Understand that everybody wants the National team to do well.
I feel that no matter what, the players earned their right to represent Singapore.
They produced the results during Quan Guo Sai. Despite much controversy and debate over the lack of number of rounds (seven as compared to the more ideal 9 or 11 or even 13), we should respect that these players earned their right fair and square over seven matches to enter the top four.
If we were to replace some of the players now just because they played poorly in friendly matches, it would prove detrimental to their morale. They have fought hard during quan guo sai to get into the national team.
If they were replaced now, what kind of signal would it send to future aspiring chess players hoping to break into the national team? As it is, the A division is already facing shortage of participants, struggling to get 20 plus players each year. Would graded chess players still be motivated to join the A division in future.
It is true that the national team has underperformed in friendlies, but I believe when Asian cup arrives, the team will be driven by national pride to do well in their home ground.
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