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Singapore's Safuwan blazing trail for Southeast Asia in A-League
Turning an apparent negative into a positive is all part of what wide-eyed Safuwan Baharudin sees as the ultimate soccer education at Melbourne City FC
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urning an apparent negative into a positive is all part of what wide-eyed Safuwan Baharudin sees as the ultimate soccer education at Melbourne City FC.
The Singapore utility player continues to attract attention as his nation's first export to the A-League after joining the Victoria-based club on loan from LionsXII last month.
He's soaking up every second of what is expected to be a 12-match stint in Australia's domestic competition, but could turn into a permanent deal if the 23-year-old continues to do well.
After starting in City's first two games after the AFC Asian Cup break, Safuwan found himself on the bench for last Sunday's home match against Perth Glory, but refused to let himself get disappointed.
'It was good being on the bench, having another experience and having a look at what Perth Glory is,' he said. 'I've come into a new environment and I couldn't ask for more. I just have to be patient. Hopefully things will come my way.'
As a reminder of the kind of company he is now keeping, Safuwan lost his place in Sunday's starting line-up to former Dutch international Kew Jaliens, who was picked as right fullback after his move from the Newcastle Jets. The ex-Eredivisie star was a teammate of Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben at the 2006 World Cup.
The cashed-up sister club of Manchester City is just outside the A-League's top six on goal difference. It has no shortage of other big names that Safuwan says he is being inspired by, even after the departure last November of former Spain striker David Villa following a four-game guest stint.
For his debut on Feb. 7 against Melbourne Victory, Safuwan's teammates included ex-Premier League players Damien Duff and Robert Koren. When he was subbed off in the second half after starting as a central midfielder, his place was taken by former Bundesliga striker Josh Kennedy, who has played in two World Cups.
Some may say these 30-something veterans have seen better days, but Safuwan says their vintage merely makes him respect them more.
'They are the ones who get the team going. It was a dream come true having to play alongside Damien Duff, but unfortunately he's now out due to injury. Even at the age they are coming in now, it's hard for them, but they're still giving 100 percent for the love of the football.'
Safuwan has earned praise from coach John van' t Schip for his versatility ' playing in both midfield and defense ' and for the way he's quickly jelled with his teammates, ever since impressing as a trialist in two games on Melbourne City's January training tour of the United Arab Emirates.
In the matter of weeks, Safuwan has had the contrasting experiences of playing in the Middle East, making his debut under the roof of the Etihad Stadium in a derby game against Melbourne Victory before more than 40,000 fans, and lasting for the full 90 minutes of an away match in chilly New Zealand.
Whether or not Safuwan's loan deal turns into a full-time contract, the experience will almost certainly turn into a career defining one.
'It was a blessing in disguise [to make my debut in the Melbourne derby]. It was intense. Everything was heating up in the changing room. You know, the players were hyped up to get going,' he said.
'Then we had to travel to Wellington for three hours, having to settle down in the cold weather. It was different to Melbourne. It was challenging because I had to deal with the wind, had to deal with the pitch, had to deal with the environment.'
Fitting into Australia's second largest city has gotten easier for Safuwan since he moved from suburban Preston to Docklands, near Melbourne's CBD. He and his wife Alia Qistina are settling in well, despite the intense media scrutiny from across Southeast Asia.
His recent inclusion in the popular video game FIFA 15 ' as 'Baharudin' with a rating of 56 ' has only added to regional interest in Melbourne City's number 29.
'I've been getting requests every single day and not only from Singapore, but Malaysia and Thailand are writing about me,' he said.
'I've had to change my Aussie [telephone] number. They've yet to speak to me but I've heard that the Singapore community club in Melbourne have got something in store for me to mingle with the Singaporeans here, not to be left out so far away from home.'
Safuwan is reluctant to talk about his chances of staying in Melbourne beyond the three-month loan deal. The A-League season finishes in May and that's when he would be due to return to LionsXII.
'I'm not too sure about the future. I'm taking it just one day at a time,' he said.
'I've been working really hard in Melbourne. I've got back from training, straight to the gym, pool, recovery. I've been doing whatever it takes to just be on the pitch.'
He's hoping that he might earn a start for Friday night's home match against third-placed Adelaide United, who are managed by former Barcelona youth coach Josep Gombau and have four Spaniards in their squad.
Minutes on the pitch are what Safuwan craves more than anything. They can also pave the way for more Singapore imports in the A-League.
'I can be the first one, but I'm always hoping that soon more players from Singapore will come here. I'm hoping that Singapore football can go to another level.'
Jason Dasey is senior editor of ESPN FC, Indonesia's most popular English language soccer website with a new SE Asia edition and a daily Indonesian language TV show on NET. Twitter: @JasonDasey
