Tampines' Firdaus: We've not given up title fight
In a year of ups and downs for Tampines Rovers, winger Firdaus Idros has been one of their bright sparks with his dynamic displays down the wings. Here, he speaks to GABRIEL TAN about their season so far, his hopes and life outside football.
1 Tampines are back in action against Harimau Muda. How much are you looking forward to this match?
It's a very important game - we're in a position where we have to collect as many points as possible and it starts with Harimau Muda.
All the players are experienced enough to know that we can't look too far ahead.
We have to take it one game at a time and, if we do get the win against Harimau Muda, that's when we can start looking forward to the next game.
2 The Stags are fifth in the table and 10 points behind leaders Brunei DPMM. Do you believe that the title is still within your reach?
It has been a strange season where everyone is dropping points and no one has been able to get that momentum and go on a 10-game winning run.
Even last year, no one expected Warriors FC to win it, but they ended up champions.
This year, no one expects Tampines to do it after a bad start, but it can be done.
Mathematically, it's still possible and we have games against the top teams that will allow us to catch up.
3 You enjoyed success in your time with Home United with two RHB Singapore Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2013. How much would you like to add the S.League title to your list of achievements?
Interestingly enough, I'm from Tampines and I started playing football at Tampines Rovers.
Even before I had dreams of playing for the Singapore national team, I dreamt of playing for Tampines. I haven't tasted success in the league before and I came to Tampines to win titles.
All of us in the team are winners and I'm sure we want to continue the club tradition of winning games and titles.
4 Joining Tampines has also given you the opportunity to gain work experience at Tampines chairman Teo Hock Seng's company, Komoco Holdings. How is this going for you?
It's been good, with boss helping us a lot in getting work experience.
I just graduated with a degree in accounting, but it's not as advantageous if you just have a degree without any work experience.
When I first came to Tampines, boss gave me the opportunity and I took it with open arms.
Now I'm doing accounts, going for meetings and working with colleagues. But it doesn't change our primary objective of performing on the field and winning games.
5 Finally, you've been a regular for Tampines this season, starting 18 of a possible 20 games in all competition. Do your consistent displays in 2015 give you hope of earning a recall to the Singapore national team?
I'm a very patriotic person and I always want to play for the national team, but being selected is something out of my control.
I just have to continue working hard, but I haven't scored many goals. So maybe that's one of the reasons I haven't been selected.
When I was called up during my time at Home United, I scored more than 10 goals, so maybe that's an area where I have to improve.
But, for now, I don't want to worry too much about that. I just want to do my part in helping the team get the wins and, hopefully, we'll be declared champions at the end of the season.
I haven't tasted success in the league before and I came to Tampines to win titles.
— Tampines Rovers winger Firdaus Idros
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