Chee backs Lions to surprise
The Lions may have hardly inspired confidence ahead of the Suzuki Cup, but they have a backer in a former Lions' assistant team manager.
Collin Chee, who was also a council member of the Football Association Singapore (FAS), believes V Sundramoorthy's men could surprise in this year's Asean football championship.
Four-time champions Singapore are rated as underdogs for the biennial tournament but, speaking to The New Paper yesterday, Chee feels they could spring a surprise.
He said: "Give Sundram and the players a chance.
"No doubt, the Thais have always been hot favourites here, and Singapore have not been doing well recently.
"But they definitely have a chance, they're under the leadership of someone with passion and experience.
"The players need to show similar passion and be fearless."
BOOK LAUNCH
A self-professed football nut, Chee gave the media a first look at his new book, Roots - Memoirs From Two Cities, at an event at Sheraton Towers yesterday.
Chee, 50, was thrust into the national spotlight after his role in the 1995 local drama series, Teochew Family.
Married with five kids, he made a career switch into football and eventually set up his own business here and in Indonesia.
The book is a collection of 21 short stories about his experiences abroad, as well as his life in Singapore as a father, a businessman and a football fan.
He is the ambassador for Dads for Life and the manager of the Dads for Life team, which is out to promote good fatherhood through football and other community activities.
The die-hard Liverpool fan said: "You can't take football out of me."
As for Liverpool's chances of finally landing the English Premier League title this season, he said: "They have a good chance.
"If Liverpool win the title, I will open a bottle of champagne."
*Chee's book will be officially launched on Saturday, 3pm, at The Flame Cafe, Centro Bianco.
They definitely have a chance, they're under the leadership of someone with passion and experience.
— Ex-Lions assistant team manager Collin Chee (above, with his new book) on V Sundramoorthy's men
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