Tiong Bahru in their last match of the 2025 WPL season.
Seasons: 5
Nickname: –
Highest finish: 6th
2025 finish: 7th
Head Coach: Loh Ngiap Tai
Captain: Joey Cheng
Social media platforms: Instagram
At a Glance
Tiong Bahru FC enter the new Women’s Premier League (WPL) season building on steady year-on-year progress, having climbed from 10th in 2023 to 7th in 2025. Under consistent leadership, the club has focused on raising standards, developing players and strengthening its core. This is despite the realities of squad turnover and other challenges associated with amateur football.
With promotion and relegation returning to the league, Tiong Bahru now face a more competitive environment, but they remain committed to growth, clarity of identity and jostling for position higher up the WPL table.
From the Camp
Loh Ngiap Tai, Head Coach
On continuity in standards and mentality
“Over time, the standards [that we expect] have been the same. We want to pursue excellence in all that we do.”
On the team’s upward progression over recent seasons
“There is a core group of players who want to do better and who model that sense of excellence for the younger ones. Over time, we also adjusted training because this is an amateur club. The players are coming from work and school, so we adapted while trying to keep intensity high.”
On challenges faced last season
“Some challenges are not unique to us: Training venues, distance from school and work affected us quite a lot. In the second half of the season, injuries and the player pool were also big challenges. But we learned from those situations and tried to adapt.”
On balancing development with results
“We want to do better in results, but we also want to put the needs of player development first. At the same time, we know that as players develop, results will come. The goal is really to try to do better in every game and every season.”
On new pressure with promotion and relegation
“These rules are not unique to us. The key is to focus on training and focus on games. As long as we are improving each season and each game, the results will speak for themselves.”
On objectives for the upcoming season
“From a league table position, we definitely want to improve. We feel we could have done better last season. But improvement is not just results, it is also how players grow individually and how the team builds relationships and understanding on the pitch.”
Joey Cheng, Captain and Midfielder
On second season with the club and the current environment
“Coming into the club, it felt quite similar in a good way. I knew I would have the privilege to play under Coach Ngiap Tai again, and I was excited to play with a new generation of younger players and see how I could contribute.”
On personal development and evolving leadership
“As a senior player now, the standards are still high. My role has changed slightly, becoming more about supporting younger players and adapting my playing style.”
On adapting to a new style of play
“I see it as an opportunity rather than a challenge. It is about knowing when to push forward and when to slow the game down, play more distribution and help the team manage moments better.”
On the return of promotion and relegation
“It is exciting that promotion and relegation is back. Of course, it adds pressure, but that is the whole point of football – and it gives teams the desire to improve.”
On goals for the season ahead
“As a team, we want to improve our [league position]. Last season, we built a good foundation, and now it is about gelling better and sticking to what Coach wants us to play. Personally, I just want to contribute as much as I can, whether through assists or supporting the team in other ways.”
Squad (as of 29 January 2026)
Goalkeepers: Lynse Sng, Lovelle Lee, Larissa Ortmann
Midfielders: Joey Cheng, Celine Koh, Nellie Teow, Nursafura Ali, Christine Gan, Elrina Sulaiman
Defenders: Deanna Lim, Lee Lai Kuan, Rabiatul Adawiyah, Ezyan Qalisa, Nur Badriyyah, Marge Wee, Ng Hwee En, Belina Julia, Ho Wen Jin
Forwards: Lim Li Xian, Yap Hui Xuan, Nurzaherra Maisarah, Claris Gan, Tang Kai Qing, Liew Tze Shyan
