IT was so close yet so far for Royal Selangor Club (RSC) Harimau team, but Destiny Football Development Centre (DFDC) were destined to wrest the Milo RSC Under-12 International football 7s 2018 in their debut appearance and being in existence for only two and half months.
RSC team who has never won the title, were looking forward to their maiden title and add a feather to the cap of the RSC Junior Football Development programme which has been in existence for 15 years.
But it was not to be as Destiny DFC’s defender Aidiel Zacharia’s freekick taken almost from the halfline in the first half, beat RSC Harimau goalkeeper Muhammad Khairul, for the only goal to dash RSC’s hopes.
Host RSC also finished runners-up in the Plate Grand Masters.
Destiny had a girl in the team in Japanese defender Chie Akayama and a Ghanaian Ayman Munir, which probably gave them an edge over RSC.
For Destiny DFC, it was sweet victory and a tremendous boost to their development programme which has just taken off.
The development programme founder and owner, Aylwin Skelchy, who has big plans for this programme, said he could not have asked for a better start.
“This is a tremendous boost for our plans and a great motivation to implement all our big plans and play our role in football development programme in the country and look destined for greatness,” said Skelchy, the 42-year-old former St John’s Institution football and hockey player.
Destiny DFC is based at Rim Bayu in Kota Kemuning and Bandar Sri Damansara Baru.
IJM Land and Penyayang Bakti (an orphanage home) support the Destiny DFC by providing the training ground.
“IJM has given us a beautiful training facility at Rim Bayu and given us some financial aid, while Penyayang Bakti, also have allowed us to use their field, while we in turn train their children from the home,” said Skelchy who is builder.
Rim Bayu is used for development programmes, while the Bandar Sri Damansara Baru centre is used for the elite teams.
“I was motivated to set up this programme after my son Hanz Daniel made it to the current National Under-13 squad. I felt that there were many more deserving cases who will make the grade if given the opportunity.”
Skelchy’s younger son, Kyle Skelchy, played in the tournament and was adjudged the Man of the match in the final.
“Our programme is a holistic one. Not just about training, technique and physical strength, but one which entails character building, emphasis on education, nutrition, exposure both at home and internationally, proper coaching staff to give the best basis and good training facilities.”
Skelchy, who had good football development programmes contact in Japan and Korea, said it cost about RM150,000 per year just for competition exposure at home and abroad.
Skelchy is also finalising plans to work with Chinese schools, Yoke Nam, Lai Meng and Chong Hwa, State FAs and even the national body (FA of Malaysia) to collaborate his programme with them.
For coach Chris Nathan, who holds and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) B license, has been working with development programmes all along including in Singapore said: “It may be challenging to coach youngsters, as it involves a lot of patience, demonstrating the right technique and skills and also the right attitude, but it is very satisfying because these youngsters shown great passion, determination and commitment.”
Destiny FDC also have on board technical director, Oleg Starynski, from Ukraine, who was the former national under-16 head assistant coach in 2015, last year was head coach of Under 19 Phnom Penh Crown team in Cambodia, assistant national coach of the Cambodian Under-19 and head coach of Phnom Penh FC senior team too until early this year.
Indeed, it was a very satisfying tournament for organisers – the football section of RSC – as there was tremendous amount of talent on display and the commitment shown by the teams – clubs, the many academies and development programme teams – and the parents involvement was overwhelming and a big plus point for football development in the country.
But sadly, there were no talent scouts from the big clubs in the Klang Valley, State FA or FA of Malaysia, to watch and select the better players for more intensive training and grooming for the future.
When so many talent is on display and the future looks bright, it is indeed surprising and alarming that the governors of football are looking at ‘naturalisation’ as way forward to rise Malaysian football.
The veterans’ tournament which was held concurrently over the weekend, also saw some vintage football displayed in the Masters (40 years above with three players allowed 35 years above) and Grand Masters (50 years above and an exception of three players 45 above)
There were a total of 16 teams in the Under-12 category, 16 in the Masters and 12 in the Grand Masters who competed in the fun filled and competitive tournament over the weekend.
TEAM LIST OF UNDER 12 FINALIST:
Destiny Football Development Centre:
Marcus Goh, Kyle Skelchy, Ilham Solihin, Berendan Tian, Ting Sze Young, Aidiel Zacharia, Mikhail Alwani, Muhammad Aaron Danish, Chie Akayama, Brayden Lim, Ayman Munir, Fuga Chan.
Royal Selangor Club Harimau:
Muhammad Khairul, Yashdeep Singh Pannu, Yashhodev Om Kumaar, Shaun Praveen Shankar, Rammnha Shri Krishna, Yash Raj, Teoh Zhi Shan, Lim Yan Yong, Sujesh Sivaneswaran, Ethan Oh Joon Hui, Jaden Goh Ji Hong, harrish Raj Sri Devan
RESULTS AND AWARDS:
UNDER-12:
CUP:
Champion: Destiny Football Development Centre
Runners-up: Royal Selangor Club Harimau
Third: Akademi PKNS
Fourth: Bintang Baru
Best player: Ethan Oh (RSC Harimau)
Best Goalkeeper: Marcus Goh (Destiny FDC)
Top Scorer: Mohd Syamin Mohd Sanusi – 6 goals (Academy PKNS)
Man of the match (final): Kyle Skelchy (Destiny DFC)
PLATE:
Champion: CIMB YA
Runner-up: Titan Unitedf
Third: Subang Jaya Community Football
Fourth: Akademi Bolasepak Pro Harimau Remaja Ampang
MASTERS:
Champion: TM Jones Delima FC
Runner-up: Samba FC
Top Scorer: Thiru Kumaran – 4 goals (TM Jones Delima FC)
PLATE:
Champion: Club X
Runners Up: Maldives Soccer Mates
GRANDMASTERS:
Champion: ADE H&A
Runner-up: Club SC Melaka
Top Scorer: Chee Wan Hoe – 7 goals (Club SC Melaka)
Plate
Champion: Kasikorn FC (Thailand)
Runner-up: Royal Selangor Club
