories are bad, but I think the recent one that we played, which?

Speaker 1 19:25

is against ESC Cup. Ah, okay.

Speaker 2 19:27

Yeah, it was yeah, the whole entire top. We won. We won top three, we won a medal, so that was something that is very memorable and we get to bring back. Yeah, after so long of a lot of losses nice, nice.

Speaker 1 19:40

I wanna, I wanna talk to you about that, that woman's game part, in general as well. After this right, how we can move on and things like that. Now, what are the upcoming tournaments for you guys in terms of the national team, the ladies' national team?

Speaker 2 19:52

What are the If I'm not wrong, it's AFF. Okay, AFF or AFC, I can't remember either one. And then SEA Games.

Speaker 1 19:59

I think Right.

Speaker 2 20:01

Yeah, sea Games is another year, yeah correct Targets for the SEA Games. Any targets so far that's been set, or I want to score. I want to score goals.

Speaker 1 20:12

What was the last result For the SEA Games, for the ladies, for the women? You played, obviously In that.

Speaker 2 20:17

DPR Korea, I think, if I'm not wrong.

Speaker 1 20:19

How was it? Sea Games I'm talking about the SEA Games. Sea Games, the last SEA Games that you played in. Do you know the results?

Speaker 2 20:26

I can't remember your memory. I tell you my memory.

Speaker 1 20:29

Your memory is like, like you know someone, my age I tell you.

Speaker 2 20:34

My memory is horrible. It's okay, it's okay.

Speaker 1 20:39

I want to ask you this question, you know, I think this you should be able to tell me, right, what are the differences between club football and international football? Fast pace that's the main difference, you think the main difference?

Speaker 2 20:54

fast think the main difference. Fast pace, battle quality yeah, and we play. We get to Play football. Like To me, that's the difference.

Speaker 1 21:05

What do you mean by? You got to play football Like?

Speaker 2 21:09

How do I explain? Okay, like Club football.

Speaker 1 21:11

Right.

Speaker 2 21:12

Sometimes, or maybe 50% of the time, yeah, it's just pumping you know, pumping it and pumping here. Right Just pump cheese, pump cheese. You know 50%, 50%. But in national team you seldom see that, you don't actually see that now we start to build up, play everything, you, Everything. You seldom see that Kind of like.

Speaker 1 21:31

Hopeful ball.

Speaker 2 21:32

Right now we say that Hopeful ball, yes, yeah. So I think that's the A lot of difference.

Speaker 1 21:38

How about size wise?

Speaker 2 21:40

Yeah, definitely, definitely.

Speaker 1 21:42

Physically they are much better. I'm talking about the opponents Obviously Depends on the team, though.

Speaker 2 21:46

I mean, we played among, we played against Timor-Leste, and they are actually the same size as us, but when we play against Korea, dpr Korea, north Korea oh my days, their feet, their calf is as huge as my face. It's so huge. I was like no wonder they can really jump and hit the ball, and that's where most of the goals come from. And their lower body is just. They are built very well and we really respect all these players. Yeah, the way they put in.

Defeating LCS: Breaking the Unbeaten Streak

Speaker 1 22:14

This is another question in terms of you know the teams that you played against, right? Which is the best team that you played against International? I'm talking about international game.

Speaker 2 22:25

Best team as in like, like you had like. Probably as a striker you never touched the ball, Like it's so difficult to you know, korea, yeah, the PR of North Korea, yeah, yeah, I think that, yeah, I think that, yeah, I think that, almost 100%, 90 minutes, 90 minutes, just run, just run just chasing shadows, chasing shadows.

Speaker 1 22:45

Right now let's move a little bit on to the women's game, right from a player's perspective. Which is you okay? What are the problems women's football are facing here in Singapore? You know, generally, if you think about it like you know, you've played like for a couple of years already, playing for clubs, playing in the WPL, obviously now playing in the international football. What do you think the problems that we are facing at the moment?

