April 12, 2004

Last season as rookie, Ridzuan Fatah surprised everybody when he displaced former Singapore international goalkeeper Adi Salleh as the Protectors No 1.

So it is not wrong to assume Ridzuan Fatah had secured a first-team place but it was not to be as another challenge was to appear when in pre-season Home United recruited former Sheffield Wednesday & South Africa youth international keeper Sean Roberts.

But Ridzuan Fatah was not to let the matter bring him down, as he put in impressive performance in the AFC Cup against Happy Valley & Valencia to secure his place.

Instead a twist developed when the Young Lions impressed by his performance came looking for him, as they wanted to loan him from the Protectors but the move never went ahead with him suffering a knee injury in training. The knee injury not only affected any move that may have happened but it also meant Sean Roberts took Ridzuan's place for the first four S-League games of 2004.

But Ridzuan Fatah has fought back. The 22-year-old keeper was back as No 1 for the AFC Cup match against Perak, as a result of the 3 foreign rule & he took his chance with a superb performance.

Protectors coach Steve Darby felt Ridzuan Fatah was outstanding in the Perak game & there was no way he be dropped him after a performance like that. He had make a save in the last minute from Perak striker Frank Seator header which was just incredible ensuring the Protectors shared the point at Ipoh. So for a second match running, he was installed in the first team.

While Home United may have suffered their second defeat in the league against SAFFC, Steve Darby had only praise for his young charge as Sean Roberts was the first one to congratulate Ridzuan after the Perak game as well acknowledging his challenger is no mean feat. Steve Darby say he treat everybody on merit & Ridzuan Fatah is the current No 1 because he is proving it on the pitch.

The unassuming Ridzuan Fatah, who is proving that his sensational debut last season was no fluke, is keeping his feet firmly on the ground. He say was not happy he could keep out the 2 goals against Perak & SAFFC.

Still if he keeps up his level of performance, Ridzuan could spark a wrangle between Home United & Tanjong Pagar United, when the transfer window rolls around in June. The keeper is due to return to the Jaguars when his NS ends in May, but the Protectors have made a bid to retain his services.