(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.