Ogura Optimistic for Exciting Clash against China

by ActiveSG Circle, on March 20, 2024

Newly minted Singapore head coach Tsutomu Ogura is hoping their clash with China will be an exciting one for the fans.

Ogura will take charge of his first match on Thursday, when Singapore hosts China in Group C of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Round 2 qualifiers.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ogura said “I’m very confident that the players will show good fighting spirit on the pitch”. Majority of the Singapore squad have been training together under the watchful eyes of Ogura since the 11thof March, with the overseas-based players joining up with the squad from the 15th of March.

photo credit: FAS

Ogura’s 26-man squad includes the uncapped Jared Gallagher and Fairuz Fazli, aged 22 and 19 respectively. Experienced winger Faris Ramli meanwhile returns to the squad having missed out on the last two call-ups.

The match could also see Lion’s main talisman, Ikhsan Fandi return to the starting eleven. The 24-year-old spent almost a year on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury in December 2022.

Also speaking at a press conference, Singapore skipper Hariss Harun said the team has adapted well to Ogura, and that’s important “to get our campaign back on track”.

Singapore has yet to pick up points in this qualifying campaign having lost to Korea Republic and Thailand 5-0, 3-1 respectively.

China come into this game with a new coach as well – Branko Ivankovic. The Croatian was appointed in late February, after a 4-year stint as head coach of Oman. Ivankovic is no stranger to Chinese football, having led Shandong Luneng to the Chinese Super League title in 2010.

The 70-year-old re-iterated that his goal with the China national team is to qualify for the World Cup and acknowledged that while his team may be the favourites against Singapore, his charges will not be taking the match lightly.

Over 20,000 fans are expected at the National Stadium as the Lions look to pick up their first points in their qualifying campaign. The match kicks off at 8.30 pm. For more information, click here.