National Team - Lionesses ● Sep 08, 2021
Twenty-three Lionesses named in squad for AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers
Six players handed debut call-ups as Coach Stephen Ng aims to blend youth with experience
SINGAPORE, 8 SEPTEMBER 2021 – Singapore Women’s National Team Coach Stephen Ng today named 23 players in the squad for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 Qualifiers.
Singapore will face off against Indonesia, the only other remaining team in Group C, over two matches scheduled for 24 and 27 September in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The team that obtains the most points after both matches will progress to the final tournament; if both teams are level on points, they will undergo a penalty shootout to determine the winner. The unique change in fixtures is a result of DPR Korea and Iraq’s withdrawals from the competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
SEE ALSO: Our Lionesses squad
Ng, who believes that his 130th-ranked side stand a “fairly open chance” against 96th-ranked Indonesia, said: “It is a new start for both countries as both Indonesian coach Rudy Eka Priyambada and I were appointed to our respective positions earlier in the year and have since reassembled our teams. It will be an interesting match-up as we meet them twice in the space of four days. I see it as playing two finals – we will give our all and take it one game at a time.”
He added: “This team was formed with the perspective of planning for the future in mind. There is a good mixture of fresh faces and seasoned veterans that we are tapping on, as we continue our efforts to develop the standard of women’s football in Singapore and advance our efforts in competing at the regional stage.”
The Singapore squad blends youth and experience, with Danelle Tan the youngest at 16 years old while captain Ernie Sulastri Sontaril, the most senior player with 40 caps, is twice her age. The average age in the squad is 23 and Ng will rely on the senior players such as Ernie, Noor Kusumawati, Ho Hui Xin and Lim Li Xian to guide their newer team-mates, which include six debutants – Lila Tan, Sara Merican, Winette Lim, Nicole Lim, Khairunnisa Khairol Anwar and Nurhidayu Naszri.
The latter trio were part of the Under-19 National Team and will aim to make the step up to senior level.
Ng said: “They are promising players who bring energy into the midfield and possess great technical ability. Khairunnisa and Nurhidayu have been progressing through the national youth pipeline since they were 12 years old. They are versatile players and display a mature level of understanding on the pitch. Nicole, on the other hand, was a recent addition to the Under-19s but holds raw potential that we aim to develop. Along with Danelle, Dhaniyah, Dorcas, Lila, Umairah and Venetia, they form the next generation of women’s football and these matches will give them crucial experience as they progress.”
Singapore will compete without overseas-based defenders Priscilla Tan and Suria Priya, who are both in Australia, as well as striker Putri Nur Syaliza, who is in the United States of America. The trio are unable to join the team due to travel challenges, while stalwart Siti Rosnani Azman has only recently linked up with her new Japanese club INAC Kobe Leonessa in the Women Empowerment League and is set to feature in her first match on 12 September.
Captain Ernie said: “Although we wish that our fellow Lionesses abroad could join us as we contest for qualification, their absence will not dampen the team’s spirits. We are motivated and keen on showcasing our best, after almost two years without competition. The squad has a great mix of talent and we are determined to play to our strengths and get the job done.”
The Lionesses depart Singapore on Thursday, 16 September.
Singapore Women’s National Team Squad
S/N | Name | Pos | Caps | DOB | Club |
1 | Kong Zi Wen Pamela | GK | 1 | 5-Aug-91 | Still Aerion Women’s |
2 | Noor Kusumawati Binte Mohammad Rosman | GK | 34 | 29-Sep-90 | Police Sports Association |
3 | Tan Li Bin Beatrice | GK | 4 | 29-Jun-92 | Lion City Sailors |
4 | Dhaniyah Qasimah Binte Zamri Abdullah | DF | 6 | 7-Jul-04 | GDT Circuit |
5 | Ernie Sulastri Binte Sontaril | DF | 40 | 24-Nov-88 | Lion City Sailors |
6 | Fatin Aqillah Binte Mohamed Ridzuan | DF | 2 | 11-Jun-94 | Tanjong Pagar United |
7 | Khairunnisa Binte Khairol Anwar | DF | 0 | 21-Feb-03 | South Avenue SC |
8 | Nur Syazwani Binte Mohamad Ruzi | DF | 7 | 20-Dec-01 | Lion City Sailors |
9 | Nur Umairah Binte Mohd Hamdan | DF | 10 | 11-Mar-02 | Lion City Sailors |
10 | Nurhidayu Binte Naszri | DF | 0 | 16-Mar-04 | Bussorah Youth Sports Club |
11 | Winette Lim Siu | DF | 0 | 20-May-99 | Tiong Bahru FC |
12 | Dorcas Chu | MF | 5 | 29-Jul-02 | Lion City Sailors |
13 | Ho Hui Xin | MF | 27 | 23-Apr-92 | Lion City Sailors |
14 | Lim Li Xian | MF | 27 | 24-Nov-96 | Police Sports Association |
15 | Lim Ying Xuan Venetia | MF | 2 | 14-Oct-03 | Lion City Sailors |
16 | Nur Farhanah Binte Ruhaizat | MF | 16 | 26-Jul-98 | Tanjong Pagar United |
17 | Nur Izzati Binte Rosni | MF | 11 | 24-May-99 | Lion City Sailors |
18 | Sara Merican | MF | 0 | 19-Apr-96 | Lion City Sailors |
19 | Tan Hui Ying Lila | MF | 0 | 4-Jun-03 | Lion City Sailors |
20 | Danelle Tan Li Ern | FW | 3 | 25-Oct-04 | Lion City Sailors |
21 | Nicole Lim Yan Xiu | FW | 0 | 10-Apr-02 | – |
22 | Nur Raudhah Binte Kamis | FW | 19 | 4-Mar-99 | Tiong Bahru FC |
23 | Stephanie Gigette A Dominguez | FW | 13 | 27-Sep-98 | Still Aerion Women’s |
Players on standby: Lutfiah Hannah Binte Nazre (GK), Mira Ruzana Binte Seherzan (DF), Siti Erwadah Binte Erwan (DF), Clara Lau Shi Hui (MF)
Women’s National Team Asian Cup Qualifiers Fixtures
Date | Time | Match | Venue |
24 September 2021
Friday |
6pm (9pm SGT) |
Singapore vs Indonesia | Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan |
27 September 2021 Monday |
6pm (9pm SGT) |
Indonesia vs Singapore | Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan |
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