of noh alam shah: "wake up, s-league"

'Wake up', S-League: Noh Alam Shah opens up about why he left Singapore to join Indonesia Super League (ISL) side Arema Malang. Alam Shah, who capped 72 times and scoring 32 international goals, talks about poor attendance of S-league matches, poor treatment to players, poor refereeing standards and the Beep Test.

NOH Alam Shah, who will leave Singapore on Monday to join Indonesia Super League (ISL) side Arema Malang, has a parting shot for the S-League - wake up. In his most candid interview yet, the 29-year-old Tampines Rovers striker poured his heart out on his reasons for leaving the country:
- The sterile crowds in the S-League
- The poor treatment of players
- The perceived poor refereeing standards
- The logic of having the mandatory fitness evaluation called the Beep Test.

Alam Shah said,

It's terrible to see empty stadiums. The standard of football has dropped. The quality of the foreign players has dropped. No disrespect to some of the younger players, they are really not there yet. I have lost all motivation.

When I arrived in Indonesia, the customs officer recognised me even before he looked at my passport. In Malang, I'm mobbed by fans everywhere I go. I feel like a millionaire, a proper footballer.

Here, nobody seems to be doing anything. Singapore is still a footballing nation and the fans love football. ... 'It's time for the S-League to wake up and win the fans back.

Baihakki Khaizan, another one of our defenders, has also planned a move to play for Persija FC in the Indonesia Super League (ISL).