Joe To The Stern
After the recent failure to lure former Indonesian Under-20 star Yayan Sugianto to Gamma Stadium, coach Li Kum-Seng unveiled his surprise acquisition today. The $900000 paid to Snider BK for Canadian newcomer
Joe Stern was the largest in club history, shattering the former mark of $590000 for custodian
Hang Bao-Tam. Kum-Seng insists every penny was well spent. "Stern scored nine goals for victoria_united and one for Snider in the few games that he has played professionally. It might look like a huge risk to go for a relatively untried player, but he has all the goods." The lithe Canadian certainly did impress on the training field with acceleration second to none. "I hope for a good start against Chinatown United to prove myself," the diminutive Stern offered. "I took up this sport only two years ago, but it seems to be in my blood."
The arrival of a fourth regular striker is expected to cause a reshuffling of the frontline rotation of Chiew-Yen,
Miguel Reed and
Tim Hobson, as Stern appears to be almost a sure starter with his price tag. They however shrugged off any hint of dissatisfaction readily. "Competition for a place will keep us on our toes, and that's always good." Chiew-Yen explained. Reed, the current dead ball taker, appeared slightly less happy to share his duties.
Hobson, whose two seasons of glory look to be far behind him as he was left out of the first team for most of the season due to poor form, was the most affected as the move supports rational speculation that there is now a surplus of strikers at the club. Kum-Seng had made it publicly clear that he would be terminating the contracts of seldom-used players to cut costs. Thus one among Hobson, Yunos and Attimarad would probably have to exit the club. "The team gave me a break, and I would like it if they retain me for a bit longer." Hobson pleaded.
