Are footballers different creatures?

Kuala Terengganu: As we said good bye to 2013 and welcome the new year, many, even from late last year, have taken a re-look at themselves and resolve to do better in 2014. Well, in all or most of their key areas of life.

Yes they do that regardless of whether in the past years, they managed to do 100% of what they had set out to do or otherwise. But football being football, are the players any different?

Bola Pantai Timur communicated with  a few footballers to find out about their new year resolutions.

Take TRW forward, Francis Forkey Doe. As a striker, he resolves, "For this new year I pray to score more goals to help my team win all championships. I also hope to get along well with my team mates so that we can be successful. When you are at peace with your coworkers, you can perform your best."

Forkey Doe: More goals, at peace with co-workers

Another striker, Evaldo Rodrigues from T-Team, notes he has spent six years away from the company of family and friends in Brazil. However he has already got used to it as he was with Vietnamese clubs before. He says, "Malaysia is not too different from Vietnam. I enjoy playing for T-Team along with the company of other import and local players. I thank God and I want to do a good job here." 

Evaldo: Want to do a good job with T-Team

Evaldo's Brazilian team mate, defender Fabio Flor de Azevedo, who was with Terengganu before, regards himself as an "elder brother" to younger local players and the import players who are new to Terengganu, T-Team and Malaysia. He resolves, "After five years outside Malaysia, I am happy to came back my second country. Personally I want to keep my performance like before, prove first to myself, to my family, to my team and fans that I am a good player. I will give my best to help my new club. I hope it will be a very nice season, with a luckier T-Team performing better than the last season."

" Good player" Fabio and a young fan

Meanwhile Terengganu players seem to have been briefed they need to lift at least one title this season. 

Brazilian striker Marcio Souza da Silva stresses, "As an import player, I will assist the aspiration of all the players to bring home at least one title for Terengganu. Having been here for one month and played for the team against strong teams in the recent Indonesian tour, I believe that our team is pretty strong." 

Marcio: Assist in achieving team's aspiration

Echoing Marcio's resolve, home-grown Turtles midfileder Fakhrurazi Musa says, " God willing, Terengganu can at least win one title. Our teamwork and understanding are good. I know I have to really fight to get into the first 11 but the presence of foreign players serves as a motivation. I know they can assist me and the team. Besides, I will also listen to the advice by our experienced local seniors."   

Fakhrurazi: Motivated by import players

There you go. 


There is a link between football and new year resolutions. The players may be a special breed of people in their chosen field. Otherwise mind you, they are just like you and me.