(Left to right) Singapore Interim Head Coach Gavin Lee and Singapore defender Safuwan Baharudin at the pre-match Press Conference, 3 September 2025.
KUALA LUMPUR, 3 SEPTEMBER 2025 – The Singapore Men’s National Team will strive to build momentum ahead of the next round of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers, as they face Malaysia in a friendly at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Thursday, 4 September.
With the Lions looking to strengthen their Asian Cup qualification bid, this match will serve as a tune-up ahead of a crucial double-header against India in October. They currently top Group C with four points from two games.
Taking charge of the team for the first time is Interim Head Coach Gavin Lee, who is determined to make a positive impact on the team.
“It’s an honour to manage the national team, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly,” said the 35-year-old.
“Every game comes with a role we need to fulfil, and we expect the maximum from ourselves. That will not change.”
Lions Interim Head Coach Gavin Lee at the pre-match Press Conference, 3 September 2025.
Ranked 125th in FIFA’s world rankings, Malaysia is led by former Australia assistant coach Peter Cklamovski, who lifted the Asian Cup with the Socceroos in 2015.
He has called up a 29-man squad featuring several heritage players, including Facundo Garces – who plays for La Liga outfit Deportivo Alaves – and a strong core of local players such as winger Arif Aiman and centre-back Harith Haiqal.
Even with bragging rights on the line, defender Safuwan Baharudin insisted the Lions’ focus remains firmly on their preparations for their Asian Cup qualification campaign.
“With all due respect, we are not here for the Causeway derby. We are here for a purpose — which is to see what are the best possible solutions we can get for the October qualifiers.”
“I’m sure they have their own set of players, and so do we. But obviously, we are going there to try and get a win.”
Lions defender Safuwan Baharudin at the pre-match Press Conference, 3 September 2025.
Set to play in front of a passionate home crowd at Bukit Jalil, Coach Gavin and his charges are fully prepared to embrace the challenge that lies ahead.
“The result is beyond our control, but our performance isn’t. There is where our focus lies, and it’s what we will evaluate ourselves on,” explained Gavin.
“We know that there will be many uncomfortable moments tomorrow, but it’s something we need going into our games against India. How we respond will be important.”
The last meeting between these two sides saw Singapore record a gritty 0-0 draw against Malaysia – a result that sent the Lions through to the semi-finals of the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
That same fighting spirit is what Coach Gavin expects from the Lions tomorrow.
“The more good things we do on the pitch, the closer we will be to a good result. We want to put up a performance that brings pride and joy to Singaporeans.”
Fans can catch the live telecast of the Malaysia v Singapore match on mewatch on Thursday, 4 September at 9pm SGT.
