Latest news with #GavinLee
CNA
4 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Hunt for new Lions head coach down to 5 names, including ex-Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach
SINGAPORE: The hunt for a new national football head coach has intensified, with the shortlist down from 10 names a week ago to five now, CNA understands. A few candidates – including former Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach Nick Montgomery – are in Singapore for interviews to snag the top job, after Japanese tactician Tsutomu Ogura resigned on Jun 24 due to personal reasons. His exit left Singapore looking for its fourth national coach in six years. Assistant coach Gavin Lee has stepped in to lead the Lions as caretaker in the meantime. While the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has kept its final candidates under wraps, Montgomery and a mystery Spaniard are among those who have been spotted in town for talks. Montgomery left the English Premier League side in June after a year there, where he won the Europa League. He was previously head coach of Scottish Premiership club Hibernian and Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners. The 43-year-old spent most of his playing career at Sheffield United. NO MAJOR TROPHIES SINCE 2012 The incoming coach will face high expectations from the new FAS Council, led by billionaire Forrest Li who was elected president in April. Li, who founded tech giant Sea, also owns Singapore Premier League (SPL) club Lion City Sailors. He told reporters last week he hopes that with success on the field, more people will follow local football and that interest will grow. Singapore are currently 159th in the world rankings. "We have the best city planning, the best airport, best highways. A lot of things are world-class – why not football?" Li said. Ogura left Singapore at the top of their third-round Asian Cup qualifying group, with four points after their first two matches and four games left. Finishing top means qualifying for Asia's premier competition for the first time ever on merit. The Lions have not secured a major trophy in more than a decade since winning Southeast Asia's football championship, the AFF Championship, in 2012. Observers said a new coach needs to be hired soon in order to build relationships with the players and understand the local football environment. Football pundit and commentator Rhysh Roshan Rai said Ogura had 'brought a lot more belief' into the Lions, who now have clearer ideas about the team. 'They want to try and dominate teams … They want to go out and play, and they want to show that they have courage on the ball, so I think all these things are really encouraging and you would like to see this continue,' added the former Singapore Armed Forces FC midfielder. 'I don't think it'll be a good idea to get someone who's going to basically rip up all the tactics and come in with his own ideas, own approach. Because at the international level, you don't have much time to work with these players.' Rai noted that the new coach will also have to consider if Lions are getting enough playing minutes in the SPL, which recently raised the number of foreign players to seven per match. 'We're seeing SPL clubs, for example, signing foreign goalkeepers, and so that's going to be a key area as well. We already don't have a great goalkeeping situation in Singapore,' he added. Ogura had left his role with some advice for Singapore football. 'Singapore must look for its own way, not chase another country, or chase another way of how to do things,' he said. 'Always keep confidence. Keep trust to our players, then our staff, then I think for Singapore a new history is coming.'
Independent Singapore
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
Singapore Lions continue their Asian Cup campaign against India, tickets available from S$15
Photo: Association of Singapore SINGAPORE: The Singapore Lions will resume their international Asian Cup campaign at the National Stadium on Oct 9, 2025. The national team will now proceed to their Group C match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup Saudi Arabia Qualifiers for 2027. Furthermore, this match against India will be the first of two games between the teams during the October FIFA international break. The Lions will then travel to India for their second match on Oct 14. This game will also be interim Head Coach Gavin Lee's first match in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, and he plans on building and strengthening the foundation made by former Head Coach Tsutoma Ogura for the team. Tournament updates Singapore is currently leading Group C, with four points from their previous opening matches. The team also had a 2-1 away victory against Bangladesh in June. Hong Kong, China, has four points as well and is in second place. Bangladesh and India have one point each. See also Lions to face China without Safuwan, Lionel, and Anumanthan The national team's match against India is an opportunity for them to prove that they are capable of being in the top spot, especially now that they are pushing towards the qualification for the AFC Asian Cup for the very first time. On social media, netizens expressed their support for the Lions and stated: 'These 2 home and away games against India will determine if SG stand any chances of making it to tournament proper.. Hopefully, after these 2 matches, SG will still occupy top position in grp standing as what it is as of now.' Moreover, there were comments from netizens about the interim head coach: 'Big games coming and still no proper experience serious professional coach,' and 'It seems FAS don't have plan to bring in new head coach anytime mention Gavin Lee leading the team. Bye2 then.' The game will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced from S$15 