I admit it: I love playing in defense. My recent outings in the backline for Stamford and the Redbacks have rekindled my interest in the position. Having lived the life of a journeyman on the pitch, moving from one position to another, I think it is safe to say that playing at centre back has been my best position. It is this position that I manage to impress some people in the professional and amateur football set-up.
There was a point of time that I marvelled at the world’s best central defenders. From Stam, Nesta, Ferdinand, Cannavaro, Samuel, Terry and now Vidic. There is just something powerful and authoritative about a centre back munching into an opposing attacker. Locally one can look at the late Borhan Abu Samah, Terry Pathmanathan and S. Subramani. I studied their methods and tried to mimic their formulas with dealing with some of the fearsome strikers the world has to offer. I called myself the Libero once, likening myself to the great Franz Beckenbauer, a defender who is able to calmly bring the ball out of defense and influence the play from the back.
I always enjoyed making a good interception and a meaty challenge, breaking up the attacking play of my opponents. It made me feel invincible. I remember the first memory of being a defender. I played as left-back in my secondary school team and I frustrated an opposing striker so much that he punched me in the back. I enjoyed personal duels on the pitch with those who dare to invade my team’s territory.
Now, many years later, I feel myself getting drawn to the backline once again for the Spiders. It is where I played when I first joined the team, alongside Abang Sani (a man-mountain who I admire). Call me an opportunist, but I feel it might be the best place for me to get a new lease of life on playing. It’s been fun playing upfront but it’s always more fun putting the pain into others than getting it yourself! Furthermore I think I can contribute to the team in the backline. With Abang Sani and Bob in his 40s and Irwan and Taufiq not being able to come regularly, I could probably make the position my own. Sometimes I think the goals we conceded is down to the lack of familiarity and stability in the backline. The constant chopping and changing is affecting the team’s cohesiveness and perhaps the time is now for me to stand up and be counted.
Yesterday’s game showed that I still can do a job at the back. True, the striker I’m supposed to mark scored three goals. We made 3 mistakes but I don’t think I am solely to blame for all three goals. I probably could have done better by marking the man tighter but I think I performed decently enough. Made a few interceptions, clearances and I rarely misplaced a pass out to my teammates.
It feels I have never left the backline. When I played, I felt at home. The key factor here is I am enjoying my last few matches. And when you enjoy what you’re doing, you can perform.
May it continue for a long long time, insyaAllah.
