Key names return as Lions gear up for round two of World Cup & Asian Cup qualifiers

Safuwan Baharudin returns to national setup since last appearance in June 2022

SINGAPORE 8 NOVEMBER 2023 – Twenty-four players will form Takayuki Nishigaya’s squad for the opening two games of the second round of qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

The Lions will first play away against Asian giants Korea Republic, at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday 16 November 2023 at 7.00pm (Singapore time). They will then host Asian Football Federation champions Thailand at the Singapore National Stadium five days later, with the game kicking off at 8pm (Singapore time).

Several notable names are set to make their return to the squad allowing Nishigaya the option of having more options to select from this time round. Safuwan Baharudin makes a very much welcomed return to the national team fold after being cleared by the local medical team to play competitively after sustaining a concussion injury last year. Ikhsan Fandi is also back in the team, after being out for the better part of 10 months since suffering a knee injury during the international friendly against Maldives in December 2022. Elder brother Irfan Fandi is once again in the senior setup, along with BG Pathum teammate Ryhan Stewart, who missed the first round of qualification due to a hamstring injury sustained while on club duty. Geylang International forward Iqbal Hussain will be disappointed to miss out after he picked up a groin injury while playing in the Singapore Cup over the weekend.

Nishigaya was pleased to have his squad options widened with the various returning players: “We missed having Ikhsan upfront during the Round 1 qualifying games hence it is a major boost to have him back in the team again, but we will need to be cautious by easing him back into the team. Safuwan is a seasoned veteran and having him back in defence along with Irfan, their combined years of international experience will prove to be useful.”

Looking ahead at the upcoming two matches, Nishigaya said: “Our opponents in Round 2 are of a higher level than us and we will need to fight together as a team more than ever before if we are to get a positive result against them. However, we must play without fear regardless of the opponent that stands before us.

“Our first home game against Thailand is crucial in ensuring that we get off to a good start. Home support can be a massive motivating factor and I am looking forward to seeing our fans create a lively atmosphere at the Singapore National Stadium in two weeks’ time.”

The Lions will begin reporting for centralised training from 10 November before departing for Korea Republic two days later.

Match Tickets on sale

Ticket sales for the match against Thailand are currently ongoing and can be purchased via the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) website (https://www.fas.org.sg/tickets/) as well as Sistic (www.sistic.com.sg). The early bird promotion period has been extended till 13 November 2023, during which fans will have the opportunity to purchase adult tickets at a discounted price of S$15 each, while concession tickets will be available for only S$6 each. Following the conclusion of this promotion, ticket prices will revert to S$25 for adults and S$10 for concessions. Each person is allowed to purchase a maximum of twelve tickets per transaction, across any category.

Match tickets may also be purchased onsite at the Singapore Sports Hub Box Office located at Kallang Wave Mall, on match day from 2:30 pm until 8:45 pm; however, this will be strictly subject to availability. Hence, fans are highly encouraged to purchase their tickets early and via the online sales channel to avoid the queues on match day.

Singapore Men’s National Team Squad for November 2023

*Abovementioned ticket prices exclude $1 ticketing fee. 

** Concession tickets are only applicable to Students aged 16 and below with valid Student Concession
Cards and Senior Citizens aged 60 and above with valid Senior Citizen Concession Card.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE

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