Striker Amy wants to help Courts Young Lions to top-half finish
Courts Young Lions striker wants to take his side to top-half finish
COURTS YOUNG LIONS v BRUNEI DPMM
(Tonight, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
Off the pitch, Amy Recha has just began working towards his diploma in mechanical engineering.
On it, his role is the exact opposite.
Instead of being tasked with engineering moves and carving out openings for his Courts Young Lions side, the striker's role is to put away the chances created by his teammates.
It is by no means easy for any 23-year-old, leading the line on his own against some of the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League's best and experience centre backs.
But Amy, who has had to fill the very big boots of former Young Lions star and current LionsXII man Sahil Suhaimi, would not have it other way.
"Of course, it comes with a huge responsibility and a bit of a burden but I enjoy it," he told The New Paper.
"It also helps you improve as a player because you always have to be on your game.
"The coach (Juergen Raab) trusts us and is very fair; if we perform, we get to play and if not, someone else comes in and gets the chance."
The nippy forward, who has scored three goals this season, was also part of the ill-fated Singapore Under-23 side that failed to progress from the group stages at the SEA Games in June.
Interestingly, the Young Lions' on-field fortunes have improved drastically since the SEA Games debacle.
They have won four of their 10 S.League matches since the competition resumed in July, including a remarkable 2-0 triumph over defending champions Warriors FC.
DRAWS
They have also held title challengers Brunei DPMM and Balestier Khalsa to draws.
Last Saturday, they produced another stirring display to beat another title hopeful, Tampines Rovers, 1-0 at Jurong West Stadium, courtesy of M Anumanthan's first-half screamer.
Another tough test awaits them tonight when they entertain DPMM at Jalan Besar Stadium, but Amy believes their performances since Raab took over have given the team belief they can match their opponents.
"We go into this game with confidence and I think we can show a good performance," the ex-Geylang International man said.
"Before the Tampines win, we were playing well without getting the results. But that has now changed and I think we will do well.
"Basically, everything has improved under coach Juergen… the way we play, our chemistry, even the fitness level of every player has improved tremendously and the boys are very happy.
"Honestly, I feel we've been playing brilliantly with our possession game. My hope for us is that we will be rewarded with a top-half finish."
Honestly, I feel we’ve been playing brilliantly with our possession game. My hope for us is that we will be rewarded with a top-half finish.
— Courts Young Lions’ Amy Recha
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