Singapore ready to roar against Cambodia – Football Association of Singapore

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Lions Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura and Shawal Anuar at the pre-match Press Conference, 10 December 2024.

 

SINGAPORE, 10 DECEMBER 2024 – With regional pride at stake, Singapore Men’s National Team Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura knows that securing a win in their Group A opener will lay down an early marker in their 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup campaign. 

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His side faces off against Cambodia at the National Stadium on Wednesday (11 December) at 7pm in the first of their four round-robin group games. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

 

This is Coach Ogura’s first taste of the region’s premier footballing tournament as he approaches his first year in charge of the Lions – and the 58-year-old tactician is embracing the challenge.

 

“All the teams in our group are strong including Cambodia, who have added a few naturalised players to their team. I have watched a few of their games and know it will be a tough first game, but we will do our best to win every match especially if it’s at home,” said Ogura.

 

“We have been preparing for this tournament for the past few months, and I want my players to show their abilities on the field tomorrow. It is important for us to play a consistent style of football throughout the game regardless of the opponents,” he said.

 

Shawal also notched two goals and an assist for the Lions in their November friendlies, and the 33-year-old is looking to carry that form into the upcoming tournament. 

 

“We are ready and well-prepared to face our opponents tomorrow. We want to give a good fight in front of our fans on our home ground, and overall I hope that we can win something for the fans this year,” he said. 

 


Shawal Anuar answering questions at the pre-match Press Conference, 10 December 2024.

 

Led by Interim Coach Koji Gyotoku, Cambodia will be out to prove a point on foreign soil. The 59-year-old brings international experience from coaching the senior sides of Bhutan and Nepal, as well as various age-group national sides in Cambodia. 

 

“I have previously coached five different age categories for the Cambodian national team, but leading the senior team is a completely different challenge. However, I am looking forward to the match against Singapore tomorrow and we will do our best,” he said. 

 

His side can take confidence from their opening group game in which they made life difficult for a much-fancied Malaysian side, taking the lead twice and earning a 2-2 draw at home. 

 

They have also been bolstered by the additions of a few naturalised players such as midfielder Yudai Ogawa and forward Abdel Kader Coulibaly – who scored the opener against Malaysia in the previous game. 

 

Despite having limited time to gel with the new additions, Cambodia skipper and centre-back Kan Mo remains confident in his team’s chances for the tournament.

 

“Tomorrow’s game is going to be a difficult one for us. Singapore is a strong team, but I also believe in my team’s capabilities. We started strongly and unfortunately couldn’t get the three points against Malaysia, but it was still a positive start. We will take it and improve as the tournament goes along,” said the 32-year-old. 

 

Tickets for Singapore’s ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup home matches are available for purchase via Ticketmaster.

 


Lions Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura answering questions at the pre-match Press Conference, 10 December 2024.

 

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE

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