Hougang United’s Sahil Suhaimi and Syed Firdaus from Tampines Rovers have been called up to the Singapore national football team to replace the duo of Faris Ramli and Song Uiyong for the Hung Thinh International Football Tournament 2022 in Vietnam from 21 to 27 Sept 2022.
Sahil is a replacement for Lion City Sailors’ Faris whose wife is expecting to deliver their second son in the coming week. The forward, who last played for the Lions in November 2019 has 20 caps and one international goal to his name.
“It is always a challenge when there are late dropouts, especially when we are facing tough opposition in Vietnam and India. But I have belief in the strength and the depth of the team I have assembled. Family is more important than anything else, so I understand Faris is not travelling with us.” said coach Takayuki Nishigaya.
As for Song, although the medical team has cleared him from both his club and the national team, the player has decided to remain in Singapore as a precaution to a previously sustained ankle injury. In his place with the Lions will be Firdaus, who will earn his first senior call-up.
“As for Song, it is his personal decision. I have full confidence with the two replacements I have called up, and we must now focus on tackling the two matches that lay ahead,” added Nishigaya.
Singapore will begin the tri-nations tournament against Vietnam on 21 Sept, before facing India three days later. The last match on 27 Sept will see host Vietnam going up against India.
“Vietnam and India are higher-ranked teams, and facing them will be a good challenge for us. We need to build up our confidence for when we play teams like these, which will also help us improve more,” shared the Singapore national team coach.
I know the Lions still have room to grow, and the friendlies are another opportunity for the players to get used to my playing style and philosophy.”
Singapore is using these matches as part of their preparations for the year-end ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022, which will see the Lions begin their Group B campaign against Myanmar on 24 December. The other teams in the group are Laos, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