Speaker 2 23:08

I think the main problem that we are facing, of course, it's the support from our local Singaporeans, it's the lack of support from them, because I feel like they don't know. They don't know what's happening.

Speaker 1 23:22

When you say Singaporeans means fans, what is it? Member of public?

Speaker 2 23:28

It's just anyone, I think we are not recognised that much because I think people would know that Singapore that's a men's team, like the clubs. When I say LCS, they're like, oh yeah, maxim, that's the end, but when you say the women's one, they wouldn't know. You see, we have such valuable players in LCS.

Speaker 1 23:47

Why do you think that is so Like a lack of awareness? Why?

Speaker 2 23:50

yeah, a lack of awareness, maybe a lack of exposure. I mean, I feel like, for a start, since we are having this league, a live telecast would be, would be great, you know that's why we can expose them.

Speaker 1 24:01

Is it getting better a little bit in terms of awareness, like a little bit yeah lately, yes, lately, yes, yes, lately.

Speaker 2 24:07

It has been right, but it could be better.

Speaker 1 24:10

I like this. I like this part About live telecast. Right, I think there should be there should be Because it's the WPL anyway right, yeah, there should be. Something needs to be done, probably, to get this and not like a Amateurish Livestream Kind of you know. I think something should be done About this.

Speaker 2 24:27

Yeah, it should be, because Don't tell me I can't watch. I mean, come on, man, every Sunday I work and every time I want to watch Sunday game, I can't. And then I was like, but I want to know, I want to know how they play. I mean, I watch the men's team, I watch all the men's SPL, because it's very. What do you call it Senang? Yeah, what's senang abar?

Speaker 1 24:46

Easy, easy yes.

Speaker 2 24:49

It. It's accessible for me To just watch on live, even though if I can't go there, you know Like physically, I can at least watch live and I'm having fun watching it. So I think we should have live telecast.

Speaker 1 25:00

Apart from that, what are the other problems that you face as a player, as a player right? What else do you face?

Speaker 2 25:06

I think, speaking For other clubs, financial wise they need support. You know it's not easy for players that are working and going down to training, studying at the same time going down to training. I think that is effort and time. You cannot take back time. So I think that time has to be served very well. I think financial form the clubs also support, not only training. You don't just give us feel. We need more than feel.

Speaker 2 25:33

We need strength and conditioning Right. We need maybe some nutritionist to help us, you know, because all of us can play. No worries, all of us can play, but we only play two hours and then the rest of like the rest of the hours we are on our own. So I think we need to eat what we need to intake. You know, snc is what we need to do yeah, I think those are valid.

Speaker 1 25:57

Those are very good points actually and obviously coming from a player's perspective as well, you know, I think that that is so, so important. You know we talk about we need to move on, you know, to be a little bit more professional, you know, in the way we set things up, and I think we need to move forward with the women's game as well. I think that's well taught out thoughts as well from you. Now I have spoken to people in the women's game right, obviously I know Ratnai and people like that and they say we can actually go far in women's football. Singapore I'm talking about Singapore because it's tough for the men's game In terms of international football and what do you think, do you have any thoughts about this?

Speaker 2 26:39

Like going far yeah going far. Of course we can. We can actually, I mean, look at, look at the players that are overseas right now. There's a lot of them.

Speaker 1 26:47

There's quite a lot right.

Speaker 2 26:50

Quite a lot actually. Yeah, I can't keep count, but there's actually quite a lot. So if they can do it, if they can move on overseas and have all these opportunities, I don't see why we can't. So I think a lot of players With proper support, they can actually go further.

Speaker 1 27:05

If someone, if a club now comes to you and say I want you, a foreign club comes to you and offer you a contract, would you go?

Speaker 2 27:13

Now a foreign club comes to you and offer you a contract, would you go now? I mean, I have to talk, I'm a full-timer staff, so I have to like really get that done and then I'll go.

Speaker 1 27:21

What do you do?

