Photo courtesy of Balestier Khalsa.
Fifteen losses, three goals scored and only one point gained. That record, when layered over a staggering -107 goal difference, meant one thing: Balestier Khalsa’s 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign was, in just about every sense, a season to forget.
For many, stepping into a coaching role after such a year might feel like an impossible task— perhaps even one doomed from the start.
But for Farhan Farook, it was an opportunity that could not be refused.
“Upon hearing that the club was looking for a coach, I approached Don Darwin, the club chairman, and a few days later, I was appointed,” said the 44-year-old of his appointment to the role in December.
The former professional, whose playing days spanned clubs like Balestier Central, Sengkang Punggol, Home United, and Geylang United, knows what it takes to succeed.
He’s been on the big stage, lifting the Singapore Cup with Geylang in 2009 and representing Singapore at official futsal tournaments.
Now, he finds himself at the heart of Balestier’s rebuild, taking charge of a squad desperate to prove that last season’s struggles do not define them.
Rebuilding from the ground up
Former National Under-19 goalkeeper Noordiyanah Norazhar (in yellow jersey) in training. Photo courtesy of Balestier Khalsa
Fixing a struggling team starts with resetting the foundation. For Farhan, that meant addressing two glaring weaknesses: defensive fragility and fitness.
“There was a lack of coordination at the back, which led to avoidable goals. On top of that, some players struggled to maintain intensity for the full 90 minutes, especially in the latter stages of matches,” he explained.
With that in mind, Balestier wasted no time, kicking off their preseason with focus on physical development and injury prevention.
But beyond fitness, Farhan also wanted to instill a clear tactical identity: “We are working on a style of play that suits us—one that makes us tough to beat. This means lots of movement with and without the ball, and a strong defensive structure.”
New faces, new energy
Sharifah Nur Amanina in training. Photo courtesy of Balestier Khalsa.
Farhan has also made key changes to the squad, which now features a younger core. The team’s average age is now 19.5, with several players set to make their WPL debuts in the upcoming season
Among them is 16-year-old Sharifah Nur Amanina, a national Under-16 footballer who made history in 2023 by winning Singapore’s first SEA Games gold in teqball—a sport that debuted as an exhibition event at the 32nd SEA Games and is played on a curved table, combining elements of football, volleyball, and table tennis. She secured the women’s singles title with a straight-sets victory over Indonesia’s Yunita Indria in the final.
Hannah Teo during training. Photo courtesy of Balestier Khalsa.
Others include former National Under-19 goalkeeper Noordiyanah Norazhar, 15-year-old Malaysian midfielder Hannah Teo—dubbed by Farhan as one of the most technically skilled players in the squad—and 18-year-old Filipino defender Anica Danielle Alde Cabuay, who was part of the Meridian Secondary School girls’ team that won the National Championship ‘B’ (Girls) in 2023.
An ‘exciting’ season ahead
Anica during training. Photo courtesy of Balestier Khalsa.
The Tigresses are looking past the days of simply surviving – they have something to prove.
“We want to achieve a mid-table finish, ideally top five, and significantly reduce the number of goals conceded,” said Farhan.
Their first test comes in the season opener against Tanjong Pagar United on Saturday, 1 March 2025, 7.45pm at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, a team Farhan describes as a “tough, fighting team.”
And he is excited.
“We want to go in there fighting harder than them. While many of my players will be making their WPL debuts, I’m confident we can finish the game with our heads held high,” he said.
“We’ve raised the intensity in training, and hopefully, we can make this season more exciting.”
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