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 130^th-ranked side stand a “fairly open chance” against 96^th-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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FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE

 

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