SINGAPORE, 14 JUNE 2025 – The Singapore Women’s National Team will return to action this Sunday, 15 June, when they take on Hong Kong, China in their second international friendly of the June FIFA window. With the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup™ just a week away, the match marks a key milestone in the Lionesses’ preparations.
Sunday’s fixture comes on the back of a closed-door match on 12 June, which offered both teams a valuable opportunity to test their squads and build match sharpness. Singapore Head Coach Karim Bencherifa was encouraged by the performance and progress shown, sharing that the team “played a very close and competitive match” that left Hong Kong’s Head Coach, José Ricardo Rambo, “impressed with how much the team has improved.”
The Lionesses last met Hong Kong in 2022, falling narrowly 0–1 in a match that showed signs of defensive resilience compared to a 0–4 defeat in 2019. With another meeting now on the cards, the team is eager to show how far it has come in terms of tactical maturity and cohesion.
“This FIFA window has been important for us,” said Bencherifa. “We selected a squad that is motivated, committed, and full of quality. Even our younger players are gaining valuable international experience. The squad is balanced, and this match is not only an official international friendly, it is important preparation for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.”
Many of the players juggle club commitments, work, or studies alongside football, with some in the middle of exam periods. But the recent centralised training camp has also allowed the team to build chemistry and consistency. Training sessions were structured to reflect this, balancing physical demands with recovery, and supported by a backroom team that Bencherifa praised for “working in the shadows to create a professional environment.”
With an average age of just 21, the Singapore squad continues to show resilience and adaptability. Several players have had to miss sessions due to academic or professional obligations, but the team has remained united and focused. “We trust them,” Bencherifa said. “We know they are giving their best, and we support them as much as we can.”
In preparation for the qualifiers, the Lionesses also arranged training matches against local boys’ teams across various age groups to simulate high-intensity scenarios and test different tactical objectives. The closed-door friendly saw full squad rotation, but Sunday’s match will follow official FIFA rules, with six substitutions expected as the team shifts toward competition mode.
Hong Kong, meanwhile, have brought a significantly different squad compared to 2022, with only three to four players returning from their last meeting against Singapore. Despite facing similar challenges in bringing the team together consistently, the Hong Kong coaching staff believe the additional preparation time and recent matches — including a goalless draw against Bhutan — have been crucial in shaping their current form.
While Hong Kong José Ricardo Rambo acknowledged what he saw as improvements in the Singapore team, he looked forward to taking the Sunday clash as an opportunity for his side to show their own growth. “Every game is different,” he said. “If we can do better than the past, it’ll boost our confidence.”
Sunday’s match also provides a rare chance for Singapore fans to see the Lionesses play at home. While closed-door fixtures have been possible at their Kallang Football Hub training base, the decision to host this match at Choa Chu Kang Stadium was made with the Singapore fan in mind.
“We wanted our fans, families, and our players’ parents to be able to come watch and support their own,” said Bencherifa.
Kick off at Choa Chu Kang is scheduled for 5pm, with tickets still available for purchase at the venue.
