Singapore Men’s National Team celebrate after the final whistle, 10 June 2025.
DHAKA, 10 JUNE 2025 – The Singapore Men’s National Team battled to a valiant 2-1 win over Bangladesh in their second Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group C qualifier at the Dhaka National Stadium on Tuesday (10 June).
Goals from Song Uiyoung and Ikhsan Fandi secured a crucial three points for the Lions, who had to dig deep after Rakib Hossain pulled one back for Bangladesh in the second half.
The victory puts the Lions at the top of Group C on goals scored – ahead of Hong Kong, China – who notched a 1-0 win over India earlier with a stoppage-time penalty.
The resilient nature of their win impressed Lions Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura, who lauded his charges post-match for the steel and focus in what was a professional performance.
“It was a difficult game for us today as we are playing in front of many home supporters,” said Ogura. “I appreciate the effort my players put in today, as they maintained their concentration and fighting spirit right till the end.
“I told them before the match that I believed in them, and as long as we can stick to our style of football, we would be able to get a good result. That was what won us the game today, and I am very, very proud of them.”
Lions Captain Hariss Harun leads Singapore out for the match against Bangladesh, 10 June 2025.
Facing a hostile atmosphere at the sold-out stadium in the Bangladeshi capital, the Lions showed no fear, instead coming out clearly looking to take the game to the home side right from the whistle.
They carved out the first opportunity of the game in the 8th minute when Jordan Emaviwe’s flick-on from a long throw found Song at the back post, but the Lion City Sailors man could not wrap his foot around the ball to convert the chance.
Ikhsan was next to try his luck when he met Ryhan Stewart’s right flank cross with a powerful header, which went just wide of the post.
The 26-year-old would prove to be a thorn in the home side as he continued to threaten the Bangladesh goal. In the 21st minute, he latched onto a deflected Song effort and smashed his effort into the side netting from a tight angle.
Just nine minutes later, Ikhsan came close again when he tested goalkeeper Mitul Marma with a close-range effort inside the penalty box.
With the momentum in their favour, Singapore seized full advantage in the 44th minute. After a deflected Hariss Harun shot caused chaos in the Bangladesh box, the ball found its way to Harhys Stewart, whose delicate far post cross found Song, who tucked the ball into the net for the opener.
Song Uiyoung celebrates after scoring a goal against Bangladesh, 10 June 2025.
Apart from a Hamza Choudhury free kick that sailed harmlessly over the bar, Bangladesh did not pose much of a threat, with the Lions’ compact shape stifling the home side. Their first clear chance came in first-half stoppage time with skipper Topu Barman glancing wide from a corner.
After missing a series of opportunities in the first half, Ikhsan was not to be denied. Reacting first to a loose ball in the box in the 58th minute, the forward got the ball under his control and sent it into the bottom corner of the Bangladesh goal to double the Lions’ lead.
Chasing a two-goal deficit, Bangladesh pressed on, dragging themselves back into contention in the 66th minute. A pinpoint Choudhury through ball found the run of Hossain, who somehow managed to squeeze the ball under Izwan Mahbud to halve the deficit.
Even with their backs against the wall, the Lions’ defensive line – expertly marshalled by Safuwan Baharudin – held firm and repelled wave after wave of home pressure. There was one last scare late in stoppage time, but Tariq Kazi’s header rattled off the crossbar as Singapore held out for the win.
Lions Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura at the pre-match Press Conference, 10 June 2025.
“It was a really hard and close game – both teams fought hard and put in a lot of effort,” said man-of-the-match Song. “Most importantly, I am very happy to be able to score for the team, and help get us the win.”
Reflecting on the match, Ogura pointed to his players’ ability to execute the game plan even in a challenging away environment as the key to victory.
“Bangladesh are a good team and we respect their style of play, but I reminded the players not to show them too much respect,” explained Ogura.
“They have a lot of individual players who are dangerous when given the freedom, but we knew we could solve this problem if we put them under enough pressure.”
The Lions’ next assignment is against India at home on October 9, where they will look to defend top spot in Group C, before they travel to face the Blue Tigers away five days later. Only the group winners will secure one of the 24 berths at the Asian Cup in 2027.
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
