SINGAPORE – Fancy watching the likes of Fandi Ahmad and Malek Awab take on English Premier League legends from Liverpool and Arsenal?

Local football fans will be able to do just that at this year’s Battle of the Masters, when the Singapore Masters take on their compatriots from the two English powerhouses at the National Stadium on November 11.

The addition of the Singapore side, which will also feature local icons like V. Sundramoorthy and Aleksandar Duric, was confirmed today by organisers Masters Football Asia on Wednesday (July 5). Other names that will entertain the fans include Indra Sahdan, Steven Tan, Nazri Nasir, Noh Alam Shah and Aide Iskandar.

Singapore will play 40-minute matches against the Reds and Gunners in a round-robin format, and fans can also expect to see established names like Robert Pires, Ray Parlour, John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia in action.

Duric, who featured in the Singapore Masters’ last outing in 2014 in a 1-3 loss to Liverpool, which also served as his testimonial game, is excited at the prospect of a rematch.

“It’s a great opportunity for all of us to come together to both relive and create new memories,” said the 46-year-old. “We gave the players a run for their money but were unlucky at the last match back in 2014, so we’re looking forward to challenging them again!”

The Singapore Masters will be sponsored by CMC Markets, whose marketing manager, Mr Derek McGuire, said: “This event always proves popular with our top traders in Singapore, and it has gone from strength to strength in recent years. I remember Fandi, Sundram and co-teaching some of Europe’s best players a lesson at the National Stadium when Masters Football first arrived in Singapore, so I’m delighted CMC Markets can now partner our homegrown legends of the game. We will be cheering for Singapore in November.”

Masters Football Asia CEO Steve Black added: “The love for football is tremendous in Singapore and even more so for a team of your own and especially one featuring several of Singapore’s biggest football stars. The roar of approval from the crowd greeting the Singapore Masters back in 2014 was unforgettable and I look forward to hearing that again and this time, in the National Stadium.”

Fans who purchase tickets also stand a chance to win an assistant manager role on either of the Liverpool and Arsenal teams, with privileges like riding with the players on the team bus and a spot on the bench during the matches.

Masters team lists (as of July 5, players subject to availability)

Liverpool Masters: David James, Steve McManaman, John Arne Riise, Luis Garcia.

Arsenal Masters: Ray Parlour, Robert Pirès, Nigel Winterburn, Gilberto Silva, Mikaël Silvestre.

Singapore Masters: Fandi Ahmad, V Sundram Moorthy, Aide Iskandar, Aleksadar Duric, Rezal Hassan, Shahri Rahim, Zulkarnean Zainal, Rafi Ali, Nazri Nazri, Steven Tan, Malek Awab, Dalis Supait, Alam Shah, Indra Shadan, Noh Rahman, Fahmie Abdullah, Lee Man Hon.

For more information, visit www.mastersfootball.com and www.sportshub.com.sg/sportshubtix.