First XI soccer trials enjoys huge turnout

The footballing equivalent of Singapore Idol, First XI is a 10-week, 10-episode reality series which will be shown on Channel 5 starting March 14.

A coaching panel led by ex-Liverpool star Steve McMahon and former Singapore international R Sasikumar will whittle down the numbers to a final squad of around 16 to play a match against possibly an S-League side, Asian team or European outfit "live" on Channel 5 in May. The squad will also go on training stints in Australia and possibly Europe.

Between 100 and 150 hopefuls are expected to make the cut, featuring 11-a-side matches and goalkeeping tests.

Besides those, there was also the dreaded beep test. Sasikumar explained the rationale behind it.

"They need to be at least a Level 8 to withstand the intensity of training sessions as the show progresses over the 10 weeks," he said. "If you think that was tough, it's going to get a lot worse."

As for his assessment of the players who turned up on Day 1, Sasikumar said: "None were exceptional but there were players who were good."

First XI will be shown on Channel 5 every Wednesday at 8pm from March 14. Visit www.xinmsn.com/firstxi for further details.

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