The transfer market will be opening soon in the summer. There might not be a lot of money exchanging hands for players but already Salem Fire was rumoured that they will make the biggest coup in buying the most sought-after midfielder: Muhd Isa. The young rising star will soon be negotiated for. It will be a complex signing operation but we can look forward to the promise of not only plenty of goal assists but goals as well from the prince of the market, Isa.
Salem Fire - The squad will be back training this week and will be starting with a technic session. Fang Chien and the other administrators will be coming down as guests to join in a small game of soccer, using the cones as goals. Shalih might not come due to his ankle injury which will hopefully be recovered in time for their next game. The training session is at 4pm this Saturday.
Salem Fire - Fang Chien on Azhar: 'Errol's Salem Fire has never sold a player for money. Azhar has a one-year contract and from our point of view he will remain at Salem Fire. We are talking about the creative player who has the speed and we believe he will score the most goals for Salem Fire in the future, we are talking about a great player. If Azhar asks for a transfer, we will face that problem. I must be clear, for the supporters whom I feel great responsibility, that Azhar will not be sold. It's been two years since Mohd Adil and Muhd Helmi asked for Azhar and we said no. We don't need the money from Dragon Malaya FC or Jaguars, we don't need to sell players for money. Az not only spoke to the captain but to me, there has been no transfer request. We continue to hope that Az does not leave, Salem Fire does not sell Azhar but we'll face the problem when Az places it.'
The three points taken from Calvary Assembly were fundamental to the team's position in the table. Salem Fire grow and continue to display important improvements. 'In the evening that day, we were a little tense at the start, these things effect the moral of the team,' continued Shalih. 'Then, we took total control of the game. We scored first and we scored the other 4 goals immediately, this made everything easier, despite the equaliser. Also, there was clearly a valuable difference on the field.'
Salem Fire - Errol Lyle Champion's post-victory analysis: 'We did what we should have done last Sunday, playing a great game aside from the uncertainty of the draw. The end of the game showcases many positive things: a very good game, a vigorous so-called start to the season and the knowledge that this group can do even more in the next game.' Then the coach added a word about the recent irresponsibility of the team: 'There is a lot of embarrassment about what has happened last Sunday. I want to team to remind each other to bring their own shin pads from now onwards. As one of the committee members of the league, I feel embarrassed about what has happened.'
Salem Fire gave the Calvery Assembly supporters plenty to jeer about in the fifth game of the season as they defeated Calvary Assembly 5-1. Muhd Yahya opened the scoring from the penalty spot on five minutes, only for Calvary Assembly captain to equalise just after the half-hour mark. On a beautiful, hot day, in Yishun, the Fires played open and entertaining football and proved that they will always be number one in the eyes of their followers, despite being irresponsible like forgetting to bring shin pads and etc.
'I spoke to the captain about the possibility of moving. Nothing has been decided yet, we are evaluating it over these days. Please don't create rumours that don't exist.' Noor Azhar was holding nothing back, it's not his style. The striker has been at Salem Fire for a few months and he made it clear he has no problems with the club and explained that he had to make the decision based on his family as well.
Salem Fire will play their fifth game at Yishun against Calvery Assembly, with the Fires looking to reach their objective of 13 points and then see whether the result can produce a first place in the table. The opponents are also in the running for fourteenth place. Salem Fire will go through their paces this Sunday at Yishun.
A time for a pause and reflection has arrived for Shalih. The Salem Fire star who is now Captain of the team has decided to return home to Bishan in the summer. Shalih said: 'My relationship with Salem Fire will never end. I just want to work out what the future holds for me. It's not good-bye, just a pause for reflection for me and my family. I am accustomed to these moments, but I do not intend to exit this structure. I will continue to work for these colours, just in a different way.'