Speaker 2 27:21

by the way, sorry if you can oh, I work at active SG sport facility okay, and what?

Speaker 1 27:27

what does that mean? What do you do?

Speaker 2 27:29

I take care of the facility all of the facility.

Speaker 1 27:33

All of the sports. Do you have a specific branch that you are? Yeah, I work at Abidok, I'll be at Abidok.

Speaker 2 27:37

So if you want to come and play badminton, find me, or table tennis, find me, but it's for a book, though badminton, yeah, very hard Tennis also. If you want to come, just find me, but I can block the court for you.

National Team Experience and Challenges

Speaker 1 27:48

Don't worry, forget about all that. If there is a concrete offer, forget about your job, because then it's a job, right, would you? Yes?

Speaker 2 27:58

I would You'd take up the offer. Yes, I would. I would take up the offer. I mean you only leave once, the offer only comes once.

Speaker 1 28:05

It's a dream come true anyway, right.

Speaker 2 28:07

It's a dream come true for any footballer here.

Speaker 1 28:10

We were talking about the national team just now and I just forgot to mention this as well. I asked you are we moving in the right direction in terms of national team? Has there been an improvement? You've been under maybe, I don't know a few years maybe 5, 6, 7 years in the national team. Has there been improvement? Yes, actually in terms of what?

Speaker 2 28:32

the style of play. Okay, the style of play that we have the confidence of the team slowly building up. I've never I've been into many squads. I think the current and the main squad is to me is very is good. I love playing with them.

Speaker 1 28:50

Right.

Speaker 2 28:51

Because it's very seldom for me to receive the ball, but most of the time I did and I managed now and it's like it's nice why? Because of the style of play, as in last time was hopeful balls, and now it's a proper structure. Now it's a proper structure.

Speaker 1 29:07

Yes, what do you think this boils down to? Is it the coaching? Is it? What is it?

Speaker 2 29:13

I think it's. I think everything from the fundamental of football that you have as a player to all the backhand stuff and everything, and then all the support that we have and the direct mindset that everyone put in into the training, I think that really brings a lot in and brings in the performance.

Speaker 1 29:29

I think it's a very good point you made. The foundation has been laid not now, but maybe five, six years ago. And then that's why, Because if you always had teams or clubs or youngsters playing kick and rush, like just hopeful balls as you said, right.

Speaker 1 29:46

So the national team won't benefit, right? So if the foundations have been laid for all the clubs, the youngsters and everything play out from the back, or you know proper football right. I think that allows your national team to thrive as well you know, I think that's what you're trying to say, and it's a very, very good point.

Speaker 1 30:05

Farhana, before we wrap up, right, I've got 10 quick fire questions. You got to answer them as quickly as possible. Okay, try, I think it will be easy peasy for you. I think I've got 10. Alright, and you ready to go?

Speaker 2 30:18

Yes.

Speaker 1 30:19

Let's go Easy. The first one is very, very easy. Your favourite pre-match meal or food Sushi, sushi.

Speaker 2 30:26

Yes.

Speaker 1 30:27

How many hours before?

Speaker 2 30:29

Actually depends, actually depends. I can eat like one hour before.

Speaker 1 30:32

What Is that a favourite?

Speaker 2 30:34

I love salmon sashimi or salmon mentaiko Okay.

Speaker 1 30:38

Any superstition before a match.

Speaker 2 30:41

No, I don't actually. You don't Just go and play, just go Win it.

Speaker 1 30:45

Lovely. The best coach you have played under Ratna. Best advice you have received as a footballer Anywhere, maybe from way back or even now, what is your best advice that you have received?

Speaker 2 30:59

Don't put a lot of pressure to myself. Play the most beautiful football that I can play. That's who I am.

Speaker 1 31:07

Who said that Right now the favourite stadium you have played in?

Speaker 2 31:15

It's overseas though.

Speaker 1 31:15

Okay, yeah.

