Tampines Rovers midfielder Hafiz Abu Sujad said he is willing to wait to get the confirmation from Thai second-tier league side Big Bang Chula United (BBCU) after completing his week-long trial with the club.
According to sources who arranged Hafiz's trial with BBCU, the Thai club is happy with Hafiz's "professionalism and attitude" and are close to signing the player. Notably, the Singapore international already has agreed to extend his contract until 2018 with the S.League giants but went for the trials after club chairman Krishna Ramachandra gave the nod.
Despite having a poor AFF Suzuki Cup campaign, in which he was sent off in the very first match, Hafiz grabbed the opportunity to trial with BBCU as well as Thai Premier League club Sisaket FC. His performances in 2016 S.League, which earned him a nomination for the Player of the Year Award, along with the introduction of an Asean slot in the Thai league would have also worked in his favour during the Thai audition.
Hafiz though maintains that he is not expecting too much from the trial as he does not want to be disappointed if he cannot land a contract. He will also be able to resume his S.League career with Tampines if he fails. On the other hand, the 26-year-old, believes he will be able to live up to the expectation in Thailand and adapt to the high-quality action.
"I went there not knowing what it's like to be an import player. But if I do get a contract, I know I have to be a top professional, eat the right foods and keep myself fit and healthy," Hafiz said, as quoted by The New Paper.
"At the same time, I do not want to hope for it too much, in case it does npt work out. Basically, I'm just in waiting mode right now. There were a few other foreigners they were looking at, so most of the time we played two-sided games - seven v seven, eight v eight and the full 11-a-side - and I managed to play at left wing and at wing back.
"Definitely, the football over there is faster-paced and it is something different I had to adapt to. I was grateful I got this opportunity and, having gone there for a trial, of course I want a contract.
"At the same time, I don't want to hope for it too much, in case it doesn't work out. Basically, I'm just in waiting mode right now."
