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Feb 12, 2008
SOCCER
Indra is the first Singaporean to try out for MLS
By Leonard Lim
HE RETURNED from Saudi Arabia last Friday expecting to start pre-season training with Home United, in preparation for an onslaught on this year's S-League title.
But, within hours of touching down, Indra Sahdan Daud learnt he could be taking aim at a much bigger target.
The national captain leaves tomorrow night to join American Major League Soccer (MLS) side Real Salt Lake for a 10-day training camp and trial in Miami, Florida.
The striker is the first Singaporean to undergo trials with an MLS team, and also the second national player to try his luck abroad in two months.
Goalkeeper and club-mate Lionel Lewis had a training stint with English Premier League club Manchester City and a one-week trial with Switzerland's Grasshopper Zurich, but failed to land a contract.
Apart from training with Real Salt Lake's first team, Indra - who was part of the team that lost 0-2 to Saudi Arabia in a World Cup third-round qualifier last Wednesday - will also play in several friendlies.
If the Utah-based club deem the 28-year-old suitable, they will offer him a contract for the 2008 season, which kicks off late next month.
The S-League season starts on Monday, so Indra will miss Home's first two matches against Dalian Shide (Feb 21) and Tampines Rovers (Feb 27).
But Home coach P.N. Sivaji said the marksman had the support of the club, who were runners-up last year to Singapore Armed Forces FC.
'It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance,' said the former national coach.
Yes, he could be on the same pitch with the likes of former England captain David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy) and Danny Dichio (Toronto FC), who played in the Premier League with Queens Park Rangers and also had a stint with Sampdoria in Italy.
He will also etch his name in the history books alongside household names Fandi Ahmad and V. Sundramoorthy.
The former Singapore stars plied their trade overseas with the Netherlands' Groningen and Switzerland's Basel respectively in the 1980s.
Said Indra, the S-League's Young Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000, yesterday: 'I've always dreamt of playing abroad one day and, now, the opportunity has come.
'They were actually trying to contact me when I was in the Middle East with the Lions, but my mobile phone wasn't turned on.'
He will be paying for his own airfare, with some help from sponsor Nike. 'I'd like to thank Nike and my club for their support,' he said.
Once there, his accommodation and meals will be paid for by Real Salt Lake.
Described by some as South-east Asia's most-lethal finisher, Indra has scored 24 goals in 86 appearances for the Lions. He has also scored against the likes of Manchester United (in 2001), Uruguay (2002) and Japan (2004).
According to his agent, Dave Roberts, it was this enviable record, plus the striker's turn of pace, bravery and experience, that attracted Real Salt Lake's interest.
The club, who finished sixth in the Western Conference last year, currently have five strikers. But the oldest is American Kyle Brown, a mere 24 years old.
Said Roberts, a former S-League referee: 'When you see Indra's scoring record, that's as good a professional record as you can get anywhere in the world.
'Now, they want to see if he can perform at that level in America.
'It's a great opportunity for him and for Singapore football.'
limze@sph.com.sg
