The Singapore Women’s National Team will begin their SEA Games campaign in Chonburi under an amended competition format following Cambodia’s withdrawal from the football tournament. The Lionesses will compete in Group B that will feature just two opponents, Thailand and Indonesia. The change leaves the Lionesses with a tighter margin for error and only two matches to determine their fate.
Singapore enters the tournament as the lowest-ranked side at 149th in the FIFA world standings, and while captain Rosnani Azman understands the weight of the situation, she believes it presents an opportunity.
“While having a smaller group appears to provide us with the chance to hopefully achieve a positive result, this has only made every game even more important,” the 28-year-old.
“There’s no room for slow starts or mistakes, so we’re treating it as an opportunity to show what we’ve been working on and to compete with full focus.”
In what is a closest indication of the challenge that lies ahead, Rosman’s witnessed Thailand, ranked 53rd in the world, opening the group with an emphatic 8–0 win over 106th-ranked Indonesia on Thursday night (4 Dec).
And Indonesia are no pushovers, at least on paper.
Their squad blends youth and overseas experience, led by 16-year-old FC Utrecht midfielder Claudia Scheumann – the country’s first woman to play in Europe and already their all-time top scorer – alongside captain Safira Ika Putri, AFF Women’s Cup 2024 Best Player and Top Scorer Reva Octaviani, and pacey winger Marsela Awi.
Thailand arrive with depth and experience of their own, including captain and all-time top scorer Pitsamai Sornsai, World Cup-experienced forward Taneekarn Dangda, emerging attacker Madison Casteen, and three players familiar with Singapore’s Women’s Premier League: Still Aerion’s Sunisa Srangthaisong and former Royal Arion midfielders Orapin Warnngoen and Uraiporn Yongkul.
Singapore beat Seychelles 9-0 and 7-0 in a double header that was the last preparation before departing for the SEA Games.
Recognising that Seychelles offered a different level of challenge from Thailand and Indonesia – reflected in the two large wins – Rosnani emphasised that the matches were designed to sharpen the team’s rhythm and chemistry rather than replicate their opponents’ intensity.
“It was important for us to get match minutes before the SEA Games. The Seychelles matches helped us settle into our rhythm,” said Rosnani.
“The matches weren’t meant to replicate Thailand or Indonesia – it was to give us confidence, building momentum and chemistry leading up to the SEA Games.”
And Rosnani hopes the team can carry their momentum and chemistry into the revised opening match on Sunday against Indonesia.
“With one less opponent, we have more time to settle in, adapt to the environment, and make the most of the extra training days,” said Rosnani, who travelled with the team to Chonburi on 30 November.
“The team’s mood is positive and focused, and we’re keeping spirits high. We’re here to compete, not just participate.”
Looking ahead to the tournament, she added: “We know the challenge is tough, but we’ve prepared well and we’re ready to give everything for Singapore.
The support from Singaporeans drives us, and we hope they’ll keep cheering us on throughout the tournament.”
