(Left to right) Lions Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura and midfielder Shah Shahiran at the pre-match Press Conference, 24 March 2025.
SINGAPORE, 24 MARCH 2025 – The Singapore Men’s National Team begin their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers tomorrow when they take on Hong Kong, China in the Group C opener.
The Lions head into the match on the back of a disappointing 1-0 friendly defeat to Nepal last Friday and Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura has called on his players to “treat every game as if it’s their last.”
“Life as a National Team player can be very short. Not only for players, but it’s also the same for me. In the National Team, every game is important. Players understand this.”
“The game they play tomorrow could be their last game in the National Team. I want to see how they react. I want to see everyone treat every game as if it’s their last game, starting tomorrow.”
Shah Shahiran at the pre-match Press Conference, 24 March 2025.
Shah Shahiran echoed the coach’s sentiments. The Lions midfielder believes the Lions have to give it their all against Hong Kong.
The visitors are 155th in the FIFA World Rankings, five spots higher than Singapore. Hong Kong have also reached the finals of Asia’s continental showpiece. They featured at the last edition of the Asian Cup in Qatar – their first appearance in 55 years.
“Hong Kong are a very good side. They’ve qualified for the Asian Cup before. It’s important to focus on ourselves, play to our abilities, and continue to follow the Coach’s philosophy and do whatever it takes to get the 3 points.”
Singapore versus Hong Kong, China kicks off tomorrow, 25 March, 8:30pm at the National Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase via Ticketek.
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
