The Singapore Men’s Under-22 team departs for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week for an overseas training camp as part of their final preparations for the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand.
The squad – comprising mainly Young Lions players and supplemented by overseas-based trio Jonan Tan, Khairin Nadim and Muhammad Asis, as well as Tanjong Pagar United goalkeeper Sunny Tia – will spend nine days in Dubai, where they will play two preparation matches – first, against the UAE U22 side on 15 November and then three days later against the Iraq U22 side.
This window represents the final competitive tune-up before the squad travels to Thailand for the SEA Games, where they have been drawn into Group C alongside reigning champions Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines.
The men’s football competition will run from 3 to 18 December, beginning with a round-robin group stage before the three group winners progress to the knockout rounds, alongside the best second placed team.
Head coach Firdaus Kassim views this camp as a critical step in sharpening his side’s readiness for tournament football. The team is also boosted by the inclusion of Fairuz Fazli, bringing the size of the Dubai-bound squad to 26 players.
“These matches will test our ability to perform under pressure and help the players understand the level required in a top regional competition,” he said.
The squad travelling to the UAE features a youthful core, with five players aged 17 and below included in the group. This mirrors the team’s broader objective of building a strong pipeline toward the 2029 SEA Games cycle and, ultimately, the future of the National Team.
For rising talents like 16-year-old Harith Danish, who only turns 17 at the end of November, the opportunity is both significant and inspiring.
“It’s a huge honour to be part of this team at my age. I just want to keep learning and give my best for Singapore,” he said.
Captain Amir Syafiz, who missed the previous edition of the SEA Games through injury, emphasised the pride and responsibility the team carries.
“Wearing the Singapore shirt means giving everything for the flag. Every training, every match, every moment, they all count,” he shared.
“And we want to ensure that we can pull everything together and give a good account of ourselves at the Games in Thailand.”
