(Left to right) Singapore Interim Head Coach Gavin Lee and forward Ilhan Fandi the pre-match Press Conference, 17 November 2025.
HONG KONG, 17 NOVEMBER 2025 – A historic spot in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup beckons for the Singapore Men’s National Team as they take on Hong Kong, China in a winner-takes-all AFC Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifier at the Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday, 18 November 2025.
The Lions have never qualified for the prestigious tournament on merit, and they are fired up to deliver what could well be one of the most significant nights in Singapore football. Singapore currently sit level on points in Group C with hosts Hong Kong, who lead the standings by virtue of having scored one goal more.
A win tomorrow would secure Singapore’s spot as group winners, while a draw would leave qualification to be decided on the final matchday next March. A defeat, however, would see the Lions eliminated from the tournament with Hong Kong going through instead.
To gear up for the all-important clash, the Lions faced Thailand in a friendly last Thursday (13 Nov), where they battled to a 3-2 defeat in a closely contested affair.
“In terms of preparation, we had a very good game against Thailand,” said Lions’ Interim Head Coach Gavin Lee. “There were areas we weren’t satisfied with, but that gives us a chance to reflect on our performance. That allows us to identify where we can tweak and improve,” he said.
Lions Interim Head Coach Gavin Lee at the pre-match Press Conference, 17 November 2025.
Even with a place in the history books on the line, Lee stressed that the Lions must function like it is business as usual, and carry their focus and intensity into the game.
“Of course, the stakes are now different from the Thailand game,” said Lee. “But if we look at the importance of the game, this is no different from the previous games we played.”
“Our goal is to deliver a good performance to finish the job tomorrow, and hopefully bring those three points home.”
Facing Lee in the opposing dugout is Hong Kong Head Coach Ashley Westwood, who has named a strong 24-man squad. Headlining the team is left-back Shinichi Chan, who has featured prominently for his club side Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League and the AFC Asian Champions League Elite this season.
In attack, the Englishman can call on the likes of winger Everton Camargo – who has recorded 11 goals and 14 assists in his 22 national team appearances, as well as captain Matt Orr.
The two sides last met in the opening game of their qualifying campaign in March, when the Lions were left to rue a series of missed opportunities in a goalless draw.
And Lee is determined to ensure that his side makes things count this time.
“Hong Kong are a very organised side that knows what they want to achieve on the pitch, and based on what we’ve seen, not much has changed since our last match,” he said.
“We’ve taken away many lessons from that match, and it will be a close game this time.”
Lions forward Ilhan Fandi at the pre-match Press Conference, 17 November 2025.
Buriram United forward Ilhan Fandi is raring to go.
“All of us know that tomorrow is a big game. We will approach it the same way we have done for the other matches, but we came here with one mission only – to get the three points,” he said.
The Lions’ last win over Hong Kong came more than a decade ago, in August 2012, but Ilhan is confident, with the forward staying laser-focused on the task at hand.
“This is a do-or-die game. When the final whistle is blown, we have to win the game, and that’s what I have on my mind,” he said.
“We’re here to make the country proud and give hope to Singaporeans back home. The whole team shares the same goal – we all want to get the three points and qualify for the Asian Cup.”
While a sizable number of travelling fans will be cheering the Lions on from the away end at Kai Tak tomorrow, those back home can catch the match at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Bishan Community Club or at the Festive Plaza in Our Tampines Hub.
The match will also be streamed live on mewatch from 8:00pm.
