FAS ● Jul 21, 2021
Singapore set to face Malaysia and Indonesia in friendlies ahead of FIFAe Nations Cup Finals 2021
SINGAPORE, 21 JULY 2021 – In a bid to prepare Team Singapore for their upcoming participation in the FIFAe Nations Cup Final, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and homegrown eSports company Redd+E, have organised a series of friendly matches against teams from Malaysia and Indonesia from 22 to 23 July.
Singapore finished third in Group B of the FIFAe Nation Online Qualifiers held earlier in May this year, defeating Hong Kong, China and Australia to book their spot in the finals. This is the first time that Singapore has qualified to play in the FIFAe Nations Cup Finals, which will take place from 20 to 22 August in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The FAS, together with its Malaysian and Indonesian counterparts, have come together to organise these friendlies as part of Team Singapore’s preparations for their inaugural participation in the Finals tournament. The first match on 22 July will showcase Singapore against Indonesia, and the second match on 23 July will feature Singapore against Malaysia. Winners of both eFriendly matches will be determined according to a best of three format.
Ahmad Sufian, Amraan Gani and Muhammad Syakir will be representing Singapore in the competition, and they are set to face stiff competition in Copenhagen. Singapore has been drawn into Group D in the FIFAe Nations Cup Finals and will go up against heavyweights such as 2019 champions France, tournament favourites England and Sweden with Mexico and Japan rounding off the group. Malaysia and Indonesia have been drawn into Groups A and B, respectively.
The FIFAe Nations Series spans 60 countries across five zones: South America, North & Central America, Asia & Oceania, Middle East & Africa and Europe. The event boasts a prize pool of US$400,000 with 24 qualified teams taking part in the Finals.
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Amraan Gani said, “We feel honoured to be able to represent Singapore on the world stage at one of the biggest international esports competitions. These international friendly matches are invaluable towards helping us be match ready and will also allow us to practice under pressure. Having these matches under our belt will build our confidence both individually and as a team. Though we may be drawn against some of the toughest teams in the world, we are determined to do Singapore proud on the world stage.”
Managing Director of Redd+E Mark Chew said, “Our boys have done Singapore proud by qualifying for the FIFAe Nations Cup Finals for the first time, and we want to provide them with the best preparation possible before they compete on the global stage. Indonesia and Malaysia are strong opponents, and they will certainly pose a challenge for Team Singapore as all three Southeast Asian nations gear up for the Finals. We hope that by organising international friendlies such as this, we will also forge closer ties with our geographical neighbours as we collectively raise the bar of esports in the region.”
Jonathan Wong, Director of Commercial and Marketing at the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said, “These friendlies are key for their preparations ahead of the upcoming finals. Our players have been training earnestly and are keen on testing themselves against our formidable neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia. The football eSports scene is one which has seen increasing interest around the world, and we are committed to supporting our athletes in gaining international exposure and experience on the virtual pitch. We look forward to their performances and wish them the best as they seek to put our nation on the map in the eSports realm.”
Fans can catch all the action on the Football Association of Singapore Facebook page, MediaCorp Facebook Page and on Blue Ant Extreme Linear Channel and Facebook Page. The matches will be aired at 8pm and 8.30pm on 22 and 23 July respectively.