Speaker 2 31:17

Where was it? It's the.

Speaker 1 31:18

There you go, your memory again.

Speaker 2 31:20

Yeah, there you go. It's the game against, I think, the Olympic.

Speaker 1 31:23

Okay, olympic qualifier when, which country?

Speaker 2 31:27

China, china, china, yeah.

Speaker 1 31:30

It's not the Olympic stadium right the bird's nest or whatever you call it?

Speaker 2 31:32

No, no, no, I don't think so. It's a different stadium. It's like Hanzhou, hanzhou.

Speaker 1 31:36

Okay, best match you have played in as a player, which is the best match you played? It could be club, it could be national team, whatever.

Speaker 2 31:43

Oh For club. All the matches.

Speaker 1 31:48

It's good.

Speaker 2 31:49

But for national team I think the recent Timor-Leste that was the best match.

Speaker 1 31:52

Why? Or did you?

Speaker 2 31:52

Because I scored the goal. Nice, beautiful.

Speaker 1 31:56

So far your best achievement.

Speaker 2 32:01

I think Best achievement To carry the team. As a Captaincy.

Speaker 1 32:07

Beautiful, your best friend In football.

Speaker 2 32:10

I would say Mas. Mas as in Mastur Jelani oh okay, okay, okay.

Speaker 1 32:15

Here's one for you. The last question, right, the worst dressed teammate.

Speaker 2 32:24

Worst dressed teammate.

Speaker 1 32:27

Come on out with it.

Speaker 2 32:29

Farah why she likes to wear jots Like jeans. But Jeans with but it's not jeans, but it's not jeans. It's like a Bermudas, but it's not Bermudas. So I don't understand. I got asked that before and I broke what's this? And then she was like Jots.

Speaker 1 32:44

Then I was like Wait, wait, it's called jots.

Women's Football in Singapore: Key Issues

Speaker 2 32:45

It's not only Farah, actually Alicia yeah, term that they use.

Speaker 1 32:50

Is it an official? Is it an official name or is it just some slang?

Speaker 2 32:52

I have no idea. It's either Gen Z or I don't know.

Speaker 1 32:54

So it's called Jots Right.

Speaker 2 32:56

I think a lot of Gen Zs are wearing it.

Speaker 1 32:58

The next person I'll ask to wear Jots is Ratna. No, please, before we go, farhana right, where does Farhana go from here? Your ambitions, you know, maybe in the next five years or so, not so long, but maybe three to five years. What? Where do you go?

Speaker 2 33:17

I wanna, honestly, I wanna keep improving myself and be in the 2029 squad in Singapore for Seagames 2020 nine, nine, why? Because the Seagames is in Singapore.

Speaker 1 33:29

Ah, yeah, beautiful, so I want, that's my and captain team as well. Yeah, yes, inshallah, I mean any advice for young girls and women taking up the sport. You know, because I think you've been there as in terms of from a young girl, you know, taking up the sport in secondary school and then playing for school and then obviously playing for the national team. You know doing well. Now any advice for them?

Speaker 2 33:55

I think mine would be just don't, don't be afraid to be yourself out there. Coach can say so much, but you are the one that is performing, so I think don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Speaker 1 34:07

Always remember the sky is your limit, so you can go as beyond beautiful Farhana thank you so much it has been a pleasure getting to talk to you and getting to know you a little bit as well, and we hope, and I hope that you prosper and do well for the club for the national team score as many goals as well, and I'll see you soon.

Looking Forward: Career Goals and Advice

Speaker 1 34:31

I'll be watching Geylang and you guys soon, right, thank you. This has been the latest episode of the Silver Fox Hustle podcast, so don't forget, click on the follow button, subscribe button. We are everywhere, like I said, and we are on TikTok as well, so please go and subscribe and follow us till the next episode. I'll see you again. The hustle beats talent. When talent doesn't hustle cheers and tell it doesn't hustle Cheers. Bye.