First XI custodian Yusuke and fan favourite Kim Bao shares with us how their First XI journey has been so far and tell us some interesting views on football in Singapore and back home!
Yusuke's Interview
Q) Were you surprised when gaffers Steve and Sasi recalled you into the First Xl side recently?
Yusuke: Yes of course and indeed felt honored. But on the other hand, wasn’t quite sure whether I deserved this whole thing when I was not within the team in most of the sessions.
Q) Tell us, why Japan always never fail to amaze with their upcoming talents and quality technical style of football for the past decade?
Yusuke: Japanese footballers in general are shorter than our European opponents. Building on our Samurai Spirit with an organized team game, we are able to overcome our opponents from the rest of the world with team strategy and individual speed.
Q) Have you ever came close to earning a shot to become a professional footballer in the Japanese Pro Football League?
Yusuke: No way near. Not enough experience as a goalkeeper as I started playing football towards the end of high school.
Q) Looking back at the First Xl trials back in February, did you ever believe that you would have
made it this far?
Yusuke: No. I just intended to try out.
Q) Tell us, who is the first player you would select to be in your First XI squad?
Yusuke: John in terms of spirit and the way he controls the defensive line and in any case his line would fail to deny the opponents’ attack, I’ll always be there just behind the line.
Kim Bao's Interview
Q) Tell us, who is the regular joker in the First Xl dressing room?
Kim Bao: That would be Bruno Marmo
Q) Since day one in the First Xl you were involved in several non-footballing activities. What do you
think was the worst and uncomfortable one?
Kim Bao: The Dancing Class, out of my league.
Q) We understand you have shot to stardom thanks to the First Xl show. Do fans recognize you on
the streets and ask for your autograph?
Kim Bao: They do, everywhere, on the bus, in malls, on foodcourts and on the street.
Q) We understand that you were born with Swedish descent. Tell us, Sweden was able to create
legendary strikers like Zlatan lbrahimovic and Hendrik Larsson. Will Singapore be able to
emulate the Scandinavians on this aspect in the near future?
Kim Bao: In the near future I’m not sure, any day a player can be the next superstar. But Singapore need to develop football much more to be able to produce a ‘’near’’ Zlatan.
Q) Given a choice, would you watch the S-League or the Lions XII on the telly?
Kim Bao: S-League
Q) Tell us, is defensive football the way to succeed in modern football?
Kim Bao: Defense is always important, but these days the big teams are offensive and score many goals per season, so I think to succeed is to have a strong offense, which can reverse quick to defense.
Visit http://www.footballopod.com/Team_home.aspx?id=1315 for more information on the First XI!
Visit http://www.footballopod.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=6448 for more information on the Grand Final between S-League Selection and First XI!