While our regional rivals Vietnam will face-off against Russia and Thailand in a friendly tournament in Hanoi, and Philippines, Malaysia, Tajikistan and Lebanon compete in the Merdeka Tournament across the Causeway during the upcoming FIFA ‘A’ International window, Singapore’s Lions will be stuck in Singapore having friendly matches against club sides BG Tampines Rovers and Malaysian league champions Johor Darul Takzim.
This was relayed by national coach Tsutomu Ogura in a media briefing at the Jalan Besar Stadium on 28 August, with both matches taking place on 6 and 7 September.
Both matches will be played behind closed doors.
But it does appear that while “efforts were made” to search for high-level international opposition, the FAS could not find any which also “matched training objectives”.
Said Ogura, “I don’t know if this is good or bad.
“If the results (in AFF) are not good, people will say ‘Ogura made a mistake in going to Japan and (plans for) September’.
“(But) I want to try a different approach to prepare for the AFF.”
So is Ogura just experimenting or is he sure this will worK?
“We want to have more training (sessions).
“For me, it’s the best (preparation). This is the best way.”
Netizens have reacted to the news that Singapore will face off against two club sides and not against international teams during the window.
MAIN PHOTO: STRAITS TIMES