23 players, including 9 from Lion City Sailors, called up to Singapore men’s football squad for September friendlies

Twenty-three players have been called up to the Singapore men’s football team for the friendly games against Vietnam and India on Sep 21 and 24.

The squad comprises nine players from reigning Singapore Premier League champions Lion City Sailors, three from Geylang International, two from Hougang United, Tampines Rovers and Young Lions, and one each from Balestier Khalsa and Albirex Niigata.

Three players based in Thailand – BG Pathum United siblings Irfan and Ikhsan Fandi, as well as Chiangmai FC’s Ryhan Stewart.

There were several surprises in coach Takayuki Nishigaya’s latest selection.

Uncapped Geylang International defender Joshua Pereira and Hougang United goalkeeper Mukundan Maran were both called up, while there were recalls for Balestier Khalsa’s Ho Wai Loon and Geylang International’s Hazzuwan Halim having last featured for the national team in October 2018 and June 2021 respectively.

Sailors goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, who has been playing second fiddle to Hassan Sunny for most parts of the 2022 Singapore Premier League, was dropped, while regular defender Safuwan Baharudin misses out due to a head injury he suffered in July while representing his club Selangor.

The team will depart for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for the friendlies on Sep 19.

Both matches are considered International ‘A’ matches, which means that the match will count into official records.

The friendlies were first announced in August, but a day later on Aug 16, FIFA had announced the suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) due to “undue influence from third parties”. The suspension was eventually lifted Aug 27, paving way for the triangular to take place as planned.

Both matches will be played at the Trhong Nhat Stadium. It will serve as preparation for the Lions at the year-end ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022.

Full squad list:

Goalkeepers: Hassan Sunny (Lion City Sailors), Mukundan Maran (Hougang United), Zaiful Nizam (Geylang International)

Defenders: Amirul Adli (Lion City Sailors), Hariss Harun (Lion City Sailors), Irfan Fandi (BG Pathum United), Joshua Pereira (Geylang International), Nazrul Nazari (Hougang United), Ryaan Sanizal (Tampines Rovers), Ryhan Stewart (Chiangmai FC)

Midfielders: Adam Swandi (Lion City Sailors), Hafiz Nor (Lion City Sailors), Hazzuwan Halim (Geylang International), Ho Wai Loon (Balestier Khalsa), M Anumanthan (Lion City Sailors), Shah Shahiran (Young Lions), Shahdan Sulaiman (Lion City Sailors)

Forwards: Faris Ramli (Lion City Sailors), Glenn Kweh (Young Lions), Ikhsan Fandi (BG Pathum United), Ilhan Fandi (Albirex Niigata), Song Uiyong (Lion City Sailors), Taufik Suparno (Tampines Rovers)