Vasco receberá jovens jogadores de Cingapura para intercâmbio

O Vasco receberá, de 14 de novembro a 6 de dezembro, um grupo de jovens jogadores de Cingapura. Eles treinarão com as diversas equipes de base vascaínas durante 22 dias e disputarão amistosos. O intercâmbio é iniciativa de Fábio da Silva, ex-jogador brasileiro que atualmente dirige escolinhas de futebol no pequeno país asiático. Os jovens têm entre 9 e 17 anos de idade. As informações são do site Yahoo de Cingapura.

Fonte: NETVASCO

Singapore youth footballers earn 'once-in-a-lifetime' chance at Brazil club

A group of Singapore youngsters are set to follow in the footsteps of Singapore youth international Mahathir Azeman by heading for a training stint in Brazil this November.

The attacking midfielder impressed at SC Boavista during a five-month stint in 2013, subsequently earning a one-year contract to play for their reserve side this year.

Now, former S.League player and current schools coach Fabio da Silva, who helped to arrange Mahathir’s trip, will be leading 10 boys for a 22-day experience at Vasco da Gama, a Rio de Janeiro outfit which has produced the likes of Romario and Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho.

The trip is scheduled from November 14 to December 6 and the players will train with Vasco’s various youth teams and also take part in friendly matches.

This time, the players come from various schools that Da Silva coaches at primary, secondary and junior college level. Their ages range from nine to 17 years old.

“It is a huge group,” he said. “We’ve been following them and seen them play; we don’t want to send just anyone there, we want the boys to have ability. Vasco da Gama is [a] very big [club] and this will be a very interesting and very big opportunity [for them].”

Paving the way

Da Silva revealed that Vasco was impressed with some of the talented young players they saw whilst here for the 2011 Lion City Cup and subsequently approached him to establish a link.

He added that the “right time” to organise such a trip finally happened this year and is hoping that it will be a regular occurrence in future.

“A lot of people have been calling to ask me about this opportunity,” he said. “We are [already] planning [for more boys] to go next year in June and November… they (Vasco) want to do this long term.

“We believe that in the long term, it can open the doors for other boys to come in [to Brazil] following years, and [also] maybe [for] these boys who are going over there, they [might] show something (catch the eye of coaches) and Vasco will want to follow up.”

Meridian Junior College centre-back Soon Wei Jun admitted that he was surprised to be chosen, but grateful for the opportunity and aims to improve both physically and mentally.

“I was initially hesitant about going but I thought this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am excited to learn from the Brazilians, although I am feeling a little nervous!” he said.

Da Silva is confident that the exposure during the 22 days will benefit the players immensely, as they will get to witness first-hand the desire and hunger that Brazilian youth players possess in their quest to make it as professionals.

“Every boy there dreams of being a professional player,” he said. “They are going to see a different culture, in the sense that for them, football is everything.”