YOUNG SQUAD FOR SINGAPORE U23

The young Lions will be in Group B of the biennial meet against hosts Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia.

Group A are defending champions Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Timor Leste and Vietnam.

“It has to be pointed out that while the meet is restricted to players under the age of 23-years-old, Singapore will have the youngest participants in that we will be bringing players with an average age of just 19-years-old,” said team manager Eugene Loo.

“As far as our training for the SEA Games is concerned, it has not exactly gone as well as what we had planned as some of the players had to sit for their examinations and it has caused some disruptions.”

At the SEA Games in Korat, Thailand two years ago, Singapore had won the bronze medal and questions now arise if they can repeat the achievement or do better in the championship.

As far as the target for the squad in Laos is concerned, Eugene said that the team will be looking to win a place in the semi-finals first.

“Once we achieve this target, then will we think about the aim for the next round.”

In the meantime, the Singapore U23 squad had to drop off Khalili D’Cruz from the team due to an injury.

“Khalili suffered a knock to his knee during training as such, we have already decided on the squad of 20 for the trip to Laos,” added Eugene.

But the team will not be short of experience as they have three players – Isa Halim, Shaiful Esah and Harris Harun – who have played with the senior squad before.

“Isa will be the captain of the team as he is a good leader and an exemplary player for the rest of the lads,” Eugene said.