(Left to right) Singapore midfielder Harhys Stewart and Interim Head Coach Gavin Lee the pre-match Press Conference, 12 November 2025.
PATHUM THANI, 12 NOVEMBER 2025 – Gavin Lee’s Singapore Men’s National Team will square off against Thailand at the Thammasat Stadium on Thursday, 13 November, in an ‘A’ International match aimed at fine-tuning ahead of the winner-takes-all Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifier against Hong Kong, China.
With little to separate the two sides at the top of Group C, a win at the Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday, 18 Nov, will see Singapore qualify on merit for the Asian Cup Final for the first time.
A draw will see qualification go down to the final matchday, whereas a loss will eliminate the Lions from the competition.
Singapore and Hong Kong are tied on eight points, with the latter occupying top spot on goal difference, having scored one goal more over the course of the qualifying campaign so far.
But, under the tournament’s competition regulations, head-to-head results take precedence over goal difference when teams are level on points. This means the winner of this encounter will be guaranteed top spot in Group C and, with it, qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup Finals in Saudi Arabia, irrespective of the results on the final matchday.
Lee’s side will head into the clash in high spirits, having reignited their qualifying bid with a crucial 2-1 away victory over India in their last Group C encounter in October.
And the 35-year-old is keen to build on that momentum ahead of the decisive clash in Hong Kong.
“This Thailand match is an important step leading up to the important qualifier against Hong Kong,” said Lee. “The boys recognise the situation and how crucial this game is for our preparations. Everybody is healthy, and we are all in a good place to compete (on Thursday, 13 Nov) as a team.”
Lions midfielder Harhys Stewart at the pre-match Press Conference, 12 November 2025.
Among the key figures in Lee’s 23-man squad is midfielder Harhys Stewart, who played all 180 minutes in October’s double-header against India. The 24-year-old will face several familiar opponents tomorrow, having featured in every Thai League 1 game for his club Uthai Thani this season.
“It’s an important window for all of us, and facing an opponent like Thailand will provide a good challenge for us as we prepare for Hong Kong,” he said.
“I know there are many quality players in the Thai national team. I’m excited as it will be a really good game tomorrow.”
Thailand, ranked 96th in FIFA’s world rankings and led by newly appointed head coach Anthony Hudson, will pose a stiff test for the Lions. The Englishman has named a strong 23-man squad, featuring forward Supachai Chaided alongside experienced campaigners Chanathip Songkrasin and Theerathon Bunmathan.
Another new face in the Thai camp is former England youth international Jude Soonsup-Bell, who came through the academies of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Despite the buzz surrounding the clash next week, Lee remained grounded, stressing the importance of staying focused on the immediate challenge against Thailand.
“This game is just as important as the one against Hong Kong, as it serves a key purpose for us,” said Lee. “Regardless of who we face, we go into every game wanting to win and perform at our best as a team.”
Lions Interim Head Coach Gavin Lee at the pre-match Press Conference, 12 November 2025.
With history beckoning, Lee called on his players to build on the progress made, as they continue to carry the hopes and pride of the nation.
“Our full focus is on our football, and we try to build things up step by step. What you are seeing now is an accumulation of everybody’s hard work,” he said.
“We are representatives of the country, so our job is to go out there and give the people pride and joy through the improvements we make both on and off the pitch.”
Fans catching the Thailand vs Singapore match in person can purchase tickets from Thaiticketmajor, while viewers back home can tune in to mewatch at 8:30pm.
