Three Farmer Bunnies players made their senior international debuts with the Singapore Lions tonight, as hometown boys Tham Leng Teck and Kwek Yun Jie started alongside big signing Morgan Hu against Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier.

Although the final result went against Singapore, with the table-topping Swiss striking twice in the last eight minutes for a convincing 3-0 win, and playmaker Kong Kian Chee having to hobble off early, the Buns' fans and staff were just delighted to see the national team's defence majority-composed of their players.

"It's the start of a new era in the club's history - and I say that knowing it'll sound overblown to some." head coach Sikong Darong, himself once active in the national youth scene, said. "We've got, what, nine internationals on the books, and the promise of more to come; however you look at it, this is a sign of a club that's getting real serious."

The newly-capped fellows were more modest, with 26 year-olds Tham and Kwek - responsible for leftback and rightback respectively - declining to comment overmuch. Tham did admit to be extremely pleased at making his debut with his old buddy, though.

"We were gunning to do it at U-20 level, but it wasn't to be. This just goes to show, it's hardly ever too late!"

As for Morgan Hu, who was delegated to play off and behind Kwek, he would feel even more strongly that they could form the base of a trophy-winning club side.

"It was only after the match that I realised, that the Buns had arguably as much depth in defence as the Lions." he said. "If we can just build on that, I don't see many teams being able to score on us."

Be the first to comment