HE'S BUILT like David, but has potential the size of Goliath.
Hanafi Akbar, 14, may not have much of a physical presence on the pitch, but he more than makes up for it with a good blend of dribbling ability and shooting power.
For the past couple of games, fans and journalists alike have been treated to a spectacle of long-range drives by the left-footed winger.
But what makes him stand out from the other trigger-happy kids his age is the accuracy with which he releases these scorchers.
Already, in the game against Iran, he found the net with a beautiful shot from right outside the penalty area.
And in yesterday's game against Thailand where the Cubs lost 4-1, Hanafi came excruciatingly close in the 22nd minute with a curling shot from way out.
Said Hanafi: 'I take my shots mostly when I'm near the penalty box, or as and when I see an opening.'
Hanafi also possesses a good handful of tricks which he enjoys employing against opponents.
His favourite trick seems to be the 'fake'. He shimmies his body one way before cutting inside of his marker, leaving the latter for dead.
However, the overuse of this trick has led defenders to label him as a one-trick pony, and they have started to double-up on him, preventing him from cutting inside.
'When an opponent comes towards me, what's on my mind is to change direction and beat my man,' said Hanafi.
No pushover
Also his skinny frame has allowed many a defender to brush him aside with tough tackles. Luckily, Hanafi is no pushover, and fights to retrieve the ball when he loses it.
Hanafi is also a clear crowd favourite. Whenever he touches the ball, the crowd goes wild in cheer, hoping that he would produce yet another moment of magic.
Said coach David Siva: 'Hanafi is very talented with the ball. He has good trickery and movement. He's also a very creative player, able to provide many through balls and make changes in the midfield.'
Overall, this boy is surely one to watch and can be a definite threat to any side when he's in the mood.
Name: Jeffrey Adam Lightfoot
Position: Centre-back
CAPTAIN Cub has been making headlines all over Singapore.
And deservingly so. Jeffrey Lightfoot has seldom put a foot wrong throughout this campaign.
His defending is rock solid, and he hardly lets anyone get past him.
In fact, because of Jeffrey and his defensive partner Radhi, the Thailand team had difficulty advancing towards the Singapore box yesterday.
Thus, the Thais had to resort to long shots from way out, which Jeffrey could do little about.
He particularly impressed in the previous game against Iran, where he was the defensive fulcrum, breaking up attack after attack.
His timing in his tackles, especially during the Iran game, was impeccable. On a handful of occasions, he saved the day with last-ditch tackles, and all without bringing the opponent down.
The New Paper tracked Jeffrey's movement as he made his clean, decisive tackles.
First, he tracks back a little, and waits for his opponent to advance towards him, all the while keeping a firm eye on the ball.
Then, he waits for the exact moment when his opponent accidentally exposes the ball, and goes in for the tackle.
And the crowd, on multiple occasions, have recognised his perfect timing with loud applause.
And because of the safety net Jeffrey provides at the back, his team-mates are able to advance forward or attempt fancy moves more often, as they know that the backline is covered.
However, one thing Jeffrey needs to improve on is his ability to rally his team-mates.
Quiet
Jeffrey tends to be quiet out on the pitch which is something, as captain, he needs to work on.
But no one can question his loyalty to his team. Jeffrey looked utterly distraught as he walked into the press conference after the loss to Thailand.
Said coach David Siva of his captain: 'Jeffrey is a very good player and can be relied upon at the back as he's steady and calm.'
When asked if he thought Jeffrey has what it takes to be a future captain for the Lions, Siva replied: 'Definitely, he has all the right qualities, so he's got a good future ahead of him.'
