SINGAPORE – Seated among the Singapore supporters in the 29,644-strong crowd at the National Stadium last November, Faris Ramli could only watch on helplessly as the Lions were outclassed and outmatched in a 3-1 World Cup qualifying defeat by Thailand.
Four months later, the BG Tampines Rovers winger has a chance to make a difference on the pitch after he was handed a recall to the national team on March 8, following new Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura’s announcement of his 26-man squad.
The Republic, who are bottom of Group C after losses to South Korea (5-0) and the Thais, host China on March 21 with the reverse fixture five days later.
Faris, who has 11 goals in 77 caps since making his international debut in 2014, was dropped from the last two squads of Ogura’s predecessor, Takayuki Nishigaya.
Missing those four games – against South Korea, Thailand and a double-header with Guam – in the previous qualifying rounds was “a wake-up call to not take things for granted” for the 31-year-old.
He learnt about his call-up shortly after his Friday prayers at Masjid Darul Ghufran in Tampines, when he saw that he was added to a WhatsApp chat group for the national team.
Faris, who has 13 goals and 12 assists in 32 games in 2023 for BG Tampines, said: “The truth is that I have not been translating my club form to country...
“Under the previous coach, I was tasked to be a forward because his set-up did not really have space for a winger, since he preferred to use a set-up with wing-backs. I have always been a winger, so it was tough for me, but I also realised that I need to adjust to what the coach wants. I knew I could do better.
“Every time that I am not in the squad or injured and not able to play, I always try to be there at the stadium to watch the team. In the last two games, I really wanted to be on the pitch to help.
“You always want your team to win, even if you are not there. And these are World Cup qualifiers, you always want to play for your country. It was painful to watch, but it was a lesson for me.”
After weeks of meeting Singapore Premier League (SPL) club staff and watching training and matches at the SPL interim pre-season tournament, Ogura, 57, has opted for a largely tried-and-tested mix of experience and youth.
There are four uncapped players. BG Tampines’ Jared Gallagher, 22, who can play in midfield and defence, and 19-year-old Young Lions fullback Fairuz Fazli are in their maiden Lions squad. Thailand-based midfielder Harhys Stewart, 22, and Lion City Sailors goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad, 27, will also hope to make their international bow.
Ogura, who was unveiled by the Football Association of Singapore on Feb 1 as the new director for both the senior and Under-22 men’s teams, has made several changes to the last side called up by his compatriot Nishigaya.
Gallagher, Fairuz, Stewart, plus the BG Tampines trio of Glenn Kweh, Joel Chew and Faris are in. Hougang United’s veteran midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman, Sailors’ Adam Swandi, Hami Syahin and Christopher van Huizen, and BG Tampines defender Amirul Adli miss out.
The Singapore-based players will join up with Ogura and his coaching team on March 11 while the eight overseas-based players, including the Fandi brothers, Irfan, Ikhsan and Ilhan, will return on different dates once they have completed their club commitments.
Said Faris: “We have a new coach and hopefully he can guide us to success. We are all looking forward to learning what his philosophy is and putting into practice what he wants us to do. It is exciting to be back and I and the rest of the players are looking forward to the two matches.”
Lions squad
Goalkeepers: Hassan Sunny (Albirex Niigata), Syazwan Buhari (BG Tampines Rovers), Zharfan Rohaizad (Lion City Sailors)
Defenders: M. Anumanthan, Lionel Tan, Zulqarnaen Suzliman (Sailors), Fairuz Fazli (Young Lions), Jared Gallagher (BG Tampines), Jacob Mahler (Madura United), Irfan Fandi, Ryhan Stewart (BG Pathum United), Nazrul Nazari (Hougang United), Safuwan Baharudin (Selangor FC)
Midfielders: Joel Chew, Glenn Kweh, Shah Shahiran (BG Tampines), Song Ui-young, Hariss Harun (Sailors), Harhys Stewart (Chiangrai United), Zulfahmi Arifin (Bhayangkara FC)
Forwards: Daniel Goh (Albirex), Faris Ramli (BG Tampines), Shawal Anuar, Hafiz Nor (Sailors), Ikhsan Fandi (BG Pathum), Ilhan Fandi (KMSK Deinze)
