National Team - Lions ● Sep 04, 2018
All smiles as Lions officially gather under Fandi
SINGAPORE, 4 SEPTEMBER 2018 – The Lions came together for their first official training session under Fandi Ahmad yesterday evening at Geylang Field as preparations for the upcoming friendlies kicked off.
Appointed National Team Head Coach for the year-end ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup earlier this May, Fandi oversaw a session that lasted around two hours.
Before training commenced, Eric Ong, Head of National Teams welcomed the players back and introduced the backroom staff, before Fandi spoke briefly to the team as well, describing it an an “honour” to be leading them.
With the exception of Faris Ramli, who was with his expecting wife, all of the 26-man squad announced on last Wednesday were present.
The team are due to play International Friendlies against Mauritius and Fiji on Friday, 7 September and Fiji on Tuesday, 11 September as part of their preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup.
There were plenty of smiles all round during training, with the Lions clearly delighted to be back together as new trio Zulfadhmi Suzliman, Zulqarnaen Suzliman and Jacob Mahler had their first experience in the den.
Former Singapore Head Coach Barry Whitbread also made a surprise appearance at training, as the 1998 Tiger-Cup winning mastermind chatted with Fandi and former Lions defender S. Subramani – part of the team that lifted the trophy in Vietnam – as well as other staff.
The Lions will continue their preparations today as they gear up for a good start to Fandi’s reign.
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