and will start selling on Aug 8, 2025, at 12 p.m. The Early Bird sales period will run until Aug 16. Here are more ticketing details: EARLY BIRD PRICING (Ticket sales period from Friday, 8 August 2025, 12 p.m., to Saturday, 16 August 2025, 11:59 p.m.) Category Prices* CAT 1 S$22 CAT 2 S$17 *Above mentioned ticket prices exclude ticketing fees: S$1 per ticket for ticket prices S$19.99 and below, S$2 per ticket for ticket prices S$20 to S$29.99, S$3 per ticket for ticket prices S$30 to S$39.99, and S$4 per ticket for ticket prices above $40. REGULAR TICKET PRICING (Available for all categories – from Sunday, 17 August 2025, 12 a.m.) Category Prices* CAT 1 S$38 CAT 2 S$28 CAT 3 S$15 CAT – Away S$35 *Above mentioned ticket prices exclude ticketing fees: S$1 per ticket for ticket prices S$19.99 and below, S$2 per ticket for ticket prices S$20 to S$29.99, S$3 per ticket for ticket prices S$30 to S$39.99, and S$4 per ticket for ticket prices above $40. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
Independent Singapore
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
Singapore Lions to play against Malaysia in September FIFA window, Gavin Lee to be Interim Head Coach
Photo: Association of Singapore SINGAPORE: The Singapore Men's National Team, known as Lions, will now play against Malaysia in an international 'A' friendly match on Sep 4, 2025. The event will be their first under the supervision of interim head coach Gavin Lee, and it will happen at the Bukit Jalil Stadium at 9 p.m. With this, Coach Lee expressed: 'This match is a valuable opportunity to prepare ourselves for the Asian Cup double header against India in October.' 'Malaysia will be a tough opponent in front of their home fans, and that's exactly the kind of test we need as we shape up for the Asian Cup qualifying matches to come,' the coach added. This September FIFA International window fixture is significant for Singapore's qualifying campaign at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. In previous matches, Singapore led Group C after defeating Bangladesh with a score of 2-1 last June. Furthermore, among the competing countries, the Lions have four points, leading ahead of Hong Kong, China, with one goal more. Bangladesh came third, with India ranking fourth. Singapore will now battle against India when the qualifying campaign continues in October. On social media, netizens expressed their thoughts and opinions about the upcoming match and remarked: 'Let's give our support to the National Team regardless of the result. It's not easy for them,' 'Time to see the real Malaysia team with their naturalised players,' 'Derby match. Malaysia is now a stronger team than before. Watch out Lions,' and 'I think we will be in for a surprise.' Singapore Lion's last visit to Malaysia The team's recent visit to Kuala Lumpur was during the group stage of the 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup. Back then, Harris Harun and the team fought a 0-0 draw at the same venue, which resulted in Singapore's qualification for the semi-finals of the ASEAN tournament, and Malaysia was unfortunate to move forward. National team updates In similar news, the Football Association of Singapore also shared that the women's team started their training to prepare for their AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Qualifying campaign. On social media, FAS posted some photos of the girls during their training sessions with a caption: 'Our girls are on a training camp in KL putting in the work ahead of our AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Qualifying campaign.' One netizen expressed support in the comments section and stated: 'Good luck, girls. You are in my city and wishing you all the best!' () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
New Straits Times
03-08-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Gavin Lee begins Lions reign with Harimau Malaya clash
KUALA LUMPUR: The Causeway derby will mark Gavin Lee's first match in charge of Singapore's national football team. The Lions will meet Malaysia in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sept 4. Both Harimau Malaya and the Lions will use the match as part of their preparations for the Asian Cup qualifiers. The 34-year-old Gavin, who was appointed interim head coach by the FA of Singapore last month, had reportedly said that the clash will be more than just a regional derby. "This match is a valuable opportunity to prepare ourselves for the Asian Cup double header against India in October," said Gavin, whose side currently top Group C of the qualifiers after a 2-1 win over Bangladesh in June. "Malaysia will be a tough opponent in front of their home fans, and that's exactly the kind of test we need as we shape up for the Asian Cup qualifying matches," said Gavin. This will be Singapore's first visit to Bukit Jalil since the 2024 Asean Cup, where they held Malaysia to a goalless draw.
Malay Mail
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Tsutomu Ogura steps down as Singapore Lions coach for personal reasons
SINGAPORE, June 25 — Tsutomu Ogura has stepped down as head coach of the Singapore national team for personal reasons, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced yesterday. The Japanese coach took charge in February last year, guiding Singapore to the semi-finals of the Asean Championship. 'Mr Ogura informed the FAS of his decision several weeks ago, citing the need to return to his home country to attend to pressing personal matters,' it said in a statement. 'The FAS respects Mr Ogura's decision and extends its sincere appreciation for his professionalism, commitment, and contribution to Singapore football during his time at the helm.' Following Ogura's departure, former Tampines Rovers head coach Gavin Lee will step in as the country's interim manager. — Reuters
