BANGKOK (23 Dec 2012) – Barely an hour after helping Singapore clinched their fourth ASEAN crown, out-going chief coach Radojko Avramovic said that it is important for the team to keep on working at their craft.
Singapore beat Thailand 3-2 in the two-legged finals that was played first in Sinagpore and then in Bangkok.
“We cannot think that we are already the best and that’s it. We need to improve as there are many areas that need work. If you think that you are the best, and you stop working then you will have problems in the future,” added Raddy.
“Are we the best team in ASEAN? At the moment, yes. We have scored enough goals to win the title. But we cannot stop here. We have to continue to develop.”
After putting a superb performance to beat Thailand 3-1 at the Jalan Besar Stadium, the Singapore side were a lot more defensive in the return leg as they resisted a Thai side in dire need of scoring two goals.
But in spite of their best effort, Thailand could only find the back of the net once through Kirati Kaewsombut in the first half.
“We had expected No. 9 (Kirati) to play but I thought that we had the luck and the players stuck to the discipline that has been set,” added Raddy. “I have to thank the players for afterall, they are the ones on the field.
“I trust them and they trust me and in the end, we achieved what we wanted to. Winning three titles in ten years with Singapore is great and I have no regrets but a lot of happy memories.
“I was lucky and I need to thank all the people I have worked with all these years. One person cannot do all this. I am very proud to be their coach.”
Pix by Thananuwat Srirasant (World Sport Group)
