Toda relishing new challenge in S.League

By Gabriel Tan

The ex-Japan international was confirmed as the competition's first marquee player for the 2013 season on Wednesday when SAFFC unveiled him at a press conference.

The 35-year-old, who played for the Samurai Blue at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, has spent most of his career plying his trade in the J.League, although he did have spells in England and Netherlands with Tottenham and ADO Den Haag respectively.

Although some might view him moving to Singaporean football's elite division as step down, Toda reveals he is relishing the prospect of a new challenge after his time at previous club Machida Zelvia came to an unsavoury end.

"Last season I played for my hometown club FC Machida Zelvia," he said. "I had some issues with the club which is why I had to resign.

"But even before that, I had actually received a great offer from SAFFC and at that time, I had the confidence to still play as a footballer.

"I also saw this as a great opportunity to challenge myself again overseas. That's the reason why I decided to come to Singapore and join SAFFC."

Toda was straightforward enough to admit he did not know too much about the S.League but was confident he would be capable of adapting to a new style of football.

"To be very honest, I do not know much about the S.League," he added.

"What I do know is there are a few Japanese players and there's also Albirex Niigata competing in the league, but I must admit I have not watched any S.League matches before.

"I've played in various countries, not just in Japan but in England and Holland as well. I consider myself to be quite an adjustable person.

"I just joined training yesterday [Tuesday] and I'm adjusting myself to the team, so I don't see any problems in adjusting to the standard of the S.League."

One of the main problems that many foreign players have faced in the S.League before has been the humid weather, something that could potentially affect Toda's all-action style of play.

Nonetheless, the ex-Shimizu S-Pulse man has reinvented his game as he has gotten on in his years, and does not believe he will need to make any drastic changes to his style of play.

"It is true that I'm an aggressive defensive player and I do tackle a lot," Toda explained. "But as a defender I don't really have to run around for the whole 90 minutes.

"Of course in Europe it's mostly cold but in Japan, it can get really hot in the summer as well. So I don't see the climate being too much on an issue where I'll have to change my playing style.

"It might take me some time to adjust my body to the climate here, but I don't see that being too much of an issue as well."

SAFFC fans got their first glimpse of their new man later on Wednesday evening as Toda took to the field as a second-half substitute in the pre-season friendly against Woodlands Wellington.