The Lionesses wrapped up their November window with a commanding 7-0 victory over Seychelles at Bukit Gombak Stadium on Friday night (28 November 2025), rounding off a productive week that delivered goals and confidence ahead of the SEA Games.
The result followed a 9-0 closed-door match against the same opponents earlier in the week. In that game, Farhanah Ruhaizat struck four, Sarah Zu’risqha scored twice, while captain Rosnani Azman and Sitianiwati Rosielin added one each, along with an own goal from Seychelles.
Across the two matches, Singapore scored 16 without reply – a step up from their 6-2 win over Seychelles in 2022.
Head Coach Karim Bencherifa praised the team’s commitment and discipline, adding that the matches had served their purpose in sharpening the squad for the far sterner tests awaiting them at the SEA Games.
“The girls were professional in their approach, stuck to the plan, played the [game] and followed all the instructions that we discussed, ” he said.
“We are preparing for Indonesia and Thailand, and this week helped us repeat many of our attacking moves and score some good goals,” he added.
Singapore displayed that attacking intent from the get go, pressing high and forcing turnovers early. The breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Lim Li Xian volleyed home from close range – her third international goal and her first since 2017. Three minutes later, Farhanah doubled the lead with a composed chip to bring her national tally to seven.
Seychelles enjoyed encouraging moments, particularly through forward Keisha Moustache, who produced a string of well-struck attempts. But 18-year-old goalkeeper Izairida Shakira remained alert, parrying or collecting each effort to maintain Singapore’s control.
The Lionesses added two more before the break. In the 36th minute, Sarah Zu’risqha sent a curling effort into the far corner, before converting a precise Danelle Tan cross four minutes later. Six minutes after the restart, Danelle’s curling strike slipped past Kurchia Poris for Singapore’s fifth.
The night’s most memorable moment came from 16-year-old substitute Seri Nurinsyirah. Just 19 minutes in, she lofted a superb 30-metre effort over Poris for her maiden international goal.
“It was pure happiness for me – but at the same time, I was very shocked because I couldn’t believe I had actually scored,” she said.
Admitting to feeling nerves, the defender, who is part of the second batch of Unleash The Roar! (UTR!) scholars added:“I was very nervous before coming onto the pitch, but by following the coach’s plan and with the guidance of the senior players, I managed to adapt well.”
Danelle put the icing on the cake with her second of the night in the 71st minute, lobbing home Dorcas Chu’s cross to take her tally to nine international goals and cement her status as the Lionesses’ top scorer.
Amidst the excitement of the week, Bencherifa was quick to emphasise that there is still much work to be done, underlining the focus needed as the Lionesses’ SEA Games campaign kicks off next week.
“While it’s encouraging to see the confidence and positive environment around the team, there are still areas to improve, particularly in defence,” he said.
“These games were useful practice for our attacking play, but we need to be strong defensively, as we expect Indonesia and Thailand to pose much greater attacking threats.”
With Cambodia withdrawing from eight sports at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand — including men’s and women’s football — the Lionesses will now open their SEA Games campaign against hosts Thailand on 7 December, before concluding the group stage on 10 December against Indonesia.
