Lions out to frustrate Indonesia again, but hosts a different side now

JAKARTA — Singapore coach Gavin Lee expects a tougher test against Indonesia, but insists the Lions can still match the hosts in their FIFA ASEAN Cup opener at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Friday (Sept 25).

"The squad tomorrow night that Indonesia has is very different from the one we faced previously," Lee said at Thursday's pre-match press conference. 

"The task has gotten more difficult, but not impossible... We embrace the challenge, we own the discomfort."

The sides drew 1-1 at Jalan Besar less than two months ago in the Asean Championship, but Friday's encounter will feature a very different Indonesian side.

As the inaugural FIFA Asean Cup falls within the international window, Indonesia coach John Herdman has called on more of his senior overseas-based players, with 12 in the current 23-man squad compared with just two in August.

For Singapore, the tournament is also part of preparations for next year's Asian Cup.

Lee sees Indonesia and Malaysia as opponents who can show the Lions the level they will face on the continental stage, adding that success would be judged not only by results but also by how much further Singapore progress in those preparations.

Ilhan Fandi, who scored Singapore's equaliser in the previous meeting, described the hosts as among the tournament favourites, but said the Lions would not change their approach.

"As Team Singapore, we want to go out there, give them a good fight and enjoy the moment," said the 23-year-old, adding that the squad was looking forward to playing in front of a large, partisan crowd.

"If you want to take the Asian Cup seriously, I think it's good to play against these tough opponents in preparation," he said.

Herdman said his current group was closer to the squad he worked with during the March and June international windows, when more of his senior players were available.

But the former Canada coach acknowledged that reassembling the team has its own challenges.

Some players have not played together for three months, others are new to his system, and a handful arrived late in camp with limited training time.

"You don't bring a team together for three months and expect it to be a Rolls-Royce," he said.

"It will be a little bit clunky at times, and we have to work through that."

Herdman also praised Singapore as a resolute, tactically organised side whose familiarity under Lee makes them difficult to break down.

"They have a desire. They bring a fight. They have a collective mentality, and they can make it difficult for you," the Englishman said.

@asiaone Head coach Gavin Lee said the Lions will embrace the challenge and own the discomfort when they face an opponent that is "probably a stronger team now". More from the pre-match press conference, ahead of tomorrow's (Sept 25) FIFA ASEAN Cup match against hosts Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. #sgnews #Singapore #Sports #Football #Indonesia #FIFA ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

In the Aug 7 meeting, Indonesia needed a win to progress from the group stage and led shortly after half-time.

Ilhan's 66th-minute equaliser then sent Singapore through, but the Lions later bowed out 3-4 on aggregate to Thailand in the semi-finals despite winning the second leg 2-1 in Bangkok.

Lee has kept much of that group together. 

Akram Azman, Amirul Adli, Irfan Fandi, Luth Harith, Saifullah Akbar and Nathan Mao are out.

Safuwan Baharudin, Irfan Najeeb and Ramli return, while Haziq Kamarudin earns his first senior call-up.

Lee, however, played down suggestions that continuity would necessarily give Singapore an advantage, noting that players report for each international window in varying levels of form and fitness.

There was some injury concern over veteran goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, 36, who recently rejoined the Young Lions for the 2026-27 Singapore Premier League season. He has since returned to training.

"There was a little bit of worry at the start, but seeing how he has pulled up, I think we are all a bit calmer," Lee said.

Striker Ikhsan Fandi is out injured, leaving Lee to find alternatives in attack.

@asiaone The Lions play hosts Indonesia in the FIFA ASEAN Cup Opener at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Friday (Sept 25). #Sports #Football #Singapore #Indonesia #FIFA ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

Singapore next face Bangladesh in Group A on Sept 28 and Causeway rivals Malaysia on Oct 1, with only the group winners advancing to the final, facing either Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines or Pakistan.

But Lee's immediate focus is on Friday.

"Ultimately, just one game at a time," he said. "Tomorrow night, Indonesia first."

The match kicks off at 9pm Singapore time and will be streamed live on meWATCH.

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