The Bournemouth fling

BY S. SIVABALAN

PETALING JAYA: The temperature was below 10°C most of the time at the training grounds in Bournemouth. 

And it was the first time that defender Lim Chan Yew and two fellow Malaysians, striker Mohd Fadzli Shaari and goalkeeper Syamsuri Mustafa, trained under such cold conditions. 

“We had to wear very thick track bottom and gloves to keep warm. Even their own players had to wear thick clothing and gloves,” said Chan Yew, who returned home on Monday from a three-week trial with Bournemouth.  

TRYING ON FOR SIZE: The three Malaysian players who went on trials with Bournemouth with their kitman Bernie Morton. From left to right are Lim Chan Yew, Mohd Fadzil Shaari and Syamsuri Mustafa.

Chan Yew, Mohd Fadzli and Syamsuri were with Bournemouth from March 1-20. 

“We started training two days after we arrived there,” said the 27-year-old Chan Yew, who dons Public Bank colours in the Super League. 

“It's a rather small club but the level of management was very impressive. The players and the management were friendly. I speak English and did not have any communication problems.” 

Food was also not a problem for Chan Yew. But together with Mohd Fadzli and Syamsuri, they did not have their meals with the rest of the team. 

“We went around town looking for rice and curry. Occasionally, we had fast food. Sometimes after training, we were served potatoes to restore the energy that we lost during training,” said Chan Yew. 

He added that the team trained four days a week – on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 1pm. 

“Match day is Saturday. Sometimes, they have a match on Tuesday. The off day are Wednesday and Sunday,” said Chan Yew. 

On pitch condition and equipment, Chan Yew said that the ground was softer and the ball lighter compared to the ones used in Malaysia. 

“So when you see the English players having good ball control in the EPL, it's because of the lighter ball. The cold conditions also made it easier to play. You can recover faster even after making sprints,” he said. 

Chan Yew also said that it was unfortunate that they did not get to play practice matches. 

“We could only train with them since their league was still going on. They spend a lot of time practising on strategies and set-pieces,” he said. 

“But I did have a lot of chances to prove myself because I got to train with their first 11. I had this opportunity to attend trials and I just went out there and gave my best in every session. 

“The standard of English football is very high even in the lower division. They play at a very fast pace but this is not something we can't learn.” 

On his chances of getting a contract with the Third Division side, Chan Yew said: “It's still a long way to go before the transfer window open again in June. 

“If the deal with the club becomes a reality, there are lot of things to think over before accepting an offer.  

“I got married three years ago and I have a son. There is also the deal with Public Bank, which expires at the end of the year. 

“But it will certainly be a dream come true for me if I get the chance to play for Bournemouth.” 

For Chan Yew, the trials with Bournemouth was not the first time that he had a stint in England. 

In 1996, he was a part of the national team for the Youth World Cup who went to train in England. In the same year, he was with the Selangor team for a month-long tour.