Singapore squad for AFF U19 Women’s Championship 2023 announced; 9 players from U16 squad included
Nine players from the U-16 team have made the cut for the U-19 team.
The Singapore squad for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) U19 Women’s Championship has been announced, with nine players making the move up from the Singapore U16 team.
The squad of 23 were called up by coach Fazrul Nawaz, who will take charge of the team in the championship. Fazrul, who won two AFF Championships with the Singapore men’s senior national team during his playing career, was the assistant coach for the senior Lionesses at the recent SEA Games.
The nine players moving up from the U16 team are Nur Izairida Shakira, Ardhra Arul Ganeswaran, Qarissa Putri Ramadhani, Seri Nurinsyirah Indra, Yasmine Zaharin, Cara Chang, Liyana Indah Rickit, Seri Ayu Natasha and Chloe Koh.
Two players with senior appearances, Irsalina Irwan and Dhaniyah Qasimah, have been included too. Irsalina, who was also part of the team that participated in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, has three caps, while Dhaniyah, who was part of the team that competed in the SEA Games, has 24 caps.
Fazrul said the squad was selected based on their participation in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 qualifiers, AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, their respective clubs during last season’s Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) and the Women’s National League (WNL).
He said he is “banking on the international experience and capabilities of Dhaniyah and Irsalina to add a level of professionalism and creativity to the squad.”
“I hope I can instill self-belief and cultivate a winning mentality among our girls, recognising that these are the pivotal elements they need to excel in international competitions,” he added.
The AFF U19 Women’s Championships will take place from Jul 5 to 15, with 10 teams participating.
Singapore have been drawn into Group B with Vietnam and Malaysia.
“Both Vietnam and Malaysia matches will be stern tests for the girls, but at this stage internationally, there is no easy walk in the park,” said Fazrul.
Singapore will play Vietnam on Jul 6 before facing Malaysia two days later. Both matches will kick off at 4.30pm (Singapore time) in the Athletic field.
Three winners from each group and the best runner-up will then progress onto the semi-finals. The teams will vie for a coveted spot in the finals that is slated to take place on Jul 15.
The full Singapore U19 squad list is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Nurul Atiqah Binte Muhamad Salihin (JSSL FC), Alyssha Hannah Mohamad Nazri (Ayer Rajah Gryphon FC), Nur Izairida Shakira Binte Muamad Zaini (Lion City Sailors)
Defenders: Ariesa Zahran Binte Junaidi (Still Aerion FC), Ardhra Arul Ganeswaran (Lion City Sailors), Irsalina Binte Irwan (Albirex Niigata [S]), Dhaniyah Qasimah Binte Zamri Abdullah (Tanjong Pagar United), Nadia Binte Mohammad Nuraffendi (Mattar Sailors FC), Qarissa Putri Ramadhani Binte Zahary (Tanjong Pagar United), Seri Nurinsyirah Binte Indra Saharen (Lion City Sailors), Nur Adrianna Binte Hazeri (Tanjong Pagar United), Yasmine Binte Zaharin (Geylang International), Siti Nurerwadah Binte Erwan (Balestier Khalsa FC)
Midfielders: Cara Ming-Yan Chang (Lion City Sailors), Kyra Elise Taylor (Police Sports Association), Nasriah Binte Ibrahim (Balestier Khalsa FC), Liyana Indah Rickit (Lion City Sailors), Nur Sarah Zu’risqha Binte Zul’kepli (Albirex Niigata [S]), Nurzaherra Maisarah Binte Mohamad Rostam (Police Sports Association), Seri Ayu Natasha Binte Naszri (Lion City Sailors)
Forwards: Chloe Koh Ke Ying (Lion City Sailors), Farah Nurzahirah Binte Abdul Fattah (Tanjong Pagar United), Josephine Ang Kalie (Lion City Sailors)
