Tasha (wearing jersey number 22) in a training session with Mattar Sailors, October 2024.
Last year, Mattar Sailors faced off against Royal Arion, with the latter emerging victorious in a thrilling 2-1 encounter to clinch the Women’s National League (WNL) title.
That loss – among other closely fought battles – remains in the mind of the Mattar Sailors’ Tasha Foong as the sides line up against each other for the first time in the 2024 WNL season on Saturday, 5 October. “Every game against Royal Arion had been the best game that any of us has ever played because the intensity was amazing. Imagine having the opportunity to play against [former Thai Women’s World Cup players] in a second-tier league. That was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” the 19-year-old defender recalled.
Even with Royal Arion’s Thai contingent having departed the club, Tasha is not expecting any less of a thrill in a game against Royal Arion: “They have a few Women’s Premier League (WPL) players in their roster, so it will be a different experience, but I am still excited to play against them again,” said the former Singapore Women’s National Team Under-19 player.
Ikhwan Risydah, who joined Mattar Sailors at the end of the 2023 season, knows all too well the importance of this game: “This healthy rivalry is what we expect from them. A win would secure the much-needed three points as we approach the halfway mark of the first round,” said Ikhwan who is now the head coach of the Mattar Sailors.
Despite the rivalry, he stressed that the match must be treated like any other – an opportunity for growth, particularly in developing the younger players while also fostering a strong team identity.
“We don’t play just to win; there has to be learning involved,” he explained.
“This season is about challenging ourselves and executing our game philosophy. We need to create a strong team identity that reflects our unity, regardless of wins or losses. By fostering a supportive environment, we can motivate each other and focus on the mental aspects of the game—crucial for success as we aim to become champions.”
This commitment to growth and competition makes Tasha proud to be in an environment that allows her fellow teammates, including her younger sisters Tia and Tyan Foong – who have both made appearances at the national Under-16 and Under-19 levels – to develop their game. She has experienced four coaches under WNL, including Ikhwan, and credits their guidance in providing a high-intensity, supportive training culture.
“We prioritise development over winning, and it’s exciting to see young players advance. Our training intensity is high, especially since we occasionally have training matches with the Lion City Sailors WPL team—there’s no hierarchy,” she said, before paying tribute to Ikhwan and the three other coaches she has worked with in the WNL for building a supportive yet competitive culture.
Tasha is one of only two players who have remained with the Mattar Sailors since its 2021 inception.
“She’s a very robust player. With her experience, she can deliver what we expect from her. She often guides the younger fullbacks and brings an attacking mindset that helps the team a lot. This is the kind of modern football we’re looking for, where fullbacks need to do more than just defend,” explained Ikhwan, adding that Tasha’s hard work has definitely contributed to the strong team dynamic at the Mattar Sailors.
Tasha’s passion for the future generation of Mattar Sailors girls shone through when asked about her goals for the team.
“Ultimately, I want the younger players to gain match experience. If we can win championships or even reach the podium with this team, it would be a big achievement for all of us because it really brings a different kind of satisfaction,” she said.
Tasha with her teammate during training, October 2024.
On a personal level however, while moving up the ranks of professional football is no longer part of her plans, she admits she misses playing with her younger sisters: “They’re talented, and I’m happy to see how much they’ve grown. But playing with them is enjoyable because there’s a chemistry that I can’t find with anyone else.
“They may be younger, but they show a lot more maturity on the field, which really helps,” said Tasha, starting to break out in laughter. “Because who else if not your sister would run up to you and slap the truth to your face that you had a bad game?”
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