the story begins...

On the redemption trail..

Text messages have been pouring in this morning, like as though I am some kind of "pop" star who had "popped" out last month. Not yet, our Rayn Anaqi (they even got the name all wrong) is still actively kicking inside of me *smiles*. Hold on to that celebration okay..
................................


Dearest Darling Rain,

I am going to cut this newspaper article & paste it in your colourful baby journal. I hope when you grow up please do not be as controversial as daddy okay!

Daddy always hit headlines for the wrong reasons, but to proudly mention you...

You are the right reasons in our lives..

.............................

Taken From Today Online..

On the redemption trail

Skipper Latiff looks the real deal as he guides Rams to their first piece of silverware

2007 Singtel League Cup final
Woodlands 4 Sengkang Punggol 0
Cubby Leong
cubby@mediacorp.com.sg

Blessed with considerable talent, one-time touted as the heir to Fandi Ahmad no less, Ahmad Latiff Khamaruddin has made as many headlines for disciplinary problems over the last 10 years, as well as his outstanding ability as a football player.

.

Many eyebrows were raised when Woodlands Wellington appointed him club captain for the 2007 season.

.

Last night, the newly appointed Woodlands skipper seemed to suggest he could come of age this season when he lifted the inaugural SingTel League Cup, after guiding the Rams to a 4-0 win over Sengkang Punggol at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

.

Given the green light to roam on the right flank and join Abdelhadi Laakkad — last season's top scorer in the S-League — upfront, Latiff's trademark effervescent style was very much the catalyst behind the Rams' first trophy success since the formation of the S-League in 1996.

.

Latiff may not have played a direct role in any of the Rams' goals, but he was always involved in the build-up and was a constant thorn to the opposition.

.

Defender Lucian Dronca got things going with a penalty in the 19th minute, before East Asians Akihiro Nakamura and Park Tae Won got on the scoreboard with strikes in the 38th and 59th minute, respectively.

.

Sengkang had no answer and their striker, Jonathon Angelucci, was sent off for a second yellow card in the 83rd minute.

.

The northern giants capped off a stunning night with Abdelhadi's lovely 85th minute free-kick goal.

.

It has been a tremendous start to the year for Latiff, who celebrated the birth of his first child last month.

.

Now, the 27-year-old is hoping to guide the Rams to their first-ever S-League title.

.

Said Latiff, the 1997 S-League Young Player of the Year: "It feels great, to have my baby boy Rayna Anaqi last month, then be made the club captain and now, Woodlands' first trophy.

.

"What more can I want?

.

"I am honoured to be chosen as captain and hopefully we can have a really successful season this year.

.

"You can see the players are really hungry for success and it feels great to be captain of this team."

.

In 1999, Latiff, the former SAFFC star, was punished with a stint in the detention barracks for missing pre-Olympic training.

.

Two years later, he was sacked from the Singapore squad assembled to play against Manchester United and he was also fined for missing a fitness test just a month before the 2002 Tiger Cup.

.

In 2004, Latiff was axed from the national team for skipping training before a World Cup qualifier against Oman.

.

Recalled to the national side after two years to represent Singapore in the 2006 Tiger FC Causeway Challenge against Malaysia, Radojko Avramovic gave Latiff another chance.

.

But, during a trip to the United Arab Emirates last October to take on Iraq in an Asian Cup qualifier, the player acted out and was fined $2,000.

.

While Woodlands coach Jorg Steinebrunner is well aware of Latiff's disciplinary record, he feels the player is ready to lead by example.

.

Said the German: "I know Latiff can do the job. The players respect him. Never mind missing training, Latiff is now always one of the first to come to training and get the kickabout going.

.

"I asked him if he wanted to be captain for the upcoming season and I think he was surprised I asked. He thought about it for a while and then said yes.

.

"I'm very happy because I see leadership qualities in him. He is the sort of character who can lift and encourage the team, on and off the field."