Fairuz Fazli and Iryan Fandi competing in training.
The Singapore Under-22 Men’s National Team are hungry to make their mark as they embark on their 2025 SEA Games campaign in Bangkok, Thailand.
Originally drawn in Group C that was slated to play in Chiangmai, the Lions were re-drawn into Group A alongside Timor-Leste and previous finalists Thailand, following Cambodia’s withdrawal from the competition.
They will kick off their campaign in Bangkok instead, against Timor-Leste on Saturday (6 December), before facing Thailand five days later, with both matches to be played at the Rajamangala Stadium.
The three group winners and the best second-placed team will advance to the semi-finals, also scheduled at the same venue on 15 December.
Securing one of the four berths will be the focus of Head Coach Firdaus Kassim and his charges, as they ramp up efforts for the regional showpiece.
Head Coach Firdaus Kassim overseeing training.
“Qualifying from the group will not be easy, but we are well-prepared to show what we can do,” said the 38-year-old.
“Every player in the squad has been working hard over the past few weeks, and we are confident we can give a good account of ourselves.”
Coach Firdaus has called on a 23-man squad for the tournament, which includes three overseas-based players.
As part of the Lions’ continued focus on a progressive and development-driven pathway towards the 2029 SEA Games that will be hosted in Singapore, the squad boasts a strong core of young talent. Five players born in 2008 have been selected – namely Andy Reefqy, Harith Danish, Luth Harith, Nathan Mao, and Rae Peh.
Midfielder Rae Peh in action during training.
To fine-tune their preparations, the Lions travelled to Dubai for an intensive nine-day training camp in November, where they battled against the under-22 sides of United Arab Emirates and Iraq in two high-intensity training matches.
These games offered the squad valuable lessons against strong opposition and underscored areas they must sharpen ahead of the tournament.
That drive to improve is led by skipper Amir Syafiz, who is determined to prove that the team can put on a strong showing at the tournament.
“There are many strong teams at the SEA Games, and we are looking forward to testing ourselves against them,” said the forward.
“Everybody is raring to go, and we are ready to give it our all.”
