International friendlies lined up for under-23 side

SINGAPORE — The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) will arrange up to three international matches in mid-June for the national under-23 side as part of preparations for this December’s South-east Asian (SEA) Games, and allay the Singapore National Olympic Council’s (SNOC) concerns that the team have yet to produce actual results to be considered for nomination for the biennial Games in Myanmar.

Responding to queries from TODAY, the FAS revealed that the national U-23s have been pencilled in for friendlies on June 11, 14 and 18 against neighbouring countries.

LionsXII coach V Sundramoorthy is also believed to have been made head coach for the SEA Games squad, with former national captain Aide Iskandar as his assistant, although the FAS did not confirm their appointments.

“We are now in the final phase of preparations and will be firming up several arrangements,” said an FAS spokesperson.

While the FAS did not name the team’s opponents, TODAY understands that one is likely to be Myanmar. That match, in particular, may also be an away game.

The FAS added that they are also arranging a training tour for the U-23 team in July, after the LionsXII’s final Malaysian Super League match (MSL) on July 6.

“We will announce further details in due course,” the spokesperson added. “Upon the completion of the LionsXII’s Malaysia Cup commitments, the SEA Games squad will be called up to fully focus on the competition.”

“Our target is to reach the final of this year’s SEA Games. We will maximise and optimise every opportunity available and enhance our preparations in the lead-up to the SEA Games.”

Two weeks ago, SNOC Secretary-General Chris Chan told The New Paper that, while the national U-23s are likely to be made up of players from MSL leaders LionsXII and the S-League clubs like the Courts Young Lions, they “need at least some results against regional U-23 sides for us to consider”.

“You cannot say that you have three players here and five there, put them together and say that they are good enough to win a medal,” Chan was quoted as saying.

National sports associations have until the end of June to submit their nominations for the SEA Games, which take place from Dec 11 to 22 in Myanmar, to the SNOC for approval.

Singapore have never won the SEA Games men’s football gold medal and the FAS have set the team the target of reaching this year’s final.

But there is growing belief in the football community that the current squad, with the likes of goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, defender Safuwan Baharudin and midfielder Hariss Harun — all full internationals — can wrest the title from defending champions Malaysia. Gerard Wong