At just 22 years old, the forward has already collected individual and club honours, including the Singapore Premier League’s young player of the year award in 2022. But he said wearing the Singapore jersey on Asia’s biggest stage would surpass them all.
“We started the campaign well. Everyone is ready to go, but we cannot be overconfident,” he said, adding he hopes fans turn up on Thursday to cheer for the team at the National Stadium.
“Playing at home is always a joy, so we have to use that to our advantage and just do our best.”
LIONS’ WOES
“Coach Ogura has given us a very strong foundation,” he said.
“My job is to continue that process, to give the players a sense of familiarity and stability … and ultimately to leave the (team) in a better place for the next (coach).”
Singapore has plunged in the FIFA world rankings in recent decades.
Once ranked as high as 73rd in the world in 1993, the Lions have since slipped to 158th in the latest rankings and have not lifted a major regional trophy in more than a decade.
