Four-time champions of the AFF Suzuki Cup Singapore will be entering the tournament as underdogs

Four-time champions of the AFF Suzuki Cup Singapore will be entering the tournament as underdogs and will need to be at their best, if they intend to progress from the “Group of Death”.

Overview

This Singapore squad entering the tournament can be considered weaker compared to previous teams. Fandi Ahmad has gone for experienced campaigners in Baihakki Khaizan, Hariss Harun, Khairul Amri and Shahril Ishak while pairing them with young talents such as Jacob Mahler and Iqbal Hussain. For the four-time AFF champions, the tournament will prove to be a stern test for them as they are in a very tough group alongside Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. With that being said, though this squad may be weaker than past teams, Fandi has inculcated a never-say-die attitude in this team and the Lions will fight till the end. Singapore is still unbeaten under Fandi with the Lions drawing once while winning thrice in their last four matches.

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Squad

GK: Hassan Sunny, Izwan Mahbud, Zaiful Nizam

DF: Baihakki Khaizan, Faritz Hameed, Irfan Fandi, Nazrul Nazari, Safuwan Baharudin, Shakir Hamzah, Zulqarnaen Suzliman

MF: Adam Swandi, Hariss Harun (C), Jacob Mahler, Izzdin Shafiq, M. Anumanthan , Yasir Hanapi, Gabriel Quak, Zulfami Arifini

FW: Khairul Amri, Shahril Ishak, Ikhsan Fandi, Faris Ramli, Iqbal Hussain

Coach profile

A legend in Southeast Asia, Fandi Ahmad is a name that needs no introduction. He was appointed coach of the national team on an interim basis after Sundramoorthy stepped down. As a coach Fandi has managed SAFFC, Pelita Raya and Johor Darul Takzim. He is also the current coach of the Young Lions where he led them to a seventh place finish this season.

Playing style

Compared to Sundram, the Lions under Fandi tend to be more attacking. He has settled on a 4-2-3-1 formation with an emphasis on building out from the back and keeping possession.