Interview by Kenneth Tan/Red Sports
Egmar Goncalves. (Photo 1 © Kenneth Tan/Red Sports)
Brazilian-born Egmar Goncalves is undoubtedly one of the most successful foreign players the S-League has seen. He spent 11 years at uniformed side Home United, scoring an impressive 238 goals in all domestic competitions.
He picked up two S-League crowns and four Singapore Cup trophies, as well as the S-League Golden Boot award in 2004 during his time here.
He was also one of the earliest beneficiaries of the Foreign Talent Scheme (FTS), becoming a naturalised Singaporean in 2002 to play for the national team. However he did not contribute as much with only four goals in his 15 international appearances.
After failing to agree on a new contract with Home United in late 2006, he decided to return to Brazil in search of other opportunities. That decision sparked a furore in the local sports fraternity at the time over whether the FTS was beneficial for the sports development in Singapore.
Recently, the 40-year-old made a shock appearance back here and was spotted watching the National Inter-School C Division football semi-finals.
Red Sports caught up with him to chat about his recent developments and his views on the current state of Singapore football.
Red Sports: So why are you suddenly back in Singapore?
Egmar: Well, I’m on a one-week holiday and the Brazilian Embassy invited me to come back for the month-long exhibition “Football: The Brazilian Passion” so I decided to return. I’ll go back this Wednesday.
Red Sports: So what are you currently doing in Brazil?
Egmar: I’m working on my soccer academy with another Brazilian player called Luciano who previously played in the Indonesian league.
It’s an existing academy which I went in to help and I mainly train the 10 year-olds.
There are about 200 kids in my academy and we have under-11, under-13, under-15 and under-17 teams. They play in the local league and many other small competitions.
Red Sports: Do you still play football on a recreational level back in Brazil?
Egmar: Nope, I’m not playing anymore.
When I went back in 2007, I played for one year in Desportiva Capixaba, a team in my state, Espírito Santo. They play in the First Division, one level below the top Brazilian division where there are top teams like Sao Paolo and Vasco Da Gama.
After that one season, I decided to retire and now I’m concentrating on my academy.
Red Sports: Did you manage to catch any S-League games when you’re back here?
Egmar: Yeah, I watched the Balestier Khalsa vs Gombak United game last Saturday, maybe tonight I’ll go watch Home United take on Beijing. (grins)
Red Sports: So what do you think of the S-League now? Any difference from your playing days?
Egmar: Honestly I think it’s quite bad, you can see in the stands, not many people support the teams nowadays. Last time there’s quite a lot.
FAS has to find a way to improve the league. Now I’m a outsider so I’ll keep quiet on these issues. But if Football Association of Singapore (FAS) wants me to help, I will do so.
Red Sports: So who do you think will win the S-League this season?
Egmar: (laughs) SAFFC definitely cannot win this season. They have a lot of injuries and problems this year.
Some people say the new French team (Etoile FC) is very good but I never watched them before.
The Japanese team (Albirex Niigata FC) is also a good team, I think they have a chance.
(After reminders that Albirex is languishing in 10th position …)
Oh, I think foreign clubs must fight for 5th place or above because of their higher standards.
Red Sports: So do you know FAS has introduced a new Strategic Plan for the next five years? What do you think of that?
Egmar: You have to give time for something to change. I think it’s good, it’s time for some changes with new people coming in with new plans.
Red Sports: So what made you come down to watch the C Division football semi-finals?
Egmar: (points to the pitch) It’s good to support these boys. We must support them because this is the future. What we’re seeing now is the future for soccer.
In fact, I have four players in my academy who have now moved on to Vasco Da Gama, who play in the top Brazilian division. Three of them are under 13 years old and one of them is under 17 years old.
In Brazil, the kids start playing soccer at the age of six or seven. My academy takes in kids from 8 years old onwards, but some of the kids below that age are physically very tough so I have no problem in taking them in.
Red Sports: Unfortunately in Singapore, not many young players go on to develop football as a career or represent the national team? What do you think is the reason for this trend?
Egmar: In Singapore, it’s different, it’s always studies the first priority. And I do think that studies is important over here.
In Brazil, football and studies can work together. The kids there dream about football. Who does not dream of playing for teams like Manchester United or Liverpool? The families work very hard to earn money not only for their football, but also their studies as well.
I think it can work the same way over here. If you take six or seven players at this level to play for the national team, it will be very good for football development over here.
Red Sports: Any plans to come back to Singapore again in the future?
Egmar: I cannot predict tomorrow, I cannot predict what’s ahead. But I want to work in Singapore. I cannot forget my time in Singapore, I played so many years here. Singapore is always in my heart.
(points to his heart) I cannot take it away from here especially, Home United. At that time (in 2006), I had a lot of confusion and I thought so much about my future. In the end, I thought I cannot leave Home for another S-League club so I decided to leave.
If FAS need any help from me, I still want to help. Last time when I was still playing, I thought I helped a lot on the pitch. Now I can help in terms of coaching or getting connections with my academy.
I can bring a few players to come over and play in the S-League but I have to plan and also wait for either FAS or Home United to do some connections with me.
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